From Doon with Death: 1 (A Chief Inspector Wexford Mystery)

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As Rendell explains in her Afterword, From Doon with Death was originally written as a one-off standalone. simply as a challenge to see if she could write a whodunnit style of mystery. The character of Chief Inspector Wexford here is somewhat colder than the character in the later books and the TV series. The home life is completely absent and the character is not given to quoting Shakespeare or other classics. He even seems to be a bit contemptuous of the Victorian poetry books that feature in the plot. Faithful assistant Detective Inspector Mike Burden is already quite set in his ways. This is the first book featuring Wexford, so I assume they will improve. I've enjoyed this one thoroughly so I very much look forward to the next investigation.

After reading the "Dossier" I knew I wanted to read more about Ruth Rendell and would encourage everyone to read more about her fascinating life and diverse accomplishments. Here is one of many articles of interest: I’ve read Ruth Rendell’s Chief Inspector Reg Wexford before and it had been too long. There’s something about his detached and unemotional demeanor that’s a pleasure to read. Not that I appreciate detectives only like him. I simply find him amusing. He’s none too easily disturbed. In the manner of a benevolent cat that astonishingly gives the mice free range. From long experience Burden knew that whatever may happen in detective fiction, coincidence is more common than conspiracy in real life. Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels.

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Review of the Arrow Books 50th Anniversary Kindle* eBook edition (2014), with a Foreword by Ian Rankin and an Afterword by Ruth Rendell, of the original John Long Ltd. hardcover (1964) There is nothing extraordinary about Margaret Parsons, a timid housewife in the quiet town of Kingsmarkham, a woman devoted to her garden, her kitchen, her husband. Except that Margaret Parsons is dead, brutally strangled, her body abandoned in the nearby woods.

Who would kill someone with nothing to hide? Inspector Wexford, the formidable chief of police, feels baffled -- until he discovers Margaret's dark secret: a trove of rare books, each volume breathlessly inscribed by a passionate lover identified only as Doon. As Wexford delves deeper into both Mrs. Parsons’ past and the wary community circling round her memory like wolves, the case builds with relentless momentum to a surprise finale as clever as it is blindsiding.

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This book was published in 1964, the year I was born. (Which is why I read it now, to fulfill a book bingo square :) It must have taken fifteen years to obtain the series volume I needed and get started. I want to enjoy a lauded authoress and have the jury out for Ruth Rendell / Barbara Vine. However, it is not the names that I grade. “ From Doon With Death”, 1964, was dry. I hear her solo stories and other Reginald Wexford / Mike Burden cases are better; a good thing, because I own nearly them all, courtesy of bargain bins! Higher marks for higher enjoyment will mean something.

And reality seems to be what interests Rendell. The town that the Parsons live in isn't some charming little English village. It's a town that's become just like any other town, the way all cities seem homogeneous these days, with exactly the same chain stores and restaurants along any main street, defying you to know exactly where you are, Spokane or Saskatoon. The problems are those of the early 1960s, when women were just starting to extricate themselves from being exclusively housewives and starting to reach for sexual equality. In From Doon with Death, Ruth Rendell instantly mastered the form that would become synonymous with her name. Chilling, richly characterized, and ingeniously constructed, this is psychological suspense at its very finest. returning to original review now, but I still recommend this novel - it's much better the second time through. --If crime fiction is currently in rude good health, its practitioners striving to better the craft and keep it fresh, vibrant and relevant, this is in no small part thanks to Ruth Rendell.' -- IAN RANKIN In one of these podcasts, Meredith had recommended the Inspector Wexford series to Louise Penny fans. Same type of deal; a small village and developing characters throughout the series. And, great mysteries to boot. As one reads the novel it's important to realize that it was originally published in 1964 and reveals British law at the time of publication. The humanity of Wexford shows not only his impatience when his time is wasted but also his compassion while still following the letter of the law. In the 2007 edition of the novel published by Ballantine Books there is a "Dossier" by the author in which she shares, "I realized that I had put an enormous amount of me-and to some extent my father-into him."

To be fair, it has a few things going for it. There is the open-minded attitude Inspector Wexford has towards people who are different from the majority. It is not a picture perfect little town, but is grimy and seedy. The people are not at all charming, and are often more than a little annoying. Also, there is no Hastings or Watson to romanticize the proceedings, and given how much I hate both characters, I'm adding a star just for that. As it becomes clear that there is indeed foul play, of course we find that this ordinary housewife had a more interesting history than initially suspected. With no useful clues and a victim known only for her mundane life, Chief Inspector Wexford is baffled until he discovers Margaret's dark secret - a collection of rare books, each inscribed from a secret lover and signed only as ' Doon'. The premise is wonderfully romantic and innocent. The darkness is there but it’s mostly gray in the fictional village of Kingsmarkham. One must pay close attention to clues. They are hidden well in a sparse yet rich narrative.I initially gave three stars, for an aspect I don't recall. Two stars make sense. Reginald was an asshole! That compounded with how much I hate things allegedly stated “quietly”! If you are annoyed by a colleague or subordinate, like the uniquely likeable Mike: a human being raises their voice somewhat, or at least expresses themselves emphatically. This “quiet” or “calm” idea is crap: as robotic as it is irritating! That presents no memorable personality and in this case, I was glad Reginald was not in the story until later; that Mike is an equal protagonist. Reginald was rude to Mike. He was very harsh, merely at Mike's posing of a question, or making a suggestion!