Dark Corners by Ruth Rendell

Published by Scribner on October 27, 2015

Dark Corners, Ruth Rendell's final novel before her death, is intended as a story of psychological suspense, sort of a modern version of Crime and Punishment set in London. The characters are well-developed, if sometimes puzzling in their behavior, and the story is interesting although not particularly suspenseful. The first half creates anticipation that one of the characters will crack up and do something horrid while the second half creates anticipation that the same character will react to the burden of guilt by making a choice between doing the right thing or continuing the path of horrid behavior. Wondering what choice he will make provides a reason to stay engaged with the story, even if it all seems a bit artificial.

Carl Martin inherits a house and a cupboard full of pills from his father. He sells some of the pills to an actress who is becoming chubby in the belief that the pills promote weight loss. Unsurprisingly, the actress dies.

To make ends meet, Carl is renting rooms to a fellow named Dermot McKinnon. It is again unsurprising when Dermot takes an interest in the unfortunate actress’ death. Yet Dermot, who commends himself on his adherence to his religious faith, is more of an opportunist than a conventional blackmailer. His demand for free rent darkens Carl’s mood and threatens his relationship with his girlfriend. Wondering what Carl (or his girlfriend) will do to solve his problem is the question that drives the early stages of the story.

Another plot thread involves the kidnapping of a young woman named Lizzie who (also something of an opportunist) takes advantage of the actress’ death in a surprising way. That leads to a case of mistaken identity, causing her to become the victim of a crime. The plot thread is plausible, I suppose, although Lizzie’s victimization ends in a way that struck me as implausibly convenient. Lizzie is an interesting character until the crime occurs; after that, she’s just dull.

A third plot thread involves Tom, Lizzie’s retired father, who passes his days by riding around on the London buses. He also becomes a crime victim in a couple of different life-changing ways. In many ways, Tom is the most interesting character, but his role in the novel fizzles out.

I was never quite convinced by the actions taken by any of the central characters (other than Tom). Carl is no Raskolnikov.

The ending also fizzles out as it comes to a well-telegraphed conclusion. I was disappointed that the story generated so little suspense, but I liked the richness of the characters and of the fictional world in which they live. Dark Corners is a pleasant departure from thrillers that are heavy on action and light on character development, but the storylines fail to cohere in a satisfying way.

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