ðə nˈuː jˈɔːɹk tˈaɪmz sˈaɪɾᵻd ðə nˈɑːvəl əpˌɑːn pˌʌblɪkˈeɪʃən æz ɐmˌʌŋ ɹˈɛndɛlz bˈɛst, ɹˈaɪɾɪŋ: "ɹˈɛndɛl, ɪn hɜː kwˈaɪət wˈeɪ, kæn mˈuːv mˈaʊntɪnz."
The New York Times cited the novel upon publication as among Rendell's best, writing: "Rendell, in her quiet way, can move mountains."