Friday, June 26, 2026

FFB: THE VEILED ONE, Ruth Rendell

I always loved the Wexford series and he had a good first lieutenant with Mike Burden. This book also has a strong secondary story with Wexford's daughter's activism causing issues.  

The Veiled One is a 1988 Inspector Wexford mystery novel. The  story follows Chief Inspector Wexford as he investigates the murder of a woman found garroted in a shopping mall parking garage, but the case is handed to his partner, Mike Burden, after Wexford is hospitalized by a car bomb intended for his activist daughter. The novel explores themes of obsession and secrets, with Burden delving into a twisted case involving a strange mother and son.
 
As I look through my diary for 1988, I am amazed at how many Rendells I read in that year alone.  
 

5 comments:

di mcdougall said...

Yes a really good read! Ruth Rendell's books really seemed to expand through the years.

pattinase (abbott) said...

She was formidable in person.

George said...

I met Ruth Rendell at a Bouchercon--it might have been Philadelphia--and she signed some books for me and we chatted for a few minutes. She told me her favorite writer was Henry James. Rendell was friendly and gracious. Like you, I've enjoyed her mysteries over the years.

Jeff Meyerson said...

I generally prefer the Wexfords to the creepy non-series books, though some of them were excellent.

I found Burden to be quite tiresome, however, and always felt Wexford was sighing when he started carrying on. He did lighten up as the series went on and his personal life improved.

Jerry House said...

Love Wexford and Rendell's short stories, but I could never get into her other novels.