A Guilty Thing Surprised: Inspector Wexford Book 5

By Ruth Rendell

Book Overview

She took a peaceful walk in the woods--and found death waiting. . . . "The best mystery writer anywhere in the English-speaking world."-- The Boston Globe Elizabeth and Quentin Nightingale. A happy couple who lived quite graciously at Myfleet Manor in the gentle English countryside. Elizabeth Nightingale found peace and tranquility on her nightly walks through the rich, dense forests surrounding Myfleet Manor. But the peace she treasured was shattered one night when she found death waiting in the woods. Chief Inspector Wexford and his colleague Inspector Burden find a most unsavory case on their hands--and must use all their wit and wisdom to solve it . . . "Undoubtedly one of the best writers of English mysteries and chiller-killer plots." -- Los Angeles Times "You cannot afford to miss Ruth Rendell." -- The New York Times Book Review "For readers who have almost given up mysteries . . . Rendell may be just the woman to get them started again." -- Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345348117
• ISBN13: 9780345348111
• Release Date: August 1987
• Publisher: Fawcett Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A completely unexpected outcome

This was an enjoyable book because there were several possibilities presented, but the person who was responsible for murdering the victim was unexpected.I had no idea of where the case was headed and was surprised at the end. An excellent read. Ins. Wexford is a favorite.

Excellent murder mystery

Terrific vintage Rendell, one of the best Chief Inspector Wexford mysteries. The wealthy and beautiful Elizabeth Nightingale is murdered one night in the woods, and it is up to the intelligent, cantankerous Wexford and his sidekick Burden to solve the crime. This appears at first to be a fairly ordinary mystery; the leisurely pace and sharp humor may fool the reader into thinking that this is a peaceful, quiet novel. The final revelation, however, is disturbing and shocking, one of the author's most gripping and powerful conclusions. Otherwise, a fairly light, literate, entertaining mystery, written in Rendell's irresistably readable prose style, filled with ingenious plot twists and numerous red herrings. A bravura performance; even this comparatively minor work shows that Rendell can easily outwrite the vast majority of her contemporaries.