Another magnificently gripping and compelling thriller from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell full of twists and turns and the odd red herring! An absolute must for fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon.

''The mistress of Mystery'' -- Daily Mirror
''The Wexford books clearly display Rendell''s great mastery of storytelling at its best'' -- Sunday Telegraph
''Rendell never fails to come up trumps'' - The Irish Times
''Consistently readable with a nice twist at the end'' -- Daily Mail
''Had me gripped from the start'' -- ***** Reader review
''There is simply no such thing as a bad Ruth Rendell book. She is a phenomenon. A brilliant read as always.'' -- ***** Reader review
''Great Read! Rendell never disappoints.'' -- ***** Reader review

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NOTHING IS EVER QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS...

A man and his daughter lie dead after a car accident. Strangely, no other car was involved and no cause has been found. Wexford''s only option is to wait and hope that the one surviving victim - the mother, Mrs Fanshawe - regains consciousness.

But when she finally awakens six weeks later, Wexford''s attention has already been distracted by a new and very violent case. Walking by the canal that same morning, Wexford discovered the bloody body of Charlie Hatton.

The two cases are obviously unrelated, although something is bothering Wexford and he can''t work out why or what.

But just as he begins to wonder whether there could in fact be a connection, the unexpected occurs: the Fanshawe daughter, believed to be killed in the accident, appears at her mother''s beside very much alive...