New York Times Bestselling Author
"No mystery series I can think of captures the sadness and loss that swept over England after World War I with the heartbreaking force of Charles Todd's books about Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge."
-Chicago Tribune
A love triangle turned deadly sends Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge to Hampton Regis, a small harbor town on the southern coast of England simmering with secrets. Accused of attacking a former lover's husband, an old trenchmate has taken the woman and her injured husband hostage. Proclaiming his innocence, he begs Rutledge to clear his name.
But the brilliant yet tormented detective fears he may do more harm than good. The tragic situation brings up memories of the woman he loved and lost when he, too, left to fight. If, as Stephen swears, he didn't try to murder the husband, then who did? And why? To find answers, Rutledge must once again confront his own demons-or watch helplessly as the war's dark aftermath claims three more lives.
Charles Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of thirteen Ian Rutledge mysteries, three Bess Crawford mysteries, and one stand-alone novel. A mother and son writing team, they live in Delaware and North Carolina.
"Clues that would do Agatha Christie proud inexorably lead to the denouement....Compelling evidence that inside every warrior who returns from the front, there's a nightmare waiting to break out."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Deft characterization...Todd...seamlessly melds a fair-play whodunit with psychological suspense in the tradition of P. D. James's best."
- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Touches of both Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie in this character-driven mystery, which builds smoothly but not simply to a climax that is likely to be a genuine surprise."
- Booklist
"The revelation of the culprit comes as a surprise owing to multiple suspects with potential motives, but it is Rutledge's tortured soul that will intrigue and engage readers most."
- Library Journal
"Todd . . . keeps the atmospheric A False Mirror full of suspense, surprises and sympathetic characters."
- Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"The overall mystery is well done . . . melancholy, atmospheric."
- Christian Science Monitor