"Murder Being Once Done" by Ruth Rendell is a collectible paperback book from a 1975 first printing by Bantam Books. This mystery thriller novel is written in English and features a softcover format, making it a convenient and portable addition to any book collection. With its intriguing storyline and special attributes as a 1st edition, this book is sure to be a prized possession for fans of the mystery genre.
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Synopsis:
Murder Being Once Done is a 1972 Inspector Wexford mystery novel by Ruth Rendell, who also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, though this book is part of the Wexford series. In it, Wexford investigates the murder of a young girl in a London cemetery while on a doctor-ordered rest, clashing with his nephew's police team and delving into the complexities of adoption and a religious cult. The novel explores themes of identity, aging, and the contrast between rural and urban policing. 
Key aspects of the novel:
  • Author: Ruth Rendell (writing as herself, not Barbara Vine). 
  • Series: It is the seventh book in the Chief Inspector Wexford series. 
  • Plot: Wexford, recovering from a health scare, is in London when a young girl's body is found in a cemetery. He defies his doctor's orders to investigate, much to the annoyance of his nephew, who leads the local police force. 
  • Themes: The story delves into the mystery of the victim's identity, adoption, and a sinister religious cult, while also examining Wexford's own feelings of age and obsolescence. 
  • Setting: The story is set in the fictional London borough of Kenbourne Vale.