Edgar Award Finalist: In London, a missing child unites three mothers in grief, madness, and murder. When Benet Archdale was a young girl in North London, her mother, Mopsa, made her nervous. The woman was unsound, and posed ever-present dangers. Yet Benet understood her sickness and forgave her threats. In pursuit of a relatively sane life as a novelist and loving single parent, Benet has … single parent, Benet has since kept Mopsa at a distance. But it’s not only the sudden death of Benet’s two-year-old son that shakes her safe world. It’s the past. Mopsa has returned to be at her inconsolable daughter’s side. Nurturing, rational, and seemingly cured, Mopsa is going to do everything she can to ease Benet’s grief.
Then, on the other side of town, the child of a barmaid has gone missing. Authorities fear the search can’t end well. As Benet and Mopsa are drawn into the disappearance, the secrets, lies, and desperation of three mothers will converge–by chance and by design. For them, it’s a crime that is at once a delusion, an escape, and a nightmare.
“No one surpasses Ruth Rendell when it comes to stories of obsession, instability, and malignant coincidence,” says Stephen King of this New York Times-bestselling author, and all three come into play in this novel, a winner of the Crime Writers’ Association Silver Dagger Award. A classic of psychological suspense, The Tree of Hands was adapted twice for the screen: first in 1989, as Innocent Victim starring Lauren Bacall and Helen Shaver; then again in 2001, for the French film Alias Betty.
The Tree of Hands
By ruthrendell
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Good Ruth Randell mystery.
It was a page turner for me. I liked the depth of characters and the twists and turns of the story. Well written.
Beautifully written.
Always enjoy her books.
Benet, a successful author, has decided to be a single mother, and is raising her son, James, on her own. Her mentally unstable mother, Mopsa, comes for a visit, during which James sickens and dies. Mopsa brings another little boy home to fill James’ place. the novel follows the parallel tracks of Benet’s life and the police investigation seeking …
Very interesting and absorbing. I will read more from this author!
Really one of the best books ever. Ruth Rendell will be sadly missed. One of my favorite authors. Look out for strange behavior.
One of the. Best authors i have ever read i.cried when she died
Chiefs is an exceptional novel with good and evil abounding as in any small town. The finely drawn characters make you feel part of the town. Surprises are around every corner. I always love generational stories, even if there are some sad spots, because that is life. I would love to read more of this author’s work.
Ruth Rendell delves into the psychological reasons for her characters’ actions. A wonderful writer: allusions to other works. Extremely literate book.