No More Dying Then

This story is an early work by Ruth Rendell, but it's a clear milestone on her road to become the queen of dark fiction. I marvel at how adept Rendell is at taking the reader into the very core of her characters' minds. No need to get into the plot of this book, but if you enjoy a meandering tale with many stops along the way to examine the thinking, emotions and motivations of the book's characters, this is a work for you. As dark as the story can be, a kind of redemption emerges at the close.

~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~ This was my absolute favorite Ruth Rendell mystery in the Inspector Wexford series. It takes place in about the middle of the Inspector Wexford/ Detective Burden series. But it is not necessary to be familiar with the detectives, as they are briefly introduced to the reader in each book. ~ ~ Detective Mike Burden's wife has just died, and his sister-in-law is staying at his house to help take care of his two children. He is so utterly miserable, and grief stricken, that he can't see how much they all need him to focus himself on his home life. Partially because of his inability to deal with his personal life, when a 5-year-old boy disappears, he throws himself whole-heartedly into the investigation. He becomes over involved with the boy's mother. The recent disappearance of a 12-year-old girl makes the case more worrisome. ~ ~ Ruth Rendell is a master of plot twists and turns that keep us guessing. The book was very strong in the characterizations of the principal players, not just Burden and Wexford, but also the boy's mother, who clings to hope when it looks grim. Grace, Burden's sister-in-law is also very believable and understandable, as she suffers through the pain of Burden's family, who need his focus back at home. ~ ~ "No More Dying, Then!" is absorbing and captivating. It is a great way to start reading the Inspector Wexford mysteries. "

No More Dying Then is worth reading. It stands on it's own, and it is a worthy addition to the Wexford series. I've been reading Rendell for a couple of years now, primarily because Elizabeth George's work is so often compared to hers. I find the comparison complimentary to both authors. Rendell's early work, including No More Dying Then, is less complex in plot and character development than both her later work and all of George's work. Regardless, Rendell's stories are interesting, and her characters are believable. No More Dying Then is generally a satisfying work. The relationships and thought-processes are well-crafted and authentic. The red herrings are fun, and the ending is a bit of a suprise. Plus, there is enough bizarre and deviant behavior to entertain a second milennium audience without excruciating detail, for those of us who prefer not to know too much...I have been reading Rendell's work in order of publication (a personal preference when authors are as prolific as she), and I have thoroughly enjoyed the development of both Wexford and Burden. I get the feeling that Rendell likes her main characters and cares about their lives. As a result I care about them, and want to know more about them.

Above average for Ruth Rendell with unremitting suspens and round up characters, this book could be termed "superb" by any other author; for Ruth Rendell, it is merely excellent. Contrary to the view of the reader from Riga, Ruth Rendell, to me, is of the same category as Dorothy Sayers - stylishly erudite. P. D. James I would classify with Agatha Christie, with a pedestrian style and unmemorable characterizations.

Written around 1970, this mystery about the abduction and possible murder of two children in Sussex holds up today. In fact, one major plotline reminded me of the 90s bestseller, *The Deep End of the Ocean.* Rendell's writing is often compared, justifiably, to P.D. James'; her grasp of psychology, particularly the psychology of grief and loneliness, is profound and poignant. From the characters of Inspector Burdin and his sister-in-law Grace to those of the villain(s) and victim(s), Rendell has rendered real sensate beings whose pain and terror we share.