Reviews

A Fatal Inversion by Barbara Vine

winterzeshoek's review against another edition

3.0

Read this years ago and remember being very impressed, but this time, not so much. I could tell quite early on where the story was going, and it seemed all a bit contrived.

gifflesnooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jdelloso's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

drippydots's review against another edition

3.0

It was ok. I had hoped I would like it more than I did. I found the writing a bit disjointed in places and it moved a bit slowly but it held my interest and was overall pretty decent. My first Rendell/Vine.

lelly's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the_literary_cat's review against another edition

2.0

I really did not like the writing style. The first half is very slow moving and it almost made me discontinue the book. The plot got better and more exciting towards the ending. I also did not like the main characters of this book. They were selfish and self-indulgent, even though this might have been intended by the author. This was a two star read for me.

dan78's review against another edition

4.0

Dark, brooding and twisting sum up this book!

Well written with characters you instantly know (and hate in some cases) who plot their web of lies so their past can't find them out!

Good methodical thriller!

em_beddedinbooks's review against another edition

5.0

I was drawn into this murder mystery. It was a great experience - listening to the book during my daily jogs. Am glad that I listened to the audio version because otherwise I would have just rushed through the book, in my usual speed-reading mode, sometimes even missing certain aspects. A wonderful psychological thriller, which shows how even gentle, normal people can commit crimes, if circumstances arise. I loved the descriptions of Acalpamos (not sure of the spelling) and wished i owned it. I would have loved a remote bungalow in the wilderness as a holiday home. I was drawn into the lives of Adam, Rufus, Zosie, Shiva and Vivian for the past few days.

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition

4.0

I want a movie version of this book. I can just see it. Spooky good.

jennereads's review against another edition

4.0

This is the first Ruth Rendell novel that I have read under her Barbara Vine alter ego, but it was definitely classic Rendell. It is nearly a murder mystery in reverse with all the lovely (or horrifying) psychological accompaniments. How does murder affect a person? Why are some only troubled by fear of discovery and not the crime itself? How many subtle affects can a crime have on a person who believes they are in the clear?

There are so many other fascinating ways to look at a mystery than as a simple whodunnit. It amazes me that Rendell is able to reveal the basic crime and the guilty persons and still create a high level of suspense until the last page. There are moments where the various points of view border on confusing, but overall this is a compelling novel.