I got this handsome hardcover at a local Goodwill thrift shop. It's from the series of "Inspector Rutledge" novels, with the protagonist being a WWI vet suffering from shell shock, including hallucinations that he tries to conceal. (I admit I picked it up on the strength of the cover art showing the Uffington White Horse!)

Later: I had mixed feelings about the story; it featured some intriguing elements and the awesome and atmospheric setting - a tiny community of loners living in former leper-huts beneath the White Horse - but the story seemed to drag on and on, with so many cases of "key witness who could not be contacted for some reason" and the poor detective having to drive all around the country, repeatedly, trying to gather info. Complicating things is the background of secrecy, but whether it's an actual governmental concern or a personal conspiracy isn't revealed for quite some time. (There's also some political infighting within the police force, in which Rutledge's handling of this case is a factor; as that's not a favorite plot-point of mine I rather skimmed over those bits.)

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]

I left this book in the newly-repaired Little Free Library on the trail on this lovely day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2019 You're Such an Animal release challenge. ***