{"title":"Ruth Rendell","description":"\u003cp\u003eRuth Rendell's crime fiction cuts deep into the everyday darkness of suburban life—she realised early that the most sinister evil often hides behind respectable facades. Her Inspector Wexford series and standalone psychological thrillers have earned her a place among crime's finest craftspeople, with plots that twist and unsettle long after you've finished the final page.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe've got a solid selection of Ruth Rendell books in stock, from \u003cem\u003eAdam and Eve and Pinch Me\u003c\/em\u003e to \u003cem\u003eThirteen Steps Down\u003c\/em\u003e. Browse our secondhand collection and discover why readers keep coming back to her intricate, darkly intelligent storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"adam-and-eve-and-pinch-me-rendell-ruth","title":"Adam and Eve and Pinch ME Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003eMinty is haunted by her dead fiancé — except he's not dead. Jock is very much alive, married to someone else, and has no idea the woman he left years ago still sees him everywhere. Her obsession with cleanliness, her rituals, her ghostly visions — they're all woven into Ruth Rendell's most unsettling psychological crime novel. Meanwhile, a con artist plays a dangerous game of identity theft, and the two stories collide in ways that feel inevitable and horrifying. Rendell strips away the procedural polish of detective fiction and gets inside the minds of people who can't escape themselves. The crime here isn't just what happens — it's the erasure of reality that precedes it. If you love tightly wound psychological tension and narrators you can't quite trust, this is Rendell at her chilling best.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588755284133,"sku":"BIN-H1-3970-06-02-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/71Pc2ovEXBL.jpg?v=1749104535"},{"product_id":"simisola-rendell-ruth","title":"Simisola Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen a Nigerian doctor walks into Kingsmarkham police station reporting his daughter missing, Inspector Wexford expects a routine case. But Melanie Akande vanished weeks ago, and the community's silence — along with the doctor's own evasiveness — suggests something darker at work. As Wexford digs deeper, he uncovers a town riddled with casual racism, buried secrets, and a web of lies that implicates both the powerful and the desperate. Ruth Rendell, the British crime master, delivers a taut psychological mystery that doubles as an unflinching examination of prejudice in 1990s England. This is Wexford at his most dogged and morally clear-eyed, untangling not just a disappearance but the poison that allows it. Perfect for readers who want their mysteries sharp, unsettling, and socially aware.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588798275749,"sku":"BIN-G1-3471-05-29-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/71Yi4OgG1eL.jpg?v=1749104955"},{"product_id":"thirteen-steps-down-rendell-ruth","title":"Thirteen Steps Down Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003eMix Cellini rents a flat in a decaying London house owned by an old woman who believes she's living in the 1940s. He's obsessed with Reggie Christie, the real-life serial killer who hid bodies in his walls at 10 Rillington Place. When Mix becomes fixated on a beautiful young model who lives nearby, his fantasies spiral into something far darker. Ruth Rendell was a master of psychological suspense, and this is her at her most unsettling — a slow-burn study of delusion, obsession, and how an ordinary man convinces himself that murder might be reasonable. The house itself feels like a character, suffocating and haunted. For fans of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley novels or anyone who likes their thrillers rooted in the mundane horror of everyday madness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588799062181,"sku":"BIN-G1-3472-05-29-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/91myCuPm2VL.jpg?v=1749104967"},{"product_id":"the-saint-zita-society-paperback-rendell-ruth","title":"The Saint Zita Society [Paperback] Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to Hexam Place, a leafy Marylebone cul-de-sac where the rich live upstairs and the help live below. The nannies, gardeners, and drivers have formed their own society — named for the patron saint of domestic workers — meeting in the local pub to gossip, scheme, and occasionally stumble into murder. When a body turns up in one of the grand houses, the carefully maintained boundaries between employer and employee begin to crack. Ruth Rendell was a master of psychological crime fiction, and here she dissects the British class system with surgical precision, turning a seemingly genteel London street into a hotbed of resentment, secrets, and violence. The kind of mystery where the real crime isn't just who did it, but how people treat each other when no one's watching. For fans of P.D. James or anyone who likes their murder mysteries with sharp social commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588799979685,"sku":"BIN-G1-3473-05-29-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/91OA1-IKe3L.jpg?v=1749104979"},{"product_id":"not-in-the-flesh-rendell-ruth","title":"Not in the Flesh Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003eA dog unearths a bone in an old animal burial ground. Routine, until forensics confirms it's human — and decades old. Chief Inspector Wexford is drawn into a case that unravels slowly, like peeling back layers of a town's hidden history. Who was buried here, and why? Rendell's late-career mystery is patient and atmospheric, more interested in the quiet psychology of secrets than shocking twists. The investigation meanders through class divides, immigration anxieties, and the kind of small cruelties that fester in tight-knit communities. Wexford, aging and contemplative, is as sharp as ever. This isn't a sprint to the reveal — it's a slow burn that rewards attention. Perfect for readers who want their mysteries thoughtful, character-driven, and laced with social commentary. If you loved P.D. James or Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie novels, this will sit nicely on your shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588800700581,"sku":"BIN-G1-3474-05-29-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/71dDKAg1SHL.jpg?v=1749104991"},{"product_id":"the-rottweiler-rendell-ruth","title":"The Rottweiler Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**The Rottweiler** by Ruth Rendell is a gripping psychological thriller that'll have you double-checking your locks. When a serial killer terrorizes London's streets, targeting lone women with chilling precision, the investigation unravels dark secrets lurking beneath ordinary facades. Rendell masterfully weaves themes of urban paranoia, social isolation, and the thin line between sanity and madness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for crime fiction fans who appreciate complex characters over flashy action sequences. If you devour authors like P.D. James or Minette Walters, you'll absolutely love this. Rendell, a legendary British crime writer and Baroness, crafted intricate mysteries for decades before her passing in 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks brings you classic British crime fiction without the new-book price tag. Ready for some seriously unsettling psychological suspense?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e**Reader Reviews:**\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Rendell's ability to get inside twisted minds is genuinely unnerving. Couldn't put it down!\" - Sarah M.\u003cbr\u003e\n\"The atmosphere is so tense you'll feel like you're walking those London streets yourself. Brilliant storytelling.\" - Mike K.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45734398460069,"sku":"BIN-E4-7923-07-16-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/9184OkAbf0L.jpg?v=1752711014"},{"product_id":"road-rage-a-wexford-mystery-full-of-twists-and-turns-from-the-queen-of-crime-ruth-rendell-paperback-rendell-ruth","title":"Road Rage: a Wexford mystery full of twists and turns from the Queen of Crime, Ruth Rendell [Paperback] Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**Road Rage** throws Chief Inspector Wexford into a web of environmental activism, murder, and moral ambiguity that'll keep you guessing until the final page. When eco-protesters clash with road developers, violence erupts in ways nobody saw coming. Ruth Rendell, the absolute legend behind the Wexford series, serves up her trademark psychological depth alongside a cracking police procedural that tackles contemporary issues without being preachy about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for crime fiction fans who like their mysteries with substance, psychology buffs fascinated by human motivation, and anyone who appreciates British detective fiction at its finest. Rendell's decades of experience crafting complex characters and intricate plots shine through every twist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks has plenty of life left in its pages – because great crime fiction never gets old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e**Reader Reviews:**\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Rendell's best Wexford yet – the environmental angle feels fresh and the murder investigation kept me completely hooked.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Brilliant character development and a plot that actually surprised me. Finished it in two sittings!\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45802862477477,"sku":"BIN-Q8-9575-08-05-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/610LWasFBAL.jpg?v=1754593797"},{"product_id":"the-new-girlfriend-and-other-stories-mass-market-paperback-rendell-ruth","title":"The New Girlfriend And Other Stories [Mass Market Paperback] Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**The New Girlfriend And Other Stories** delivers Ruth Rendell's trademark psychological twists with delicious dark humor. This collection of short stories explores identity, obsession, and the masks we wear—literally in the case of the title story, where a widower's grief takes an unexpectedly intimate turn with his late wife's wardrobe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRendell, the queen of British crime fiction and creator of Inspector Wexford, proves short stories are her secret weapon. Each tale peels back suburban respectability to reveal the delightfully twisted psyches beneath. From gender-bending grief to murderous neighbors, these psychological thrillers will leave you questioning everyone's motives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for fans of Patricia Highsmith, Gillian Flynn, or anyone who enjoys their fiction with a side of unsettling truth. Crime fiction enthusiasts and psychological thriller addicts will devour these bite-sized chillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks is ready for its next adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e**Reader Reviews:**\u003cbr\u003e\n*\"Rendell's genius lies in making the abnormal feel terrifyingly normal. Couldn't put it down.\"*\u003cbr\u003e\n*\"Short stories done right—each one packs more punch than most full novels.\"*\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46210548826277,"sku":"BIN-B3-GEN-18780-11-21-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/71UObusufbL.jpg?v=1763771683"},{"product_id":"portobello-paperback-rendell-ruth","title":"Portobello [Paperback] Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**Portobello by Ruth Rendell - A Twisted Tale of London Life**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWelcome to Portobello Road, where antique dealers, drug addicts, and murderers make surprisingly entertaining neighbors. Ruth Rendell serves up a deliciously dark psychological thriller that weaves together multiple storylines in West London's most famous market district. When a string of seemingly random deaths connects wealthy collectors, struggling addicts, and ordinary residents, paranoia spreads faster than gossip at a car boot sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't your typical cozy British mystery - Rendell explores themes of obsession, class division, and urban alienation with her trademark sharp wit. Perfect for fans of psychological crime fiction, Tana French readers, or anyone who enjoys complex character studies wrapped in suspenseful plotting. The late Ruth Rendell was crime fiction royalty, penning over 60 novels and winning countless awards for her psychological insights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks has plenty of life left in its pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e*\"Rendell's intricate plotting kept me guessing until the final pages - brilliant character development.\"*\u003cbr\u003e\n*\"A masterclass in psychological suspense set against London's gritty backdrop.\"*\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCRIBNER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46476040831141,"sku":"FBX-Y1-GEN-19141-11-27-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/51PVyiqeckL.jpg?v=1764558637"},{"product_id":"tree-of-hands-a-compulsive-and-darkly-compelling-psychological-thriller-from-the-award-winning-queen-of-crime-ruth-rendell-mass-market-paperback-rendell-ruth","title":"Tree Of Hands: a compulsive and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the award winning Queen of Crime, Ruth Rendell [Mass Market Paperback] Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**Tree Of Hands** plunges you into Ruth Rendell's twisted world where maternal love becomes dangerous obsession. When Benet's infant son dies, her unhinged mother Mopsa commits an unthinkable act—kidnapping a stranger's child to \"replace\" her grandson. What follows is a psychological spiral exploring how far people will go to protect family secrets, even when those secrets destroy lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis darkly compelling thriller examines themes of grief, guilt, and the suffocating nature of toxic relationships. Perfect for fans of psychological suspense who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous characters rather than clear-cut heroes and villains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRuth Rendell, the legendary Queen of Crime, masterfully weaves domestic horror with criminal intrigue in this gripping psychological thriller. Ideal for readers who devour Gillian Flynn, Tana French, or anyone craving intelligent suspense that gets under your skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks is ready for your shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e*\"Rendell's ability to make ordinary people terrifying is unmatched—couldn't put it down!\"*\u003cbr\u003e\n*\"A disturbing exploration of family dysfunction that stays with you long after the final page.\"*\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46476243959973,"sku":"FBX-Z7-GEN-19157-11-27-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/71DzfIto2IL.jpg?v=1764559073"},{"product_id":"the-monster-in-the-box-a-wexford-case-rendell-ruth","title":"The Monster in the Box: (A Wexford Case) Rendell, Ruth","description":"\u003cp\u003e**The Monster in the Box: A Wexford Case by Ruth Rendell**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChief Inspector Wexford's back, and this time he's wrestling with a decades-old obsession that refuses to stay buried. When a cold case resurfaces involving a suspected serial killer who's always managed to slip through the cracks, Wexford finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about justice and truth. Rendell masterfully weaves themes of obsession, morality, and the blurred lines between hunter and hunted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for crime fiction enthusiasts who appreciate psychological depth over cheap thrills, and anyone who enjoys complex characters grappling with real moral dilemmas. Ruth Rendell, the queen of British crime writing, delivers another brilliantly twisted tale that'll keep you guessing until the final page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis preloved paperback from Patina Paperbacks is ready for its next adventure on your bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e**Reader Reviews:**\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Rendell's plotting is absolutely diabolical - in the best possible way. Couldn't put it down!\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Classic Wexford at his most conflicted. The psychological tension had me completely hooked from chapter one.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patina Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46476357894309,"sku":"BIN-TT7-GEN-19378-11-28-2025","price":6.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/1407\/9909\/files\/51EmMVtTUJL.jpg?v=1764559335"}],"url":"https:\/\/patinapaperbacks.com\/collections\/ruth-rendell.oembed","provider":"Patina Paperbacks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}