The Ice House

Rating:
Summary: A little off the beaten track
Review: This is a little off the beaten track for me. I usually enjoy the "who dunnit" type of murder mystery that focuses on the puzzel of the murder rather than on the psychology of the individual characters. The Morse mysteries of Dexter are the closest thing I've come to this kind of psychological mystery. This work was presented on the PBS mystery series, and I enjoyed the film so much I decided to read the book. The unusual characters of the three women and the secret that holds them together--in fact imprisons them together--are the major focus of the story. That of the two policemen interacting with them keeps the story moving forward and the reader rivited to the action. The tension among them almost makes one forget that a murder has been committed and an investigation is underway!

Rating:
Summary: read this book!
Review: this is definitely worth reading. the only thing about the book that bothered me was the picture on the cover didn't match the image in my head of the mansion. besides that, this book was amazing! the characters are very well developed, walters constantly keeps changing the rules and keeps you guessing til the very end. having read some of her other books, i would have to say that this pattern is consistant thru all her books and makes her an author worthy of the awards she's won. just remember...nothing in this book is quite what it seems...

Rating:
Summary: outstanding British mystery
Review: This is one great book! The victim, Venetia Aldridge, is one barrister you love to hate; but aren't they all!? P.D. James has definitely become one of my favorite British mystery writers with "A Certain Justice".

Rating:
Summary: Best of Minette Walters
Review: This is the better of the Minette Walters books (although the Scold's Bridle is also good). Interesting enough, with the various ingredients of the mystery, and the "truth" is not apparent until the end. Overall, a very good read, but might keep one up at nights until they finish the book.

Rating:
Summary: A real find for lovers of English mysteries.
Review: This is the first Minette Walters book I have read, and it certainly has made me want more. Good, complete character development, with just enough going on outside of what appears to be the main plot. But all threads are nicely pulled together by the end, and without heavy reliance on coincidence. A nice bit of romance, some excellent dry humor, and a plot that was interesting throughout.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly done
Review: This page-turner incorporates a sharp psychological twists along with strong characterizations in a story that keeps the reader guessing. Skillfully intertwining shiftings point of view among women who have isolated themselves from the village they live in, this unique perspective on confront stereotyping and prejudice makes for thought provoking entertainment. Since reading this, the author has become one of my favorite mystery writers.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent suspense with strong female characters
Review: Walters has delivered an great suspense novel, with believable characters and witty episodes. Three women share a house and are all under suspicion of murder. They differ from the small village in their way of being / living their life, and this (among other things)rises suspicion. The murder detectives are displayed with humour and warmth, and several episodes concerning one of the detectives homophobia is especially funny (and raises an afterthought). Very well written, with a plot and story that keeps you reading on a bit longer than intended...

Rating:
Summary: Read it
Review: Well, it's undoubtedly one of Walter's best novels. The best, I think, is "The Dark Room." The only drawback I find is that the main female character(s) is quite recognizable and keeps appearing on the pages of the author's every novel: a strong-willed woman maltreated by a wicked man and/or suffering from the unhealed wounds of the past. However, you have no time to think about it for the plot and Walter's brilliant language rapidly lead you through the cobweb woven of human sins and hidden poisonous desires. It'a a plasure to read, indeed. I've read all Walter's novels (published, of course) and can assure you that it is impossible to predict (based on the previous experience) who is the murderer.

Rating:
Summary: A cleverly conceived, well-executed mystery
Review: What a great book! The award-winning THE ICE HOUSE is a thoroughly entertaining novel filled with some of the wittiest prose and sharpest dialogue I've ever read. Minette Walters is a gifted writer; her narrative is lucid as well as literate, and her characters are flawlessly constructed. There's also a fine plot in this book, with quite a few crafty twists and turns; my only complaint is that a few of the plot strands could not be deduced by the reader. In the sense of the Golden Age detective story, then, I suppose Walters "cheated" a bit. Nonetheless, THE ICE HOUSE is such a gloriously savory dish it's quite overlookable. Lovers of P.D. James and Ruth Rendell will undoubtedly enjoy the work of this hot new British author. One down, five to go. Next stop: THE SCULPTRESS...

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite Walters to date
Review: When a body is found in an abandoned ice house, an old murder case that the owner of the house would rather forget surfaces again. A really delightful combination of a traditional British mystery and a psychological detective story. The characters are satisfyingly human and Walters avoids most of the stereotypes that it's so easy for writers to fall into. At least as good as _The Scold's Bridal_.