Search - The Ruth Rendell Mysteries - Set 3 on DVD

More Rendell Suspense

Tom S. | New York City | 06/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Volume 3 of the British TV anthology series devoted to the one and only Ruth Rendell, and it's a mixed bag. The first 2 volumes covered the early 1990s seasons in the series, and they were very good--well-directed, well-acted adaptations of her books and short stories, with familiar British actors and a fine sense of atmosphere. Volume 3 covers 1997-2000, and it's not as strong as the earlier entries.



There are 3 novels and 2 short stories here, and not one of them really stands out. The Wexford mystery, "Harm Done," is probably the best of the lot, with George Baker (Wexford) and Christopher Ravenscroft (Burden) solving a connected series of domestic abuse mysteries in Kingsmarkham. The dramatization of Rendell's award-winning novel, "The Lake of Darkness," is also okay-but-unremarkable, as are the 2 short stories here, "The Fallen Curtain" and "You Can't Be Too Careful." But then there's the long (3-part, nearly 3-hour) adaptation of one of her weakest novels, "Going Wrong," and it is an appropriate title. This shrill, unpleasant story of romantic obsession and murder just goes on and on, and nothing about it is distinguished.



These later seasons of THE RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES didn't seem to have the great actors and directors of the earlier ones, and I wonder why. At any rate, Rendell fanatics like me will want to complete their collections with this box, but newcomers should first check out the superior Volumes 1 and 2. Semi-Recommended."

Why so few Wexford?

A. Paton | Scotland | 08/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is no doubt that the Ruth Rendell psychological stories are excellent. The problem is that the best of her stories feature Inspector Wexford, and, so far, only three, of the 26 or so stories, are available on DVD. Why? It can't be lack of sales as all Ruth Rendell's stuff sells well. Whoever has the mastertapes, lets have some more Wexford."