<p><i><b>Death is always solitary. For some, so is life . . .</b></i><b><i> Fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will devour this enthralling mystery of deception, doubt and death from <u>multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author</u></i></b><b><i> Ruth Rendell</i></b><b><i> ...</i></b><br><br><b>''Probably the greatest crime writer in the world'' -- Ian Rankin</b><br><b>''[Wexford] has become an old friend who gets better with age'' -- </b><b><i>Herald</i></b><br><b>''A cracking good tale'' -- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>''Rendell at her complex best'' </b><b>-- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>''Unputdownable'' </b><b>-- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>''A treat from start to finish'' -- ***** Reader review</b><br><b>''Couldn''t put it down'' -- ***** Reader review</b><br><br><b>******************************************************************************************************</b><br><br>On a sultry August evening, <b>the bloody body of a middle-aged woman</b> is