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The Babes in the Wood
First edition cover (UK)
AuthorRuth Rendell
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesInspector Wexford #19
GenreCrime novel
PublisherHutchinson (UK)
Crown (US)
Publication date
2002
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages323 pp
ISBN0-09-179446-3
OCLC50495599
Preceded byHarm Done 
Followed byEnd in Tears 

The Babes in the Wood is a 2002 novel by British crime-writer Ruth Rendell. It is the 19th entry in the popular Inspector Wexford series, and is set, as usual, in Kingsmarkham. In 2003, it was selected by The New York Times as one of the top five crime novels of the year.