Carl's relief at getting rid of Dermot is short-lived, when Dermot's girlfriend, Sybil, takes his place in the top floor of the house in Maida Vale.

Nicola can't understand why Carl is letting this happen, but he can't tell her about the hold Sybil has over him; that she saw him kill Dermot in the street outside her parent's house in Jerome Crescent.

Ruth Rendell's final novel is a dark and atmospheric tale of psychological suspense.

Read by Patricia Hodge.

Abridged by Robin Brooks.

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015. Show less