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...
Industry 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 *