Ruth Rendell

But as the wealthy Leonora grew older, they grew apart, and Guy's innocent love turned into a dangerous, psychopathic obsession. When Leonora announces her engagement , Guy knows there must be some mistake - and he is determined to right it, at any cost.

In a college town two schoolgirls live with their widowed father Luke, a gentle well-educated man, meticulous and orderly. Elvira and Spinny are watchful however for Luke plans to remarry and has chosen Mary. The threat to the girls world is removed, however, when Mary falls to her death.

Philip Wardman had more than just the ordinary squeamishness where death was concerned. Philip's feminine ideal is the statue of the Roman goddess Flora in his mother's garden. The two embark on a passionate affair that soon becomes dangerous when Senta sets Philip a test;

He was young, arrogant, wealthy and in the bloom of health--or was he? "Undoubtedly one of the best writers of English mysteries and chiller-killer plots."--The Los Angeles Times Like any small community, Linchester has its intrigues: love affairs, money problems, unhappy marriages. But the gossip is elevated to new heights when young Patrick Selby dies on the very night of his beautiful wife's birthday party. The whole neighborhood was there, witness to the horrible attack of wasp stings Patrick suffered at the end of the evening. But did Patrick die of a wasp sting? Dr. Greenleaf thinks not. Heart failure, more likely. Still, Greenleaf isn't at peace about his death. After all, everyone in Linchester hated Patrick. With the help of a certain naturalist, Dr. Greenleaf begins to think about murder. . . ."Rendell is awfully good."--The New York Times Book Review

Includes three mysteries - "From Doon With Death"; "A New Lease of Death"; and, "The Best Man to Die".

She took a peaceful walk in the woods--and found death waiting. . . . "The best mystery writer anywhere in the English-speaking world."--The Boston Globe Elizabeth and Quentin Nightingale. A happy couple who lived quite graciously at Myfleet Manor in the gentle English countryside. Elizabeth Nightingale found peace and tranquility on her nightly walks through the rich, dense forests surrounding Myfleet Manor. But the peace she treasured was shattered one night when she found death waiting in the woods. Chief Inspector Wexford and his colleague Inspector Burden find a most unsavory case on their hands--and must use all their wit and wisdom to solve it . . . "Undoubtedly one of the best writers of English mysteries and chiller-killer plots."--Los Angeles Times "You cannot afford to miss Ruth Rendell."--The New York Times Book Review "For readers who have almost given up mysteries . . . Rendell may be just the woman to get them started again."--Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

The stag party was terrific. The incident that followed was terrifying. . . . "The best mystery writer anywere in the English-speaking world."--The Boston Globe Who could have suspected that the exciting stag party for the groom would be a prelude to the murder of his close friend Charlie Hatton? But it was--and Charlie's death sentence was only the first in a string of puzzling murders involving small-time gangsters, cheating husbands, and loose women. Suspense is spiced with ironic twists as Chief Inspector Wexford and his assistant join forces with the groom to track down a killer. . . . Praise for The Best Man to Die"You cannot afford to miss Ruth Rendell "--The New York Times Book Review"For readers who have almost given up mysteries . . . Rendell may be just the woman to get them started again."--Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine"First-rate entertainment."--Saturday Review

It was a brutal, vicious crime -- sixteen years old. A helpless old woman battered to death with an axe. Harry Painter hung for it, and Chief Inspector Wexford is certain they executed the right man. But Reverend Archery has doubts . . . because his son wants to marry the murderer's beautiful, brilliant daughter. He begins unravelling the past, only to discover that murder breeds murder -- and often conceals even deeper secrets . . .

Sir Manuel Camargue, yesterday one of the most celebrated musicians of his time, today floats face down in the lake near his sprawling English country house. The consensus is accidental death -- but Inspector Wexford knows the stench of murder most foul when he smells it. Particularly in the company of two suspects -- one, the victim's fiancee, who is too young to be true, the other his daughter who may be no kin and even less kind . . .

A daughter's grief . . . A mother's madness . . . And a daring act of love that defied every law . . . "The best mystery writer anywhere in the English-speaking world."--The Boston Globe Mopsa, driven by a past scarred by madness and violence. Benet, stricken by the most grievous loss any woman can bear. Carol, trapped in a life of crushing drabness no lover can change. Three mothers joined by a single thread of terror, whirled into a spiral of kidnapping, murder, and a final, reckless affirmation of love. Praise for The Tree of Hands "A consummate artist who commands style, plot and character . . . A storyteller of a high order."--Washington Post"An excellent piece of suspense writing."--San Diego Union"Densely plotted, deeply emotional . . . The design of this book is brilliant. . . . It moves forward in a series of inexorable events that leave the reader panting from suspense and shaken from the sheer emotion of it all."--Cleveland Plain Dealer"Here is Ruth Rendell at the top of her form--topping it, in fact, with a suspense chiller enchanted by a contemporary topicality that strikes to the heart."--Judith Christ

And it was Susan whose own life would be imperilled by a monstrous crime far beyond the imaginings of the vilest gossiping tongues. A classic Rendellian murder mystery.