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Roots of Evil
Lucy Trent is used to having the legend of her disreputable grandmother disinterred from time to time - the infamous silent-screen actress Lucretia von Wolff, whose lovers were legion, whose scandals were numerous, whose life ended abruptly in a bizarre double murder and suicide at the Ashwood film studios in 1952. Lucy rather enjoys Lucretia's legend - although most of the family would prefer it to be quietly forgotten. But when a body is found in the now-derelict studios, brutalised in a macabre echo of the 50-year-old case, disturbing facts about the past begin to emerge... Facts which point back to the eerie legend of the child known simply as Alraune. The child named after Lucretia's most famous film. The child who may never have existed at all. In the ensuing murder investigation, Lucy is to discover the truth about her family's dark and often poignant history - a history which spans the glittering concert halls of 1920s Vienna to the bleak environs of wartime Auschwitz. And at the heart of it all lies the shocking truth about the mysterious child called Alraune.
592 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Rayne
43Ìýbooks305ÌýfollowersAka Frances Gordon, Bridget Wood
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many years active in amateur theatre, and lists among her hobbies, theatre, history, music, and old houses - much of her inspiration comes from old buildings and their histories and atmospheres. To these interests, she adds ghosts and ghost stories, and - having grown up in the Sixties - good conversation around a well-stocked dinner table.
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many years active in amateur theatre, and lists among her hobbies, theatre, history, music, and old houses - much of her inspiration comes from old buildings and their histories and atmospheres. To these interests, she adds ghosts and ghost stories, and - having grown up in the Sixties - good conversation around a well-stocked dinner table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 26, 2012
Sarah Rayne's books were recommended to me as 'a slightly trashier Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell.' I like Vine and Rendell (who apparently are the same person), so I figured this book would be like an Egg McMuffin-- a good junky snack made with substandard yet tasty ingredients, crafted by a machine.
Well. It was a terrible book but I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing it. And now I can't wait to read Rayne's The Dark Dividing. What this says about me, I don't know.
Not great, not good, has cover art that will embarrass you if you read it on public transit.
Well. It was a terrible book but I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing it. And now I can't wait to read Rayne's The Dark Dividing. What this says about me, I don't know.
Not great, not good, has cover art that will embarrass you if you read it on public transit.
September 16, 2011
This was the usual Sarah Rayne format, past and present told in one story. The premise of the story was of a family whose grandmother was a famous film actress in the 1920's/30's, called Lucretia von Wolff, who was the center of scandal her entire life, and who was infamous for killing her husband/long-time lover and a man who was said to have also been her lover and then killing herself, at the film studio where she was making a movie, in 1952. Lucretia was also linked to a child called Alraune, where opinion and facts were divided upon whether this child was legend and may or may not have ever existed. When a teacher turns up and asks Lucretias family, namely her granddaughter, Lucy, if she will help her with information about Lucretia, to assist her in writing a thesis based on her life, Lucy agrees and this stirs up a hornets nest of trouble, because someone does not want some secrets uncovered. The story of Lucretia and her life, was absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed this one alot and I think it was probably the best of all Ms. Raynes books to date. The story takes you from Lucretias life as a 17 year old maid in Vienna, to her transformation to being the Baroness von Wolff and to her being sent to the dreaded Auschwitz consentration camp, during the war. It was a compelling read. I got a little confused half way through the book, because the story of an 8 year old in the 1970's started in the early chapters and I assigned this story to being of one particular character, only to realise half way through the book, it was not the persons story I thought it was. I realised that this was probably deliberate to throw the reader off balance and keep you on your toes. Ms. Rayne, once again, goes with her very twee dialogue, characters are oh so respectable and prim, but then they will go on a murder splurge, killing anyone that gets in their way, contrary to their very respectable facade. I do think however, Ms. Rayne stretched the bad-guys ability to suss things out and with just a casual glance, work out the persons past to a degree. Of course, the baddie is always completely crazy and has voices in their head in all of her books and they confess rather too easily when they are caught. Still, the story was good enough for me to overlook this, and remember it's a book of fiction. Plenty of twists and turns as usual, in fact, I thought I had something worked out, I'm usually good at that, but she fooled me, which I really like. I wonder if she has any other books in the offing, because I have read all in print to date.
January 22, 2017
Not as good as some others of Ms Rayne's that I have read.
This one involves a past in Nazi Germany and concentration camps, a famous actress, murder, and a derelict film studio.
The plot involved rape, which immediately deducted points as far as I am concerned. Mention it in passing, if you must, but don't make a scene out of it. I find it nauseating and unnecessary.
The characters were mostly quite dull and I found it hard to really like any of them.
This one involves a past in Nazi Germany and concentration camps, a famous actress, murder, and a derelict film studio.
The plot involved rape, which immediately deducted points as far as I am concerned. Mention it in passing, if you must, but don't make a scene out of it. I find it nauseating and unnecessary.
The characters were mostly quite dull and I found it hard to really like any of them.
January 25, 2009
I read this book as part of my mystery book club. The story is pretty dark--I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given the title and the cover of the book. It's not really a mystery, though. Nor is it much of a detective story. While there are some mysterious elements in the story, there isn't a clear sense that you should want to or be trying to figure out the mystery. It kind of sneaks up on you.
The plot is told in two parallel parts. The first part takes place in the present day, with a couple cousins who start to investigate the family history of a famous film actress who murdered two people in a fit of passion. The other part takes place in the past, with the tale of that actress being told to the reader. As the stories intertwine, the ways that dark treatment can harm people take over the story. I don't want to spoil the book so I won't say too much more. But here are a few additional thoughts:
* The characters are well-crafted and pretty compelling, though Edmund is a bit stereotypical.
* The plot intertwines a bit too nicely for my taste.
* I'm not sure about the image on the cover. I don't think it fits the novel as well as it could. That said, I've seen many covers that are far less pertinent than this one.
* I was hoping there would be a bit more about old-timey filmmaking. There isn't as much as you'd expect.
* I'm generally not keen on books that involve the holocaust as a plot device. It didn't feel contrived here, but it was still not my first choice.
In its general themes, I wasn't too excited to read the novel, but something about the shape of the narrative drew me in and led me along quite quickly for such a long book.
The plot is told in two parallel parts. The first part takes place in the present day, with a couple cousins who start to investigate the family history of a famous film actress who murdered two people in a fit of passion. The other part takes place in the past, with the tale of that actress being told to the reader. As the stories intertwine, the ways that dark treatment can harm people take over the story. I don't want to spoil the book so I won't say too much more. But here are a few additional thoughts:
* The characters are well-crafted and pretty compelling, though Edmund is a bit stereotypical.
* The plot intertwines a bit too nicely for my taste.
* I'm not sure about the image on the cover. I don't think it fits the novel as well as it could. That said, I've seen many covers that are far less pertinent than this one.
* I was hoping there would be a bit more about old-timey filmmaking. There isn't as much as you'd expect.
* I'm generally not keen on books that involve the holocaust as a plot device. It didn't feel contrived here, but it was still not my first choice.
In its general themes, I wasn't too excited to read the novel, but something about the shape of the narrative drew me in and led me along quite quickly for such a long book.
October 16, 2018
Stumbled upon this in an antiques shop, never having previously heard of Sarah Rayne, and glad I did. Interesting thriller with lots of interesting and well-drawn characters. Some very gruesome scenes though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2023
it's the early days of Hollywood and a great silent film star kills two lovers, and commits suicide, while on the set of her latest film. How did this all come about?
Lots goes on within this book - too much. At times it feels like two books crammed into one.
I truly enjoyed the historical pieces. The central mystery is is also intriguing. I was less entranced by the introduction and appearance of a split personality. It seemed altogether too much.
Lots goes on within this book - too much. At times it feels like two books crammed into one.
I truly enjoyed the historical pieces. The central mystery is is also intriguing. I was less entranced by the introduction and appearance of a split personality. It seemed altogether too much.
October 6, 2023
I've long been a fan of Sarah Rayne but some of her early books are quite hard to find so I was delighted to find this in a charity shop. It has all the trademark dark, sinister, surreal and grotesque vibes (with the odd incongruous cosy scene too). Be warned, this one has some harrowing Holocaust scenes which I found hard to read. All in all though another gripping page turner from Sarah Rayne and ideal macabre Gothic Halloween reading.
June 23, 2017
The first Sarah Rayne book I've read and I was impressed. Going back to a double murder and suicide in the 1950s and the legends that sprang up around the murderer, actress Lucretia von Wolff, this jumps between that time, modern day investigations of other murders, and wartime in Vienna and Germany. An absorbing story with some great characters.
March 11, 2022
This has been on my kindle since 2012 and was overdue for reading. At first I thought what a mistake the whole endeavor was given the creepiness and gruesomeness involved. But I was on a long plane ride and persevered through the icky parts, then actually enjoyed the camp and vamp along the way. So not a total loss especially if you’re interested in the early movie trade.
June 3, 2021
So many murders ..... some made to look like natural causes.
Is the murderer just one person? Are they copying events from the past?
This book will have them guessing while we, the reader, knows who committed them!!!
A good read!!!
Is the murderer just one person? Are they copying events from the past?
This book will have them guessing while we, the reader, knows who committed them!!!
A good read!!!
February 7, 2017
Captivating
A haunting, beautiful story. Well written and beautifully told, a story that's a must read. An easy read, you won't want to put the book down.
A haunting, beautiful story. Well written and beautifully told, a story that's a must read. An easy read, you won't want to put the book down.
May 19, 2017
I totally adore Sarah Rayne, her writing is full of suspense and menace.
Once you've started you must finish reading the book in one go.
Brilliant story.
Once you've started you must finish reading the book in one go.
Brilliant story.
June 18, 2017
Way too many bloody eyeball stabbings.
November 24, 2018
This took so many wild twists and turns and I was here for every one. I loved it. I almost didn’t finish it because I was looking for something more overtly scary, but I’m so glad I stuck with it.
October 14, 2020
I enjoy all her books but this one had me totally engrossed throughout.
May 12, 2023
I couldn't finish this book, got up to page 120, it's so boring and slow, the second book I've read thay I can't finish
November 2, 2016
I'm torn on my rating - this isn't a fan-girl gush about how much I loved the book type of story. This is a confusing, intense, dark, disturbing in-your-face type of historical fiction/suspense/thriller/mystery. I'm still trying to sort out my feelings about the story. The images of life in WWII concentration camps was horrible and brutal, dark, depressing - but maybe not all that impossible. This fictional view of the camps is very different than any other view or impression I've read - and maybe that could happen because this is fiction. The scenes and descriptions were so detailed and brutal and awful that I felt physically ill while reading it, but I think it somehow managed to fit in with the story, as odd as that sounds.
For about the first half of the book, I was constantly confused and irritated, with the unnamed character and story line, and trying to keep straight who was who. I had a mental family tree and every time I thought I had it figured out, I'd read a new line and have to start again from the beginning. But when the reveal finally occurred - I was shocked and surprised - it all fell into place. Some of the character traits were a bit obvious, and some of it was hard to believe. But the character of Alice is just such a very strong personality, a never-give-up type, that it works. While I don't believe every person who survived the concentration camps came out with such a strong will to live, I believe some did. Which is what makes this fictional history possible in my mind.
Overall, I think I just have to go with - if this was the first book by Sarah Rayne I had read, I might not have ever picked up another. It was that brutal and intense. But I have read 5 of her Nell West mysteries, so I have experienced other sides of her writing. I will certainly look for and read her other books. And I think this one will stay with me for a very, very long time. I still may be in shock.
For about the first half of the book, I was constantly confused and irritated, with the unnamed character and story line, and trying to keep straight who was who. I had a mental family tree and every time I thought I had it figured out, I'd read a new line and have to start again from the beginning. But when the reveal finally occurred - I was shocked and surprised - it all fell into place. Some of the character traits were a bit obvious, and some of it was hard to believe. But the character of Alice is just such a very strong personality, a never-give-up type, that it works. While I don't believe every person who survived the concentration camps came out with such a strong will to live, I believe some did. Which is what makes this fictional history possible in my mind.
Overall, I think I just have to go with - if this was the first book by Sarah Rayne I had read, I might not have ever picked up another. It was that brutal and intense. But I have read 5 of her Nell West mysteries, so I have experienced other sides of her writing. I will certainly look for and read her other books. And I think this one will stay with me for a very, very long time. I still may be in shock.
December 25, 2014
Warning: Holocaust fiction ahead
I read a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, so I decided to try another one of Sarah Rayne's books. I chose Roots of Evil somewhat randomly (mostly because I thought the cover was interesting). I'm sorry I did, because I didn't like Roots of Evil much at all. The book wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me.
I didn't realize before starting Roots of Evil that the story is partially set in a concentration camp. Obviously, that's my fault for not fully reading the description, but that's largely why I didn't enjoy Roots of Evil. I have a moratorium on reading Holocaust fiction. I am Jewish and I've read all the Holocaust fiction that I care to in my lifetime. Some people seem to like reading about the Holocaust, but I know that there are others out there like me, so I hope this review will help to advise anyone who wants to start this book!
Roots of Evil is in a very similar format to the other Rayne book I've read, A Dark Dividing. The story is set throughout the 20th century and contains multiple POVs across many generations. The whole story involves the unfolding of one central mystery - what really happened that day in Ashwood? And though the story is fairly dark (grisly murders, madness, concentration camps, etc.) . I probably would have enjoyed it had the story had a different setting. I feel bad for giving Roots of Evil only 2 stars, but that does reflect my enjoyment level. Perhaps others will like it more than I did.
I read a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, so I decided to try another one of Sarah Rayne's books. I chose Roots of Evil somewhat randomly (mostly because I thought the cover was interesting). I'm sorry I did, because I didn't like Roots of Evil much at all. The book wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me.
I didn't realize before starting Roots of Evil that the story is partially set in a concentration camp. Obviously, that's my fault for not fully reading the description, but that's largely why I didn't enjoy Roots of Evil. I have a moratorium on reading Holocaust fiction. I am Jewish and I've read all the Holocaust fiction that I care to in my lifetime. Some people seem to like reading about the Holocaust, but I know that there are others out there like me, so I hope this review will help to advise anyone who wants to start this book!
Roots of Evil is in a very similar format to the other Rayne book I've read, A Dark Dividing. The story is set throughout the 20th century and contains multiple POVs across many generations. The whole story involves the unfolding of one central mystery - what really happened that day in Ashwood? And though the story is fairly dark (grisly murders, madness, concentration camps, etc.) . I probably would have enjoyed it had the story had a different setting. I feel bad for giving Roots of Evil only 2 stars, but that does reflect my enjoyment level. Perhaps others will like it more than I did.
May 31, 2016
"When you have been living in hell you will take the devil himself to bed..."
A murder has been committed. In the same place and same fashion of a double homicide fifty years ago, where infamous Lucretia von Wolff took her own life to escape the perils of the gallows for the double homicide she committed. The past has been laid to rest, however there are some pasts that never rest, and some truths that people will go at desperate lengths to remain hidden.
"Just another illusion, my dear"
Roots of evil is gripping combination of murder mystery, suspense and historical fiction. Each character has their role to play and the author leaves just enough information out so that the reader is left guessing how their tale fits with the facts, and of course questioning what the facts actually are at every turn.
The story-line is filled with intertwining tales of loss, love, atonement and of course murder and they all come together in the same dramatic air that emanates the personality of the central character, Lucretia von Wolff.
I have given Roots of Evil 4.5 stars. It drew me in from the start, and the accuracy of detail from the historical fiction elements that are presented, to the psychiatric diagnostic representation (which for me being a mental health practitioner is a huge deal-breaker) was superb. A highly recommended read for all who like a murder mystery with a spin.
A murder has been committed. In the same place and same fashion of a double homicide fifty years ago, where infamous Lucretia von Wolff took her own life to escape the perils of the gallows for the double homicide she committed. The past has been laid to rest, however there are some pasts that never rest, and some truths that people will go at desperate lengths to remain hidden.
"Just another illusion, my dear"
Roots of evil is gripping combination of murder mystery, suspense and historical fiction. Each character has their role to play and the author leaves just enough information out so that the reader is left guessing how their tale fits with the facts, and of course questioning what the facts actually are at every turn.
The story-line is filled with intertwining tales of loss, love, atonement and of course murder and they all come together in the same dramatic air that emanates the personality of the central character, Lucretia von Wolff.
I have given Roots of Evil 4.5 stars. It drew me in from the start, and the accuracy of detail from the historical fiction elements that are presented, to the psychiatric diagnostic representation (which for me being a mental health practitioner is a huge deal-breaker) was superb. A highly recommended read for all who like a murder mystery with a spin.
August 3, 2008
I just finished reading this book today (August 4th 2008) and I have to say that it was definitely a fascinating story. I'm not sure I could call the writing utterly compelling or awesome, but I still think it was a great story. There were quite a few typos throughout this edition of the book, and my typing fingers were itching to correct them. Also, there were a few sentences I wouldn't have minded rewording.
I thought the style of the story, jumping around from point of view to point of view (including travelling through time, back and forth quite frequently) was interesting. When I started reading I thought the book would be mostly from Lucy's point of view, but this turned out to be totally untrue. I thought it was kind of weird how suddenly Francesca and Michael were quite prominent characters, and I didn't remember them meeting in the first place, but they turned into a couple. Still, I could have missed something, or maybe everything does not need to be spelled out and I'm just going overboard with the expectations. :)
In any case, in some ways I felt the novel to be a tiny bit disorganised. But the story resolved itself, and all loose ends (those I was wondering about anyway) were resolved in the end.
Maybe it would've been better with some steamy sex scenes...but as it was I am glad I read the novel and I wouldn't refuse to read other novels of Sarah Rayne's!
I thought the style of the story, jumping around from point of view to point of view (including travelling through time, back and forth quite frequently) was interesting. When I started reading I thought the book would be mostly from Lucy's point of view, but this turned out to be totally untrue. I thought it was kind of weird how suddenly Francesca and Michael were quite prominent characters, and I didn't remember them meeting in the first place, but they turned into a couple. Still, I could have missed something, or maybe everything does not need to be spelled out and I'm just going overboard with the expectations. :)
In any case, in some ways I felt the novel to be a tiny bit disorganised. But the story resolved itself, and all loose ends (those I was wondering about anyway) were resolved in the end.
Maybe it would've been better with some steamy sex scenes...but as it was I am glad I read the novel and I wouldn't refuse to read other novels of Sarah Rayne's!
July 8, 2014
Here's what I'm beginning to recognize as elements of a Rayne novel: everyone is important; everything fits together, everything is about five hundred times more complex than I first thought.
I don't want to give anything away, because while it is foremost a novel of suspense, there is also a mystery element. But there is an old house, there is murder, there is a baroness, Lucretia von Wolff, dressed in silk and velvet. The reason it's wonderful is that Rayne goes back and forth in time, the thirties, the seventies, the present, travels between London and Vienna and the concentration camps of WWII, deals with film making and composing music and writing a thesis for a masters, and no matter what or who she is focused on, it's all good. Her characters are compelling and believable, and the dark, gothic elements are controlled and not cheesy, and the lighter moments are charming.
Anyway, it all ties together beautifully. I particularly recommend Rayne to fans of and and .
Lida's copy.
I don't want to give anything away, because while it is foremost a novel of suspense, there is also a mystery element. But there is an old house, there is murder, there is a baroness, Lucretia von Wolff, dressed in silk and velvet. The reason it's wonderful is that Rayne goes back and forth in time, the thirties, the seventies, the present, travels between London and Vienna and the concentration camps of WWII, deals with film making and composing music and writing a thesis for a masters, and no matter what or who she is focused on, it's all good. Her characters are compelling and believable, and the dark, gothic elements are controlled and not cheesy, and the lighter moments are charming.
Anyway, it all ties together beautifully. I particularly recommend Rayne to fans of and and .
Lida's copy.
April 26, 2013
By no means the easiest of reads, Roots Of Evil is definitely a contender for the most confusing and possibly frustrating book I have ever read.
Flitting back and forth between present day England and 'cousins' Lucy and Edmund, 1920's Vienna and the 'birth' of the enigmatic Lucretia von Wolff, and the concentration camp of Auschwitz was difficult enough but even more confusing was that the whole novel reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle that slowly, piece by piece, is seemingly coming together to reveal the whole picture until you realise several pieces seem to be missing.
Intriguing rather then enjoyable, one of those books I feel I shouldn't have liked and yet did. Dark and yet sinister in a somewhat understated kind of way, at times, gruesomely graphic, it read like a Gothic horror novel. At others like the worst kind of 'slasher' novel though, oddly enough, with echoes of Shakespeare's King Lear.
Without a doubt a very different read and one well worth persevering with (thank goodness all of the pieces did eventually come together even if it was sometimes hundreds of pages later) despite all of the largely implausible twists and turns of the plot and fairly stereotypical characters.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
Flitting back and forth between present day England and 'cousins' Lucy and Edmund, 1920's Vienna and the 'birth' of the enigmatic Lucretia von Wolff, and the concentration camp of Auschwitz was difficult enough but even more confusing was that the whole novel reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle that slowly, piece by piece, is seemingly coming together to reveal the whole picture until you realise several pieces seem to be missing.
Intriguing rather then enjoyable, one of those books I feel I shouldn't have liked and yet did. Dark and yet sinister in a somewhat understated kind of way, at times, gruesomely graphic, it read like a Gothic horror novel. At others like the worst kind of 'slasher' novel though, oddly enough, with echoes of Shakespeare's King Lear.
Without a doubt a very different read and one well worth persevering with (thank goodness all of the pieces did eventually come together even if it was sometimes hundreds of pages later) despite all of the largely implausible twists and turns of the plot and fairly stereotypical characters.
Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
August 16, 2012
The descriptive story telling makes me feel like I was there. I can feel the eeriness of the place Rayne trying to show and almost can hear the rain and feel the mud around the abandoned studio. Though I cannot recall the name of the girl who experienced a horrid situation and abuse, I can still recall of how the author describe the feelings and the thought vividly. The largest memory I could produced is the darkness of this story and it's the descriptive story telling makes it feel real, alive and heavy because of the crime and overloading abuse. In every pages, there's darkness awaiting for you. The setting is equally interesting and I like how Rayne uses the name Alraune, the boy who were born in the camp, a place where no child should be. Alraune means mandrake in German, the root that in many literature describe it as the root that screams when dug up from the soil and kill everyone who hears it. It was perfect for the title 'Roots of Evil'.
April 7, 2025
Roots of Evil had me tangled up like, well� roots. Some parts moved slower than a snail stuck in molasses, but somehow I was still totally hooked. It’s the kind of book where you blink and suddenly you’re deep in creepy family secrets, mysterious film reels, and thinking, “Okay but why do I suddenly trust no one and suspect everyone—including the cat?�
The vibe was gothic in the best way, and even when the plot slowed down, I didn’t want to put it down because I had to know what bizarre twist was lurking around the corner. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, Sarah Rayne came in like, “Nice try� and yeeted my theory into the abyss.
Overall, it’s like sipping tea in an old haunted theatre—occasionally slow, but deliciously eerie. Would recommend if you like your mysteries with a side of atmospheric suspense and just a pinch of “What in the Victorian soap opera is going on here?�
The vibe was gothic in the best way, and even when the plot slowed down, I didn’t want to put it down because I had to know what bizarre twist was lurking around the corner. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, Sarah Rayne came in like, “Nice try� and yeeted my theory into the abyss.
Overall, it’s like sipping tea in an old haunted theatre—occasionally slow, but deliciously eerie. Would recommend if you like your mysteries with a side of atmospheric suspense and just a pinch of “What in the Victorian soap opera is going on here?�
August 20, 2020
2nd January 2011
A disturbing read! This was a story that was well written and engrossing, I found myself wanting to read just a few more pages to find out what happened. This is obviously what you want in a mystery/murder. My only reservation is the setting of a lot of the book in Auschwitz concentration camp. I always feel a little uncomfortable when the awful acts that took place in these dreadful places are used in works of fiction, it somehow seems that the real-life evil events are diminished. There is a fear that the edges of fiction and reality could become merged and in some way, we may start to think of the horror in the camps as less than it was. We must be so careful that the genuine atrocities are not lessened or trivialised in any way by their inclusion in works of fiction. Otherwise, this was a great read.
A disturbing read! This was a story that was well written and engrossing, I found myself wanting to read just a few more pages to find out what happened. This is obviously what you want in a mystery/murder. My only reservation is the setting of a lot of the book in Auschwitz concentration camp. I always feel a little uncomfortable when the awful acts that took place in these dreadful places are used in works of fiction, it somehow seems that the real-life evil events are diminished. There is a fear that the edges of fiction and reality could become merged and in some way, we may start to think of the horror in the camps as less than it was. We must be so careful that the genuine atrocities are not lessened or trivialised in any way by their inclusion in works of fiction. Otherwise, this was a great read.
May 27, 2010
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It wasn't quite the mystery that A Dark Dividing was and the plot wasn't quite as intricately developed but there was a similar layering effect to and an element of mystery that I found quite fascinating. It was just really terrific! I loved the inclusion of WWII, but I admit I was surprised that as dark as this novel was, it didn't go even darker... Still, I really liked it. It was nearly as impossible to put down as A Dark Dividing was. What a talented author! I am really looking forward to reading more of her books! I just wish they were a bit easier to find in this country!
July 17, 2011
Someone, somewhere recced Sarah Rayne, so I bunged a bunch of her titles on my Amazon wishlist and three of them turned up on my birthday. Yay! This one's decidedly un-cosy, involving as it does numerous people being murdered by being stabbed through the eyes, a mass rape and, oh, yes, the Holocaust. I would never have bought it if I'd known any of that, and had to squint in a few places to make the print blurry so I could get through the nastier bits, but I enjoyed (most of) it very much in spite of that. It's an involving and fascinating psychological thriller with elements of my favourite trope, Dark Secrets of the Past. Not by any means a masterpiece, but a real page-turner.
May 13, 2014
This is my third Sarah Rayne. The first thing I have to say about her is that she is an intelligent writer and a stylist. It is a pleasure just to read the words and see what she does with sentences, and even more, with description.
In Roots of Evil, a gruesome murder/suicide involving a notorious film star (from the 20's to the 50's) is shaking up her descendents. There are subplots which gradually merge. As with all of Rayne's books that I have read, there are gothic, ghostly qualities, sometimes making the reader wonder (with dread) whether Rayne is going to cheat and bring in the supernatural. However, the human heart, from evil to generous, is astonishing enough for her.
In Roots of Evil, a gruesome murder/suicide involving a notorious film star (from the 20's to the 50's) is shaking up her descendents. There are subplots which gradually merge. As with all of Rayne's books that I have read, there are gothic, ghostly qualities, sometimes making the reader wonder (with dread) whether Rayne is going to cheat and bring in the supernatural. However, the human heart, from evil to generous, is astonishing enough for her.
May 16, 2010
Came across Sarah Rayne's name while I was looking for something else and thought I'd give her a try - her books sounded like they could be fun summer thrillers for the bus or plane, but based on the fifty pages or so I got through of this one it was wasn't even entertaining in a kind of awful way, just bad. Imagine a less competent VC Andrews. Rayne seems to have a pretty good imagination for plot, if a bit slasher-film-sensationalist, but wow the execution is terrible, it's almost physically painful to read. Ow ow ow.
March 14, 2012
I really enjoyed Roots of Evil and the last half in particular I found impossible to put down! I LOVED Lucretia von Wolff; I thought she was fabulous! Reading about Auschwitz was disturbing (even though this is a fictional story) and it certainly got me thinking about the bleak existance those poor people faced during the war. Infact I have been thinking about it all day. As far as this story goes though it was fast paced, brilliantly written with a few unexpected surprises and a very satisfying ending....
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