Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful writing, terrible edition - buyer beware!
Review: "Judgement In Stone" is one of my all-time favorite books. Because of this, I decided I needed a hardback copy and ordered the Amereon House vintage reprint. In principle, and addressing the publisher's message to the reader at the front of this edition, it is surely praiseworthy to keep older titles available to new readers. However, this edition has MANY serious flaws. On many pages the print is skewed. There are many typos. The flaws are so many and so noticeable, it detracts from the superb story. "Judgment in Stone" is a true classic of the genre and one of Ruth Rendell's most stellar pieces, in my opinion. However, if you can get another edition, I would avoid this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A compelling psychological study
Review: A JUDGEMENT IN STONE is a fairly short novel, like most ofRendell's early works, but it hardly requires length to justify itselfas a superb novel that succeeds on so many levels. Written in the sharp, perceptive, and engaging style that is Rendell's own, the book weaves the story of Eunice Parchman, an illiterate woman who becomes employed as a housekeeper to the wealthy Coverdales.Once more, Rendell shows readers and critics that she can create an intricately crafted story with surprising twists and turns...She spins out all the elements of the plot seamlessly and incisively, giving us a convincing picture... As usual, the characters are well-drawn, totally realistic and believable yet with their own individual quirks and personalities. The character of Eunice Parchman is best done of all. Eunice manages to draw sympathy for her plight, while simultaneously chilling the reader with her blank, cold-blooded apathy. She is possibly one of Rendell's most mystifying and intriguing creations, and would alone make this novel worth reading. But Rendell has added wit, suspense, mystery, a clever plot, and confident characterizations to create one of her finest novels. A JUDGEMENT IN STONE is not at all easy to locate, but if you find it, even an old copy, definitely read it. This is vintage Rendell.
Rating:
Summary: Literarcy Would Have Saved Lives!
Review: As if it were some perverse Columbo plot, readers know the murderers from the beginning of the story and they know the motive: the inability to read!! Discovering how illiteracy moves a sociopath from grudging good behavior to mayhem is fascinating. No writer of suspense surpasses Rendell's ability to plumb the dark side of human nature. And, this novel is one of her strangest and best.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever!
Review: I had a copy of this book years ago and loaned it to friends over and over until it finally disappeared. I bought a hardcover copy from Amazon.com a few months ago, and the book is as great as I remembered it. I would advise readers to buy the hardcover, because it's a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Compels the reader, willing or not
Review: I had to add my comments; I absolutely adore Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine's unerring insights into human frailty, and her ability to create fully realized three dimensional characters. This book, however, is special. It begins by telling the reader that the whole family in the book is going to be killed, and by whom, and is still a compelling read. I determined not to care too much about the intended victims, or else to try to find the flaws that lead inexorably to their deaths, but found myself caring about them all too much. This is an extraordinary novel from an extraordinary talent.
Rating:
Summary: Her best psychological thriller
Review: I have bought this book twice as I lent the first copy to someone who never returned it and since then I have been writing down the names of people to whom I lend my books. Eunice Parchman is identified in the beginning as the murderer and this is in fact part of the book's excitement. We don't have to work out who did it but why and how. She is a creepy, illiterate woman who is deeply ashamed of her illiteracy and quite smart in finding ways to hide it. She also manages to find people willing to help her write letters and read lists for her. With a brain that could do this, she very possibly could have learnt to read and write if she had put her mind to it. Ruth Rendell simply cannot write a bad book but this was her most enjoyable for me. The characters are so well rounded and so believable, the suspense is high and the writing style is simply great. The pages just seem to turn themselves and the book is impossible to put down. Eunice eventually befriends Joan Smith, an equally creepy, evil person who is fact turns out to be a psychopath. The Coverdale family is also extremely believable. Eunice does not know what to make of the fact that she cannot blackmail the daughter as she is not used to people like this. If there is anyone out there who has never read a Ruth Rendell, start with this one. I envy you as each and every one of her books, in my opinion, is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Not So Hard To Find Anymore
Review: I hope that the fact that this book is back in print is a good sign that the other early non-Wexford novels of Ruth Rendell will also become easier to find. This novel is a masterpiece, a short and wonderful story that you can see happening. Rendell has so many strenghths in her writing, but the one I find most overwhelming and awe inspiring is her ability to really draw humans. To make you understand how ordinary people can find themselves in the most god awful of circumstances. How your mind can create the reality that you ultimately work from. It is true that this novel works from an almost "true crime" point of view. I found myself thinking of "In Cold Blood" so often that I had to remind myself that is was not a true case. You want to feel for Eunice, even in the face of the terrible acts she has prepertrated. A true accomplishment. May Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine live to be six hundred and ten and never stop writing. I hate to say there are only seven Ruth Rendell non-wexford books that I have not yet read (and I have a long commute on public transportation, so I go through them quick.) and I fear running out! My library also hopes more of her books become rereleased, as my excuse that my cat ate their books are beginning to wear thin. Once you have a Rendell in your hands, you are hesitant to give it back. It becomes a part of you. I don't think I have ever read a Rendell/Vine novel without declaring in the first 50 pages "Okay this is her best one ever." This is true of A Judgement in Stone" as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Judgement in Stone
Review: I just want to say i really liked this book. This was my first Ruth Rendell's book. She really captures you from the very start.What amazed me about this book was you know the murder and who does it from the start but the way this author tells this story is incredible. i look forward to reading more of her books.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I know that people are always saying that, but it's true. Even though I knew from the beginning who was going to be killed and by whom, I was hooked. You know they are doomed, but you don't know why. I loved the way she started out a chapter with "In church on Sunday morning, their last morning..." and the other times she mentioned that if a character had done something different at that particular time, she wouldn't have been in the house and shot. Discovering the why behind the crime was chilling. The housekeeper was really creepy, but no one noticed until it was too late. The characterization of the crazy religious friend was wonderful, too.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I know that people are always saying that, but it's true. Even though I knew from the beginning who was going to be killed and by whom, I was hooked. You know they are doomed, but you don't know why. I loved the way she started out a chapter with "In church on Sunday morning, their last morning..." and the other times she mentioned that if a character had done something different at that particular time, she wouldn't have been in the house and shot. Discovering the why behind the crime was chilling. The housekeeper was really creepy, but no one noticed until it was too late. The characterization of the crazy religious friend was wonderful, too.
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