Product Description A Sight for Sore Eyes tells three stories, and for the longest time, the reader has no inkling of how they will come together. The first is a story of a little girl who has been scolded and sent to her room when her mother is brutally murdered; as Francine grows up, she is haunted by the experience, and it is years before she even speaks. Secondly, we become privy to the life of a young man, Teddy, born of unthinking young parents, who grows up almost completely ignored. Free of societal mores, he becomes a sociopath, who eventually discovers that killing can be an effective way to get what he wants.  Thirdly, we meet Harriet, who from an early age has learned to use her beauty to make her way in the world. Bored by marriage to a wealthy, much older man, she scans the local newspapers for handymen to perform odd jobs around the house, including services in the bedroom.When these three plots strands finally converge, the result is harrowing and unforgettable. A Sight for Sore Eyes is not just the work of a writer at the peak of her craft. It is an extraordinary story by a writer who, after 45 books, countless awards, and decades of international acclaim, is still getting better with every book.From the Hardcover edition. From Library Journal A little girl who sees her mother murdered. A rich woman bored enough to scout for lovers among the ads for handymen. A young man who murders to get what he wants. They all come together in Rendell's latest.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review Ruth Rendell is..."The best mystery writer in the English-speaking world."--Time"A phenomenon."--Joyce Carol Oates, The New York Times Book ReviewWinner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master AwardA Sight For Sore Eyes is..."Harrowing...a flawless piece of craftsmanship."--The New York Times Book Review"Stunning."--The Washington Post Book World"Bold, imaginative...spare and unforgiving."--The New York Times Book Review"No one can match Rendell, chill for chill." --Chicago Tribune "Unequivocally, the most brilliant mystery novelist of our time."--Patricia Cornwell"One of the most remarkable novelists of her generation." --PeopleFrom the Paperback edition. From the Inside Flap A Sight for Sore Eyes tells three stories, and for the longest time, the reader has no inkling of how they will come together. The first is a story of a little girl who has been scolded and sent to her room when her mother is brutally murdered; as Francine grows up, she is haunted by the experience, and it is years before she even speaks. Secondly, we become privy to the life of a young man, Teddy, born of unthinking young parents, who grows up almost completely ignored. Free of societal mores, he becomes a sociopath, who eventually discovers that killing can be an effective way to get what he wants.  Thirdly, we meet Harriet, who from an early age has learned to use her beauty to make her way in the world. Bored by marriage to a wealthy, much older man, she scans the local newspapers for handymen to perform odd jobs around the house, including services in the bedroom.When these three plots strands finally converge, the result is harrowing and unforgettable. A Sight for Sore Eyes is not just the work of a writer at the peak of her craft. It is an extraordinary story by a writer who, after 45 books, countless awards, and decades of international acclaim, is still getting better with every book.From the Hardcover edition. About the Author Ruth Rendell's many writing awards include three Edgars and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America as well as four Golden Daggers from England's Crime Writers Association. She is also the author of Harm Done, Road Rage, The Keys to the Street, Simisola, The Crocodile Bird, and many more acclaimed novels.She lives in England. In 1997 she was named a life peer in the House of Lords.From the Paperback edition. Excerpt. © Reprinted by per