Charles Todd, A False Mirror

A False Mirror

Charles Todd

Morrow, January 2007, $23.95

ISBN 0060786736

In the village of Hampton Regis, Stephen Mallory is accused of attacking Matthew Hamilton, leaving the latter in a coma, and currently holds hostage the man's wife Felicity and their maid Nan. The distraught WWI veteran demands that his former commanding officer, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge arrive at the scene, as he refuses to neither speak with anyone else nor release anyone.

Rutledge, who has his own issues from the combat (the ghost of Hamish MacLeod, whom he had executed during the war) rushes to the village. There, the locals inform Ian that this is a love triangle turned ugly, as everyone the Inspector speaks to explains that Felicity, Stephen's former lover before he went off to fight, did not wait for his return from the recent war, but instead married Matthew; they also insist Mallory wants Felicity back, and he is willing to kill Hamilton to achieve his objective. Ian thinks the assault is too perfect, and wonders who else might have a motive to harm Hamilton. He quickly draws up a list of possibilities, but none seem quite right, except for Mallory.

This is a superb historical mystery, with the usual late twists and the message that those coming back from war return with potential deep rooted emotional problems from all the horrors they witness. The storyline is fast-paced, but also vividly paints a deep picture of a small English village just after the end of WWI. Fans will feel for all the key players, as each has ghosts to contend with, but none more than Rutledge and Mallory. A FALSE MIRROR is a winner in one of the best ongoing twentieth century police procedurals series.