When we think of the staid traditions of Parliament, “adventure sex” doesn’t usually come to mind (but maybe in our world full of political scandal, it should). In The Birthday Present, Barbara Vine tells a compulsively readable story of obsessive desire and dark twists of fate.
Shelfari readers rave about The Birthday Present:
Susan K says “[The Birthday Present] is excellent . . . . [Vine’s] books are always a bit edgy.”
Shrek M explains that “I was very much absorbed throughout the story and keen on knowing how it was going to happen what was going to happen.”
Cryonica believes that “the Jane character is fantastically well portrayed.”
Do you prefer books by Ruth Rendell, or those written under her pseudonym Barbara Vine? There’s an interesting discussion about the author going on over at LibraryThing.
When I think of sex scandal and governments, so very much comes to mind … British Parliament, American Senators (and President) and even some of our own Canadians. These men seem to think it’s a privilege of power. It makes for great reading and gossip.
Would love to have a copy of this book to read.
I am sure this is a must read from Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell). I’m a big fan and would love to have a copy of this book.
Marci, Shel, and Karen, thanks so much for commenting. Barbara Vine is terrific, and we hope you enjoy her latest novel. It’s dark and steamy and full of the kind of psychological intrigue that makes Barbara Vine so great.
THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT isn’t one of our giveaway titles, however; we feature three each month, at the top in the Read It First section. Check back for our April giveaway titles!