Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge returns in his eleventh outing, this time investigating the death of a man so hated that almost any person who had dealings with him wished him dead. But, for Rutledge, it is a matter of justice, "even for an ogre."

The old saying "Revenge is a dish best served cold" drives the plot in "A Matter of Justice." In a riveting departure from previous plotting devices, we know exactly who the murder victim is and the reason for his death. It's a matter of Rutledge putting the pieces together, when the reader already knows the reason behind the crime.

In London,Mr. Quarles is a respectable financial adviser and investments counselor. However, twenty years prior, serving as a Private in the British Army during the Boer War, Quarles finds the opportunity to make himself rich when he finds his wounded Lieutenant in possession of a large sum of money. Their transport train has been ambushed. The Boers were crack shots and masters of guerrilla warfare. Quarles and one other soldier have escaped unscathed, hiding under the train seats during the ambush. Quarles companion, David Penrith, becomes a conspirator in the plot to steal the money and become rich by seeking out help, reporting the ambush and not reporting that Quarles kills the wounded himself, including his Lieutenant. Quarles sets the train on fire, plunging his hands into the fire to appear that he was attempting to rescue his Lieutenant that he actually burned alive.

Quarles and Penrith return to England, conceal their wealth and gradually become respectable members of the London financial community, working their way up through the ranks of an old investment firm.

Now, twenty years later, Ronald Evering, the younger brother of the murdered Lieutenant will wreak his revenge on Quarles and Penrith. It took him years to discover those responsible for his brother's murder. It has taken longer to devise the plan to take his revenge. Evering won't even have to wield the murder weapon. Someone else will do it for him. All it takes is patience and simple manipulation of human nature.

For Evering, it is a matter of justice for his brother. And so it is for Rutledge who has told the reader that he became an Inspector to speak for the dead. He will speak for the dead--for an ogre, even if it costs him his career.

"A Matter of Justice" is perfect.