A Dark-adapted Eye
Author	Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell)
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre(s)	Crime / Mystery novel / Psychological thriller
Publisher	Viking
Publication date	March 1 1986
Media type	Print/Audiobook
Pages	304 (paperback)
ISBN	ISBN 0140086366
Followed by	A Fatal Inversion

A Dark-Adapted Eye (1986) is a psychological thriller novel by Ruth Rendell, written under the nom-de-plume Barbara Vine. Ruth Barbara Rendell Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, (born 17 February 1930) who also writes under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, is an The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Crime fiction is the Genre of Fiction that deals with Crimes their detection criminals and their motives It is usually distinguished from Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the wide-ranging thriller genre Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of Literature or Information &ndash the activity of making information available for public view Viking Press is an American Publishing company currently owned by Penguin Books. A Fatal Inversion is a 1987 novel by Ruth Rendell, written under the pseudonym Barbara Vine Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the wide-ranging thriller genre A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story Ruth Barbara Rendell Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, (born 17 February 1930) who also writes under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, is an A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a Pseudonym adopted by an Author or their publishers to conceal their identity The novel won the American Edgar award. The Edgar Allan Poe Awards (popularly called the Edgars) named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America.

Plot summary

Largely set during World War II, the story is told by Faith Severn, who at the prompting of a true-crime writer recounts her memories of her aunt, the prim, fastidious, and snobbish Vera Hillyard. Vera's life is initially centred on her beautiful younger sister, Eden, even to the exclusion of her own son, Francis, with whom she has a poor relationship. Later, Vera has a second son, Jamie, to whom she is intensely devoted, while Eden marries the scion of a wealthy family.

When Eden is unable to have children with her husband, she begins to demand custody of Jamie, who she claims is being poorly raised by Vera. To the bewilderment and shock of the rest of the family, the custody battle escalates to violent levels, leading to tragedy and a series of disturbing revelations.

TV adaptation

A Dark-Adapted Eye was dramatised (with the storyline significantly altered) by the BBC in 1994. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) The production starred Helena Bonham-Carter as Faith, Celia Imrie as Vera, Sophie Ward as Eden, and Steven Mackintosh as Francis. Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966 is an Oscar and Golden Globe -nominated English actress. Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952 is an Olivier Award-winning English actress. Sophie Ward (born December 30, 1964 in London) is an English Actor and the daughter of actor Simon Ward. Steven Mackintosh (born 30 April 1967 in Cambridge) is a British actor