British crime writer Ruth Rendell has died at the age of 85. She was perhaps best known for the Detective Chief Inspector Wexford series of books.<br /><br /> Rendell was one of the UK’s best loved authors who penned more than 60 best-selling novels.<br /><br /> Rendell’s first novel, “From Doon With Death”, was published in 1964 and she since wrote several award-winning books, including “A Demon in My View” in 1976 and “Live Flesh” 10 years later. Last year, she published “The Girl Next Door”.<br /><br /> "Some say life is the thing, but I prefer reading." Sad to say goodbye to Ruth Rendell this morning. One of the best. pic.twitter.com/xw6g1hr64J— Vintage & Anchor (@VintageAnchor) May 2, 2015<br /> <br /><br /> Rendell’s works, some written under the pen name Barbara Vine, have been published in some 30 countries and many have been adapted for television and film.<br /><br /> In 1997, she took the title Baroness Rendell of Babergh after being named to the UK’s upper house of parliament, the House of Lords, for the opposition Labour Par
