Anything like Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine?

[29Palms]

Ruth Rendell was my favourite author. It was the standalone psychological novels I loved, rather than the Wexford detective ones. She had a way of creating tension as you followed her various characters, knowing that their paths would cross in such a way that something bad was bound to result ..... Or the retrospective ones where something terrible had happened, but you didn't know what it was until the story was cunningly unfolded.

I would love to think that there is someone out there with a similar touch to Ruth's. Can anyone recommend any authors?

[tormentil]

I second the Karin Fossum recommendation - the writing is spare and understated. A good read.

[BestIsWest]

I'm still reading my way through the Wexford books in reverse order and I still think they are wonderful. He's so lovely. I'm on The Speaker of Mandarin now. The way she manages to combine the issues off the day with the story is great - treehuggers, Greenham, radical feminism etc. I'm not bored with them yet.

[Booksandcrocheting]

yes I thought if you didn't get on with Blacklands, you were unlikely to enjoy any of her other books.

[CarmenWedmore]

I honestly don't think there is another author out there who can compare to Rendell/Vine! So many of her books are in my top ten and I read them again and again.

Good luck in your search though!

[squoosh]

Oh I love her Barbara Vine books especially Asta's Book and A Dark Adapted Eye. Have you read Josephine Tey, I'm sure she must have been an influence on Rendell/Vine.

[SuckingEggs]

Loved loved loved BV. Also miss her hugely.

Will re-read them all - thanks for the prompt OP. I've never found anyone like her tbh.

[SinisterBumFacedCat]

Grasshopper and Minatour are my favourites. Brilliant writer.