Ruth Rendell slideshow

Ruth Rendell is an incredibly prolific writer, penning more than fifty novels, which has led to some critics calling her the Queen of Crime.

Pictured here with the South Bank Show's Melvyn Bragg, Ruth was first awarded a CBE in 1996 and was then made a life peer the following year.

Ruth's most enduring character is Inspector Reginald "Reg" Wexford, who first appeared in her 1964 novel From Doon With Death.

Inspector Wexford was first brought to life on the small screen for ITV in 1987 and has always been played by George Baker. Wexford is helped by Detective Mike Burden, portrayed by Christopher Ravenscroft. 

That's right, Ruth has written an incredible 21 Wexford mysteries - so far. Those 21 novels have spawned 23 TV adaptations.

Where some authors have examined violent crime in gut-churning detail, Ruth’s work has eschewed gore, focusing instead on the details of mental derangement.

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