End in Tears

A lump of concrete dropped from a bridge kills the wrong person — a young woman with no apparent enemies — while the driver behind her survives, at least initially. Inspector Wexford of Kingsmarkham pursues both the deliberate targeting and a subsequent death that seems connected, all while a press critic dogs his every move and questions his old-fashioned methods. Ruth Rendell weaves grief, class, and moral complexity through a case that refuses easy resolution.

John Lee's measured, authoritative narration suits Rendell's literary procedural perfectly. His handling of Wexford's weathered intelligence and quiet conviction gives the novel real weight, and at nearly eleven hours he sustains the contemplative pace without losing grip. A richly humane listen for crime fiction fans who want substance alongside suspense.