The Tree of Hands

by Ruth Rendell

Overview

A daughter's grief . . . A mother's madness . . . And a daring act of love that defied every law . . . 

“The best mystery writer anywhere in the English-speaking world.”—The Boston Globe

Mopsa, driven by a past scarred by madness and violence. Benet, stricken by the most grievous loss any woman can bear. Carol, trapped in a life of crushing drabness no lover can change. Three mothers joined by a single thread of terror, whirled into a spiral of kidnapping, murder, and a final, reckless affirmation of love.

Praise for The Tree of Hands

“A consummate artist who commands style, plot and character . . . A storyteller of a high order.”—Washington Post

“An excellent piece of suspense writing.”—San Diego Union

“Densely plotted, deeply emotional . . . The design of this book is brilliant. . . . It moves forward in a series of inexorable events that leave the reader panting from suspense and shaken from the sheer emotion of it all.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Here is Ruth Rendell at the top of her form—topping it, in fact, with a suspense chiller enchanted by a contemporary topicality that strikes to the heart.”—Judith Christ

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780345312006
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/12/1986
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	309,603
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Ruth Rendell is the author of Road Rage, The Keys to the Street, Bloodlines, Simisola, and The Crocodile Bird. She is the winner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award. She is also the recipient of three Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and four Gold Daggers from Great Britain’s Crime Writers Association. In 1997, she was named a life peer in the House of Lords. Rendell also writes mysteries under the name of Barbara Vine, of which A Dark-Adapted Eye is the most famous. She lives in England.

Date of Birth:

February 17, 1930

Place of Birth:

London, England

Education:

Loughton County High School for Girls, Essex

Editorial Reviews

The best mystery writer anywhere in the English-speaking world.”—The Boston Globe

“A consummate artist who commands style, plot and character . . . A storyteller of a high order.”—Washington Post

“An excellent piece of suspense writing.”—San Diego Union

“Densely plotted, deeply emotional . . . The design of this book is brilliant. . . . It moves forward in a series of inexorable events that leave the reader panting from suspense and shaken from the sheer emotion of it all.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Here is Ruth Rendell at the top of her form—topping it, in fact, with a suspense chiller enchanted by a contemporary topicality that strikes to the heart.”—Judith Christ

From the Publisher

Mrs. Archdale, who is recovering from mental illness, visits her daughter Benet, a young, successful London author, and grandson James. Across town, Barry Mahon devotes himself to pleasing Carol Stratfordwho has a slew of other boyfriendsand takes care of her neglected son Jason. When Jason is kidnapped, the police accuse Barry of the crime. More tragedies occur after Mrs. Archdale commits a deranged act, which establishes a connection between Benet and Carol. The ending of this ``major triumph'' leaves the reader ``breathless,'' PW noted. (March)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly