Ruth Rendell

Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh (née Grasemann; 17 February 1930 – 2 May 2015), also known as Barbara Vine, was an English writer. She wrote mostly psychological thrillers and murder mysteries. She released at least 90 books and was best known for her character Inspector Wexford.
Rendell was born in South Woodford, Essex (now London). Her mother was born in Sweden and grew up in Denmark, while her father was English. She was married to Don Rendell until his death from prostate cancer in 1999. They had a son, Simon (born 1953).
Rendell had a stroke in January 2015. She died on 2 May 2015 in London, aged 85.