Margaret Parsons, a fairly ordinary housewife who, with her water board official husband Ron, has recently moved to Kingsmarkham, is found murdered in a field. There is a strong sociological commentary throughout, in this book in particular as far as class differences and sexual politics go and author's attitude is stunningly, notably progressive for the time. I feel this just goes to show that all of us have past indiscretions that we have papered over and attempted to forget. One of my strongest memories growing up was my mother’s stack of Ruth Rendell and Colin Dexter novels, one of which always seemed to be on hand for those sorts of occasions in which you were stuck in a waiting room.

Unlike other novels, the story is not burdened by the personal stories of the detectives, focusing on the crime and the investigation. As Rendell explains in her Afterword, From Doon with Death was originally written as a one-off standalone. The humanity of Wexford shows not only his impatience when his time is wasted but also his compassion while still following the letter of the law.

In one of these podcasts, Meredith had recommended the Inspector Wexford series to Louise Penny fans. From Doon with Death (the origin of the 'Doon' nickname is never explained in the book as far as I noticed) was quite a clever mystery with a radical (for its time) twist in its reveal ending. My own thought is that while Wexford receives helpful information that we don’t have, the reader ought to be able to get ahead of him by at least thinking to ask a question. Margaret Parsons appears to have no enemies and seems to live a quiet life with very little excitement. I got into the habit of binge reading or re-reading classic mystery authors during the pandemic and I now find it to be a continuing habit.

A man reports his wife missing, and the police don't take him very seriously because she's only been missing a few hours. It will be interesting to see Rendell's style develop as I continue with the series as part of a group read.

Update, May 6, 2015: I am undertaking a Ruth Rendell "key" works project -- the books The Guardian recently noted as such the day of Ruth Rendell's death.

Inspector Wexford, the formidable chief of police, feels baffled -- until he discovers Margaret's dark secret: a trove of rare books, each volume breathlessly inscribed by a passionate lover identified only as Doon. I must confess that as I reached the 40% marker or so, I was worried that this might get a bit dull and disuade me from the series. Religious, old-fashioned, and respectable, her life had been as spotless and ordinary as her home, as unexciting and dependable as her marriage. Parsons led an extremely uneventful life, being a lay preacher, but Inspector Wexford is intrigued when he is looking through her belongings and fine a number of expensive antique books all inscribed 'From.

I hear her solo stories and other Reginald Wexford / Mike Burden cases are better; a good thing, because I own nearly them all, courtesy of bargain bins!