The Vault, by Ruth Rendell

Satisfying Ruth Rendell. Much better than recent ones, and the change of having Wexford retired and assisting rather than directing a case added something interesting to the story.

Portobello, by Ruth Rendell

Always reliably creepy Ruth Rendell delivers another look at different London lives intersecting in ways that will make them all sorry to have met, along with a very, very, very strange character addicted to sugar-free candies. That part was a little odd. Solid, though.

The Monster in the Box, by Ruth Rendell

Another great Inspector Wexford novel by Ruth Rendell, le grande dame of UK psychological suspense. So good. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but I actually cried in parts of this. I think a great deal of the strength of some of the series fiction, as opposed to stand alone titles, is that growing with a character over years and years makes them so familiar, and you have an existing emotional relationship with them. As with Martha Grimes' Richard Jury, I feel that Wexford is (ok, an imaginary) friend, and to see him so vulnerable and looking back through the years made me kind of achy. The Wexford series has been going since 1964, I think I found them in about 1997 or so, and I've read all 22, so I feel like I've seen Wexford grow up faster than I did. It's a funny feeling. Anyone who cried reading Curtain by Agatha Christie will know what I mean. (no, not that!!! Just, you know, hard to read.)

Not In The Flesh, by Ruth Rendell

Another wonderful Rendell. Again the issues of race, immigration, class status, PC-ness, women's rights, and age all swirl up into creating such a unique mood. Martha Grimes' books have a mood that comes close, sometimes, but not quite this dark.

The only quibble I ever have with Rendell is why her characters are all such bad drivers. Or, the ones who aren't terrible drivers are always described as being "skillful', like, (totally fake example) 'Lyn skilfully parked the car'. Why is it considered so impressive to get down the road without smashing into things? Is this an American thing, to take for granted that everyone can drive and had better be pretty good at it or we all die?

End In Tears, by Ruth Rendell

As always, a meticulously plotted out Wexford mystery from Rendell. What is there to say? The relationships between Wexford, Burden, Hannah, Dora, Sylvia, Sheila, these are such well written characters. So good.

Babes in the Wood, by Ruth Rendell

Excellent dark police procedural mystery by the always amazing Ruth Rendell. Set during epic floods in England, Cheif Inspector Wexford sets off to investigate the disappearance of a 13 year old girl, her 15 year old brother, and the 30 year old who was supposed to be housesitting/watching over them while their parents were on holiday. Brooding and atmospheric. Rendell is good.