An Unkindness of Ravens
Encyclopedia
An Unkindness of Ravens is a novel by British crime-writer Ruth Rendell
. It was first published in 1985, and features her popular protagonist Inspector Wexford
, and is the 13th entry in the series. On American publication, it was shortlisted for the MWA
Edgar Award
, alongside another Rendell novel, The Tree of Hands
, meaning she has the remarkable distinction of being one of only two authors in the award's history to have had two novels on the shortlist in any one year (the other being Charlotte Armstrong
). Ravens was adapted as a play by theatre professor Joel Fink
.
as Simon Reese. Other actors included Jennifer Tung as Setsuko Freeland, Brad MacDonald as Paul Aronson, Stephanie Dees as Audrey, Kipp Shiotani as Victor Takeyama and Tess Whitehurst as Nikki.
Ruth Rendell
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, , who also writes under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, is an English crime writer, author of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries....
. It was first published in 1985, and features her popular protagonist Inspector Wexford
Inspector Wexford
Chief Inspector Reginald Wexford is a recurring character in a series of detective novels by English crime writer Ruth Rendell. He made his first appearance in the author's 1964 debut From Doon With Death, and has since been the protagonist of 20 more stories; his latest outing was the 2009...
, and is the 13th entry in the series. On American publication, it was shortlisted for the MWA
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
, alongside another Rendell novel, The Tree of Hands
The Tree of Hands
The Tree of Hands is a 1984 suspense novel by the author Ruth Rendell. It won the CWA Silver Dagger in 1984, and was short listed for the MWA Edgar Award upon publication in America. The book has been filmed twice...
, meaning she has the remarkable distinction of being one of only two authors in the award's history to have had two novels on the shortlist in any one year (the other being Charlotte Armstrong
Charlotte Armstrong
Charlotte Armstrong Lewi was an American author. Under the names Charlotte Armstrong and Jo Valentine she wrote 29 novels, as well as working for the New York Times advertising department, as a fashion reporter for Breath of the Avenue , and in an accounting firm.Armstrong Lewi graduated from Vulcan...
). Ravens was adapted as a play by theatre professor Joel Fink
Joel Fink
Joel G. Fink is an actor, director, acting coach and theatre administrator. He is currently a Professor of Theatre for the Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he also served as Associate Dean and Founding Director of the...
.
Plot summary
When Wexford does a favour for his wife - to look into the disappearance of one of their neighbours' husbands - everything he finds seems to confirm his first inkling: that this is simply another case of a bored middle-aged man having run off with a younger woman. However, when Rodney Williams is found dead, and another local man is stabbed in his car, Wexford finds himself thrown into an investigation involving a militant feministic organisation known as "Arria", who have taken the raven as their symbol.Film adaptation
In 2000, a film adaptation was made directed by J. Nathaniel Berke and starring Sean ThibodeauSean Thibodeau
is an actor, writer , director, producer, blogger and entrepreneur .-Filmography:*1997: Allyson Is Watching as Peter*2000: An Unkindness of Ravens as Simon Reese*2000: Big Momma's House as Jud*2000: The Ladies Man as Hugh Hefner...
as Simon Reese. Other actors included Jennifer Tung as Setsuko Freeland, Brad MacDonald as Paul Aronson, Stephanie Dees as Audrey, Kipp Shiotani as Victor Takeyama and Tess Whitehurst as Nikki.