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Thirteen Steps Down

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Thirteen Steps Down

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

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. Crime Thrillers Mystery Psychological Thriller Thriller & Suspense Crime Fiction Suspense
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Ruth Rendell hangs her quirky psychological explorations on a murder mystery. But her real interest is in the ramblings and everyday delusional world people live inside. I like the way she flicks from one odd character to the next, dropping each character at a critical point and world of fantasy another character inhabits. characters are Dickensian, plots ludicrous, and chance and circumstances are the moving engines of events. She is funny and profound.

a real writer

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This is one of the first Ruth Rendell books I have read. Will be interested to know if they are all as convoluted as this one. I did enjoy it, but my goodness so many people with serious illusions

So many dysfunctional peoples

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Ruth Rendells passing away broke many hearts ... she was an incredible woman, super smart and nobody can imitate her writing as to engage us as deeply she did. Fantastic expert at psychological crime drama. We "know" people really exist like her quirky ...often unwell characters. Narration was 10/10. Thank you Audible for a great listen!!! 💖💖💖

Fabulous...classic Rendell

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Another marvellous story from Ruth Rendell that captivated me from the beginning to the end.
I can only highly recommend this book to everyone. Brilliantly narrated by Rick Jerrom.

Wonderful story

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One of her best, thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book mentioned placed near where I lived in the 80s

Loved it

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This is yet another amazing Ruth Rendell book
With amazing complexity and depth to the 2 main characters it kept me enthralled throughout

Wow .. this book was deeply disturbing yet entertaining

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Enjoyed disliking the main character. The narrator not very good at female voices, a tad annoying. But it was worth listening to for a freebie

An interesting listen

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.