The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Set 1

Episodes of this British-made anthology series adapted from various novels penned by the celebrated Ruth Rendell aired on PBS at periodic intervals throughout the 1990s—some featuring the author's most popular series character, Inspector Wexford (played by George Baker), and others based on her “standalone” mysteries. Generally faithful to the originals and sturdily produced, these Rendell adaptations are held in high esteem by whodunit aficionados. The four episodes collected in this three-disc boxed set include “Master of the Moor” (which stars Colin Firth as the prime suspect in a series of shocking murders), “Vanity Dies Hard,” “The Secret House of Death,” and —the best of the bunch—“The Double.” In the last-named, brash stockbroker Peter Milton (Jason Flemyng) and his fiancée—timid, superstitious Lisa Cleasant (Camilla Power)—meet Zoe (also Power), a confident, flirtatious young woman who's Lisa's spitting image. Peter and Zoe have a brief but torrid affair, which is discovered by Lisa in this chilling, suspenseful thriller that boasts a Hitchcockian flair. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)