Wexford is horrified by the carnage he encounters at Tancred Manor, home of a famous anthropologist, but he is determined to do all that he can for 17-year-old Daisy, the only survivor of the mass murders that obliterated her family.
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"A good read... Wexford was a pleasant change from some of my normal investigator's. He's plodding style as a little annoying in places. The ending was good. Wexford is explaining the final twist as the guilty parties identify themselves. It was quite refreshing for the crime to be solved and not having to wade through a page or two of backstory filler. Not that complex, got the perp before Wexford but enjoyable"
— Ginnz (4 out of 5 stars)
" Davina Flory, her husband and daughter are murdered and the granddaughter is wounded. Good mystery. "
— Kitty, 2/19/2014" Really entertaining, clever, beautifully written. A perfect intro to the genre for the mystery-resistant. Thanks, Trish! "
— Deanna, 2/18/2014" Inspector Wexford finds the connection between four seemingly unnrelated crimes and six deaths. This is a well-plotted mystery and I was captivated right up to the very end. "
— Rae, 2/15/2014" A classic Rendell/Inspector Wexford murder mystery. I was somewhat surprised by the solution. "
— Sarah, 2/14/2014" Enjoyed this enough to and get five more yesterday. "
— Therese, 2/10/2014" Tyhpical English mystery, but many twists leaving me guessing until the end. "
— Florence, 2/5/2014" A very enjoyable read. Plenty of twists and turns with a predictably surprising ending! I only twigged right at he end. Good detective yarn. "
— Hazel, 2/2/2014" Cazza et moi - have just finished this BRILLIANT murder mystery ... you wannaknow 'who donnit?' ... read it and find out ;o) "
— Bruce, 1/25/2014" This would get two and a half stars. I liked it, but it wasn't her best. The ending left a bit to be desired. "
— Margie, 1/20/2014" Inspector Wexford finds the connection between four seemingly unnrelated crimes and six deaths. This is a well-plotted mystery and I was captivated right up to the very end. "
— Rae, 1/19/2014" Meh ! Didnt like it. Not even the writing style. "
— jaadhimalli, 1/19/2014" Last really great Wexford. "
— Nathanielk, 1/15/2014" always a pleasure to read a Wexford novel. this one could have been edited down, a bit, which is why I docked it a star but still an enjoyable mystery "
— Carol, 1/14/2014" I liked this Inspector Wexford novel. It has a good plot and good characters. "
— Thea, 1/12/2014" This was the first Ruth Rendell book I read, and it prompted me to read more of her works. After reading several of them, mostly Wexford mysteries, I must say in retrospect that it is one of her best. "
— Liz, 1/9/2014" I have yet to read a poor Ruth Rendell mystery. in fact I have enjoyed reading them all. Not all at once but over the years. "
— Lili, 1/7/2014" I liked this Inspector Wexford novel. It has a good plot and good characters. "
— Thea, 12/27/2013" Last really great Wexford. "
— Nathanielk, 12/27/2013" Good mystery. I'd only read the first book in the series prior to this one, so I was positively surprised - a vast improvement in comparison. "
— Denise, 12/15/2013" Tyhpical English mystery, but many twists leaving me guessing until the end. "
— Florence, 12/13/2013" An excellent whodunnit, and one of the more gory murder scenes that Wexford has encountered - if you like that sort of thing. "
— Jayne, 12/13/2013" Slow starting and repetitive at times, but otherwise solid writing and good English murder mystery stuff. Halfway through I found myself wanting to skim and skip to the end to find out "whodunnit" but the writing style and sub-plot kept me engaged to the end. "
— Tiffanie, 12/13/2013" Shades of Rebecca in this one. Wexford and his favorite daughter on the rocks! "
— Stacey, 12/11/2013" The usual Inspector Wexford novel for the fans. Most enjoyable is Wexford's rage over his daughter's arrogant new boyfriend. As usual Rendell probes into the lives of "ordinary" people, their dreams and disappointments laid bare. "
— RJ, 12/5/2013" A classic Rendell/Inspector Wexford murder mystery. I was somewhat surprised by the solution. "
— Sarah, 12/1/2013" Ruth Rendell is an amazing writer, and this is a classic from the Inspector Wexford series. "
— Robin, 11/22/2013" Kissing the gunners daughter phrase relates to practice of tying someone to a gun before they were to be flogged. "
— Bob, 11/16/2013" Needs no recommendation... Euth Rendell at her best "
— Natalia, 11/14/2013" Meh ! Didnt like it. Not even the writing style. "
— jaadhimalli, 11/14/2013" good mystery but drags at times "
— Nora, 10/29/2013" Slow starting and repetitive at times, but otherwise solid writing and good English murder mystery stuff. Halfway through I found myself wanting to skim and skip to the end to find out "whodunnit" but the writing style and sub-plot kept me engaged to the end. "
— Tiffanie, 10/7/2013" Wexford. Heiress plans perfect murder with boyfriend. Satisfying but predictable like a turkey sandwich. "
— Barbara, 9/20/2013" The usual Inspector Wexford novel for the fans. Most enjoyable is Wexford's rage over his daughter's arrogant new boyfriend. As usual Rendell probes into the lives of "ordinary" people, their dreams and disappointments laid bare. "
— RJ, 7/22/2013" Ruth Rendell is always reliable for a good British whodunit "
— Barb, 5/13/2013" Interesting enough read, but not P. D. James! "
— Brenda, 5/11/2013" Ruth Rendell is an amazing writer, and this is a classic from the Inspector Wexford series. "
— Robin, 5/4/2013" Ruth Rendell writes great mystery novels and this is no exception. I listened to the audio version of this novel and it was very good. Nice twist at the end too. MUrder at the big house, with sundry village characters and staff thrown in. "
— Jen, 4/13/2013" An excellent whodunnit, and one of the more gory murder scenes that Wexford has encountered - if you like that sort of thing. "
— Jayne, 3/18/2013" A very enjoyable read. Plenty of twists and turns with a predictably surprising ending! I only twigged right at he end. Good detective yarn. "
— Hazel, 1/27/2013" Good mystery. I'd only read the first book in the series prior to this one, so I was positively surprised - a vast improvement in comparison. "
— Denise, 1/19/2013" Needs no recommendation... Euth Rendell at her best "
— Natalia, 12/4/2012" Ruth Rendell writes great mystery novels and this is no exception. I listened to the audio version of this novel and it was very good. Nice twist at the end too. MUrder at the big house, with sundry village characters and staff thrown in. "
— Jen, 12/3/2012" Shades of Rebecca in this one. Wexford and his favorite daughter on the rocks! "
— Stacey, 8/25/2012" always a pleasure to read a Wexford novel. this one could have been edited down, a bit, which is why I docked it a star but still an enjoyable mystery "
— Carol, 7/30/2012" Excellent, but no surprise with Rendell! "
— Mary, 7/15/2012" This was the first Ruth Rendell book I read, and it prompted me to read more of her works. After reading several of them, mostly Wexford mysteries, I must say in retrospect that it is one of her best. "
— Liz, 6/27/2012" Wexford. Heiress plans perfect murder with boyfriend. Satisfying but predictable like a turkey sandwich. "
— Barbara, 6/5/2012" I have yet to read a poor Ruth Rendell mystery. in fact I have enjoyed reading them all. Not all at once but over the years. "
— Lili, 5/23/2012" Davina Flory, her husband and daughter are murdered and the granddaughter is wounded. Good mystery. "
— Kitty, 3/13/2012" A bit grizzly, but very absorbing. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved to have reached the end of the stash of mysteries sent to me. I suppose I'll have more time, but they were such fun reading. Of course there's always the library. "
— Rachel, 1/25/2012" Interesting enough read, but not P. D. James! "
— Brenda, 12/17/2011" This would get two and a half stars. I liked it, but it wasn't her best. The ending left a bit to be desired. "
— Margie, 12/14/2011" A bit grizzly, but very absorbing. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved to have reached the end of the stash of mysteries sent to me. I suppose I'll have more time, but they were such fun reading. Of course there's always the library. "
— Rachel, 11/17/2011" Kissing the gunners daughter phrase relates to practice of tying someone to a gun before they were to be flogged. "
— Bob, 10/7/2011" Really entertaining, clever, beautifully written. A perfect intro to the genre for the mystery-resistant. Thanks, Trish! "
— Deanna, 10/6/2011" Excellent, but no surprise with Rendell! "
— Mary, 9/8/2011" Davina Flory, her husband and daughter are murdered and the granddaughter is wounded. Good mystery. "
— Kitty, 8/17/2011" I'm loving it - really enjoying R.Rs books - definitely converted! "
— Caro, 8/11/2011" An excellent whodunnit, and one of the more gory murder scenes that Wexford has encountered - if you like that sort of thing. "
— Jayne, 7/24/2011" Read a couple of years ago. Liked it enough to read more Ruth Rendell, but not enough to remember details of the plot - which is pretty typical for me with what I consider "escape" reading...not really a comment on the writing. I enjoy the Inspector Wexford character. "
— Maribeth, 5/5/2011" Wexford. Heiress plans perfect murder with boyfriend. Satisfying but predictable like a turkey sandwich. "
— Barbara, 3/30/2011" Wexford. Heiress plans perfect murder with boyfriend. Satisfying but predictable like a turkey sandwich. "
— Barbara, 3/30/2011" Tyhpical English mystery, but many twists leaving me guessing until the end. "
— Florence, 3/29/2011" Tyhpical English mystery, but many twists leaving me guessing until the end. "
— Florence, 3/29/2011" Shades of Rebecca in this one. Wexford and his favorite daughter on the rocks! "
— Stacey, 2/15/2011" Ruth Rendell is an amazing writer, and this is a classic from the Inspector Wexford series. "
— Robin, 2/8/2011" Read a couple of years ago. Liked it enough to read more Ruth Rendell, but not enough to remember details of the plot - which is pretty typical for me with what I consider "escape" reading...not really a comment on the writing. I enjoy the Inspector Wexford character. "
— Maribeth, 11/17/2010" Read a couple of years ago. Liked it enough to read more Ruth Rendell, but not enough to remember details of the plot - which is pretty typical for me with what I consider "escape" reading...not really a comment on the writing. I enjoy the Inspector Wexford character. "
— Maribeth, 11/17/2010" A bit grizzly, but very absorbing. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved to have reached the end of the stash of mysteries sent to me. I suppose I'll have more time, but they were such fun reading. Of course there's always the library. "
— Rachel, 7/9/2010" A bit grizzly, but very absorbing. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved to have reached the end of the stash of mysteries sent to me. I suppose I'll have more time, but they were such fun reading. Of course there's always the library. "
— Rachel, 7/9/2010" A very enjoyable read. Plenty of twists and turns with a predictably surprising ending! I only twigged right at he end. Good detective yarn. "
— Hazel, 6/29/2010" A very enjoyable read. Plenty of twists and turns with a predictably surprising ending! I only twigged right at he end. Good detective yarn. "
— Hazel, 6/29/2010" Slow starting and repetitive at times, but otherwise solid writing and good English murder mystery stuff. Halfway through I found myself wanting to skim and skip to the end to find out "whodunnit" but the writing style and sub-plot kept me engaged to the end. "
— Tiffanie, 6/25/2010" Slow starting and repetitive at times, but otherwise solid writing and good English murder mystery stuff. Halfway through I found myself wanting to skim and skip to the end to find out "whodunnit" but the writing style and sub-plot kept me engaged to the end. "
— Tiffanie, 6/25/2010" Ruth Rendell is always reliable for a good British whodunit "
— Barb, 6/14/2010" Ruth Rendell is always reliable for a good British whodunit "
— Barb, 6/14/2010" I'm loving it - really enjoying R.Rs books - definitely converted! "
— Caro, 3/9/2010" I'm loving it - really enjoying R.Rs books - definitely converted! "
— Caro, 3/9/2010" Kissing the gunners daughter phrase relates to practice of tying someone to a gun before they were to be flogged. "
— Bob, 12/9/2009" Kissing the gunners daughter phrase relates to practice of tying someone to a gun before they were to be flogged. "
— Bob, 12/9/2009" good mystery but drags at times "
— Nora, 2/18/2009" Ruth Rendell writes a decent mystery. I find her books properly satisfying like tea and scones on a rainy day in England at the old manor house. This is a book on tape. <br/> <br/>Finished this book yesterday. Very satisfying, comforting escapism. "
— Judi, 5/19/2008Ruth Rendell (1930–2015) wrote more than sixty novels in a career spanning fifty years. She won numerous awards for her writing, including three Edgars—the highest accolade from Mystery Writers of America—as well as four Gold Daggers and a Diamond Dagger for outstanding contribution to the genre from England’s prestigious Crime Writer’s Association. She was also the winner of the MWA Grand Master Award. A longtime member of the House of Lords, she lived in London.
Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.