Thoughtful, slippery, convoluted—and yet so simple.

A Fatal Lie (Inspector Ian Rutledge #23) by Charles Todd           

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The finding of a body is thought to be an accidental death until Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard is sent to Northern Wales to investigate. His superior is rather annoyed with him (cut the air with a knife cross) or as Rutledge put it to a colleague he was being sent far, far away. “Northern Wales is rather like being sent to Coventry—out of sight and out of mind.”

Fortunately Rutledge was keen to escape the boring task of reviewing papers he’d been hither too stuck with, being decidedly out of favour.

Little did he realize just how complex his seemingly innocent investigation would become. As one murder slips into another, as the ground is muddied by the innocent and the abetters, Rutledge and the voice of his dead companion Corporal Hamish MacLeod, have much to ponder.

Danger lurks and the way becomes blinded by clues slipping down rabbit holes and morphing into something else, much like Alice’s crazy journey.

What stands out for me is the marvellous character that Rutledge is. I do so admire him.

Once more an intelligent addition to the Rutledge ‘who dunnit’ compendium. 

A William Morrow and Custom House ARC via NetGalley 

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change