It’s a testament to Rendell’s popularity that it was her name that featured in the title of this series, rather than the central character of Chief Inspector Wexford: a rare honour indeed for a writer. George Baker played the part so well that Rendell said he replaced the image of Wexford in her head. Indeed, such was Baker’s commitment to the role that he married the actress who played Wexford’s wife during the course of the series.