London: Hutchinson, 1988

8vo, pp. 278. Original black boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dustwrapper. A fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper with just a little edgewear.

Reprint in the year of publication, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO HER NEIGHBOURS: 'June 1988 To Pat and Douglas with love from Ruth'. Additionally signed by the author to title page. The fourteenth Inspector Wexford novel.

Douglas Brown [1917-2003] was the BBC's first religious affairs correspondent, and held that position until his retirement in 1977. He and his wife Pat were Ruth Rendell's neighbours in the village of Polstead, Suffolk. Much of her work is set in the county, and when made a life peer she chose the title Baroness Rendell of Babebergh, of Aldeburgh, in the County of Suffolk.