Rendell, Ruth (1930–)

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Rendell, Ruth (1930–)

British mystery novelist and short-story writer. Name variations: (pseudonym) Barbara Vine. Born Ruth Barbara Grasemann, Feb 17, 1930, in London, England; dau. of Arthur Grasemann and Ebba Elise (Kruse) Grasemann (teachers); m. Donald John Rendell (journalist), 1950 (div. 1959, remarried him, 1977); children: Simon Rendell.

Published 1st novel, From Doon with Death (1964), in which she introduced the character of Chief Inspector Wexford; after a slow start, began to win prizes and sell well; admired by critics for characterization and ability to build suspense, wrote over 50 crime novels and collections of short stories; works include Wolf to the Slaughter (1967), Murder Being Once Done (1972), A Demon in My View (1976), The Lake of Darkness (1980), The Tree of Hands (1984), The House of Stairs (1989), Anna's Book (1993), Road Rage (1997), Piranha to Scurfy (2000) and The Bridesmaid. Awarded Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger (1977) and Sunday Times Literary Award (1990); made CBE (1996).