A Christmas Witness

by Charles Todd

Genres: Mystery

1 pages, Audio CD

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Charles Todd was the pen name used by the mother-and-son writing team, Caroline Todd and Charles Todd. Now, Charles writes the Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford Series. Charles Todd ha spublished three standalone mystery novels and many short stories.

Reviews

[Linda Reding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. A retelling of a Christmas Carol. May have liked it better if I had read it closer to Christmas or if it hadn't been so long a wait for this Inspector Rutledge book. Finger crossed for a better Bess Crawford book hopefully next

[P.M. Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during 1921, the post-World War II novella, A Christmas Witness, sees Chief Inspector Ian Rutledge trudging to Kent, England, to investigate the attempted murder of war hero, Lord Braxton. As Inspector Rutledge digs deeper into the Lord’s recount of the event, inconsistencies appear and suspects emerge ranging from Steves the groundskeeper and Lady Braxton, Lord Braxton’s wife. As the mystery deepens, Inspector Rutledge gains more and more clarity as to what happened.

This is a police procedural with emotional underpinnings and lovely language that created a connection for me to the time period and this inspector’s inner conflicts. This is a spoiler-free review, but I will say that given Rutledge is a WWI veteran, he may have done something that he regrets, or at least wrestles with, and that internal trauma manifests in a unique and relatable way.

This novella by Charles Todd is part of an ongoing series featuring the main protagonist Ian Rutledge, but you do NOT need to read any other book to enjoy this one. I will say the ending might be devise for some BUT I was okay with it and it technically wrapped things up neatly. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend this as a wonderful holiday read any time of the year.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio and the performance was very good. This novella features a Scotland Yard inspector who is assigned an unusual case in a small village on Christmas Eve. As he investigates and gets to know the older British officer claiming to have been attacked, he realizes they both are suffering the aftereffects of trench warfare, a defining aspect of WWI. His investigation doesn't yield what was expected but something else entirely. A heart warming tale, perfect for the season.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I have both been Charles Todd fans. Since Chuck writes both Ian Rutledge mysteries and Bess Crawford books, I've never crossed from Bess to Ian, but this recently arrived and after Tom finished it, I jumped in. It's more of a novella than a novel but the story is what I would call light reading with a moral at the end.
That's all...

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun novella of the Inspector Rutledge Mysteries with hints of inspiration from A Christmas Carol.

Rutledge is called out to Colonel Brackston's home. Brackston believes he will not live til Christmas day and calls for the utmost discretion, the paranoia possibly due to PTSD from his time in the service.

Rutledge and the ever-present Hamish, but figure out the threat and put Colonel Brackston at ease.

I really enjoyed this novella. I usually prefer Todd's Bess Crawford series over Rutledge. Something about this one made me think about prioritizing Rutledge's series.

Thank you Netgalley for my free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have missed Ian Rutledge and glad to have him back. Enjoyed this take on Dickens' Christmas Carol, but look forward to having a complete novel with Ian.

[Barondestructo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A listless cozy crime rendition of A Christmas Carol.

[Phyllis Fredericksen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Todd is one of my favorite authors. This short novella is a take on A Christmas Carol. Plot is slim.

[Margie Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't even read like an Inspector Rutledge novel. The dialogue was embarassingly stilted. NOT the Inspector Rutledge I know and love.