Speaking to all fans of Ruth Rendell

[rosegoldwatcher]

I have been inspired to start this thread after listening to A Good Read on Radio 4Extra this evening.
One of the guests recommended Ruth's A Judgement In Stone - one of her early novels. Russell Kane audibly shuddered when describing the main character and it struck me that yes - this is my reaction to nearly all, if not all, of the protagonist in her books. (NB - I am not considering here her Inspector Wexford books, nor those written under her pseudonym, Barbara Vine.)

So - if you are a fan - which of her books is your favourite? Can you precis the plot in a sentence or two?
This could be a very short thread if there are few RR appreciators out there!

Mine is A Sight For Sore Eyes.
Damaged but beautiful Teddy's obsession with providing perfection for his ideal woman Francine leads to murder and incarceration in a place far worse than a prison cell.

I much prefer the Barbara Vine books, the narrators seem to be more likeable, and are sometimes just passive observers to crimes that others commit and how it affects them. My favourite ever is Grasshopper, that had me hooked.

Her last book of short stories was brilliant, and the last story in it left me feeling so unsettled I couldn’t sleep.

Similarly I would recommend the short story High Mysterious Union, it’s brilliant. I don’t know why it hasn’t been adapted into a tv drama or film yet.