The Monster In the Box
by Ruth Rendell
Rich and thought provoking
Inspector
Wexford has long been haunted by a case from his early days, by a man
who he knew got away with murder. Over time, the number of
murders without an apparent murder have increased. When Wexford
sees that same man, Eric Targo, many years later. Finally, he
shares his thoughts and regrets with his partner of many years, Mike
Burden. Like Wexford, Burden's wife, Jenny, has suspicions that
haunt her. For some reason she cannot explain, she feels the
Pakistani immigrant family, the Rahmans, might be forcing their
daughter Tamina into marriage or perhaps something worse. Jenny
has always thought of herself as open-minded with respect to other
cultures, so that in trying to find answers, she runs face to face with
the troubling thoughts she has behind her appearance of political
correctness. Meanwhile, as Wexford shares with his partner
and investigates Eric Targo, a nagging thought that troubled him takes
on even more urgency as he uncovers the kind of man who could have
committed such crimes. As Wexford seeks justice, a turn of events
even he would never expect, takes him face to face with unexpected
crimes.
THE MONSTER IN THE BOX, the 22nd in the Inspector Wexford novels, gives
readers a glace into the detective at the start of his career as he
looks back at the past. Indeed, one of the richest aspects of
this book for long-time crime novel lovers is the look at the culture
of the past and the investigative methods of the past as compared to
the world we all know through experience and recent novels.
Jenny's relentless pursuit of the truth about the Rahman family annoys
as the obviousness of her biases are unmasked and yet, the mystery has
all the more powerful effect at the end as events unravel in such an
unexpected resolution. Likewise, certain elements of Eric Targo's
life may appear odd at first glance but all add up to a chilling
portrait of the mindset of the murderer. The contrasts between
Jenny's search and the Rahman family to Wexford's case and Eric targo
create an emotional effect by novel's end, leaving the reader with
questions about the nature of crime itself, criminals and
justice. THE MONSTER IN THE BOX is more than a mystery thanks to
the richness of Ruth Rendell's writing. THE MONSTER IN THE BOX is
more than a trail excluding red herrings one by one or a methodical
collection of clues, more than a chilling suspense novel thanks to the
narrative layers and reflections on society. Whether you are a
long time Ruth Rendell fan or new to this author, MONSTER IN THE BOX is
wonderful for the uniqueness of its voice within the genre. Fans
of Ruth Rendell may appreciate THE MONSTER IN THE BOX most for the
variety within the series, appreciating will the author's ability
to grow and evolve throughout the series rather than churning out pale
reminiscences of previous novels. Above all, Ruth Renell writes a
thought-provoking mystery with a stunning unexpected twist at the end.
Publisher: Scribner (October 13, 2009)
An Inspector Wexford Novel
Other Inspector
Wexford Novels: From Doon wih Death, The Sins of
the Fathers, Wolf to the Slaughter, The Best Man to Die, A Guilty Thing
Surprised, No More Dying Then, Murder Being Done Once, Some Lie and
Some Die, Shake Hands Forever, A Sleeping Life, Death Notes, The
Speaker of Mandarin, An Unkindness of Ravens, The Veiled One, Kissing
the Gunner's Daughter, Simisola, Road Rage, Harm Done, The Babes in the
Wood, End in Tears, Not in the Flesh
