The Monster in the Box

Many reviewers have speculated that this may be the last Inspector Wexford novel from Ruth Rendell. She has hinted in the past that her interest level for her brooding detective has waned. If this is the case, it is a fine ending in the long running series (this is the 22nd book). Wexford first appeared in the late sixties in "From Doon With Death" investigating a case which is mentioned here in the latest book. In fact, "Monster in the Box" is a look back into the past as Wexford confronts Eric Targo, a man that he long suspected as being a murderer. He reflects back on his early days as a rookie detective and the courtship of his wife Dora. A sub-plot, involving a possible arranged marriage in a Muslim family, is distracting and not very interesting and is perhaps the only flaw in an otherwise excellent book. Still, Ruth Rendell is such a fine writer that these minor details still put her way ahead of most authors. Readers who are new to Rendell should know that she writes other excellent psychological novels not in the Wexford series. These books are among my favorites, especially the ones she pens under the name Barbara Vine.

When one has eagerly read each of Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford novels as they became available at the bookstore, it is hard to approach this book objectively or like a stand-alone mystery. I'm afraid I just can't do it. It's a wonderful book, but, for me, it's about catching up with old friends. In this book, we -- and Mike Burden -- learn about Wexford's early life and beginning as a policeman, including a failed engagement. In one of those early cases, Wexford decides that he knows who committed a murder and it is not the man accused of it. But there is no evidence, only intuition, and so he is not able to do anything about it. The man who Wexford believes is a killer has come in and out of Wexford's life over the years, and so we see how Wexford's life has gone through the years, a touching retrospective of someone we feel we've come to know so well. Now, Wexford's suspected murderer is back in town and -- surprise -- there's a murder. Who could have done it? The side plot involves a missing Muslim girl, whom one of Wexford's officers and Burden's wife, Jenny,feel is being forced to leave school at 16 in order to marry someone of her family's choosing. It's a tiny bit tedious, but gives Rendell plenty of opportunities for humor as the ultra-politically-correct young officer twists herself up in determining which PC concept trumps another -- respecting the Muslim religion or deploring the traditional role forced on some Muslim women. The tremendous devotion Wexford's suspected murderer has for his pets, including llamas and a lion, also makes for several humorous events. I hated it when Ed McBain gave us "The Last Best Hope." I hated it when Colin Dexter took Inspector Morse from us, and I held my breath through much of Reginald Hill's "Death Comes for the Fat Man." I hate that Rendell is making it clear that Wexford is no youngster anymore, yet I respect her for being true to the series and the characters. It's just that, when the time comes, I'll miss them so.

Would you believe I'm just now discovering Ruth Rendell having read this novel and her latest written as Barbara Vine? Needless to say, I'll be rectifying that lapse on my part although I won't promise to read all 70 of her previous books. Although this is the first Inspector Wexford mystery I've read, I didn't feel any lack from not being better acquainted with him because there's plenty of background here as the whole history of his contacts with Eric Targo, a possible serial killer, is revealed. Wexford is convinced that Targo is responsible for at least two of the murders he has investigated, and after a long absence, Targo reappears again stalking Wexford. A new murder bears all the earmarks of the earlier two and Wexford becomes the stalker determined to bring Targo to justice this time.Interwoven with this pursuit is Wexford's partner's wife Jenny's concern that a Pakistani girl is being forced into an arranged marriage rather than being allowed to follow her own heart.In time, of course, the two plots merge and we find ourselves in the capable hands of possibly the foremost crime writer of our time. Recommended without reservations.

In Ruth Rendell's "The Monster in the Box," Chief Inspector Reginald Wexford takes center stage. In his mind's eye, he relives his early days as a policeman and even recalls his youthful romances. Why this sudden attack of nostalgia? Wexford's obsession with the past results from a renewed sighting of his nemesis, Eric Targo, whom Wexford believes has killed before and may kill again. The problem is that Wexford does not have a scintilla of proof that Targo has committed murder, and for many years, Wexford "had kept silent because he knew no one would believe him." Targo has stalked, smirked at, and mocked Wexford, knowing that the chief inspector cannot touch him. Has Wexford's intense dislike of this man colored his thinking? Is it possible that Targo is guilty of nothing more than being an obnoxious bully? Finally, desperate to confide in someone, Reg reveals his suspicions to his long-time partner, Mike Burden. Eric Targo, who is short and muscular, was born with a disfiguring purple-brown birthmark on his neck. Over the years, he has married repeatedly, embarked on a number of business ventures, and traveled from place to place. The first Mrs. Targo said of her husband, "He likes animals better than people. Well, he doesn't like people at all." After a decade of having no contact with Targo, the chief inspector still bitterly regrets his inability to bring this fiend to justice. Now that Targo is back in Kingsmarkham, Wexford has another chance to complete his mission. Another subplot involves Moslem parents named Mohammed and Yasmin Rahman, whose sixteen-year old daughter, Tamima, is an excellent student. However, Tamima is a bit too interested in boys and her family might want to arrange a "safe" marriage for her before she strays too far afield. Rendell demonstrates how the huge wave of immigration from Asia is changing the face of England and setting the stage for ugly religious and cultural conflicts. "The Monster in the Box" is a well-constructed novel in which Rendell gives us a fascinating peek at the young Wexford as he tries to make his mark in his chosen profession. Reggie is a richly developed and appealing character whose compassion, good judgment, insight, love of learning, and willingness to admit his mistakes are thoroughly refreshing. Rendell's literate writing flows effortlessly, the dialogue is sharp and often amusingly sardonic, and her descriptive writing is vivid and concise. This book would be worthwhile solely for the back story of how Reggie met and married and his wife after a series of unproductive relationships. The Targo plot is chilling. Wexford is convinced that this individual has ruthlessly killed a number of men and women whom he barely knew. However, what is his motive (if indeed he has one)? Furthermore, unless Targo strikes again and is caught in the act, there is nothing that Wexford can do. He recalls old murder cases that may have been Targo's handiwork and investigates a new o

Eric Targo is a creep, but is he a serial killer? That's the question for Inspector Reginald Wexford in THE MONSTER IN THE BOX. Many years ago, when he was a young cop on the beat, Wexford suspected the strange little man of committing several random murders in Kingsmarkham, Wexford's town in southern England. Wexford never had any evidence or proof, so he never mentioned his suspicions to anyone. Targo knew the young cop suspected him, and he took to taunting him in a weird way--following him around and staring at him. Then he disappeared. Over the years, Wexford's suspicions became a secret obsession. Now, after many years, Mr. Targo is back in Kingsmarkham, and Wexford's old obsession has resurfaced. He's even begun to stalk Targo, just as he, himself, was once stalked. But is Targo really a monster? Was he ever? Or is it all in Wexford's imagination? Wexford finally breaks his long silence, telling his police partner, Mike Burden, everything he knows and suspects about the man. Mike doesn't believe him at first, but then there's a new murder very much like the old ones.... Ruth Rendell is my favorite mystery writer, and this new book is a real treat for fans. In telling Wexford's history with Eric Targo, Rendell gives us unusual glimpses into his past--including his bachelor days and how he met, courted, and married his wife, Dora, and the eventual births of their daughters, Sylvia and Sheila. These flashbacks arrive throughout the new story, providing a detailed portrait of the inspector. I've been reading his adventures for 30 years now, but I never learned as much about him as I did here. Another bonus for longtime readers is the mentioning of several earlier Wexford cases, including From Doon with Death: The First Inspector Wexford Novel (Mortalis), Murder Being Once Done, and Road Rage (A Chief Inspector Wexford Mystery). A great new mystery plus a great trip down Memory Lane--what could be better than that? Highly recommended.