A Dark-Adapted Eye
Decide its fate
The record
Time
An eveningA season304 pages, about 6 hours: about the length of a typical book on the shelf.
Getting in
Walk right inSteep climbThree reviewers report a slow or crowded start; two point to the opening chapters, one to chapter two.
What it gives
Plot and actionIdeas to live byIn 12 reviews from critics and book blogs, 6 credit the plot and 3 credit the ideas or a change in how they live.
One of a kind
Others do thisNothing else doesTwo blogs compare the tone to Rebecca, on the shelf at 386 pages, and the method to A Judgement in Stone at 192 pages.
The case for it
on the mini-mysteries
“It sets up little mini-mysteries and solves them or else keeps setting the stage”
four stars · a book blog on the family histories
“this novel is crammed with warped and unexpected histories.”
Val McDermid · Dead Good Books, 2016 on the writing style
“the story and descriptive, literary style of writing reminded me of Daphne du Maurier’s work.”
a book blog on the family drama
“The tale of affection gone sour, of privilege and betrayal, and of endless secrets”
a book blog
The case against
on the pacing
“this leisurely, subdued, half-successful novel is a sly exercise in delayed exposition”
Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 1986 on the family tree
“Family tree family tree family tree, family tree to the point of excruciating frustration.”
Hank Phillippi Ryan · CriminalElement.com, 2019 on the second chapter
“Chapter 2 drops you into a flurry of characters”
a book blog on the telling
“telling is maddeningly slow; where Rendell is taut and succinct, Vine is discursive, meandering, fussy.”
two stars · a book blog
