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
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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...