A FATAL LIE

Narrator Simon Vance grabs listeners' attention and doesn't let go until the final credits of the 23rd Inspector Rutledge mystery by Charles Todd (a pseudonym for a terrific mother-and-son writing team). Rutledge is out of favor with his boss, again, and is sent to a remote Welsh village to investigate the death of an unidentified man who fell or was pushed into a river. As Rutledge uncovers long buried motives and secrets, Vance treats listeners to an assortment of local accents and personalities. One of Vance's best characterizations is Rutledge's ghost pal, Hamish. Hamish offers insights into Rutledge's complex, brooding interior as he helps Rutledge sort out truths and keeps him out of harm's way. In this well-written police procedural, Simon Vance makes everything even better. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2021]