Sandor is a wonderful storyteller and little Joe is ready to listen. The power of the educated over the simple is horribly clear in this disturbing and unusual relationship. As Sandor's motivation both for rescuing little Joe and then for weaving his spell of words becomes clear, the darkness surrounding him is too much for them both, and for the beautiful ex-model sequestered in her Suffolk mansion by an obsessive husband. A net of fear, greed, love and desire closes around them in a landscape that heightens the contrast between man and the natural world.

Barbara Vine is the pen-name of Ruth Rendell. She has won many awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America. She has also won the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger. In 1996 she was awarded the CBE and in 1997 became a Life Peer.

Dermot Crowley has appeared in many West End plays including the original production of Amadeus. Other theatre credits include Finbar in The Weir and Scenes from the Big Picture. His television work includes Spooks, Kingdom, New Tricks and Bleak House, while among his films are The Legend of Bagger Vance, Before You Go and Babel.