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Death of a Dormouse
When policemen remove their hats, they do not bring good news. The bare-headed policeman on Trudi Adamson's doorstep brought the worst news possible - her husband Trent has been burned to death in a freak car accident. Suddenly a widow after years of marriage, Trudi finds herself alone, unprovided for and increasingly aware of her ignorance of her late husband's world. Why had he resigned from his job without telling her? Where was all his money? And more terrifying is he really dead? As shock piles upon shock, Trudi is forced to re-examine her belief in Trent, and ultimately in herself. Compelled to leave the cosy nest of her old life, she is fighting for her very survival...
363 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 8, 2017
Intricately plotted, with a twist every chapter. Some of it's a bit unbelievable, and there are one or two loose ends, but overall this is a solid page-turner of a thriller.
July 6, 2022
Somewhere between 3-4 stars. If you think you're having a bad day... Trudi's life is changed in ways we'd never guess with the death of her husband. Things go from bad to worse and more and more revalations come in this classic tale. The saga is gripping and disturbing, and the ending is quite good and satisfying. Well done, and enjoyed.
June 8, 2009
I'm waffling on the rating for this book. I am a devoted Reginald Hill fan, especially of the Dalziel and Pascoe series; even more particularly when read by Brian Glover. A number of Hill's earlier works are being re-released both in paper and audio and this is one of those.
It's clearly not up to the standard he set for himself later; then again, it's a very different genre. This is a quasi spy/thriller. The heroine's husband dies in a car crash and she then learns that all is not what it seems. Fairly traditional plotting. She manages to investigate and get herself out of some bad situations. Again pretty ordinary. Occasionally, though, you can see signs of the Hill to come, and that's why 3 rather than 2 stars.
It's clearly not up to the standard he set for himself later; then again, it's a very different genre. This is a quasi spy/thriller. The heroine's husband dies in a car crash and she then learns that all is not what it seems. Fairly traditional plotting. She manages to investigate and get herself out of some bad situations. Again pretty ordinary. Occasionally, though, you can see signs of the Hill to come, and that's why 3 rather than 2 stars.
December 18, 2016
Not really a review - definitely wasn't up to the Reginald Hill standard that I
have come to expect from his Daziell and Pascoe books. I notice my copy says
that it was first published as a Patrick Ruell novel - I'm just wondering whether
it was considered not up to his usual standard or if he was trying for a new style.
Pretty implausible, the reader has to believe that for over 20 years Trudi has been
the "dormouse" of the title, content to accept and bask in the good life provided by
her mysterious husband, not even being curious as to his nomadic lifestyle, just
accepting it was part of his job. For me her friend Janet was the most believable and
likable character in the story.
have come to expect from his Daziell and Pascoe books. I notice my copy says
that it was first published as a Patrick Ruell novel - I'm just wondering whether
it was considered not up to his usual standard or if he was trying for a new style.
Pretty implausible, the reader has to believe that for over 20 years Trudi has been
the "dormouse" of the title, content to accept and bask in the good life provided by
her mysterious husband, not even being curious as to his nomadic lifestyle, just
accepting it was part of his job. For me her friend Janet was the most believable and
likable character in the story.
January 1, 2014
The book is not a bad pass-time. It has the amount of suspense to keep you going to the end, but the big show-down I expected never came and the plots cannot be examined too closely either.
December 21, 2022
6 stars out of 5. Trudi's husband Trent should have married her best friend Jan, but for some reason the extrovert pilot married the little mouse in the airline office. Trudi only begins to wonder where his retirement money went when she finds out there's 4,000 pounds in the bank account he set up when he moved them to Yorkshire from Vienna. She keeps meeting really helpful people but begins to understand the only one she can trust is her high school friend Jan. Endless gaslighting. Motives that become clear only when characters reveal themselves. 6 deaths (one was natural causes). Trudi never figured out what her own parents were doing in Vienna before and during WWII, and she's spent her married life sleepwalking through her husband's sparse social life. When he dies she has to face reality and it's incredibly complex. Why would Trent's doctor come to his funeral in England? Why would his beautiful personal assistant come, and why was she meeting him on the road where the accident happened? Flawlessly connected events. Superb storytelling. Like The Woodcutter, it's another perfect Reginald Hill thriller.
February 1, 2021
Great story overall, but the 'big reveal' fell a little flat. I won't say why as it's a spoiler, but let's just say I had to flick back and reread certain parts to understand who someone was, which clearly wasn't the authors intention.
As an aside, my copy had a printing error - 100 pages exactly the same as the 100 before them. Just something to be aware of if you have the UK 2010 paperback edition. The story does continue on the second attempt at a page 225, however, so don't despair if you suddenly find yourself reading a bit you've just read, when you actually want to know what happens next.
As an aside, my copy had a printing error - 100 pages exactly the same as the 100 before them. Just something to be aware of if you have the UK 2010 paperback edition. The story does continue on the second attempt at a page 225, however, so don't despair if you suddenly find yourself reading a bit you've just read, when you actually want to know what happens next.
November 5, 2017
Re-read this when I found a copy in a second hand book-store. Remembered being gripped by it years ago, and wondered if I would enjoy it quite so much again (it was long enough ago that I'd forgotten most of the details other than the general plot premise).
While perhaps a little 'dated' - and I make no claims of it being 'high quality' literature - this story of a virtually agro phobic lady who in a newly widowed state finds her whole married existence to be a series of lies - had me hooked once again. Good escapist read!
While perhaps a little 'dated' - and I make no claims of it being 'high quality' literature - this story of a virtually agro phobic lady who in a newly widowed state finds her whole married existence to be a series of lies - had me hooked once again. Good escapist read!
May 1, 2020
Really a good read.
I like Hill's stand alone novels much better than his series. I did enjoy the Dalziel & Pascoe series, but the others, not at all.
These 'lonely' books are much better than any of the rest. Stand-out plots and lots of intrigue. Anyone with a healthy dose of paranoia about government and policing may have some sleepless nights.
I like Hill's stand alone novels much better than his series. I did enjoy the Dalziel & Pascoe series, but the others, not at all.
These 'lonely' books are much better than any of the rest. Stand-out plots and lots of intrigue. Anyone with a healthy dose of paranoia about government and policing may have some sleepless nights.
November 20, 2022
Until Lowell told me, I did not know that Patrick Ruell is a pseudonym of Reginald Hill. She gave me this book to read.
I enjoyed the main character, a little mouse of a woman, until her husband dies. The suspense was wonderful as events progress and get worse and worse. Yet the dormouse becomes a stronger character.
I enjoyed the main character, a little mouse of a woman, until her husband dies. The suspense was wonderful as events progress and get worse and worse. Yet the dormouse becomes a stronger character.
April 8, 2024
This is one of Hill's standalone. Feelings are mixed. When the story focuses on Trudy and her trying to figure out what is going on and how to start living again after the death of her husband the story is fine. The spy thriller part didn't do much or me. I am a fan of Reginald HIll's books, but this one is mildly recommended.
June 4, 2018
Not p to his normal standard in my humble view as was hard to get into It did warm up towards the end but nowhere near his book entitled the woodcutter which I thought was a thrilling read. even some of his Dazel and Pasco detective stories were better than this,
July 2, 2017
This book reminded me of the era of classic black and white movies. A dead husband, missing money and secrets being kept. A bit dated but a good story.
July 24, 2017
Reginald Hill left this world far too early. I love his writing, his use of English and the quality of his plots.
February 7, 2022
Actually written by Reginald Hill. A little unbelievable in (many) parts but the twists keep on coming. Read it in a day so can't be too bad but more of Hill's minor works.
June 3, 2022
Solid story with great twists and character growth. Not subtle or funny like the Dalziel books, but a gripping read.
December 21, 2022
Written in quite old fashioned way even for its time, a good page turner in places. Worth a read…
June 7, 2023
If Reginald Hill is capable of a classic potboiler, this it. Silly, beyond improbable, but fun.
September 26, 2023
DOORMOUSE?…?
A lot of twist and turns. Starts slow in British style, but gets better if you can follow all the twists
A lot of twist and turns. Starts slow in British style, but gets better if you can follow all the twists
October 10, 2023
Great Book
This book kept me guessing until the end. So many twists and turns. Didn't want to put it down. Really enjoyed it!
This book kept me guessing until the end. So many twists and turns. Didn't want to put it down. Really enjoyed it!
March 6, 2017
This was recommended by a friend and it was an enjoyable read. It was slightly old fashioned but that was fine by me as it was written quite some time ago.
It was a very convoluted story and the twists and turns were all very well done and it all hung together well. There was a lightness to it that isn't quite so common these days and so the fact that there was death, danger and destruction was off set by quirky dialogue and witty prose.
I was irritated beyond measure by the constant repetition of one particular word. I won't say what it was - you must find it for yourself and believe me it won't take long.
However all in all it was fun and intriguing and I will probably read more by this author.
It was a very convoluted story and the twists and turns were all very well done and it all hung together well. There was a lightness to it that isn't quite so common these days and so the fact that there was death, danger and destruction was off set by quirky dialogue and witty prose.
I was irritated beyond measure by the constant repetition of one particular word. I won't say what it was - you must find it for yourself and believe me it won't take long.
However all in all it was fun and intriguing and I will probably read more by this author.
October 10, 2019
A good subtitle or alternate title for this book would be: "Perils of Pauline," because it is very much a melodrama. I am a huge fan of Reginald Hill's Dazliel-Pascoe mystery series, as well as his Joe Sixsmith books. However, his earlier stand-alones, such as this one, are not quite in the same sublime league.
This one follows the metamorphosis of a middle-aged woman who passed her life in a sort of cocoon of apathy and non-engagement into a feisty, clever, assertive power-female upon the accidental death of her domineering husband. Along the way, she discovers several home truths about him, about herself, about her best friend, and her own heritage. It's a roller-coaster of a journey, but after so many twists and turns, it finally squeaks to a shuddering halt. In fact, the whole thing is so shaky that if it were an actual amusement park ride, I would probably want my money back!
This one follows the metamorphosis of a middle-aged woman who passed her life in a sort of cocoon of apathy and non-engagement into a feisty, clever, assertive power-female upon the accidental death of her domineering husband. Along the way, she discovers several home truths about him, about herself, about her best friend, and her own heritage. It's a roller-coaster of a journey, but after so many twists and turns, it finally squeaks to a shuddering halt. In fact, the whole thing is so shaky that if it were an actual amusement park ride, I would probably want my money back!
January 3, 2015
Usually a Reginald Hill mystery gets an automatic 5-star rating but not this one. Yes, it's well-plotted and very well-written but there were a few things that just didn't ring quite true. The constant twists, Trudi's rapid personality change, and the ending all combined to a "this is just a little off" feeling. Still a recommended read, but not a Must Read.
October 13, 2016
This is a novel of betrayal and manipulation, together with a rebirth of the main character form the dormouse in the title.
I enjoyed the novel, as I do with all the writing of Reginald Hill, but I just didn't like the characters, and I always find it had to really love a book when I have no empathy or attachment to the characters. This was the reason for my 3 star review.
I enjoyed the novel, as I do with all the writing of Reginald Hill, but I just didn't like the characters, and I always find it had to really love a book when I have no empathy or attachment to the characters. This was the reason for my 3 star review.
Read
June 23, 2009Very different from his Dalziel and Pascoe novels. Hill is one of the most literate detective writers extant and I enjoy his later work a lot. This was an enjoyable read although the ending startled me in an unsatisfying way.
December 2, 2023
On re-reading 2023, I found this too long, incredible. The premise of the protagonist waking up and owning her life didn't mesh well with the plot which was crammed with enough espionage, drugs, swiss bank accounts and murders for at least one James Bond movie.
May 14, 2011
Another solid story from Reginald Hill. It seemed quite long (having 10 parts, each with chapters, added to the perception), but I didn't lose interest.
The central event/mystery wasn't really resolved until the last page. That's a good thing.
The central event/mystery wasn't really resolved until the last page. That's a good thing.
April 6, 2011
Of course this author is best known for the Dalziel and Pascoe novels, not necessarily faithfully portrayed on TV, but his other works are well worth seeking out. This is no exception.
An interesting and well written story emerging from a rather worrying precis.
An interesting and well written story emerging from a rather worrying precis.
November 30, 2011
Intricately plotted suspense thriller about a woman who knows nothing about her husband's secret life until after his death. Many twists and quite a bit of humor. A stand alone, not part of any series. Great fun.
May 1, 2011
page-turner
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews