Ruth Rendell’s latest novel, “The Water’s Lovely,” is like a perfect episode of NBC’s “Law and Order.” It’s a self-contained tale of suspense about life in the modern world with enough twists, turns and uncertainties to remain interesting throughout. It’s got realistic, engaging and likable characters to whom bad things often happen.
The prolific Rendell’s 36th novel begins with the 10-year-old bathtub drowning death of Guy, stepfather to then-15-year-old Ismay and 13-year-old Heather. Mother and older sister immediately suspect Heather who stepped out of the bathroom that day soaking wet. But an alibi for Heather is concocted and investigators rule the death an accident. The incident is rarely discussed during the intervening decade and the girls watch their mother disappear into mental illness – unable to rebound from the shock.
When the now 20-something Heather falls in love and plans to marry, Ismay wonders how much the unsuspecting fiance knows about his betrothed.
From this launching point, Rendell creates something much more complicated. Family secrets are revealed, physical and emotional abuse is uncovered and siblings learn about the bonds that simultaneously keep them together and pull them apart.
“The Water’s Lovely” is a haunting, taut and perfectly woven mystery that can easily be devoured in a single sitting. But, much like episodic television, its effects aren’t necessarily long-lasting, won’t change the world or meaningfully alter readers’ perceptions of it.
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