A Test of Wills: The First Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery[意志的考验]

In1914,IanRutledgeleftabrilliantcareeratScotlandYardtofightintheGreatWar.Now,in1919,heisback,burdenedwithaheavysecret:heisstillsufferingfromshellshock.Withhimalmostconstantlyisthecynical,tauntingvoiceoftheyoungScotssoldierhewasforcedtohaveexecutedonthebattlefieldforrefusingtofight.Inadesperategambletosalvagehissanity,RutledgetakesuphisdutiesatScotlandYard.Butacolleague,jealousofRutledge'sprewarsuccesses,haslearnedhissecretandmaneuverstohavehimassignedtoacasethatpromisestospelldisasternomatterwhattheoutcome.InaWarwickshirevillage,apopularretiredmilitaryofficerhasbeenmurdered,andthechiefsuspectis,unhappilyfortheInspector,amuch-decoratedwarheroandafriendofthePrinceofWales.Rutledge,fightinghismaladyandthetormentorinhishead(whoisthepersonificationofhisowndoubtsandguilt),doggedlygoesabouthisinvestigation.Hedigsintothelivesofthevillagers:thevictim'sward,ayoungwomannowengagedtothechiefsuspect;alocalartistshunnedbecauseofherloveforaGermanprisoner;thereclusivecousinswhosecottageadjoinsthedeadman'sestate.Butthewitnesswhomightbeabletotellhimthemostisawar-ravagedex-soldierwhochillsRutledgewiththerealizationthatifhelosescontrolofhimself,hecouldbecomethisman.