Death Notes [Mass Market Paperback]

Ruth Rendell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 1982

Sir Manuel Camargue, yesterday one of the most celebrated musicians of his time, today floats face down in the lake near his sprawling English country house. The consensus is accidental death -- but Inspector Wexford knows the stench of murder most foul when he smells it. Particularly in the company of two suspects -- one, the victim's fiancee, who is too young to be true, the other his daughter who may be no kin and even less kind . . .

--This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Sir Manuel Camargue, yesterday one of the most celebrated musicians of his time, today floats face down in the lake near his sprawling English country house. The consensus is accidental death -- but Inspector Wexford knows the stench of murder most foul when he smells it. Particularly in the company of two suspects -- one, the victim's fiancee, who is too young to be true, the other his daughter who may be no kin and even less kind . . . --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 12, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345302729
• ISBN-13: 978-0345302724
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,109,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rendell Deserves an Encore!, January 19, 2001

By 

Billy J. Hobbs "Bill Hobbs" (Tyler, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death Notes (Paperback)

Inspector Wexford finds that this is one of his most challenging cases. In "Death Notes," he is called to investigate the death of noted musician Sir Manuel Camarque, whose body has been found floating in the lake near his country house. Naturally, everyone wants it ruled "accidental death," but Wexford senses that something, indeed, is not right. Two suspects come immediately to his mind: the aging victim's young fiance and the other his daughter! Both, indeed, have struck discordant tones and the harmony of the of the work is most out of tune! Ruth Rendell, however, doesn't keep the investigation in Kingsmarkham for this one, as California and the south of France also play geographical roles as well. No matter. Rendell is at home whereever her setting and "Death Notes" is well-written and easily captures the reader's attention. Rendell is a master of the police procedural and with her indomitable inspector, this episode in a long running series is right on key! ([e-mail])

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine installment of a high-quality series, December 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Death Notes (Inspector Wexford) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although one of the most intriguing Wexford mysteries, DEATH NOTES remains, for the most part, a fairly typical Rendell novel. It has its flaws in some places, but overall it meets the high standards that Rendell, truly a storyteller of the highest order, demands.

The story begins with the seemingly natural death of the great flutist (flautist, rather) Sir Manuel Camargue. When his daughter Natalie arrives to collect her inheritance, suspicion concerning her identity arises, leading Wexford to search for the truth about who she is, trekking through England, France, and California before the questions are finally resolved.

Ultimately, the mystery surrounding Natalie's identity is much more interesting than that of Camargue's death. For the better part of the book, the whole murder plot takes a back seat to the other, more intriguing question. The revelation of Natalie's identity is absolutely ingenious, the type of clever plot twist you'd expect from Agatha Christie. Unfortunately, Rendell doesn't seem to have put her heart into the whodunit aspect of the novel as much.

But other than that, this is a well-constructed mystery, as readable as only Rendell can be. Her prose manages to be simple and conversational, yet also sophisticated and literate. Rendell demonstrates once again her wry, razor-sharp wit in her character descriptions. This may be either intended humor or mere social observation; whatever the case, it makes for a highly entertaining read.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing page turner of monumental proportions, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Death Notes (Inspector Wexford) (Mass Market Paperback)

I started this book in the afternoon and found, no matter how tired I got, I couldn't put it down. I loved it! I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries.