Ruth Rendell Mysteries1987

[quoting from a poison-pen letter]

Det. Chief Insp. Reg Wexford:
"Dear Mr Devenish. I wonder if you know what a monster you are. A psychopath, not a human being at all. Evil like yours is, in fact, quite rare. Thank God. But God won't have his revenge on you till after you have died. So he has appointed me to carry out retribution. I shall kill you! I will make your wife a widow and your children orphans, and laugh for joy." No signature. Funny, isn't it, how even the writers of hate mail use a term of endearment: *Dear* Mr Devenish.