The monster in the box : an Inspector Wexford novel, book 22

The Monster in the Box is the latest addition to Ruth Rendell’s "masterful" (Los Angeles Times) Inspector Wexford series. In this enthralling new book, Rendell, "the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world" (Time), takes Inspector Wexford back to his first murder case—a woman found strangled in her bedroom. Outside the crime scene, Wexford noticed a short, muscular man wearing a scarf and walking a dog. The man gave Wexford an unnerving stare. Without any solid evidence, Wexford began to suspect that this man—Eric Targo—was the killer. Over the years there are more unsolved, apparently motiveless murders in the town of Kingsmarkham. Now, half a lifetime later, Wexford spots Targo back in Kingsmarkham after a long absence. Wexford tells his longtime partner, Mike Burden, about his suspicions, but Burden dismisses them as fantasy. Meanwhile, Burden’s wife, Jenny, has suspicions of her own. She believes that the Rahmans, a highly respectable immigrant family from Pakistan, may be forcing their daughter, Tamima, into an arranged marriage—or worse.

The Monster In The Box is the latest addition to Ruth Rendells's classic and beguiling Inspector Wexford series. In this enthralling new book, Rendell, "the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world," (Time), takes Inspector Wexford back to his days as a young policeman, and to the man he has long suspected of murder - serial murder.

Outside the house where Wexford investigated his first case - a woman found strangled in her bedroom - he noticed a short, muscular man wearing a scarf and walking a dog. He gave Wexford an unnerving stare. Without any solid evidence, Wexford began to suspect that this man - Eric Targo - was the killer. Over the years there are more unsolved, apparently motiveless murders in the town of Kingsmarkham and Wexford continues to quietly suspect that the increasingly prosperous Targo - van driver, property developer, kennel owner and animal lover - is behind them.

Now, half a lifetime later, Wexford spots Targo back in Kingsmarkham after a long absence. Wexford tells his long time partner, Mike Burden, about his suspicions, but Burden dismisses them as fantasy. Meanwhile, Burden's wife, Jenny, has suspicions of her own. She believes that the Rahmans, a highly respectable immigrant family from Pakistan, may be forcing their daughter, Tamima, into an arranged marriage - or worse. 

The Washington Post - Michael Sims

Monster brings both Rendell and Wexford back in strong form. Invariably, whenever I predicted the plot would go in a certain direction, I was wrong…Ultimately, everything weaves together in Rendell's imaginary town, but more so than ever in The Monster in the Box. We close the book on Inspector Wexford with the knowledge that he has had an illustrious career. And we accept this conclusion because at any time we can return to Kingsmarkham to explore the darker side of humanity with him as our reassuring and humane guide.

The new Chief Inspector Wexford novel from the reigning Queen of British Crime.'He had never told anyone. The strange relationship, if it could be called that, had gone on for years, decades, and he had never breathed a word about it. He had kept silent because he knew no one would believe him. None of it could be proved, not the stalking, not the stares or the conspiratorial smiles, not the killings, not any of the signs Targo had made because he knew Wexford knew and could do nothing about it.'Wexford had almost made up his mind that he would never again set eyes on Eric Targo's short, muscular figure. And yet there he was, back in Kingsmarkham, still with that cocky, strutting walk.Years earlier, when Wexford was a young police officer, a woman called Elsie Carroll had been found strangled in her bedroom. Although many still had their suspicions that her husband was guilty, no one was convicted.Another woman was strangled shortly afterwards, and every personal and professional instinct told Wexford that the killer was still at large. And it was Eric Targo. A psychopath who would kill again...As the Chief Inspector investigates a new case, Ruth Rendell looks back to the beginning of Wexford's career, even to his courtship of the woman who would become his wife. The past is a haunted place, with clues and passions that leave an indelible imprint on the here and now. The Twenty-second Book To Feature The Classic Crime-solving Detective, Chief Inspector Wexford. Wexford Had Almost Made Up His Mind That He Would Never Again Set Eyes On Eric Targo's Short, Muscular Figure. And Yet There He Was, Back In Kingsmarkham, Still With That Cocky, Strutting Walk. Years Earlier, When Wexford Was A Young Police Officer, A Woman Called Elsie Carroll Had Been Found Strangled In Her Bedroom. Although Many Still Had Their Suspicions That Her Husband Was Guilty Of Her Violent Murder, No One Was Convicted. Another Woman Was Strangled Shortly Afterwards, And Every Personal And Professional Instinct Told Wexford That The Killer Was Still At Large. And That It Was Eric Targo. A Psychopathic Murderer Who Would Kill Again... As The Chief Inspector Investigates A New Case, Ruth Rendell Looks Back To The Beginning Of Wexford's Career As A Detective, Even To His Courtship Of The Woman Who Would Become His Wife. The Villainous Targo Is Not The Only Ghost From Wexford's Past Who Has Re-emerged To Haunt Him In The Here And Now... Over the years there have been several unsolved, apparently motiveless murders in the town of Kingsmarkham, and Wexford (as a young policeman) quietly suspected that the increasingly prosperous Targo -- van driver, property developer, kennel owner, and animal lover -- was behind them. Now, half a lifetime later, Inspector Wexford spots Targo back in Kingsmarkham after a long absence