A collection of nine short crime and horror stories from the bestselling mystery writer Ruth Rendell, including an appearance by one of the crime genre's most popular characters- Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford. A chilling insight into the seemingly ordinary human mind and its potential for psychopathic violence.

The Copper Peacock- a hideous bookmark given to Bernard, a writer, by his attractive cleaning lady, Judy. She had brought order to a hitherto chaotic life, but now the bookmark destroys all this, shattering his razor sharp sensibilities. If only she had given herself, then she might have lived...

In this, and eight other landmark short stories, including the Wexford tale An Unwanted Woman, Ruth Rendell once again proves she is the mistress of crime and mystery genres.