Slowly, slowly, slowly Charles Todd's story in "Legacy of the Dead" stretches to its conclusion. The extended suspense is almost intolerable. One is forced to keep reading. You may, however, find the ending a bit abrupt, but you'll understand it.If you're like me, you'll have to turn back to the very first chapter, which has stuck in your mind. By carefully rereading those few beginning pages, you'll also understand what you likely couldn't have understood before finishing the book.Meanwhile, a young woman hated and shunned by the prim inhabitants of a small English town near the Scottish border, finds herself accused of stealing a baby boy at birth and murdering the mother. Vicious rumors and letters have turned the town against her. Her refusal to defend herself makes a finding of guilt in the impending trial by town jury, a veritable certainty. The case seems hopeless; she will hang.A woman's bones have been found in the Scottish mountains. Are they of the murdered mother? English police have approached and angered a Lady Maude Gray about whether the bones might belong to her missing daughter, Eleanor.Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to investigate and "smooth troubled waters" with Lady Maude and between the English and Scottish jurisdictions. He becomes deeply involved with all the characters, including the accused.Rutledge's mental companion, Hamish, is more strongly present than in the earlier novels. We find out much more about the Scotland area Hamish came from and about the woman he left behind.We also learn more of Rutledge's background and his Scottish godfather, David Trevor, whose house Rutledge had frequently visited while growing up. The household is grieving the loss of David's son in the war.The characters are well drawn. Their conflicts are intriguing. The writing is superb.