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  • The Vault

  • A Chief Inspector Wexford Mystery, Book 23 (Unabridged)
  • By: Ruth Rendell
  • Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (881 ratings)
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The Vault cover art

The Vault

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
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Summary

Chief Inspector Reg Wexford has retired. He and his wife, Dora, now divide their time between Kingsmarkham and their daughter, Sheila’s, coach house in Hampstead. Wexford takes great pleasure in his books, but, for all the benefits of a more relaxed lifestyle, he misses being the law. But a chance meeting with an old acquaintance in a London street changes everything. Tom Ede is now a Detective Superintendent, and is very keen to recruit Wexford as an adviser on a difficult case. The bodies of two women and a man have been discovered in the old coal hole of an attractive house in St John's Wood. None carries identification. But the man's pockets contain expensive jewelry. To Wexford, this is definitely a case worth coming out of retirement for. He is intrigued and excited by the challenge, but unaware that this new investigative role will bring him into extreme physical danger.

©2011 Kingsmarkham Enterprises Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Vault

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The Vault

I had just listened to this novel's prequel 'A Sight For Sore Eyes' and thought that I'd purchase this to complete the story. I'd previously listened to this book via a clunky old eight CD Audiobook, which I was sent a review copy of. Oh, thank goodness for Audible's ease of use!

Although I am more of a fan of Rendell's non-Wexford tales, this was a great entry point to the series. Reg Wexford, now retired and living with his wife Dora in his actor daughter's Hampstead coach house, becomes involved with the case of four bodies being unearthed in nearby St John's Wood when the current owner of the charming period property, Orcadia Cottage, decides to commission a basement extension. Wexford is taken on by the Met's Chief Superintendent Tom Eade as his 'unpaid advisor' and together they work together to crack the case.

It's really enjoyable and made me want to purchase all of the author's Wexford books. Oh Audible, I'm becoming poor because of you!

The narrator, Nigel Anthony, was excellent and managed to convey a convincing array of diverse accents.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Wexford should enjoy his retirement

After enjoying Wexford for so long I fear he has become tired as a character. This felt like a novel written because it was asked for and as such lacked passion. However it was beautifully read and it filled a boring bank holiday car journey quite acceptably.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Disappointing Tale

In spite of the excellent narration, this story was plodding and smug and unutterabky dull. The characters Wexfors interviews are all rude, unpleasant, unhelpful and distasteful until near the end when many become charming, undergoing some startling transformation. No one is the slightest bit interested in helping find out who murdered or why the bodies are dumped and frankly near the end I didn't much care either. The interplay of the selfish daughter and her life events are needless, add nothing and just show that Wexford spawned one really hateful child. A tedious listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Wexford retired

Still sleuthing - this time as a civilian. Terrific story with the usual reflective insight.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed Again

I wait eagerly every year for the new Ruth Rendell as her earlier novels remain in my opinion some of the best crime ever. However since Wexford retired things have gone downhill. Wexford is being used as a Met advisor and this really does not work. It starts off promisingly, however,by half way through I was feeling pretty bored and just wanted to get through it. I have given this 3 stars for old times sake but I'm willing Ruth Rendell to return to form. Maybe she should start a new series?

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

First Rendell book may well lead to more

I liked the Wexford character. Proper, modest with a sense of humour. The story was very credible

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Not up to it

Was waiting for some action.Never happened! Really borring book. I would not recommend it.
Just listened to carte Blance before this one

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1 person found this helpful

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

Not much of a mystery!

Where to begin? I did enjoy listening to this story, however, probably largely due to the excellent narration rather than the plot.
It’s interesting as a Wexford novel which explores his retirement and as a sequel to A Sight for Sore Eyes. That said, there are hardly any plot twists or surprises. Ruth Randell is undoubtedly a skilful writer but it’s strange how I find her novels more dated than Agatha Christie’s. There is so much sexism and ageism in the narrative. I’ve realised that there are no strong women characters, especially if you compare her writing to Mick Herron. Wexford describes his daughter Silvia as “middle aged” at 41 and lectures her as if she’s a child. I’m probably in the minority here but I found it so annoying that he completely forgets she could actually have been killed and instead blames her for her lack of compassion for her attacker’s subsequent suicide. Still at least Rendell makes you care about her character’s attitudes and overall it was worth the listen if a bit disappointing.

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

too convoluted

not bad but it wandered all over the place before reaching a contrived ending. Not my favourite wexfort novel by a long way

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Dullest of the Dull

So long and rambling it was impossible to work out or even care who did it! Great for getting to sleep to.

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