Readers of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will love this gripping crime thriller full of twists and turns from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell.

‘The most brilliant mystery writer’ — Patricia Cornwell
‘Probably the greatest crime writer in the world’ — Ian Rankin
‘Totally gripping with superb twist at the end!’ — ***** Reader review
‘Fascinating’ — ***** Reader review
‘Superb on all counts’ — ***** Reader review
‘Keeps the reader rooted to the spot and in the dark till the very end’ — ***** Reader review
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Wherever Reggie Wexford goes, death and intrigue are close on his heels. Having just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime holiday in China, Wexford finds himself haunted by memories of the old woman with bound feet who mysteriously followed him from one city to the next and the man who tragically drowned.

Now, back in England, he finds himself investigating the murder of a fellow tourist. Knowing that the clue to these three mysteries lies in the East, Wexford turns his investigative skills to that place of unfathomable and sinister depths…

Sir Manuel Camargue, yesterday one of the most celebrated musicians of his time, today floats face down in the lake near his sprawling English country house. The consensus is accidental death — but Inspector Wexford knows the stench of murder most foul when he smells it. Particularly in the company of two suspects — one, the victim’s fiancee, who is too young to be true, the other his daughter who may be no kin and even less kind . . .