A Guilty Thing Surprised: (A Wexford Case) - Softcover

"One of the best novelists writing today" (P.D. James)

"The inspiration never seems to flag and the quality of the crafsmanship remains as high as ever" (Sunday Telegraph)

"Ruth Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murdy impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear" (Sunday Times)

"Psychologically acute and extremely disturbing, Ruth Rendell's work is outstanding" (The Times)

The fifth book to feature the classic crime-solving detective, Chief Inspector Wexford.

The discovery of Elizabeth Nightingale's broken body in the woods near her home could not have come as a bigger shock. Called in to investiage, Chief Inspector Wexford quickly determines that the Nightingales were considered the perfect couple - wealthy, attractive and without an enemy in the world.

However, someone must have been alone with Elizabeth that night in the woods. Someone who hated - or perhaps loved - her enough to beat her to death.

The case seems straightforward. But Wexford soon learn that beneath the placid surface of the Nightingales' lives lie undercurrents and secrets no one ever suspected.