Ruth Rendell was a renowned British author, best known for her psychological thrillers and crime novels. Born on February 17, 1930, she published over 60 books, including the popular Inspector Wexford series. Her writing often explored complex human emotions and societal issues, earning her numerous awards, including the Dagger of Daggers. In addition to her novels, Rendell also wrote short stories and worked on television adaptations of her work. She was a member of the House of Lords and was made a life peer in 1997. Ruth Rendell passed away on May 2, 2015, leaving a lasting legacy in the literary world.