A Fatal Lie

About the book

In one of his most perplexing cases, Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard must delve deep into the life and past of a deceased man in order to uncover a killer who is determined to keep dark secrets hidden.

A serene village in Wales is thrown into chaos when a frightened boy discovers a body in a nearby river. The man appears to have fallen from the canal aqueduct that spans the valley. However, there is no identification on the body, he is not a local resident, and no one admits to recognizing him. With limited leads, the village authorities seek assistance from Scotland Yard.

Upon being dispatched from London to investigate, Inspector Ian Rutledge is presented with scant clues - a faded military tattoo on the victim's arm and an unusual label in the collar of his shirt. These clues eventually reveal the victim's identity as Sam Milford, described as a decent and highly regarded individual. So why is there such mystery surrounding his death? In search of the truth, Rutledge uncovers a complex web of deceit involving a suicidal woman, a tragic incident involving a child, and another woman determined to shield her past. But amidst all the lies, what is the motive for murder?

To unravel the mystery and catch the killer, Rutledge must retrace Milford's final movements. Yet death appears to shadow his every step, and the truth appears to shift with each new discovery. Whether male or female, the perpetrator remains elusive in the shadows, requiring drastic measures to draw them out into the open.

‘If there’s ever been a more complex and compelling hero in crime fiction than Inspector Rutledge, I can’t think of one.’ - Jeffery Deaver