The Black Ascot

Inspector Ian Rutledge #21

by Charles Todd

Scotland Yard’s Ian Rutledge seeks a killer who has eluded Scotland Yard for years in this next installment of the acclaimed New York Times bestselling series.

An astonishing tip from a grateful ex-convict seems implausible—but Inspector Ian Rutledge is intrigued and brings it to his superior at Scotland Yard. Alan Barrington, who has evaded capture for ten years, is the suspect in an appalling murder during Black Ascot, the famous 1910 royal horserace honoring the late King Edward VII. His disappearance began a manhunt that consumed Britain for a decade. Now it appears that Barrington has returned to England, giving the Yard a last chance to retrieve its reputation and see justice done. Rutledge is put in charge of a quiet search under cover of a routine review of a cold case.

Meticulously retracing the original inquiry, Rutledge begins to know Alan Barrington well, delving into relationships and secrets that hadn’t surfaced in 1910. But is he too close to finding his man? His sanity is suddenly brought into question by a shocking turn of events. His sister Frances, Melinda Crawford, and Dr. Fleming stand by him, but there is no greater shame than shell shock. Questioning himself, he realizes that he cannot look back. The only way to save his career—much less his sanity—is to find Alan Barrington and bring him to justice. But is this elusive murderer still in England?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, British Literature

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2019

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

[Beata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1921 and Ian Rutledge investigates what we might call a 'cold case' as it happened just after the death of King Edward VII. If you know the series, you will not be disappointed as this novel offers everything you expect. I have not read just one book with Rutledge, and for me The Black Ascot is one of the best in this series. I am glad Charles Todd manage to keep my interest and the good steady level of each book.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Ascot is the 21st installment in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series by beloved author duo (mother and son), Charles Todd. For a series to have this lasting power, it has to be good, and in my eyes, it’s pure gold. Not to mention, the authors also have another beloved series devoted to Bess Crawford.

In The Black Ascot, Ian Rutledge, working for Scotland Yard, is on the hunt for an elusive killer. What spawns the hunt is a tip from a former convict. These are always suspicious for you never know the underlying motives, but Rutledge is intrigued enough to report it back to his supervisor.

The killer is none other than Alan Barrington, who has been on the lam for over ten years. The Black Ascot is a famous royal horserace occurring in 1910 in tribute to the late King Edward VII. Barrington is suspected of a horrific murder during Black Ascot. Giving the tip legs is the fact that Barrington seems to have returned to England, so Scotland Yard needs to nab him while they can.

Rutledge researches meticulously as only he can deliberately going piece-by-piece through the original charges and documents. Just as he’s getting closer to finding Barrington, his shell shock resurfaces and brings his sanity into doubt.

Rutledge realizes in order to heal himself he has to move forward and that means with finding Barrington, too. Is Barrington still in England to find?

Overall, The Black Ascot is another solid endeavor in this well-loved series. Tackling the important topic of shell shock/PTSD for Rutledge added interest and made our beloved main character more fallible and lovable at the same time. There is a slam-bang ending here you simply have to experience for yourself. Thank you to Charles Todd for baring Rutledge to us in this way and for shining a light on such an important topic of the time and currently as well.

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com

[TXGAL1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I began reading this 21st book in the series of Ian Rutledge, written by Charles Todd, I found myself saying “Hello old friend”. After I greet my best friend Rutledge, I imagine myself getting into his car and saying, “Let’s get this adventure started” and off we go.

Ian Rutledge, Inspector with Scotland Yard, is on the hunt to find the missing murderer of beautiful Blanche Thorne Fletcher-Munro. It’s 1921 and the crafty murderer has been able to successfully hide for the past ten years.

A small bit of information comes to Rutledge concerning a possible sighting of the missing man and this starts us on our journey to hunt our quarry. Rutledge shares his steady and methodical approach to an investigation to a friend of the murdered woman: “...one never knows which bit of information will be useful and which will not, only serving to muddle everything. And so, like a magpie, I collect all the bits I can, then see how they fit together. If they do, I have my answer.”

Charles Todd writes such wonderful stories with words that evoke the perfect setting for each moment. One truly breathes in the atmosphere through one’s reading pores. And, the end of the story is always neatly wrapped up like a present for the reader.

I rate THE BLACK ASCOT a 5 ⭐️ read and recommend not only this book, but the entire series to anyone that enjoys mysteries with a British flavor in the early 20th century. Enjoy your book with a cuppa. ☕️💁🏻

[Judy Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 21st story in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series and I've been right there for each of them. Even though I liked this story (because I'm inclined to like the work of this writing team and I especially like this main character) there were a lot of times when Rutledge "imagined" that some circumstance might have happened and from there on it became an established piece of evidence. When the plot is a little thin for one of these Rutledge novels that kind of thing seems to happen often. This is another story where Rutledge drives f.o.r.e.v.e.r between one town, city or village and another picking up minute clues before he's on the road again to find the next totally obscure fact that miraculously presents itself. That formula is used more often than I like.

Having read the first paragraph of this review you probably wonder why I continue to read the series and then criticize this book. Well, because with twenty-one stories in the series there are going to be plots that are better than others - that's just a fact. I found this one weak as to plotting but strong as to character growth. Rutledge suffers from shell shock from his time in France during the war. At this time shell shock was synonymous with cowardice so Rutledge must keep his condition hidden from everyone. If his condition were to become known he would not be allowed to continue his career with Scotland Yard. His career with Scotland Yard is what is helping him cope with and heal from his shell shock. These novels are always about Rutledge performing his job with his high standards while continuing to heal from his condition. This is a fictional character I've come to care about so if a plot of a specific book is a little thin I will still find enjoyment in watching the interaction of Rutledge and Hamish and wonder how long this secret can remain hidden. I was worried that this story was going to be the time when it all fell apart. I had even begun to think about what work Rutledge and Hamish could do away from the Yard. Whew, this was a close one.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 21st of the Rutledge books, and I have read them all. During this tale, the year turns from 1920 to 1921 and Ian is investigating a possible murder or more going back to racing event, The Black Ascot, held soon after the death of Edward VII in 1910. Again we have the Chief Superintendent giving him assignment that will keep him out of the office and out of his hair. All possible avenues are considered and followed up by Ian as he tries to determine whether deaths are murders or not and carried out by whom. The facts uncovered put Ian in danger leading to attempt on his life.
Many towns are visited, many clues collected. There is a ruthless killer who has so far managed to cover up his involvement. Time for a reckoning!
The authors maintain authentic settings, manners and societal changes of the time. I do wish Ian would gain a spark of happiness or be recognized for his work. I had to pour a bit of red wine for myself. I don't believe I wrote any spoilers.
Library Loan

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true pleasure in audio. The best Charles Todd mystery yet.
Rich prose, embracing story...no regrets on this one. If you're
a stranger to Inspector Rutledge, please indulge yourself with The
Black Ascot.

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Ascot by Charles Todd is the 21st book in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series. I had an ecopy of this book, but most of the book did I listen to (a very enjoyable workday) and I found the audiobook version pleasurable. Although to be honest, Simon Prebble is not my favorite narrator. He has a voice that I try to get used to, there is a gruffness that I just can't seem to truly enjoy. However, the story is good really good. So after a while, I forgot about the voice and let the story take over.

Now, I have not read more than six books in this series. It was through the Bess Crawford series (by the same author) that I discovered this series and I have to say that so far this is one of the best books in the Ian Rutledge series I have read. I love how Ian Rutledge (and Bess Crawford as well) have a tendency to solve even the most difficult cases. Even those cases that hardly seem like a case. Like the case in this book that seems like an open and shut case. But, is it really so? Slowly Rutledge starts to unravel a mystery only he can solve. Only he is tenacious enough and through small clues does he start to puzzle the case together...

And, I really don't want to spoil the book so I just want to say that it's a great ending!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with the copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!

[Penny (Literary Hoarders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! This was such a good one! I was pleasantly baffled throughout the entire thing - that doesn't usually happen for me, I can usually start to piece these things together. Not so with The Black Ascot! And Simon Prebble's narration was once again absolutely fantastic! This one totally deserves a 5-star!

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Sentence: Ascot this year was very different from Ascots of the past.

Inspector Ian Rutledge saves the life of a man who is suffering from shell shock and threatening to commit suicide. In turn, the man gives him a tip that Alan Barrington, a man who was suspected of committing murder during the Black Ascot horse race 10 years previous, is back in England. When Rutledge's own sanity is called into question, after many years of hiding his suffering from shell shock, he realizes he must solve the Black Ascot murder case or lose everything important to him.

Todd balances the personal and professional sides of Rutledge very well, showing that his approach to the law is sympathetic, but not weak or naïve. He also doesn't make assumptions or jump to conclusions. The explanation of Hamish is succinct but sufficient enough to understand Ian's tendency for self-imposed reticence toward becoming close to others. One finds it sympathy-inducing while being drawn to the character.

An encounter with a female journalist, and a suspenseful nighttime adventure, truly sets the story on its way, yet Todd is also very good at creating a vivid sense of place—"He stopped in front of a handsome three-story building that spoke of Empire, a baroque gem between two staid brick edifices that spoke of Understated Wealth. … The knocker on the door was heavy brass and made a satisfyingly substantial sound as it struck the plate beneath."

No matter the war, the impact and damage to those who fought, visible or not, is always there, and Todd's offering something of an explanation is very well done and quite moving: "He won't tell me about his war." "None of us do. It isn't something to share, you see." "What we've seen, what we've done, ought to stay in France. But it didn't, it came home in our memories. They aren't memories we want you to know. You are the world we fought for. Safe and sane and not ugly. Better to keep it that way."

There is an unexpected and dramatic twist, with various scenarios and conjectures presented by Ian, that allows us to see his thought process. With the help of Ian's friend Melinda Crawford the pieces begin to fit and the circle closes.

One may be somewhat conflicted about this book. The relationships of the characters involved in the murder are a bit complicated and can become muddled. There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing which gets a bit tiresome, but we are taken along on every step of the investigation as it happens up until the end where some information is withheld from the reader. Although perhaps not the strongest book in the series, it is several of the characters which make it particularly enjoyable.

"The Black Ascot" concludes very well and with an explanation which makes everything clear. This is such a good series, and one to continue reading.

The BLACK ASCOT (HistMys-Insp. Ian Rutledge-England-1910/1921) - VG
Todd, Charles – 21st in series
William Morrow – Feb 2019

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with any long-lived series, picking up the next book involves expectation and excitement -- and a bit of a leap of faith. You hope and trust that the author(s) have managed to keep the characters vibrant and alive and are finding fresh ways to keep the overall arcs of their lives and interactions progressing in new and interesting ways, while keeping the main focus on some kind of mystery. The peril to be avoided at all costs is a main character who just re-emerges as precisely the same individual in book after book, never changing, never developing -- a dull and tedious version of Hercule Poirot. At least with Agatha Christie, she managed to place her detectives and their quirks in the midst of highly distinctive crimes. But I've encountered too many series where the author becomes lazy, relies on the popularity of his or her formula, with the result that midway through the book I look up and realize I simply can't distinguish book #15 from book #14 or book #16.

Happily, in spite of having a main character in Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge who has his own quirks (the ghost of a dead soldier, Hamish, who rides shotgun and talks to him while he's investigating and becomes his invisible sidekick), the Charles Todd novels are not palling on me. Part of the interest lies in the authors' (a mother-son duo) ability to delve into the atmosphere of post-WW1 England without being overly ponderous about it, and letting those social and political trends develop into intriguing plotlines. This time around, Rutledge is driving aimlessly through the country, trying to avoid spending time with those who will recognize his struggles with Hamish and battle with the after effects with shellshock, when he is on the spot to prevent a tragedy involving another damaged victim of the war years. In exchange, the man gives him some second-hand information: one of the country's most-wanted men, accused of murdering the widow of his late friend by tampering with the car of her new husband after the "Black Ascot" of 1910 (so-called because everyone attended in mourning for Edward VII) has been seen in the country. Could this be true? If so, why would he risk it and where has he been? Who has helped him to hide and -- if he is back -- has he decided to clear his name or commit further crimes?

Rutledge's superior, perhaps in hopes of getting this troublesome but skilled detective out of his way, gives him the apparently impossible task of finding the long-missing man (the Lord Lucan of the early 1920s??) But what will he find out along the way -- about himself, as well as the long-missing Alan Barrington? Just how ruthless is the man who committed that long-ago crime -- whoever he may be?

Once again, the authors bring us, slowly and delicately, a few more inches along Ian Rutledge's life path, while at the same time delivering a mystery that has a slow but steady buildup in suspense. I do wish that Todd was less prone to have his characters go barreling around the country in motorcars from point A to point (at times, the novels feel like a kind of Baedeker guide...) but overall that's a minor quibble about what is a solid addition to what remains a solid and rewarding series of historical mysteries. They aren't as in-depth as the two books penned by Rennie Airth and set in this era featuring John Madden, but are great to hunker down with on a cold winter weekend. Recommended.

I received an e-galley of the book from the publishers via Edelweiss.

[Alex Cantone · Rating 4 out of 5]

On his way back to London, Inspector Rutledge is involved in an apparent siege situation in a small town, where a recently released prisoner, Wade, is searching for his wife. It is the early 1920’s and Wade is just another victim of circumstance from the War that shattered so many people and their families – Rutledge, shell-shocked and suffering undiagnosed PTSD, has the Scottish soldier Hamish McLeod he executed as his conscience.

After he defuses the tense situation and sees to Wade’s needs, the man tells him of a recent sighting of Alan Barrington, accused of killing a woman and injuring her husband on their way from the Ascot races in 2010 – the ”Black Ascot” where racegoers wore black in respect of the late king, Edward VII. Before he could be tried (and presumably) hanged, Barrington escaped - the bungled police investigation a stain on Scotland Yard’s reputation that Rutledge’s superior would like erased.

The ‘cold’ case takes Rutledge across the Kent countryside and beyond, to Oxford and the Lake District, as he uncovers secrets from a decade earlier – casting doubt on the death of the woman’s first husband recorded as suicide, and questioning the roles of the man who became steward of the Barrington properties and his solicitor. Helped by his sister, and the wealthy Melinda Crawford, Rutledge meticulously pieces together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle of a case until, as he approaches the truth, his own life is threatened.

This is only the second of the Inspector Rutledge mysteries I have read (by mother and son team) and am impressed by the stylish writing and attention to historical detail. Sad to think that war veterans of a hundred years ago were treated so badly by society (far worse than Vietnam), with those unable to endure their physical and mental trauma resorting to suicide, that denied them burial in a Christian graveyard. Perhaps we have made progress after all.

Recommended for readers who prefer their mysteries cerebral rather than visceral.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

So somehow I missed that Rutledge's car was a dark red Rolls Royce he’d bought in 1914. It’s now 1921. He’s sticking with this model though. Be still my beating heart. I’ve just been looking at photos of possibilities.
Before I get all bent out of shape and salivate at the thought of the car, the story opens in 1910 with a case Scotland Yard never solved, and one that the press hounded them about unmercifully. Ian was given a hint about the case and the Chief Inspector gave him a couple of weeks to review and follow through. Of course our Ian ends up in the middle of a twisted, cunning plot. And he becomes somewhat of a target! As the very dead Corporal Hamish MacLeod, the Scottish spirit Ian carries around would say, “Ware!”
Loved this one!

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Ascot was a famous horse race that took place in 1910 in honor of the recently deceased King Edward VII. Everyone wore black to the race to show their mourning for the beloved king.

After the race, there was a notorious murder of one of the attendees, a murder that was never solved. Or at least the suspect was never apprehended.

The suspect was one Alan Barrington, a wealthy man who had the means to give the police the slip. He disappeared, apparently having left the country, and never a trace was found.

Years later, in 1921, England and Europe had suffered through a great war that made news of one lone murder pale in comparison. Inspector Ian Rutledge, one of those who suffered in the war, had returned to his pre-war job with Scotland Yard, and he received a tip from a former convict that Alan Barrington had been seen in England again. His tip was credible enough that Rutledge felt a responsibility to report it to his superior. Subsequently, he began a quiet review of the records of the cold case with a view to investigating whether Barrington might indeed have returned to England and possibly finally bringing him to justice.

As he investigates, he finds some anomalies in the facts that are known and begins to wonder if, in fact, Scotland Yard had been chasing the wrong man. Rutledge follows the clues where they lead visiting the villages that lend so much verisimilitude to these historical mysteries.

In the midst of his investigation, a shocking event sends Rutledge into a recurrence of the shell shock which he suffered as a result of his wartime experiences and threatens to disable him and end his career, the only thing that had given structure and purpose to his life since the war.

Nevertheless, he perseveres, somewhat in the manner of a drowning man grabbing at straws, and yet he pursues his quarry and in the end finds the solution to the cold case.

This was another fine effort from the mother and son writing team that goes by the name of Charles Todd. Their depiction of the culture of 1920s England seems spot-on, especially in the way that the country is still so affected by all the consequences of the Great War, the loss of so much of the male population and disablement of so many more. The ramifications for the country were far-reaching.

The poignancy of the depiction of the effects of shell shock/PTSD is one of the strengths of this series and it is particularly strong in this entry.

[Jim Angstadt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Black Ascot (Inspector Ian Rutledge #21)
Charles Todd (Goodreads Author)

This is my tenth Ian Rutledge book. Unfortunately, the more I read of this series, the less I enjoy it. At several points in this one, I had nearly lost all interest in the plot or characters. Time to give Inspector Rutledge a rest.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this Ian Rutledge mystery. The range of characters, the twist & turns of the plot, the perpetual rainy weather all contributed to an gripping read!!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher, through the Goodreads giveaway program.
I have read and enjoyed most of the Inspector Rutledge series but not for some time so I had a short period of reaquaintance. I admit I stopped reading the series because Hamish (whose favorite word is 'Ware) had become annoying to me. That and he were much less pronounced in this book. However, I felt the book lacked direction or commitment. The case was a *cold* one and Rutledge seemed determined to dig into it but seemed to have no real idea why or how. He seemed to motor out and back to London with no clear agenda. And, really, the entire book continued this way until he, by chance, happened upon someone who helped him understand. I just don't think it was up to the quality of the others I've read in the series, even with a reduction of Hamish. And, when he could have been some help he just became quiet.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Ian Rutledge series. What a detective he is; he never gives up on a case as long as there is the slightest chance of finding the guilty party. What makes this case different is the fact that the suspect hasn't been found guilty, but has been on the run for 10 years! Two men of amazing wills face off in this post-Great War mystery.

I enjoyed this look at the time period from just before WWI to 1921. There was only one thing that I found puzzling, which concerned Rutledge's wounding by pistol shot. I know forensics was at an early stage at the time, but surely the conclusions by the police and even Rutledge's own assumption was bizarre. Also, the fact that he had no memory of how it occurred was a little too pat.

One last thing, it was interesting to learn about the Black Ascot. The Rutledge books are full of historical references, but this was one I hadn't known about.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of this series, I like how Ian works out his mysteries. However I am ready for him to find a little happines...

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

His (their) best yet.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5, because, although it was a great plot, and had far fewer of the usual elements of a Rutledge novel that drive me screaming up a wall, they are still there. Here’s what’s good—great, in fact. Hamish is still there, but almost more helpful than distracting. And Ian is edging toward dealing with this manifestation of his shell shock. (Please, lord, make that true and not just my seeing what I’m desperate to see.) Also good was the inclusion of some wonderful characters sadly lacking in too many entries. His kind, insightful psychiatrist, Dr Fleming, for one, who knows Ian’s secrets and treated him immediately after the war. He’s back and he’s desperately needed by Ian, who is struggling to keep his job after what is believed by his foes at the Yard to have been a suicide attempt. Dr. Fleming is a lovely man, and a wise counselor. He reminds me of the wonderful Sidney on the M*A*S*H TV series. Are you listening, Charles Todd? We need more of Dr. Fleming, as does Ian. Obviously. Also we see a bit more of the gritty, delightful and intuitive
Melinda Crawford, a stalwart Ian ally who always believes in him, especially when he nearly stops believing in himself. We get an all too short glimpse of his sweet, supportive sister Francis, who also needs a larger role in this series. Ian has been home from the war for two years, battling to stay sane and effective, all the while hiding his shell shock, which shamefully was considered a sign of weakness and cowardice for way too long after WWI. All this time he has been solving case after case, doggedly (and sometimes maddeningly slowly because of the usually convoluted plots and obstructive characters) and yet his biggest obstructors continue to be his petty, pedantic, incompetent though politically ambitious superiors. There was happily, less direct contact with the Yard in this one. The plot was, also happily, slightly less complicated, and the search for truth moved along a bit more briskly and bogged down less than in other books. So, annoying stuff is still there but less of it. And as I’ve said before, having Ian slowly but steadily getting better, and thus hearing less from Hamish, would not in any way diminish the series or the appeal of the character. It won’t. Just do it, already. And once more, for pity sake, get Ian a dog. A girlfriend would be even better but I don’t want to get crazy here.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy these two series (the Bess Crawford books have linked characters, though they still are a few years behind this series), but the plot here was a bit much. Too many convenient Rutledge-just-was-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time-moments, too many clues popping up conveniently. Rutledge is a great character though, and the Charles Todd duo do an excellent job in both series of portraying how WWI and its aftermath effected both soldiers and civilians. I'm sad this one wasn't up to standard, but I'll, so to speak,soldier on with Rutledge.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-first in Inspector Ian Rutledge, the British historical detective mystery series that revolves around a Scotland Yard detective who struggles with PTSD and is haunted by the ghost of the corporal he had to shoot. This story starts in June 1910 in England.

My Take
It's all about the pursuit of truth, no matter what.

It's an intriguing start — and reminds me of Alex Grecian's The Yard (Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, 1), with its initial inciting incident. It also demonstrates Rutledge's compassion for his fellow man. A good turn that results in another.

We see the investigation through Ian's eyes in third person simple subjective point-of-view, hearing his thoughts, his emotions, his interpretation of the clues that begin to open up. And The Black Ascot drove me mad as Todd dribbled out these itty, bitty clues that started the wheels turning, making me wonder which way this revival of a cold case would go. How Ian would find Alan Barrington, and if he'd remember what actually happened at his front door.

It's some cast of characters! A few scummy ones, one who was truly evil, and quite a few decent ones. Along with a number who never spoke out, which doesn't say much for their characters. And I found it very interesting that Sergeant Gibson actually stood up for Rutledge several times...since Gibson doesn't like Rutledge.

I'm with Ian when it comes to wondering why the Yard didn't put some investigative feet on the ground when he "shot himself". Makes me wonder about that murder investigation during Black Ascot as well.

I do have a niggle. Sort of minor. But Todd was rather vague in a number of minor areas, including what Jane Warden was doing in that first house, and these little things drove me crazy.

The Story
It's the little things, the impressions that rouse Inspector Ian Rutledge's curiosity...and suspicions. Yes, the little things that begin to add up once Rutledge re-opens a ten-year-old murder case and re-examines the facts, the feelings. Those that didn't make it into any report.

Then his sanity is suddenly brought into question by a shocking turn of events. His sister Frances, Melinda Crawford, and Dr Fleming stand by him, but there is no greater shame than suicide. Questioning himself, he realizes that he cannot look back. The only way to save his career — much less his sanity — is to find Alan Barrington and bring him to justice.

But is this elusive murderer still in England?

The Characters
Inspector Ian Rutledge is a roving detective for Scotland Yard. Corporal Hamish McLeod is the soldier he was forced to shoot near the end of World War I. Frances is his beloved sister who married Peter a short while ago.

Melinda Crawford is an old family friend with high (and mighty) connections who lives in Kent. She also appears in Todd's Bess Crawford series. Shanta is her Indian housekeeper. Jason is the butler. Angeline is a gullible friend of Melinda's.

David Trevor is an architect and Ian's godfather who lives in Scotland. Morag is his housekeeper. Young Ian and Fiona are his grandchildren. Ross Trevor had been David's son and almost a brother to Ian.

Jean is the woman who broke off her engagement with Ian. Kate Gordon is her cousin ( No Shred of Evidence , 18); Mrs Gordon is her mother and despises Ian.

Alan Barrington and two others, college friends, were all in love with Blanche Richmond. Only Alan is remanded for her murder. Ellis lives in Kenya and is the cousin who is Barrington's heir. Hathaway had been the old steward. Jonathan Strange is one of the partners at Broadhurst, Broadhurst, and Strange, the law firm that oversees the Barrington estates. Arnold Livingston is the current steward for the estate.

Blanche first married Mark Thorne. Harold Fletcher-Munro, a financial wizard, is her second husband. His London housekeeper is Mrs Shaw. Franklin is his driver.

St Mary's
The Richmonds were the squires of the village. The Hollands bought the Richmond home. The Ramseys were close friends of the family; their daughter, Louise, had been one of Blanche's friends. Louise married Donald Villiers who was killed in the war. Elizabeth works as a waitress at an inn.

Ullswater, Cumberland
Jane Warden was one of Blanche's best friends. Her fiancé, Robin, died. Mrs Davenport is the cook; Mrs Jordan is the housekeeper. During the war, Lieutenants Darling, Browning, and Clive Maitland and Captain Austin recuperated at the house. Mrs Rhodes is the housekeeper at Jane's own house.

Near Chichester, Sussex
Lorraine Belmont and her family have always been Catholic. Maud is the housekeeper? cook? Mark's father had been a solicitor. The bitter Sara Thorne, Mark's sister, still lives in the village.

Sandwich
Julia is Jonathan's sister married to a local solicitor, Gardener. Jonathan's father runs a jewelry store. Jonathan owns a house here which is run by Mr and Mrs Billingsley. The blind Alfred Morrow is a frequent visitor to the house. Mrs Porter is an aunt, I think. Oliver Ranson is the vicar.

Wendover, outside Dover
The overprotective Morrows live here. Rollins is their driver. Mrs Parkinson is their housekeeper. Williams is the lady's maid. (Lizzie is Williams' eldest sister. Nan is a sister who is housekeeper for an MP; Josephine is lady's maid to a barrister's wife; and, Marie had been a nursing Sister during the war and now works in Harley Stret.) Inspector Windom is investigating a murder and a beating. Sister Stevens is the nurse on duty that night; Sister Marvin in the morning. Jenny Harold had been a hooker with a heart.

Near Ascot
Frank and Sally Bradley had had a farm where the accident occurred. Nate Bradley is a third cousin who married Felicity Bradley, Frank's daughter, and now runs the farm. Freddy had been Frank's nephew, Felicity's cousin. Tommy is one of the farmhands today.

Helmsley, Gloucestershire
Constable Biggins takes offense. Mr Waters is a solicitor and Nell's uncle. Her father is the Vicar...and a coward.

Bramley, Worcestershire
Harold was the grandfather, John the father, and Clive Maitland the son who went to war after dying in a climbing accident. Dorian Alders is the rector at St James. Jasper is the family dog. And the Maitland home was sold to the Barnards who also took on the Maitland law firm. Mr Seton had been the previous rector.

Scotland Yard
Chief Superintendent Jameson is Rutledge's superior, and he hates Rutledge. Sergeant Gibson is Rutledge's contact at the Yard. Inspector Kendall is working a case. Chief Inspector Telford is assigned to the investigation at the end.

Dr Fleming is the psychiatrist who treated Rutledge after the war. Sister Peterson is one of the nurses at the clinic. Policemen who have died or retired since include Chief Inspector Hawkins, Inspector (Lieutenant) Johnson investigated Thorne's disappearance, Chief Superintendent Bowles was Rutledge's previous jerk of a boss, Constable Grant was the cop who was first on scene, and Inspector Putnam is the man Ian's father hoped could dissuade his son (Sally is his welcoming wife).

Jimsy Poole is a retired and famous journalist who now runs a bar. Millie "M.R." Hill wants to follow in her father's footsteps as a journalist.

Eddie Wade is an ex-convict, recently released. Mary is his wife, and they had two children: Timmy and Ellie. Sadie Milling is his nasty mother-in-law. His sister married Hans. Cousin Maude was also ashamed. Danny was a fellow inmate.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a misty grayish green of a stormy sky in the background. In the foreground, the silhouette of a jockey atop a horse clears a hurdle. At the very top in yellow is a very tiny testimonial while an info blurb, in yellow, is at least twice as big below that. The authors' name is below this in white, and the title is in yellow, slightly overlapping the horse.

The title refers to an event, The Black Ascot of 1910, when all the attendees at Ascot wore black in mourning for King Edward VII.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent effort by the Charles Todd writing team. I must like them, I've read up to #21 over the years. In spite of fighting his inner demons and uncooperative witnesses, Ian Rutledge solves a cold case.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BLACK ASCOT is a brilliant read; I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story concerns two people leaving the races early and wrecking on the way back. For years, people have been looking for an escaped murderer, and they are about to get one. All of this makes an intensive read!

[Jessica Oravec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Todd is back with their newest book, The Black Ascot. Ten years ago, a murder took place during one of the biggest horse races in England at the time: the Black Ascot. It seems that a jealous man tampered with the car of the woman he loved and her husband. And so, on a straight and narrow road, on a bright sunny day, the life of Blanche Fletcher-Munro ended and her husband became crippled for life. Alan Barrington, the suspected murderer, went on the run before he could stand trial. After ten years, no one has seen or heard from Barrington. But Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge gets a tip from a grateful convict that Barrington is back in England. Searching for a ghost, Rutledge reopens the case to see if he can learn anything that might lead him to Barrington. As he digs deeper into the life of Barrington, he soon learns that all is not as it appears to be. And as he begins to learn more about the life of Blanche Fletcher-Monroe, he starts to question what actually happened and who is actually friend or foe. As he chases the ghost of Barrington through the streets of England, he begins to find holes in the original investigation. But when he gets close, disaster strikes. Rutledge wakes up in the hospital only to discover that he attempted suicide. But why? Did the ghost of Hamish (a soldier who mutinied) finally drive him over the edge? Why would he attempt suicide on his front porch in broad daylight? As Rutledge is forced to take a leave of absence from the Yard, he continues to quietly work on the Barrington case until finally things start to make sense. And as he gets closer to the killer, he finds that things are not always as they appear to be.
Charles Todd, a mother/son writing team, isn’t afraid to delve into the stigmas of post-WWI England. Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard Inspector, is hiding a secret: shell shock. He hears Hamish, a soldier he killed for mutiny, in his head. But shell shock isn’t something a Scotland Yard Inspector can have. And in The Black Ascot, we find another stigma for soldiers: attempted suicide. As Rutledge delves into people’s lives, he discovers brokenness and regret, love and courage, and how fragile each of us is. The Black Ascot is a winding tale of a cold case. Todd is masterful at weaving together a diverse cast of characters whose lives intertwine in places far beneath the surface. Rutledge must dig deep to discover who people truly are in a case that has always appeared to be open and shut. Take some time to journey around England with Ian Rutledge; you won’t be disappointed!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky me! I received a copy of The Black Ascot in a give-away. I got one of the best in the Rutledge series! I've read them all and love them all. The books always have dual story lines alternating between the mystery to be solved and Rutledge's ongoing struggle with his mental state due to shell shock from the war...and the possibility/ramifications of that being revealed to the world. In The Black Ascot, the two story lines become closely intertwined and lead Rutledge right to the edge of his most fearsome challenge. His career, his sanity, and his life are all on the line. An excellent tale, well-written, and with a good mystery, interesting background material about life in England after the war, and lots of intriguing characters (including Hamish, of course!). The Ian Rutledge stories are one of the best series out there and this is one of my favorites so far! I look forward to #22.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This solid, pleasing mystery is the 21st entry in a popular series. It is not necessary to have read the previous titles to enjoy this slow-paced read that indirectly sheds light on the many personal costs of war.

The unique time period and setting is post-World War I in Great Britain. Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard has post-traumatic stress syndrome that emerges dramatically at unexpected times, but also appears in the gentle form of Hamish, the spirit of a young soldier who died in the war but whose quiet voice lives in Ian's head.

While not dramatic, there is a layer of subdued psychological suspense as Rutledge puzzles out all of the possible clues to a mystery that arrives at a satisfying conclusion. There is no violence, so this is a mainly intellectual game as Ian dissects a ten-year-old cold case and draws nearer to the murderer. Many red herrings along the way. A good read.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite mystery series & it still seems fresh and enjoyable. I like and admire the main character, Ian Rutledge, a WWI veteran, still secretly suffering from shell shock who finds purpose in his Scotland Yard job. Difficult murder cases that require concentration and doggedness are welcome ways to banish the war memories. This was an interesting case, with good characters and a good mystery, but coincidence played a large role in solving the puzzle.

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable offering in this solid series. Also enjoyed The Lake District references.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic

“The Black Ascot” is a very good detective book.

Lots of characters that are interesting and easy to follow. And a pace of the book is very very fast with twist interns that keep you all to the pages