Not in the Flesh

What a shame that another reviewer did not bother to read Rendell's account of female genital mutilation as written in this book. It is well-known in the UK that Baroness Rendell is a long term campaigner against the practice. In this book she introduces the subject in an enormously sensitive way and is able to get across not only the horror of it, but also the reasons many people from Africa believe in doing it to their daughters. It's worth reading the book for the mystery, as described by others, but don't gloss over the tiny sub-plot with FGM in it. You might learn something. That said, the book is excellent, as are all Rendell's books. Excellent writing, good characterisation, and a good plot that is all tied together in the end. I particularly liked the introduction of the woman writing a book about her long-missing father, and the gifts she had inherited from him became clear as the story went on. Thank you Baroness Rendell for publicising FGM in your book, and please keep on doing so for the sake of our sisters around the world.

I've been pretty hard on Ruth Rendell lately. I miss the startling acid observations in her earlier psychological thrillers and their wicked plot twists. I miss her writing as Barbara Vine, under which she produces her best work. After spending several decades in her company, I think I've gotten greedy and for that I'm sorry. The worst Ruth Rendell is better than the best of many of her contemporaries (P.D. James excepted) and this above-average Wexford mystery is a very nicely done book. It has a Christie-ish feel to it and that's not a bad thing. In fact, English country murders are a wonderful tradition and I'm glad to see this one come along. It starts and ends with a truffle-sniffing dog, which is an education unto itself, and progresses along a path that takes us into the company and homes of some of the best and worst people you can expect in an English country village. Two bodies, two murders, possibly related but possibly years apart are at the heart of the book and there is an especially tough subplot where Wexford becomes acquainted with female genital mutilation as a cultural practice carried over by African immigrants. Rendell has done her homework here and does not flinch as she takes on this most difficult of subjects. This isn't a wonderful Rendell but it is a very good read and a genuine education in the process. Sometimes that is plenty enough. And oh, by the way, I just found out that a Barbara Vine book entitled The Birthday Present is due out later this year. Can't wait!

The thing I love about Ruth Rendell is that in addition to having a good who-dun-it, she also explores how British life is changing and what ordinary people think of that. She does that again in this one. I guess I'll concede that she sometimes allows characters to do this in a self-conscious way that might seem a "tad" dated. But her characters aren't supposed to be hip urbanites who wouldn't possibly use a term from the 90s. They're supposed to be small-town police officers who are generally well-meaning, but a bit befuddled by it all. And that comes through. I just get lost her in books and forget the events aren't real. She's wonderful.

Ruth Rendell writes superb mysteries, but I enjoy her Wexford characters best. This is a classic Wexford with some surprising twists related to female multilation. A must read if you like Wexford. Not to be missed - the best traditions of the British mystery.

This audio book is more than a double treat, it's a sure fire can't-stop-listening-to winner when you pair the estimable acting talents of Tim Curry as narrator and the award winning writing of Ruth Rendell. Curry won many of us with his unforgettable debut in the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He has made numerous screen appearances since then, playing diverse roles in such films as Kinsey, Charlie's Angels, The Hunt for Red October and Annie. This actor simply can't be pigeon-holed - on stage he has been nominated thrice for a Tony. His audio book narrations are as diverse as his professional career ranging from children's titles to science fiction to romance to fantasy and, of course, this stellar rendering of Not In The Flesh. For starters Curry has a wonderful voice, low, deep, strong. It is malleable, if you will, easily moving from tone to tone, intonation to intonation. Born in Britain he retains a hint of a British accent which, of course, serves us well in this story. What more can be said about Ruth Rendell or how much more praise can be heaped upon her? Surely she has numerous mantels to accommodate all her awards, among them are three Edgars, three Gold Daggers, a Silver Dagger, and on it goes. For this reader/listener Inspector Wexford is one of her finest creations. Wexford was introduced to us some 35 years ago and by now he's an old friend to many. "Old" is a key word here as he's grown a bit more codger-like with the passage of time, yet just as sharp, clever, and opinionated as ever. This time out a truffle hunter and his sniffing dog are having great good luck in the Sussex countryside - that is until the competent canine unearths what's left of a human hand. It's left to Wexford to identify the deceased who has probably been hidden in the ground for over a decade. Another confounding problem for the master detective is the inordinate number of people in that area who have simply vanished. As always Rendell's cast of characters is pure delight from close-mouthed residents to workmen who may or may not have seen anything to a downright nasty old lady with "loglike swollen legs." To read a work by Rendell is stay-up-late pleasure; to hear it is prime time entertainment. - Gail Cooke