R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 9/9/2021 + 1438 more book reviews

Two British soldiers in a battle during the Boer War in Africa hide from involvement in the fighting. Because of their cowardice the two, Quarles and Penrith, emerge unscathed. One kills wounded colleagues while the other goes for help. While he is gone, the remaining soldier sets fire to the train burning the wounded commanding officer alive. Why were the wounded killed? Twenty years later the reason becomes apparent.

It is then that a wealthy London businessman named Quarles is discovered murdered in a strange way on his estate. Scotland Yard inspector Ian Rutledge finds himself investigating the incident. Everyone who knows the man readily admit hating him but who despised him enough to take his life. Suspects include the local police inspector, his wife and many more in the community.

Looking for clues, Rutledge researches the man's life all the way back to the Boer War. This is a tale of revenge stemming from the early life of the two soldiers and that incident on the train. Many people are interviewed from this small town near the estate to London but it seems that the officer's brother and the murdered man's sister are out to seek revenge for the wrongs they have suffered.

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