The Tree of Hands

New York: Pantheon, 1985. 8vo, pp. 271. Original blue three-quarter boards, author's initials in red to front panel, title in red to pale blue spine. Illustrated dustwrapper, author's photographic portrait to rear panel. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper with just a little wear to spine ends. First US edition, INSCRIBED BY RENDELL TO HER NEIGHBOURS: 'To Pat & Douglas -- love from Ruth'. First published in the UK the previous year. Douglas Brown [1917-2003] was the BBC's first religious affairs correspondent, and held that position until his retirement in 1977. He and his wife Pat were Ruth Rendell's neighbours in the village of Polstead, Suffolk. Much of her work is set in the county, and when made a life peer she chose the title Baroness Rendell of Babebergh, of Aldeburgh, in the County of Suffolk.