Review – The Birthday Present
The 13th Suspense Novel by Ruth Rendell Writing as Barbara Vine
Apr 19, 2009
British politician Ivor Tesham hires two men to pick up his mistress Hebe Furnal, tie her up, and deliver her to his friend’s home for a night of fun and games. But the plan goes sour when an accident ensues.
The police, upon discovering the body of the bound woman, take the mock kidnapping seriously. But they believe the target is more likely to be wealthy Kelly Mason, who bears a resemblance to Hebe Furnal, and suspect Hebe was abducted by mistake.
Ivor's Predicament
Ivor Tesham is soon to be appointed Under-Secretary of State, a prestigious position on the road to power. Fearing a scandal will cause permanent damage to his political career, amoral Ivor does not report his involvement to the police.
Ivor believes he has gotten off the hook. But his problems are far from over, for others know the truth. Jane Atherton, who has given Hebe an alibi by saying they were going to the theater knows he was to meet her that night. One of his accomplices, Dermot Lynch, survived the wreck and is in a coma. The other man, Lloyd Freeman, is dead, but he may have told his girlfriend of the plan.
If Ivor had let sleeping dogs lie, he could have gotten away with it. But some perverse compulsion makes him seek out the family of the injured Dermont Lynch and the ex-girlfriend of Lloyd Freeman, the lovely Juliet Case. Fearing betrayal at every turn from people he has almost blackmailed into an uncomfortable silence, his downfall comes from an unexpected source.
The Main Characters
The story is told in the alternating points of view of Ivor’s brother-in-law, a moral family man who does not understand Ivor’s selfishness and drive for self-preservation. His wife, Iris, is more tolerant and forgiving of Ivor’s actions.
Jane Atherton, the “alibi lady” feels used and cheated by Hebe and envious of her attractiveness. She considers using her knowledge of the affair to her advantage. But Jane herself is slowly spiraling into madness, and is having difficulty determining fact from fantasy.
A Theme of Political Corruption
Though set during the 1990 Margaret Thatcher administration, in the days of IRA bombings, the theme of political corruption and fear of media scandal is timely and in keeping with modern-day politics. Ivor is a conservative member of Parliament and knows a scandal will bring him down. Yet he cannot resist the temptation that money and power brings. The Birthday Present reflects the many political scandals that make the headlines—from the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal to the more recent Larry Craig and Eliot Spitzer headlines, and the effect they have on influential people’s lives. This novel is the tale of one man’s descent into deceit and corruption.
About Ruth Rendell/Barabara Vine
Ruth Rendell, known for her Inspector Wexford series, is a prolific British mystery author and the winner of three Edgar awards. She writes mysteries under her own name and more complex, psychological suspenses under the pen name Barbara Vine. Her newest single title, published under her own name, Ruth Rendell, Portobello, was published in 2008.
Click here for a review of The Water's Lovely
Click this link for a biography of Ruth Rendell
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