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It's a chance meeting with a former colleague which brings him back into police work – as an unpaid assistant. Detective Superintendent Tom Ede is keen to use Wexford's expertise on a difficult case. The bodies of two men and two women have been found in a coal hole behind Orcadia Cottage in St John's Wood. The bodies of the two men and one of the women have been there for about twelve years, but the other woman has only been dead for about two years. Wexford is intrigued and keen to help.
Keen followers of Rendell's work might be frowning a little at the moment. She's written a sequel for the first time. I worry when authors – particularly crime writers – do sequels as it can mean that there's a shortage of original ideas. Peter Robinson's Chief Inspector Banks series seemed to go downhill when he wrote a [[Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson|sequel]]. Fortunately there's no sign of that with Wexford, although I do wonder how much further the series can run. If you've read the 1998 book (non-Wexford) book ''A Sight for Sore Eyes'' you'll find that you know quite a lot of the background to the story but this book also works well as a standalone. If I had to make a call I'd say that you are better coming to this book fresh, but that the earlier book might later prove to be something of a disappointment.
There's all the usual cast of characters – including Mike Burden as an occasional drinking partner on trips back to Kingsmarkham, Dora to keep Wexford in check and daughters Sylvia and Sheila to prove some necessary heartache along the way. The plot is good, but perhaps not as strong or as intriguing if you've read the earlier book. Rendell is always good value, not least because of the quality of her writing and I found it a thoroughly enjoyable read.