The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
The series comprises adaptations of the works of Ruth Rendell, many of which are based on her extensive range of short stories. In some cases, the stories were expanded from Rendell's original material or elements from a number of stories were woven together into one episode. A smaller number of episodes were based on Rendell's full-length novels, starring James Callis and Front seat, starring Janet Suzman. There were a total of 55 episodes centering on the Detective Inspector Wexford stories, starring George Baker, Louie Ramsay and Christopher Ravenscroft, and an additional 29 episodes did not feature Wexford.
- 1987-2000
- 12 seasons
- PBS
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-14
The series comprises adaptations of the works of Ruth Rendell, many of which are based on her extensive range of short stories. In some cases, the stories were expanded from Rendell's original material or elements from a number of stories were woven together into one episode. A smaller number of episodes were based on Rendell's full-length novels, starring James Callis and Front seat, starring Janet Suzman. There were a total of 55 episodes centering on the Detective Inspector Wexford stories, starring George Baker, Louie Ramsay and Christopher Ravenscroft, and an additional 29 episodes did not feature Wexford.
Season 7 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 1994
Episode 1
Master of the Moor: Part 1
60 mins
Stephen Walby, a quiet and introspective young man, has spent his entire life exploring the local moor and writes articles on its ecology for a provincial newspaper. His primary source of income is as a furniture restorer where he works with his embittered father. Stephen's mother deserted both of them many years before, and the trauma of that experience stills haunts him as an adult. After meeting and conversing with a beautiful blonde artist working on the moors, he subsequently discovers her brutally murdered body. When Detective Inspector Mandible investigates, Walby becomes the D.I.'s prime suspect - especially when he discovers that Stephen's four year marriage has never been consummated.
Episode 2
Master of the Moor: Part 2
51 mins
The second murdered woman is a Mrs Morgan, a local whom Stephen had previously met, albeit briefly, on two occasion. DI Manciple questions him aggressively and Stephen appears confused. Stephen is clearly not a happy man and many of the psychological issues he has to deal with relate to being abandoned by his mother when he was just a young lad. His father never really recovered from her departure either. The situation leads to a major row with Lyn who asks him if he killed the women, but he admits he doesn't really know. Unbeknown to Stephen, Lyn has started a relationship with Nick and she reveals that although married for four years, the marriage was never consummated.
Episode 3
Master of the Moor: Part 3
52 mins
Slowly, Stephen Whalby's world begins to collapse around him. His mother's visit has profoundly shaken him and his idealized image of her as forever young and forever beautiful has been shattered. He finally identifies the mysterious man walking the moor as his childhood friend Peter Knowles who has returned to the area after having trekked around the world. Lynn admits to him that she has had an affair but has told Nick it is over and wants to repair her relationship with Stephen. Finally, Stephen locates a cave where he once played and now clearly has someone living there. He also finds evidence that it's the murderer's lair. When a third woman is found dead on the moor, DI Manciple begins to question if it was committed by the same person who committed the first two killings.