Speaker of Mandarin: An Inspector Wexford Mystery [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Ruth Rendell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1983

There were some things about Chief Inspector Wexford's trip to China that he could never have dreamt of. That an old woman would haunt him from one city to the next. That a man would be tragically drowned. Or that, back in England, he would be investigating the murder of one of his fellow tourists.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Chief Inspector Wexford is in China, visiting ancient tombs and palaces with a group of British tourists. After their return to England, one of his fellow tourists is found murdered. As he questions other members of the group, Wexford finds secrets of greed, treachery, theft, and adultery, leading the distressed inspector to ask not who is innocent, but who is least guilty . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 353 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr; Lrg edition (August 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896214885
• ISBN-13: 978-0896214880
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,290,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good entertainment, June 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Speaker of Mandarin: An Inspector Wexford Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)

Although SPEAKER OF MANDARIN does not contain the depth of psychology and characterization for which Rendell/Vine is famous, it is a light-hearted, entertaining, and at some points funny, read. Wexford's travels in China, which are described in detail, are intriguingly written, and Rendell's observations of the trip are sharp and humorous without being racist. The book is ingeniously plotted, full of red herrings, although the final solution is somewhat rushed and a bit of a let-down. But the book is easy to read and entertaining.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Wexford fans, November 19, 2001

By 

Gloyo (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Speaker of Mandarin (Word for word audio books) (Audio Cassette)

I have read all the Wexford books and this one has stayed with me.
I think about it often as it made a huge impact on me when I read it. The characters are complex and there is an almost mystical quality about it. This book along with "Semisola" are my favorite Wexford stories.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wexford goes international!, August 24, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Speaker of Mandarin (Audio Cassette)

Certainly Chief Inspector Wexford is "out of his bailiwick" in this Ruth Rendell suspense! In "Speaker of Mandarin," the erstwhile police detective finds himself in China, enjoying the sights. So much so that some sights keep recurring! Even after he returns home to his routine of solving murders in Kingsmarkham! Following the trip to China, one of Wexford's fellow travelers is murdered. And Rendell & Company are off and running. This series, certainly one of the best in the police procedural genre, always provides the reader with plenty of suspense, intrigue, intelligence, and great characterization. In his investigation, Wexford finds that there's more to this group of travelers than meets the ey, much like an Oriental puzzle box: until you press the exact button, it remains a mystery. Through Wexford's skill, ably assisted by Mike Burden with a little help from Wexford's wife Dora, the puzzle--and murderer--is soon revealed. Rendell is true to form here,

although finding her in China is a bit surprising! Nevertheless, Rendell fans will applaud and new readers will be impressed! ([e-mail])