The Ruth Rendell Mysteries

One evening, someone messes up a love-nest on a side street in a small country town. The carpet is soaked with human blood, but there is no body to be found. Meanwhile, a beautiful, promiscuous woman goes missing - as does the bundle of cash she was carrying. But Wexford and Burden have different theories about the disappearance of the eccentric Anita Margolis.

Who is Ann? Who is Geoff Smith? Who sent the anonymous letter? Inspector Wexford and his team appear nowhere nearer solving the mystery. Perhaps if the missing girl's body was found, things would becomes clearer. But where to begin?

A gold lighter is found and provides a vital clue to the girl's disappearance. Its inscription reads 'For the girl who lights up my life' but which girl? And where is the body?

Wexford and his colleagues now knows the identity of Anita Margolis's killer, but there is a problem - he died some 18 months before the murder. Are the detectives investigations at a halt?

When a world-famous flautist is murdered, Wexford wonders if his recently returned daughter had anything to do with it. He becomes obsessed with proving that she is an imposter, even getting permission to travel as far afield as the USA and France to do so.

A man's obsession with his estranged wife hits boiling point when the investigation into his sister's murder is re-opened.

When wealthy middle-aged divorcée Alice Fielding, marries a handsome younger man, her best friend Nesta, who has fallen on hard times, begins to resent her.

Further revelations about Nesta's private life begin to emerge, leading Alice to believe she has been murdered.

Nesta's affair comes to light, while Alice begins to suspect that the letters she received have been faked.

Sisters plot to get rid of their father's fiancée - but their plan goes awry when the woman's death leaves their dad shattered.

Luke's death intensifies Elvira's anorexia, while Spinny's outward displays of good spirits belie depression and anxiety.

A single mother refused shelter at the estate of her aunt becomes a prime suspect when the aunt is poisoned.

Sisters May Thrace and June Symonds end a long estrangement after June's husband, whom May also coveted, dies unexpectedly. But when May moves in after the funeral, June finds old wounds are not so easily healed.

After accepting her sister's offer of reconciliation, May emerges from her mousy shell and seduces her sister's lover.

While on holiday, an aging busybody becomes obsessed with solving a half-century-old murder, much to the chagrin of her husband.