Where to start with Ruth Rendell
Begin with From Doon with Death, the first book in the Inspector Wexford series, published in 1967. This novel introduces Inspector Reginald Wexford, a thoughtful and methodical detective whose investigations unfold in the fictional town of Lymstock. The series spans 26 books and follows Wexford through decades of personal and professional life, with each novel published in chronological order. Reading the series in publication order allows for a clear progression of character development and evolving social context. After completing the first Wexford novel, continue with the next book in the series as it was released, maintaining the original sequence. The standalone novels, while not part of the series, offer distinct narratives and are not connected to the Wexford books in plot or character.
Series by Ruth Rendell
-
Buy on Amazon1964 · Ruth Rendell
From Doon with Death is the debut novel by Ruth Rendell, a classic in the crime genre. The story begins with the death of Margaret Parsons, a timid…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1967 · Ruth Rendell
Wolf to the Slaughter is a 1967 novel by Ruth Rendell, the third book to feature Chief Inspector Wexford. Anita Margolis has vanished, with no body…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1967 · Ruth Rendell
A New Lease of Death is a novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1967. It is the second entry in her Inspector Wexford series and…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1969 · Ruth Rendell
The fourth book in the Chief Inspector Wexford series, originally published in 1969, follows the investigation of a man and his daughter who die in a…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1970 · Ruth Rendell
When Elizabeth Nightingale was beaten to death, the case appeared simple. However, Detective Chief Inspector Wexford uncovered hidden tensions and…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1971 · Ruth Rendell
The book features two Inspector Wexford stories published in 1972. The first involves the detective investigating the death of a young girl despite…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1972 · Ruth Rendell
In a vast, gloomy, overgrown London cemetery, a girl is found murdered. She has no name, no friends, no possessions, and no past. Chief Inspector…
Read more → -
Buy on AmazonSome Lie And Some Die (Wexford Collection)
1973 · Ruth Rendell
In spite of initial concerns, the rock festival in Kingsmarkham proceeds smoothly until a disfigured body is found in a nearby quarry. Inspector…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1975 · Ruth Rendell
Most people would have screamed, but Mrs Hathall made no sound upon seeing her son's wife dead by violence. Chief Inspector Wexford can find no…
Read more → -
Buy on Amazon1978 · Ruth Rendell
Chief Inspector Wexford erroneously reflects that criminals always take their holidays in August as he arrives home early one hot summer night.…
Read more →
Standalone books
Frequently asked questions
How many books has Ruth Rendell written?
We list 46 books by Ruth Rendell across 1 series, published between 1964–2013 — each shown in full reading order.
What order should I read Ruth Rendell's books?
Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “From Doon with Death.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.
Where can I buy Ruth Rendell's books?
Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.