A Judgement in Stone

About “A Judgement in Stone”

A Judgement in Stone is a 1977 novel by Ruth Rendell. On Valentine's Day, four members of the Coverdale family—George, Jacqueline, Melinda, and Giles—are murdered in 15 minutes by their housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, during a televised performance of Don Giovanni. Detective Chief Superintendent William Vetch arrests Eunice two weeks later and uncovers a hidden tragedy tied to her long-kept secret. The novel explores character, motive, and the pursuit of truth. It is considered one of Rendell’s finest psychological thrillers. Critics have praised it highly, with the London Daily Express calling it an amazing achievement and Time naming Rendell the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world.