Barbara Vine

Barbara Vine was the pseudonym of Ruth Rendell, an acclaimed English author known for her crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and mystery novels. She introduced the pseudonym with her 1986 novel 'A Dark-Adapted Eye' and used it to publish works that were more explicitly in the genre of psychological crime. Vine's novels often explore the darker aspects of the human psyche, featuring complex characters and intricate plots. Ruth Rendell was also a Member of Parliament's House of Lords and was recognized for her contributions to literature with various awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. A Dark Adapted Eye

    Cover of 'A Dark Adapted Eye' by Barbara Vine

    "A Dark Adapted Eye" is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of a family haunted by a dark secret. The story follows the life of Faith, who is drawn into investigating her aunt's execution for murder years ago. As she unravels the truth, she uncovers a web of deceit, jealousy, and obsession that has plagued her family for generations. With richly developed characters and a gripping narrative, the novel explores themes of family loyalty, the destructive power of secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect their own.

    The 1286th Greatest Book of All Time

  2. 2. A Fatal Inversion

    Cover of 'A Fatal Inversion' by Barbara Vine

    In this psychological thriller, a group of young people's idyllic summer spent at a secluded English country house takes a dark turn when they discover a baby's body buried in the garden. Years later, the consequences of that summer resurface as the makeshift family's secrets begin to unravel, threatening to expose the truth behind the infant's death. The narrative weaves between past and present, exploring themes of guilt, memory, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their seemingly perfect lives from the stains of past sins.

    The 1296th Greatest Book of All Time

  3. 3. King Solomon's Carpet

    Cover of 'King Solomon's Carpet' by Barbara Vine

    This novel weaves a complex tapestry of lives intersecting in the atmospheric underground of London's Tube system. Centered around a dilapidated house near a Tube station, inherited by Jarvis, a reclusive music composer fascinated by the subway's dark allure, the narrative delves into the secrets and obsessions of its diverse inhabitants. These characters, drawn together by their fascination with the underground, navigate their interconnected stories of love, loss, and the pursuit of passion. The book masterfully explores themes of isolation and connection, creating a suspenseful and psychological exploration of human nature set against the backdrop of one of London's most iconic and labyrinthine landscapes.

    The 5688th Greatest Book of All Time