I was confused by most of this. I'm not sure I understood any of it. ( )

This book is hard to categorize. It is about love in many situations: love for doing something, infatuation, love in marriage, love for parents, love for children, love that turns to hate, etc. This is also about perceptions and how they color actions. This is also a book about obsession and addiction. If I had to pick one thing, I'd say obsession. It was a fast read for Ruth Rendell and compels you to do some self-reflection. ( )

A man falls under the spell of a mysterious woman, a marble statue, and a lover’s promise—and must confront his role in the violence and death that follow

Meeting Senta, a woman who looks like a certain marble statue of the goddess Flora, is just about the most extraordinary thing that has happened to otherwise ordinary Philip, who dutifully cares for his mother and sisters in the London suburbs. But as their secret trysts evolve into an all-consuming passion, Philip learns that reality and fantasy cannot be easily separated in Senta’s mysterious, clouded world of secrets—and a deadly lover’s pact.

Interesting tale, but it dragged on for too long without much happening. Also it was easy to guess where the story was going. Well written though and I read it to the end. ( )

Although there are crimes, this is more a novel with an element of crime, rather than a crime thriller or detective story. Superb writing, one is inside the protagonist - I found it hard to put down. ( )