About the book: 2013 / A man comes to Scotland Yard who, according to him, is dying of cancer. He admits that several years ago, during the war, he killed his cousin. However, when asked to tell about everything in more detail, the visitor responds evasively. Inspector Ian Rutledge only learns that the crime was committed in Essex and has roots in the distant past. Unable to launch an official investigation, Rutledge is trying to figure out on his own what really happened..