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Title: The House of Stairs
Author: Ruth Rendell
Narrator: Annie Wauters
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs
Language: English
Release date: 04-24-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 13 votes
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective
Publisher's Summary:
When Lizzie and Bell meet for tea after nearly two decades apart, the topic of conversation is murder - one that Bell herself committed
When Elizabeth Vetch spots Bell for the first time in 17 years, she chases her down in order to learn why her old friend committed a terrible murder all those years ago. Bell has been in prison ever since the mysterious events that took place at the House of Stairs, a London mansion full of over-privileged, overstuffed, and somewhat sinister boarders, landed her there. Now its up to Lizzie to put together the pieces of her friends - and her own - fateful past.
As the story behind Bells crime unfolds, master of suspense Barbara Vine keeps readers guessing at the victim and the motive, letting the sword of Damocles hang over the heads of a fascinating and richly drawn cast of characters.
Critic Reviews:
An unputdownable thriller. (The Sunday Telegraph)
Barbara Vine is a master practitioner of the genre in which we are not certain until the end what the crime was. (The New York Times Book Review)
Members Reviews:
Would rather have read it.
Would you try another book from Ruth Rendell and/or Annie Wauters?
Ruth Rendell, yes. Annie Wauters, no.
What didnt you like about Annie Wauterss performance?
Her reading was very measured with a little pause between each word, like she was aiming at an audience of octogenarians. And why didn't they pick an English reader??
Did The House of Stairs inspire you to do anything?
Stop reading it...but I persevered.
Any additional comments?
This novel was all tarnished glitz, unconvincing character development, and it appeared that by the end, even the author was bored with it, but not to say I want go back and buy and listen to some of her earlier work. Ruth Rendell is a wonderful writer, but this is not her best work.
Such an irritating reader
What disappointed you about The House of Stairs?
The performance.
Would you ever listen to anything by Ruth Rendell again?
As a rule, I enjoy Ruth Rendell
How could the performance have been better?
The reader sounds like a short-winded smoker!
You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
I can't even finish the first chapter because of the reader
Any additional comments?
Yes, I would like to return this audiobook
Horrible narration
Great book, lousy narration. Guttural and slurry.
American accent strange choice for a story that takes place in England.
Great story though.
Story is good but the narrator nearly ruined it
Would you try another book from Ruth Rendell and/or Annie Wauters?
I have always liked Ruth Rendell's books and will continue to recommend her to others. I will not recommend Annie Wauters as a narrator. I have been much more impressed with Jenny Sterlin, Nigel Anthony, Julian Glover, and Davina Porter, who all narrate Ruth Rendell's books very well.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The House of Stairs?
The moment at which we realize the protagonist's relationship with Belle was romantic.
What didnt you like about Annie Wauterss performance?
Annie Wauterss performance was stilted, dull, and mechanical. At many points it sounds as if she is simply reading a list of words.