No Man's Nightingale

An Inspector Wexford Novel

By: Ruth Rendell

Narrated by: Nigel Anthony

INCLUDES AN EXCERPT OF RENDELL’S FINAL NOVEL, DARK CORNERS

From “one of the most remarkable novelists of her generation” (People) a “refined, probing, and intelligent” (USA TODAY) mystery in the masterful Inspector Wexford series…more enthralling than ever after fifty years.

A female vicar named Sarah Hussein is discovered strangled in her Kingsmarkham vicarage. A single mother to a teenage girl, Hussein was working in a male-dominated profession. Moreover, she was of mixed race and wanted to modernize the church. Could racism or sexism have played a factor in her murder?

Maxine, the gossipy cleaning woman who discovered the body, happens to also be in the employ of retired Chief Inspector Wexford and his wife. Wexford is intrigued by the unusual circumstances of the murder, and when he is invited by his old deputy to tag along with the investigators, he leaps at the chance.

As Wexford searches the Vicar’s house, he sees a book on her bedside table. Inside the book is a letter serving as a bookmark. Without thinking much, Wexford puts it into his pocket. Wexford soon realizes he has made a grave error in removing a piece of valuable evidence from the scene without telling anybody. Yet what he finds inside begins to illuminate the murky past of Sarah Hussein. Is there more to her than meets the eye?

No Man’s Nightingale is Ruth Rendell’s masterful twenty-fourth installment in one of the great crime series of all time, an “absorbing and rewarding” (Seattle Times) mystery that explores issues of sexism, class, and racism. As Stephen King said: “No one surpasses Ruth Rendell.”

Perfect audiobook

What did you love best about No Man's Nightingale?

Interesting characters, plot moved along with secrets revealed at a rapid clip. Interesting subtext about racial, gender stereotypes. Everything came together nicely at the end.

What about Nigel Anthony’s performance did you like?

Barely noticed his performance- all the accents were very realistic!

Any additional comments?

Light entertainment, but exceptionally well done. Fans of CSI-style forensic police procedurals may be disappointed- this is more of an Agatha Christie style pursuit of psychological deficiencies and motives for murder!

Superb

The dark comedy of everyday life shines through in this truly excellent story. The narrator was perfect in showcasing Rendell's extraordinary gift for complex stories about very ordinary people.

Excellent

All rendall novels are great esp Wexford novels This one has so many surprises. highly recommended

Rendell Never Misses

I would seem that Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine drinks from the same well
as Agatha Christie did. How else to explain that she never misses? The story this time seemed almost ordinary but Queen Ruth never allows you to out-think her! Retired Inspector Wexford is the senior statesman of detectives, getting to the bottom of things without womanizing, drinking or suffering from some psychological malady. Love him.

INSPECTOR WEXFORD - RETIRED

If you could sum up No Man's Nightingale in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining but confusing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No Man's Nightingale?

When the cleaning lady who wouldn't shut up finally talked her son into jail.

Have you listened to any of Nigel Anthony’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I found the girl's reaction to learning her paternity a bit over the top and unbelievable.