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Blood Lines cover art

Blood Lines

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
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Summary

'I think you know who killed your stepfather', said Wexford. So begins this scintillating collection of long and short stories by Ruth Rendell. It was clear both to Wexford and Burden that Tom Peterlee was not killed for 360 pounds, but various people would have liked them to think he was...

It is a case which reminds the Chief Inspector that there is only a thin line dividing the cop from the criminal.

©1995 Kingsmarkham Enterprises Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Blood Lines

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not my favourite Ruth Rendell

Found these stories somewhat tedious and unappealing will stick to her Wexford novels in future.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Would you try another book written by Ruth Rendell or narrated by Nigel Anthony?

Nigel Anthony reads well but this book was uninspiring and uninteresting. I would buy another Ruth Rendell if it was a Wexford book but I wouldn't buy a collection of short stories or other Ruth Rendell novel

What will your next listen be?

Not a Ruth Rendell, I think it will be Playing Beattie Bow by Ruth Park.

What about Nigel Anthony’s performance did you like?

He reads well and he has a pleasant voice.

Could you see Blood Lines being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

I seriously hope not, there was nothing in the book that is worth turning into a television play or series.

Any additional comments?

This book was a waste of money.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

average

not up to usual Rendell standard. her full length novels much better. would not spend a credit, ok to read if it's free.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absorbing stories, great narrator

A really good set of shorter stories from RR, long ones at the start and end, with some varying length ones in between. Very clever, and some really snuck up on me! Nigel Anthony is my favourite narrator of all time. He never misses, peeling laughs out of me and sucking in attention. His approach to female voices is spot on. I forget it’s a male reading, and he never resorts to the idiotic squeaky parody of women some narrators lean into. I loved it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant writing

Intriguing stories from a master of the art. Beautifully written, perfectly narrated. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing - Don't bother with this one

Not up to the usual Ruth Rendell standard. OK they are short stories but they did not capture my interest. I gave up part way through and returned the book - something I rarely do.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great collection

I really enjoyed this collection of stories, especially the final story set largely in 1950s Mallorca. The descriptions of settings and the children’s feelings were very evocative.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stay for the last story…

The Strawberry Tree, which is an exceptionally good novella. I don’t think Ruth Rendell has written anything much better than this, and it is very well performed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So original

An eclectic collection of very short and long short stories. Very entertaining. The last story in particular was exceptional in my opinion.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and different

How nice to hear other voices of Rendell’s pen. How extraordinary is the range of Nigel Anthony’s voices.
A nice cosy, surprising read

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