Inez Ferry owns a small antiques shop in London and rents the flats above her store. All the tenants seem to be getting along just fine until it becomes evident to Inez that she really doesn’t know any of them and they all have something to hide.
Ruth Rendell’s latest novel is more than about the latest serial killer stalking young women in London but more of a character study of the lies people tell one another and what each one of chooses to believe.
I’ve always enjoyed Rendell’s novels and this one is no exception. While the novel may be short on suspense it is filled with well-drawn characters. I found myself wanting to find out more about their lives. For example, what made her assistant create such an outlandish background for herself?
Half way through The Rottweiler, Rendell uncovers the killer and that was a bit of a letdown for me. It’s not so much that I expect every mystery to be solved in the last chapter but I do think in this instance it slowed the pace of the novel. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable read and one I recommend.