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The Rottweiler
- Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
- Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Summary
The first girl had a bite mark on her neck, but they traced the DNA to her boyfriend. But the tabloids got hold of the story and called the killer The Rottweiler and the name stuck. The latest murder takes place very near Inez Ferry's antique shop in Marylebone. When the Rottweiler’s trinkets start showing up in the shop, suddenly, everyone Inez knows is a suspect, and the killer feels all too close. Someone saw a shadowy figure running away past the station, but the only other clues are that the murderer usually strangles his victims and removes something personal - like a cigarette lighter or a necklace. Since her husband died, Inez has supplemented her income by taking in tenants. The murderous activities of the sinister 'Rottweiler' will exert a profound influence on the lives of this heterogeneous little community, especially when the suspicion emerges that one of them may be a homicidal maniac.
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What listeners say about The Rottweiler
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Susan Random
- 28-02-16
The Rottweiler
This is yet another brilliant slice of London life as crafted by the Queen of Suspense. Widow, Inez Ferry, runs an antiques shop in Paddington which features ontains a number of flats above it. Her tenants range from the immaculate Jeremy Quick, the exotic Ludmilla and her live-in boyfriend plus the uncomplicated young Will. A local man, nicknamed 'The Rottweiler' is strangling women in the area; who is he exactly and what exactly compels him to do so?
It's a five star listen; all of the characters, plots and sub-plots are beautifully interwoven. The narrator, Nigel Anthony, as ever is first class and performs a wide range of accents and dialects with consummate ease.
15 people found this helpful
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- Cressida59
- 28-09-17
.gripping
The usual mix of odd balls and sane characters, Rendell provides a compelling story right to the end
7 people found this helpful
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- Nick
- 25-11-18
Concentrated on characters rather than the plot
A little long winded. The story mainly concentrated on the relationship between the charactors and the end was very quick as though the author had suddenly got bored and wanted to start something else
5 people found this helpful
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- Trixie
- 04-05-18
Mesmerising story
Another very satisfying story from Ruth Rendell, in which the actual murders are almost incidental. The lives of several people feature, with the many complex emotions and circumstances of their existence woven into the picture. What an impressive imagination this author possesses- never disappoints her readers!
The whole thing is brought to life by the superb narration of Nigel Anthony and the many different voices he produces for the cast of characters. He's one of the best narrators on Audible, along with Daniel Weyman and Dan Stevens, so a good listen is always guaranteed when his name is next to the title.
3 people found this helpful
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- Duncan C
- 01-02-20
Dragged on
Started off good but I felt it dragged on was pleased to get to the end. Shame really as I normally enjoy Ruth Rendell.
2 people found this helpful
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- Frogbaby
- 03-06-19
A rare miss for Ruth
Ruth is one of my very favourite mystery writers. At her best she is the modern Poe. Perhaps it was the performance which grew increasingly irritating for me. I finally threw in the towel and skipped to the end. A rare miss for Ruth though as I say I may have stuck with it if the narrator had been different.
2 people found this helpful
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- Katarina Jonssson
- 28-01-19
A classic Rendell
The Rottweiler is a fairly typical Ruth Rendell story. Psychologically astute it paints a spectrum of more or less dysfunctional human beings in shades that make them utterly believable and when it comes to the killer chillingly real. It is as much a depiction of the vast variety of scheming and manipulating that goes on inside human relationships as it is a murder mystery and overall it is definitely more enjoyable for its colourful cast of characters than for the relatively mundane murder mystery. A very enjoyable read, though not one of her best.
2 people found this helpful
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- JillyB
- 14-01-19
So, so disappointing
Well this is just such a shock - I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so poor from Ruth Rendell. I almost don’t believe this was written by her. Although I seem to be running against the tide on the Audible reviews. By the way Nigel Anthony’s narration Has much as I heard that is) seemed as professional as ever.
2 people found this helpful
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- Seaside Barb
- 17-11-18
Amusing
Quite a funny book in many ways but not what I was expecting from RR. It’s a bit bland and lacking in any tension or excitement.
2 people found this helpful
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- Phatmatt54
- 31-10-18
Not one of her best
Is contrived and has barely believable characters. The names are awkward it looks like she thinks I’ve not had characters with x and z in their names so il throw them in for good measure.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sparkly
- 03-11-12
Lots of atmosphere, and a Freudian mystery.
I have read a few other books by Ruth Rendell, but this is the best one so far. An expertly developed, fully dysfunctional slice of life in one apartment building, above the landlady's antique store. Widows, beautiful schemers, mentally challenged adults, upper crust gentlemen, and sketchy eastern European ladies - all present and accounted for. Oh, and a serial murderer. The characters are in turn plucky, horrifying, and bittersweet. The structure allows the reader to spend a lot of time in the murderer's mind - wonderfully unpleasant! And the title provides an ironic twist to the story.
7 people found this helpful
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- Dixie
- 19-10-12
"Everyone Has A Story"
What did you love best about The Rottweiler?
As a friend's grandmother used to say, "Everyone has a story." Or, as Atticus Finch might say, you can't understand a person until you've walked in their shoes. Ruth Rendell understands this very well. (Full disclosure: She is my favorite author.) She's great at depicting the inner lives of people from all backgrounds and psychological make ups, and specializes in putting you in the mind of even "worst" person, making him or her, if not sympathetic, understandable.A suspense story and multiple character study all at the same time.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rottweiler?
When, long before the book's climax, the killer is revealed. I wasn't so much shocked by the revelation, but admired the author's ability to make this just one more plot point in the story.
What about Nigel Anthony’s performance did you like?
Terrific variety of voices - all perfectly suited to the characters. He did a great job.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yep. Usually save audiobooks for car, but had to bring this one inside because I couldn't wait to continue listening to it.
Any additional comments?
I especially enjoyed the relatively minor character of Becky. A very well drawn and sympathetic portrait of a young woman who feels trapped by circumstance and can't always do the "right thing" as she sees it.
4 people found this helpful
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- Newenglander18
- 07-10-12
Loved it! Especially Freddy Perfect.
What made the experience of listening to The Rottweiler the most enjoyable?
The narrator and the story. Both were absolutely wonderful. It's Ruth Rendell in her "crazy intertwined neighborhood" mode.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Yes! As Alexander Gibbons sorted things out, things definitely got more and more interesting. And the twist with the strong box and the perfume counter were genius.
Which character – as performed by Nigel Anthony – was your favorite?
Freddy Perfect and Suzanne/Zenab's mother. Freddy Perfect was absolutely amazing.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
"What do you know about your upstairs neighbor?"
Any additional comments?
I'm an unabashed Rendell fan, so I give this 5 stars all around.
4 people found this helpful
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- Dottie B.
- 03-08-12
Really great listen
I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator did a really good job, and the story itself was great. I also enjoyed this because I was not left with that feeling of doom I can sometimes feel after reading a Ruth Rendell book.
I definitely recommend for listeners of mystery books.
4 people found this helpful
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- Susan
- 16-11-12
Mystery and intrigue
Would you listen to The Rottweiler again? Why?
Yes I would I found this story engaging and really enjoyed the story the characters and also the narrater.
2 people found this helpful
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- Susan
- 27-08-12
Really good potboiler!
Where does The Rottweiler rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I would say one of the top ones. The characters were ones I could relate to, with their little quirks of personality.
What other book might you compare The Rottweiler to and why?
This was a good Ruth Rendell, typical of her. It included many moments that made me smile. I can't really compare it to anything else I've read.
What about Nigel Anthony’s performance did you like?
He was brilliant with his voices. They were all very distinctive.
1 person found this helpful
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- Ksmithie
- 19-07-20
Not a fan
This is not a review/comment on the narration. Purely a rating of the story.
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- katattack
- 24-07-19
excellent listen
Ruth Rendell lets her plots twist one or two too many times sometimes. I'm new to her work, and I've found that on a couple of occasions the ending seems almost rushed, as if she just wants to be done with the book already. Some scenes take too long and some plots are overdeveloped, given their minor importance to the story. In spite of these issues she manages all the threads expertly, and you can feel the pace quickening and the read becomes exciting. All the more exciting, I'd say, because the performance of this book is fantastic. Nigel Anthony read one of her Wexford books and it was so good I sought out this one, just to hear him, and was delighted. I'll likely listen to all of his other books just because he reads them!
I was disappointed in how Ms. Rendell treated the murderer, the kids who burgled the shop, and Will and his aunt, but overall a very good book.
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- night owl
- 30-06-17
Best of Ruth Rendell
Great characters in a great story. Loved every minute.Enjoyable even when nothing much is happening. Not as dark as some of Rendells other books. Must read for her fans.
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- Cathy J Hunter
- 22-05-17
Graceful and talented
Rendell continues her magical character-driven plots. In this novel she completely removes the investigation from all and any professional detectives. But she doesn't elevate the ordinary characters into amateur detectives. She allows the plot to evolve through the apparent disinterested of characters simply living they're own lives while knowing the killer but not suspecting him. This kind of story telling is compelling. Lesser writers have attempted this style with little success.