When Carl sells a box of slimming pills to his close friend Stacey inadvertently causing her death he sets in train a sequence of catastrophic events which begin with subterfuge extend to lies & culminate in murder In Rendell's dark & atmospheric tale of psychological suspense we encounter mistaken identity kidnap blackmail & a cast of characters who are so real that we come to know them better than we know ourselves Infused with her distinctive blend of wry humour acute observation & deep humanity this is Rendell at her most memorable & best