Like most families they had their secrets. And they hid them under a genteelly respectable veneer. No onlooker would guess that prim Vera Hillyard and her beautiful, adored younger sister, Eden, were locked in a dark and bitter combat over one of those secrets. England in the fifties was not kind to women who erred, so they had to use every means necessary to keep the truth hidden behind closed doors, even murder. 'A rich, complex and beautifully crafted novel' - P. D. James.
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Like most families they had their secrets. And they hid them under a genteelly respectable veneer. No onlooker would guess that prim Vera Hillyard and her beautiful, adored younger sister, Eden, were locked in a dark and bitter combat over one of those secrets. England in the fifties was not kind to women who erred, so they had to use every means necessary to keep the truth hidden behind closed doors, even murder. 'A rich, complex and beautifully crafted novel' - P. D. James.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.
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Rarely do I read a book this delightful. There are many instances of intelligent humor, so well executed, that extended laughter is unavoidable. Very human characters, excellent historical treatment.
I read this because it was high on a list.
I'm glad I did.
JONAA
May 10, 2009
Vine Surpasses Rendell
It's very odd that the great Ruth Rendell even considered writing under a pen-name, and odder still that the results would be superior to her already high level of accomplishment. This novel about a family that makes the term dysfunctional seem inadequate, yet very familiar somehow, has a number of praise-worthy features, including a fine grasp of life on the home front in World War II. Rendell brings her exceptional skill as a craftswoman of literary expression to the task, as one might expect, but also a welcome sense of restraint and proportion, coupled to her already honed ability with plot and pace.
