Hi,

My mom would like to begin reading Ruth Rendell, does anyone have an recommended reading order?

Thanks,

Lita

What are the first few that you would recommend.  Should she just be read in published order? or are there some favorites that you would recommend?

It's been a long time since I've read anything by her, but I do remember that I enjoyed her earlier stuff over her later stuff.  I prefer to read any author's work in order of publication, even if the books are all stand-alones.

Great!  Thanks for sharing.  I will follow publication order :  )

Start with the Inspector Wexford novels. I think From Doon with Death is the first one. It was published in the early 1960s so if mom wants cell phones, data bases, and the latest forensic techniques, she will be disappointed. Reg Wexford is one of my favorite series detectives. He's got common sense and is never cynical or callous. His sidekick Burden, however, is the one that does the most changing from novel to novel. The books she publishes under the Barbara Vine pen-name are more gothic with lots of psychological torment and edgy thrills. There's next to no violence in her stories but they are very scary.

The first five Wexford ones are: From Doon with Death (1964), Wolf to the Slaugher (1967), A New Lease of Death (1969), The Best Man to Die (1969), and A Guilty Thing Surprised (1970). The remaining 16 can be found in Wikipedia under Ruth Rendell.

Great advice!  Thanks.  The "lack of technology" will not be a problem.  She likes Agatha Christie and other simliar types who I suspect have never mentioned a computer :  )

I am also a fan.  She may want to check out the short story collections to see if she likes the writing style.  Adam and Eve and Pinch Me is good!

Lita, if she likes Christies she definitely will enjoy the Wexford books.  She may also enjoy the early P.D. James books (written in the 1960s and featuring Inspector Dalgliesh).  Happy reading!

Hi Kristen and Tasha.

Thanks for the recommendations!  I will pass them along to her.

Lita