Rating: 
Summary: Sharper Than the Serpent's Tooth
Review: This fine psychological study is long on characterization and suspense, but short in the thriller department. I think Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell) has surpassed herself in the creation of Ursula, the ignored wife and mother.Gerald Candless, famous author, devoted and adored father, husband of Ursula dies of a heart attack at 71 in his home on the Devon coast. His two daughters, to whom he has dedicated his life, are devastated. Ursula feels nothing, but as both Gerald and her daughters have disregarded her since they were born, no one particularly notices. Elder daughter Sarah is commissioned to write a memoir of her celebrated father. During her preliminary research, she finds that Gerald Candless reinvented himself at age 25, that the real Gerald Candless died when he was six years old. This seems to be an impossibility given the extreme closeness among Gerald (who wasn't really Gerald) and his daughters. Sarah is ambivalent about going forward with her research. The daughters who are in their early 30's are just about as spoiled as you would expect them to be and shockingly indifferent to their mother. Ursula is almost paralyzed by her apathy toward Gerald and unable to reach out to her daughters after being thoroughly rebuffed for so many years. This is the mystery that is to be solved. Ms. Vine cleverly gives us more and more well-placed psychological clues that lead us toward Gerald's secret. Each chapter heading is supposedly a quote from one of Gerald's books and they are engagingly witty---"The meek may inherit the earth, but they won't keep it long." --- and serve as clues to the upcoming events. Great importance is placed upon "The Game" which Gerald and his daughters trot out to torment those not in their inner circle. It is so stupid; the entire trio should have been smacked. Ursula wisely has never taken part. (Not that she was asked!) The problem with "The Chimney Sweeper's Boy" is the setup is great, but the denouement doesn't live up to it. Some readers might feel they have invested a great deal of their time and energy for very little. I felt like getting there was half the fun and admired the way Ms. Vine breathes life into all these people. Even the enigmatic Gerald is more to be pitied than scorned. I would recommend reading Ms. Vine's "Dark Adapted Eye" first. If you find that enjoyable and are anxious for more, pick up "The Chimney Sweeper's Boy." Hint: The title is a clue. -sweetmolly-Amazon.com Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Long and dark novel
Review: This is lenghty and dark novel based on forged identity and the fragile lives built upon it. When Gerald, a successful and lauded author dies, his daughter is left with unraveling the mystery of his and his family's life. While the characters are well developed, they are intense, selfish and flawed. Ruth Rendell writing as Barbara Vine manages to draw the reader in, but one can't help feeling that none of the people in the story were worth getting to know.
Rating:
Summary: Predictable
Review: This is the first book I have read of Vine and was quite enthusiastic about the book as I was told of her reputation as a mystery writer. The book started off ok, but soon got to be predictable and corny. I saw where the plot was moving from the first third of the book. Somehow, I was expecting a twist at the end, but it never came. What I found interesting was the quotations from Gerald Candless' novels at the start of each chapter -- his books would have been a wonderful read. I still refuse to believe that someone so sensitive, loving and insightful about the human condition as John Ryan could have morphed into a monster like Gerald Candless. Sure, he was tormented and sure he was homosexual, but that doesn't mean he has to dislike his wife to the extent that he treats her like dirt! I mean, that's ridiculous. I find that behaviour hard to imagine from someone who seems to have such a kind and open heart with his own family. Another thing I didn't agree with was how Ursula could have been so switched off even after Sarah had told her that her husband changed his identity. I mean wouldn't she be more interested in finding out why he did that so that she would better understand his treatment of her? ... I have read reviews of Vine's books where it was said that there was a lack of pleasant and likable characters and I have to say "The Chimney Sweeper's Boy" is no exception. Ursula is a character we can sympathise with and she has inward strength but I can't understand how she could have put up with Gerald's torment. Sarah and Hope are one-dimensional, esp. the latter and it is a puzzle how they have failed to witness the ill treatment of their mother. Gerald's character is the only one which is interesting, but I still can't comprehend the vast change in his personality. Homosexuality was probably a much more sensitive issue than it is nowadays, but to seriously cause all the unhappiness for Gerald is doubtful. I hope Vine's other works live up to her name.
Rating:
Summary: interesting ,different but flat at the end
Review: This is the first book of Barbara Vines I have read,I was drawn to it by what was reviewd on the back cover. 'It was described as 'gripping' and almost unputdownable.Well here i shall disagree.Certainly the idea of the story was good.To have hidden ones self and not be found until after your death is certainly different.The need to find out what or who Gerald Candless was at the beginning encouraged me to continue to read the book ,but half way through it became obvious and predictable,and I was somewhat disappointed in the ending.This is a tale of deceit,and cunning actions.A tale of hidden secrets and an unwanted marriage to hid the truth of what Gerald Candless was . Gerald was in fact an incestious.homosexual murderer.His marriage was a fraud,the only thing about Gerald that wasnt fraudulent was the love for his daughters.This book was was provacative and insight to what depths people will go to distort and hid the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Well-crafted mystery novel
Review: This is the first novel I have read of this multi-award winning author. The story revolves around an author who apparently lives a straight-forward life and writes deeply complex novels. After his death it is discovered that he is not who he claimed to be, and that each of his novels contain bits of his true story. The unraveling of it all is interesting and well told. Prudish readers should avoid this book as it does include descriptions of homosexual activities.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Mystery!
Review: This was a really great mystery! I was absolutely hooked by page 5. I have not read a real page-turner in quite a long time. I was not able to put this book down and read it in three days. I don't think you will be disappointed if you buy this book. I plan to read many more by this author.
Rating:
Summary: AN INCREDIBLE MORAL DILEMMA
Review: This was my first Barbara Vine book and I must admit that I hated the first 50 pages and almost put it down. I could not find one redeeming quality in any of the characters. I'm glad I continued because it was one of my favorite reads of '98 in this genre. I have since ordered all of Vine's books and even some of those that she wrote as Ruth Rendall. I felt that the plot was intricately woven especially how it tied into the title of the book. I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed with this choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: This was my first Barbara Vine book, and I was disappointed. The plot unfolded painfully slowly, and I almost put it down. The characters were shallow, and had few redeeming qualities. The ending made me nauseous. A big waste of my time.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but by no means brilliant
Review: This was the first Barbara Vine novel I read and after reading the reviews I felt I should add my own. The story is well paced and well told, which is what one would expect of such a successful author. However it lacks speed, ingenuity and real mystery. The plot is painfully guessable and one is left feeling let down and cheated at the end. The characters and the texture are rich and this is what saves an otherwise predictable story. Before I read it, I was really looking foward to it but I don't think I will read another Barbara Vine novel. It lacks true punch.
Rating:
Summary: A Huge Disappointment
Review: To put it bluntly, this is a mystery without mystery, a thriller without thrills. Like "Anna's Book" and "No Night Is Too Long" it is populated by obnoxious and predictable people. Two thirds of the way through you have everything figured out and there are no surprises left. The typical Barbara Vine twist at the end that shocks, surprises, and delights is totally lacking here. What I find most dismaying is that a writer of Vine's stature has sunk to using gimmicks to spice up an otherwise pedestrian plot. I hope she waits until she can come up with some decent characters and a plot that that has more to offer than tabloid sensationalism before publishing another book.
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