A crime of passion brought to life by multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell. Fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will love this dark and achingly absorbing thriller…

‘Psychologically acute and extremely disturbing, Ruth Rendell’s work is outstanding’ — The Times
‘Ruth Rendell’s books are not only whodunits but whydunits, uncovering the motive roots of murder’ — Mail on Sunday
‘Do not read before bedtime as you will want to finish it and will go to bed far too late!’ — ***** Reader review
‘An entertaining, fast paced read’ — ***** Reader review
‘I just couldn’t put it down’– ***** Reader review
‘I was totally enthralled by this from start to finish’– ***** Reader review
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It was his third visit to the gloomy house on Orchard Drive. Each time, he parked in the same place. Each time, he carried a briefcase. And each time, Louise North greeted him at the door.

Susan Townsend was the only resident with no interest in the affair going on next door, or in the neighbourhood gossip about it. Yet it was Susan who found the murdered bodies of the lovers, locked not in passion, but in death.

And it was Susan whose own life would be imperilled by a monstrous crime far beyond the imaginings of the vilest gossiping tongues…