Two things interest Stanley Manning: crossword puzzles, and the substantial sum his wife Vera stands to inherit when his mother-in-law dies. Otherwise, life at 61 Lanchester Road is a living hell. For Mrs. Kinaway lives with them now—and she will stop at nothing to tear their marriage apart. One afternoon, Stanley sets aside his crossword puzzles and changes all their lives forever...
In One Across, Two Down, master crime writer Ruth Rendell describes a man whose strained sanity and stained reputation transform him from a witless loser into a killer afraid of his own shadow. Mischievously plotted, smart, maddeningly entertaining, One Across, Two Down is a dark delight—classic Rendell.
One Across, Two Down (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Released in 1976, 1980, and 1971, respectively, these present a bevy of Rendell's signature characters, who, although seemingly normal, well-balanced individuals, in actuality are nut cases. Though her books are formulaic, Rendell has managed to amass a huge following, who will enjoy a second crack at these.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Review
"The best mystery writer in the English-speaking world." -Time
"Undoubtedly one of the best writers of English mysteries and chiller-killer plots."- Los Angeles Times
"Rendell is a master of the form."-The Washington Post Book World
"No one can take you so totally into the recesses of the human mind as does Ruth Rendell."- The Christian Science Monitor --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
"Undoubtedly one of the best writers of English mysteries and chiller-killer plots."- Los Angeles Times
"Rendell is a master of the form."-The Washington Post Book World
"No one can take you so totally into the recesses of the human mind as does Ruth Rendell."- The Christian Science Monitor --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Early suspense from a master storyteller,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: One Across, Two Down (Paperback)
This is one of Ruth Rendell's early novels (first published in 1971), a bleak foray into greed and despair. Stanly and Vera live in a North London suburd along with Vera's mother, the caustic Maud, who hates her deadbeat son-in-law with a passion. The feelings are mutual from Stanley, who is constantly planning Maud's demise when he is not obsessed with his favorite hobby - crossword puzzles. As in most Rendell novels, there are few likable characters here with the exception of Vera, the long-suffering wife. In a way, each character gets what they want, but the hands of fate have ways of playing them out in unexpected ways. There is a pervailing atmosphere of doom and gloom that gets darker as the novel progresses and Rendell may get the reader to gain a little sympathy toward Stanley, which is quite an accomplishment.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not high on the thrill scale, but enjoyable,
By
This review is from: One Across, Two Down (Paperback)
One Across, Two Down is a light read. Not to say that it's boring because it's not. But the signature Rendell thrills-and-chills isn't here. Oh sure, of course, there's a murder or two, but then there always is with Ms. Rendell's books. Stanley, a crossword puzzle aficionado, is a perennial loser despite his impressive command of the English language. The whole story revolves around him and all throughout this character reminded me of Inspector Clouseau (Pink Panther) - bumbling, egocentric, inept and hilarious. Everything Stanley touches turns to dust or chaos. If you want an undemanding and entertaining Rendell story, try this.
5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful tale of greed gone out of control,
By A reader (Litchfield Co., CT) - See all my reviews
This review is from: One Across, Two Down (Hardcover)
I knew from Rendell's past books that this would end in chaos. There some tense moments, but Stanley ends up getting .... It moves right along and is hard to put down. It's a good story about people waiting for someone to die so they can inherit money and how easily it can go wrong. Vera, Stanley's wife, is a docile, meek character at the beginning.... ....Having nosy neighbors was ...downfall.
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