Speaker of Mandarin: An Inspector Wexford Mystery Mass Market Paperback – September 1, 1984

As a reader and lover of the British mystery, Rendell is one of my favorites. Seeing an unfamiliar title under the author's name was like getting a gift.This story was slightly slow starting (the reason for only 4 stars) but eventually picked up speed after the China trip.No spoilers but readers will find it as complex and convoluted and satisfying as her other works.

Wexford finds himself on a business trip to the Far East. The heat and himidity are so oppressive that he starts seeing things. People, actually. Ancient horrors. Afterwards,he would't want to return for all the tea in China.

Lots of red herrings. I totally missed the solution, so well played Ms Rendell. This moves along at a quick pace.

This was a different book and the scenes in China written prior to the murder were excellent. They tied in with the later characters and were viewed differently when murder committed. Interesting.I liked to see a weakness in Wexford as he is usually so predictable. He wasn't in this book.Loved the colour, atmosphere ,food descriptions.The characters were more vividly drawn and could not help wondering if Ruth Rendell had been inspired by an actual trip.I enjoyed the slower start and the clues were all there as to culprit.A really good read, especially for Wexford followers.

This plot provided plenty of red herrings (or mandarins!) so it was almost impossible to pick the murderer, it wasn't until the last few pages that the murderer was revealed. Most Wexford novels have a good plot, but they all have a different twist. The interplay of the characters of Wexford and Mike provide the human touch.

Books in the Inspector Wexford series have provided many hours of enjoyment for me, but this book was an exception. There was a large cast of characters introduced in the early chapters, but they weren't fully developed. Hence, when one of those thinly drawn characters turns up dead and others in the group are accused, it doesn't much matter about the death or who did it.

I enjoyed this book, but it didn't have me riveted like some of Ruth Rendell's other books. But it might be due to that I was only able to read this book in snippets. I absolutely loved some very funny descriptions of Inspector Wexford's observations.

I selected this book because I moved to China last year, however had traveled across China in the 80s. So much of the book I see everyday here. I purchased it before I left to visit family in UK after reading the sample. I thought it would prevent me from missing my new albeit temporary home in China! I have always been a fan of Ruth Rendell, but because of the story line I gave it 5 stars.

Excellent - I loved the plot line in this story and the characters are absolutely wonderful.

this author is a regular with me as the previous books and was very good a s expected

the speaker of mandarin really enjoyed the book. Interesting all the way through good ending.good bedtime book on cold winters night.

Both boring and drawn out. Ms Rendell has written many books better than this. Wexford comes across as a bit of dope in this one.

Absolutely fabulous as always. I am reading Ruth Rendell for the third time and I love love love her writing.