A terrifyingly vivid portrayal of the murderous impulses hiding in the squalor of North London from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell. Readers of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will be hooked...
''Rendell weaves the interlocking desires into a frightening tapestry of warped minds . . . A tale as chilling as any Rendell has written'' -- The Times ''Masterfully spooky. Don''t read this alone'' -- Red ''A top-notch thriller that will, I promise, have you nibbling your nails'' -- Daily Mail ''Goodness me! This was good. Masterful plotting. Never a dull page. Fabulous characterisations...'' -- ***** Reader review ''This book is a masterpiece of intrigue'' -- ***** Reader review ''I couldn''t put it down'' -- ***** Reader review ''One of the most amazing books I have ever read'' -- ***** Reader review **************************************************************** In traditional fairy tales the handsome prince rescues the beautiful princess from her wicked stepmother, and the couple live happily ever after.
Teddy Brex emerges from a loveless, isolated childhood as a handsome but autistic young man.
Francine Hill, emotionally and mentally scarred by the murder of her mother, grows into a beautiful young woman, who must endure the over-protectiveness of an increasingly obsessive stepmother.
Teddy Brex does ride to her rescue, but he is a man who has already committed two murders.
In Rendell''s dark criminal London, can anyone be trusted? It''s a world in which innocent dreams can turn into the most terrible living nightmares...