The Tree of Hands

Book cover of The Tree of Hands

Book description

Edgar Award Finalist: In London, a missing child unites three mothers in grief, madness, and murder.

When Benet Archdale was a young girl in North London, her mother, Mopsa, made her nervous. The woman was unsound, and posed ever-present dangers. Yet Benet understood her sickness and forgave her threats. In…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Tree of Hands as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A.A. Abbott

Author

Ruth Rendell is famous for her detective stories, but she also wrote exquisitely nuanced and layered psychological thrillers. Exploring love, greed, and selfishness, The Tree of Hands is about two very different women. Benet has achieved success as a writer but is grappling with bereavement. Carol, a goodtime girl, didn’t plan to have two-year-old Jason and is relieved when he goes missing.

Benet is tricked into looking after Jason and falls in love with him before discovering his identity. There is a heart-stopping moment when Benet takes Jason to Carol’s local library, intending to leave him there to be returned…

From A.A.'s list on psychological thrillers where women become strong.