Put On By Cunning

This title doesn't match the content! I had recently read DEATH NOTES by the same author. A central character was, not surprisingly, a musician. When a began PUT ON BY CUNNING, I was surprised to find DEATH NOTES between the covers. Sloppy publishing and marketing like this should never happen. At the very least, the purchase price should be refunded. (That will be the day!)

great book

I was disappointed to discover that this book was previously entitled Death Notes - I own this book and now own it twice because for no reason I can imagine it was published under two separate titles.

Wexford has found his place as an integral part of this series in this the eleventh book. His part was not so assured in the initial volumes. He and his family are interesting and add a good deal of depth to this story.
The story line pivots on an aging musician whose death triggers his daughter's inheritance. But is his daughter really his daughter or an imposter? Has this "wanna be" daughter, estranged for nineteen years, created a conspiracy to defraud the estate?
What seems like an early, simple solution of body switching may not be the final answer. Wexford's trips to California and France shed light on the seemingly complicated yet direct solution which Wexford eventually reveals.
I did enjoy the story line. The writing is good. I really like the character Wexford has become as well as the ancillary players in the deception.

I have just finished reading Put On By Cunning and not surprisingly Ruth Rendell does not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed yet, another great Inspector Wexford mystery.