Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Rendell specializes in mystery with a twist, often horrific. In this collection of eleven stories, most of them very good, murder and mayhem rarely occur as expected: 'The Fever Tree' (an unhappy husband, a clinging wife, and a game preserve); 'The Dreadful Day of Judgement' (or working in a cemetery); 'A Glowing Future' (a lover returns with treasures— for someone else); 'An Outside Interest' (or frightening people as a hobby); 'A Case of Coincidence' (or when is a murderer not a murderer?); 'Thornapple' (James, the junior chemist); 'May and June' (two sisters); 'A Needle for the Devil' (a nurse and her knitting); 'Front Seat' (Mrs. Jones' husbands); 'Paintbox Place' (the little old lady and the compost heap); and 'The Wrong Category' (the curious case of the strangled young men). Certainly a showcase for Rendell's work." Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Table of Contents
The fever tree -- The dreadful day of judgement -- A glowing future -- An outside interest -- A case of coincidence -- Thornapple -- May and June -- A needle for the Devil -- Front seat -- Paintbox Place -- The wrong category.