Book description
The seventeenth book to feature the classic crime-solving detective,
Chief Inspector Wexford.
A by-pass is planned in the sleepy village of Kingsmarkham, a move
that would destroy its peace and natural habitat forever. Wexford's
wife Dora joins the protest movement, but Wexford must be more
circumspect. Trouble is expected.
Before the protesters even have a chance to make their presence
felt, the badly decomposed body of a young woman is discovered. Burden
believes he knows the identity of the murderer, but Wexford is not
convinced.
Just as Wexford is about to investigate the murder, a number of
people disappear - including Dora Wexford. The Chief Inspector must
battle with his powerful emotions and solve the case immediately,
before his wife is placed in any mortal danger...
Ruth Rendell is crime writing at its very best. The author of over
50 novels, she has won many significant crime fiction awards. Her
first novel, From Doon With Death, appeared in 1964, and since
then her reputation and readership have grown steadily with each new
book.
She has received major awards for her work; three Edgars from the
Mystery Writers of America; the Crime Writers' Gold Dagger Award for
1976's best crime novel, A Demon in My View; the Arts Council
National Book Award for Genre Fiction in 1981 for The Lake of
Darkness; the Crime Writer's Gold Dagger Award for 1986's best
crime book for Live Flesh; in 1987 the Crime Writer's Gold
Dagger Award for A Fatal Inversion and in 1991 the same award
for King Solomon's Carpet, both written under the pseudonym
Barbara Vine; the Sunday Times Literary Award in 1990; and in
1991 the Crime Writer's Cartier Diamond Award for outstanding
contribution to the crime fiction genre.
Her books are translated into 21 languages. In 1996 she was awarded
the CBE and in 1997 became a Life Peer.
