A False Mirror

About the book

Hampton Regis, a quaint harbor town located on the southern coast of England, seems an unlikely setting for violence. However, one fateful spring morning, a man is discovered on the shore, battered and on the brink of losing consciousness. The main suspect? The jilted lover of his wife, who had served alongside Rutledge in the recently concluded Great War. This man had left the Front under a cloud of suspicion - was it due to serious injuries, or was there a darker secret involving cowardice that had been concealed?

Rutledge is tasked with proving the innocence of a man he holds contempt for and harbors distrust towards. Yet, the complex situation also awakens painful memories of a lost love from Rutledge's past, a woman he had to leave behind when he went off to battle in France. His uncertainties about both the accused and himself deepen as the victim of the brutal attack vanishes without a trace, leaving no body behind.

As the brilliant yet troubled detective realizes he is not the sole individual struggling with intense emotions connected to this case, he must confront his inner demons that threaten to engulf him and seek out the truth. Within the serene facade of Hampton Regis lies a ruthless murderer who will stop at nothing to achieve their malevolent goals, regardless of who or what stands in their way.