New York: Harper & Row, 1987

8vo, pp. 80. Original grey three-quarter boards, lettered in gilt to cream cloth spine. Illustrated dustwrapper.

First US edition, INSCRIBED BY RENDELL TO HER NEIGHBOURS: 'To Pat and Douglas -- love from Ruth'.

Douglas Brown [1917-2003] was the BBC's first religious affairs correspondent, and held that position until his retirement in 1977. He and his wife Pat were Ruth Rendell's neighbours in the village of Polstead, Suffolk. Much of her work is set in the county, and when made a life peer she chose the title Baroness Rendell of Babebergh, of Aldeburgh, in the County of Suffolk.