A Sleeping Life is a crime-novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1978. It features her popular investigator Detective Inspector Wexford, and is the tenth novel in the series.

A Sleeping Life
First edition hardcover
AuthorRuth Rendell
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesInspector Wexford #10
GenreCrime novel
PublisherHutchinson (UK)
Doubleday (US)
Publication date
8 May 1978
Media typePrint (Hardcover & Paperback)
ISBN0-09-132540-4
OCLC4068236
823/.9/14
LC ClassPZ4.R4132 Sl 1978b PR6068.E63
Preceded byShake Hands Forever 
Followed byPut on By Cunning 

A Sleeping Life was a finalist for the 1979 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.[1] It was one of two Inspector Wexford novels to have been shortlisted for either of the "big two" crime-fiction awards, the Edgar or the CWA Gold Dagger. An Unkindness of Ravens was also nominated in 1986.[1]

Reception edit

In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews wrote, "When Rendell writes crime-from-the-criminal-point-of-view, she is gripping and creepy. When she writes straightforward detection starring homely, countryish Inspector Wexford, she is even better".[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Ruth Rendell". Stop, You're Killing Me!. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ "A Sleeping Life". Kirkus Reviews. 6 October 1978. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.