The Speaker Of Mandarin - a brilliantly chilling and captivating Inspector Wexford novel from the award-winning queen of crime, Ruth Rendell (Paperback, Reissue)

Like the last Inspector Wexford mystery, Death Notes, this new Render novel is less an earnest mystery-story (like early Wexford) than a sly, teasing entertainment - with twists galore, subtly winking salutes to A. Christie, and an improvisatory feel that never slips over into archness or parody. The first section here takes Wexford to China for a pseudo-business-trip vacation; and Rendell (no doubt just back from a tour herself) concentrates on a funny, warts-and-all travelogue as Wexford hooks up with a disgruntled tour-group on his way to Hong Kong via Canton. But odd things do occur, with hints of Orient Express, The Mirror Crack'd, Death on the Nile: a Chinese student drowns; an ancient Chinese woman seems to be following Wexford; there's tension among the English travelers. Then, suddenly, we're back in England - and who should turn up murdered in her posh home but one of Wexford's China-tour acquaintances, Mrs. Adela Knighton, wife of a retired lawyer! And Wexford starts looking up all his fellow-travelers - quizzing them about the Knightons, unearthing an array of secrets, solving those tour-mysteries as well as the murder. Less tight and polished than Death Notes, with a ho-hum fadeout - but a disarming, fairly irresistible blend of mini-puzzles, solid detection, splendid travel writing, and Wexford charm. (Kirkus Reviews)

Readers of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will love this gripping crime thriller full of twists and turns from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell. 'The most brilliant mystery writer' -- Patricia Cornwell 'Probably the greatest crime writer in the world' -- Ian Rankin 'Totally gripping with superb twist at the end!' -- ***** Reader review 'Fascinating' -- ***** Reader review 'Superb on all counts' -- ***** Reader review 'Keeps the reader rooted to the spot and in the dark till the very end' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************************ Wherever Reggie Wexford goes, death and intrigue are close on his heels. Having just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime holiday in China, Wexford finds himself haunted by memories of the old woman with bound feet who mysteriously followed him from one city to the next and the man who tragically drowned. Now, back in England, he finds himself investigating the murder of a fellow tourist. Knowing that the clue to these three mysteries lies in the East, Wexford turns his investigative skills to that place of unfathomable and sinister depths...

General

Imprint:	Arrow Books Ltd
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Wexford
Release date:	April 1996
Authors:	Ruth Rendell
Dimensions:	178 x 110 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Mass Market
Pages:	223
Edition:	Reissue
ISBN-13:	978-0-09-932810-0
Categories:	Books > Fiction > General & literary fiction > Modern fiction
LSN:	0-09-932810-0
Barcode:	9780099328100

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