A gripping tragedy of crime and class, widely regarded as one of multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell's seminal masterworks and a crime fiction classic. Fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will not be disappointed.

'One of her masterpieces' -- Telegraph
'A classic' - The Times
'Quite possibly the best crime book I have ever read' -- ***** Reader review
'One hell of a book' -- ***** Reader review
'An altogether engrossing book' -- ***** Reader review
'A compelling and addictive read' -- ***** Reader review
'An absolute classic - can only be described in superlatives' -- ***** Reader review

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'Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write.'

Eunice, the Coverdales' housekeeper, guns down four of her employers in the space of fifteen minutes one Valentine's Day. None of them suspected anything. Her motive remained hidden.

As the police investigate, Eunice schemes to escape the blame - desperate to preserve the terrible secret of her illiteracy.

But Eunice's blindness to a crucial aspect of the world throws her plans into jeopardy...

It seems to be a straightforward, if bloody, crime. Four members of one family murdered by their housekeeper in a modern St. Valentine's Day massacre. But that is where the story begins. A critically acclaimed novel from the author of bestselling crime thrillers including Thirteen Steps Down and the world-famous Detective Chief Inspector Wexford series.

About the Author

Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels.

With worldwide sales of approximately 20 million copies, Rendell was a regular Sunday Times bestseller. Her sixty bestselling novels include police procedurals, some of which have been successfully adapted for TV, stand-alone psychological mysteries, and a third strand of crime novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. Very much abreast of her times, the Wexford books in particular often engaged with social or political issues close to her heart.

Rendell won numerous awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for 1976's best crime novel with A Demon in My View, a Gold Dagger award for Live Flesh in 1986, and the Sunday Times Literary Award in 1990. In 2013 she was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in crime writing. In 1996 she was awarded the CBE and in 1997 became a Life Peer.

Ruth Rendell died in May 2015. Her final novel, Dark Corners, was published in October 2015.

Reviews
One of her masterpieces. -- Jake Kerridge * Telegraph *
Rendell's psychological insights are so absorbing, it's easy to forget what a superb plotter she is * The Times *
Ruth Rendell is not only the finest crime novelist there is, but one of the finest novelists writing in the English language * Scotsman *
The most brilliant mystery novelist of our time - mesmerizing -- Patricia Cornwell
Ruth Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear * Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099171409
Author Ruth Rendell
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Arrow Books Ltd
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 122g
Dimensions(mm) 178mm * 110mm * 14mm