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  • Thirteen Steps Down

  • By: Ruth Rendell
  • Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
  • Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (336 ratings)
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Thirteen Steps Down cover art

Thirteen Steps Down

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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Summary

Mix Cellini (which he pronounces with an S rather than a C) is superstitious about the number 13 and has always felt dogged by ill-luck. In the house where he lives, there are 13 steps down to the landing below his rooms. His landlady lives her life almost exclusively through her library, blind to the neglect and decay around her. However, Mix is obsessed with the life of the notorious John Christie, who lived in the same Notting Hill neighbourhood at 10 Rillington Place. He is also infatuated with a beautiful woman who lives near-by, a model who wouldn’t look twice at him. Both landlady and lodger are caught up in their own psychologically twisted parallel worlds. But when reality intrudes into Mix's life, a long pent-up violence explodes.

©2004 Kingsmarkham Enterprises Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Thirteen Steps Down

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Thirteen steps

Found it a little dull and drawn out but narrator was ok he is a creepy character and the old woman a typical nosy Parker

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

A really good read

Loved this story, enhanced by the excellent narration. Darkly funny at times. Didn’t want it to end. The old lady characters were spot on

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enthralling

Really enjoyed this one well read and exciting to the end. I know some of the locations so well so atmospheric.

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  • 23-12-22

Black comedy -- Rendell's most underrated quality

Yes, this book is dark -- it's about serial killers -- but it's also bloody funny. Rendell is commonly known for being a bit formal, buttoned up, but she can be wildly funny in the blackest variety. The final chapter in the book -- cited by some as disappointing -- is a brilliantly jaundiced endorsement of the kind of misanthropic attitude the author dramatises throughout. Rendell is a superb chronicler of human weakness, hence all the fantasists here, and how the best laid plans turn to la merde. A wonderfully jaded book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great characters

I found all the characters interesting and engaging. The story has good pace and is exceptionally well narrated. Well worth the time spent on it

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Thirteen Steps Down

Really enjoyed this, even if the beginning didn't immediately pull me in and the end a little rushed but delightfully ironic

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

slow to get going

Slow to start but I enjoyed it, but a bit far fetched in places. liked the old lady characters

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    3 out of 5 stars
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fizzled out unfortunately

Brilliant book, up until about 5 minutes before the end! such a shame! I love Ruth Rendell, but the ending just ruined the book for me

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    2 out of 5 stars

Too long goes nowhere

This although well narrated seemed to just go on and on not her best work

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story as usual

good story. always enjoy Ruth Rendels books. very cleaver author. recommended. especially on audio books

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