A FALSE MIRROR (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries, 9)

" Another exciting detective mystery in the series of Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard. The novel takes place in England after WWI which has not yet recovered from the war. Part of the interest in this, and the other novels, is that Ian is treading upon a society that has been shredded from the horrific results of the war on English society and economic impact of an emerging mercantile class. The English Empire has been mortally wounded, and in England social mores have been damaged but still linger on. Ian must still deal with the strict Victorian social rules of class distinction, and at the same time deal with people on the lower classes and the "new mercantile class". This is fun reading as it is historically correct as to the social and economic mores of the time. And it complicates Ian's investigations but makes the plot more enjoyable.The plot is as always ingenious and one needs to keep ones wits sharp as the numerous suspects are brought up and involved in the story until the very end. Ian Rutledge has a sister and aunt who make a cameo appearance in this book. Ian works alone in the series so far and I am beginning to wish that he develops a bigger role for the aunt and sister. And most of all that maybe another figure befriends him and becomes more then a bit player as Ian continues his role in Scotland Yard...."

전작보다는 이야기의 흐름이 빠른 편이고 결말에서 드러나는 사건의 실체가 놀랍다. 런던시내에서 발생하는 연쇄 살인사건과 은퇴한 고위 공무원의 폭행사건이 중심 이야기이고 폭행 사건이 미스터리한 살인 사건들과 인질극으로 연결되면서 작품의 재미가 더해진다. 게다가 주요 등장인물들의 갈등구조도 흥미롭다.