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Inspector Ian Rutledge #12
The Red Door
“One of the best historical series being written today.”
—Washington Post Book World
The accolades keep pouring in for Charles Todd and his New York Times Notable, Edgar® Award-nominated series featuring British police inspector and shell-shocked World War I veteran Ian Rutledge. In The Red Door, a disturbing puzzle surrounding a lie, a disappearance, and a woman’s death ensnares the haunted investigator. Richly atmospheric and unputdownable, The Red Door proves once more that New York Times bestseller Charles Todd belongs in the august company of Ruth Rendell, Anne Perry, Martha Grimes, Ian Ransom, Peter Robinson, P.D. James, and the other contemporary masters of British mystery.
—Washington Post Book World
The accolades keep pouring in for Charles Todd and his New York Times Notable, Edgar® Award-nominated series featuring British police inspector and shell-shocked World War I veteran Ian Rutledge. In The Red Door, a disturbing puzzle surrounding a lie, a disappearance, and a woman’s death ensnares the haunted investigator. Richly atmospheric and unputdownable, The Red Door proves once more that New York Times bestseller Charles Todd belongs in the august company of Ruth Rendell, Anne Perry, Martha Grimes, Ian Ransom, Peter Robinson, P.D. James, and the other contemporary masters of British mystery.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published December 10, 2009
480 people are currently reading
1781 people want to read
About the author
Charles Todd
112 books3,500 followersCharles 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 579 reviews
January 23, 2024
Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard returned from World War I suffering from shell shock (PTSD) exacerbated by guilt. In addition to being traumatized by the horrors of war, Rutledge killed an insubordinate soldier in his own company. The dead man, named Hamish, now haunts Rutledge, constantly whispering in his head - usually about criminal cases.
In this 12th book in the series, Inspector Rutledge investigates a very baffling murder. The book can be read as a standalone.
****
As the story opens World War I has just ended and Florence Teller, who lives in Hobson (a few hours north of London), is anxiously awaiting the return of her beloved husband Peter, who fought with the British army.
Florence paints the front door red and waits, day after day, and week after week. However Peter doesn't come home, and heartbroken Florence doesn't know what happened to him.
Skip ahead a couple of years and another family named Teller is having troubles of its own. These Tellers, who live in London, consists of four siblings: Leticia, Edwin, Walter, and Peter....
…..as well as Edwin's wife Amy, Walter's wife Jenny, and Peter's wife Susannah.
The Tellers are in an uproar because Walter has disappeared. Since the Tellers are wealthy and influential, Scotland Yard is called in, and Inspector Rutledge is put on the case. Rutledge institutes a police search for Walter, and the other Tellers race off to look for Walter also.
After a few days Walter returns on his own, with a disjointed and unsatisfactory explanation of where he was.
As it happens, Florence Teller of Hobson was murdered while Walter and his family were running around England, and Rutledge suspects a connection between these events.
Rutledge cooperates with the Hobson police to investigate Florence's death. He examines the crime scene, interviews Florence's friends and neighbors, unearths possible motives, and so on. Rutledge also interviews the Tellers who live in London, all of whom claim they never heard of Florence, but the detective is skeptical.
Meanwhile, there have been a rash of muggings in London, and Rutledge himself was almost robbed.
The perpetrator has now escalated to murder, and Scotland Yard hatches up a 'decoy' scheme, involving Rutledge, to catch the killer.
As the story unfolds there are more deaths, and Rutledge has his hands full trying to resolve all the unfortunate incidents.
The story is engaging but Rutledge spends too much time driving back and forth between London and Hobson, and questioning the same people again and again.
This is a common plot device in this series, and it gets old. On the upside, Hamish's murmurings are helpful, and steer Rutledge in the right direction as he pursues his investigations.
As always, Rutledge's boss - nasty Superintendent Bowles - hassles Rutledge and tries to make his life miserable. Other series regulars also make an appearance, including Rutledge's sister and godfather, and a woman Rutledge pines for.....but seems unable to ask for a date.
The story is engaging, but the abundance of characters is confusing and the plot is overly contrived. Still, fans of Inspector Rutledge would probably enjoy the book.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
June 12, 2022
4.5 stars
Several murders and attacks need to be solved at the same time and of course Rutledge can manage that.
A great distraction from the war books I'm reading.
Several murders and attacks need to be solved at the same time and of course Rutledge can manage that.
A great distraction from the war books I'm reading.
February 26, 2011
I think I may have liked this the best of all the Ian Rutledge books to date (and considered a 5 rating). There is a subtle change in our main character this time out and, to me, a subtle change in Hamish as well. But perhaps I'm reading too much into quiet and not so quiet moments.
As for the story, there are mysteries upon mysteries here and once again Rutledge is given the task of sorting out the guilty from the innocent. There are reminders of the War all around and reminders of his wound. A woman is bludgeoned to death in Lancashire in the house with the red door. Not long after, a wealthy man becomes ill and is hospitalized in London only to disappear. Rutledge must solve both crimes, satisfy the Superintendent who is waiting for him to fail, and continue to try to heal himself and his ability to relate to those around him.
This was a complicated (in a good way) and compelling story with an ending that makes me want to move right to the next book. But I plan to wait a bit and savor this one.
As for the story, there are mysteries upon mysteries here and once again Rutledge is given the task of sorting out the guilty from the innocent. There are reminders of the War all around and reminders of his wound. A woman is bludgeoned to death in Lancashire in the house with the red door. Not long after, a wealthy man becomes ill and is hospitalized in London only to disappear. Rutledge must solve both crimes, satisfy the Superintendent who is waiting for him to fail, and continue to try to heal himself and his ability to relate to those around him.
This was a complicated (in a good way) and compelling story with an ending that makes me want to move right to the next book. But I plan to wait a bit and savor this one.
July 6, 2013
When Charles Todd began the Ian Rutledge series, I remember writing an enthusiastic review for my local bookstore, and sharing my delight with friends. I kept my enthusiasm for several of the books in the series, but by book five or six my interest was already flagging. The reason could be the Hamish character, a kind of interesting literary tool, but one which has begun to seem a little ridiculous by book twelve.
In book twelve, The Red Door, Todd commmits the cardinal sin of fiction: the mystery centers around characters we don't care about. The one nice person in the story is killed off in the first chapter, and the rest of her family, however pitiful, is so deceitful and selfish that we're ready to condemn them without knowing if they are guilty or not.
Rutledge still never gets to first base with his dream girl, Meredith Channing (oh, please...I would have given up ages ago). All I want before I give up completely is to see the three of them in bed together...Rutledge, Hamish and Channing.
In book twelve, The Red Door, Todd commmits the cardinal sin of fiction: the mystery centers around characters we don't care about. The one nice person in the story is killed off in the first chapter, and the rest of her family, however pitiful, is so deceitful and selfish that we're ready to condemn them without knowing if they are guilty or not.
Rutledge still never gets to first base with his dream girl, Meredith Channing (oh, please...I would have given up ages ago). All I want before I give up completely is to see the three of them in bed together...Rutledge, Hamish and Channing.
July 11, 2020
At least 3.5 stars
This is my first Charles Todd. I started pretty much in the middle. I liked the rhythms of this book, the mystery was attention-worthy and decently executed, and oddly enough I didn’t mind the unusual PTSD-guilt evoked inner voice/ghost/invisible friend/extra personality who accompanies the detective.
I could see possibly getting tired of the device over multiple books. I could also see getting attached as with any other character. I do get attached to series characters. Since I plan to read more in this historical mystery series I guess I will find out which way it falls.
This is my first Charles Todd. I started pretty much in the middle. I liked the rhythms of this book, the mystery was attention-worthy and decently executed, and oddly enough I didn’t mind the unusual PTSD-guilt evoked inner voice/ghost/invisible friend/extra personality who accompanies the detective.
I could see possibly getting tired of the device over multiple books. I could also see getting attached as with any other character. I do get attached to series characters. Since I plan to read more in this historical mystery series I guess I will find out which way it falls.
February 15, 2025
There's a voice inside his head that keeps talking to Inspector Rutledge. But wait, it gets dumber. The voice has a Scots accent. It's called Hamish.
I can make a long list of things wrong with this book, but the constant "Ye ken, the lass hadna' telt ye" schtick made it worse every time.
The next most bothersome thing was that there was practically never any sense of place. Okay, at the very beginning of the book, we do get a nicely framed scene about a wartime wife waiting to welcome her husband home, thinking back over the door she's painted red as a form of greeting. But from there we move from place name to place name with never any evocation of the scene. Scotland Yard could be any couple of offices with a hallway between them. Kitchens are never any particular size. There is one sitting room, as I cast back in my memory, described as "decorated in a very feminine way." That's pretty much the peak.
The characters aren't any easier to tell apart than the places.
I strove on to the end because there are 13 books in this series and I kept thinking somebody must like them, there must be something worthwhile in here. At this point Hamish's voice should pipe up, "Ye dinnae ken so, laddie."
I can make a long list of things wrong with this book, but the constant "Ye ken, the lass hadna' telt ye" schtick made it worse every time.
The next most bothersome thing was that there was practically never any sense of place. Okay, at the very beginning of the book, we do get a nicely framed scene about a wartime wife waiting to welcome her husband home, thinking back over the door she's painted red as a form of greeting. But from there we move from place name to place name with never any evocation of the scene. Scotland Yard could be any couple of offices with a hallway between them. Kitchens are never any particular size. There is one sitting room, as I cast back in my memory, described as "decorated in a very feminine way." That's pretty much the peak.
The characters aren't any easier to tell apart than the places.
I strove on to the end because there are 13 books in this series and I kept thinking somebody must like them, there must be something worthwhile in here. At this point Hamish's voice should pipe up, "Ye dinnae ken so, laddie."
March 1, 2022
The vision of the Red Door haunts me. A wife left to grieve and death stalking a family.
December 27, 2021
When I began listening to the Ian Rutledge series I was completely enthralled. I loved every second. The further on I go the more my enthusiasm lessens. The stories just seem to drag on and I hate how we never get a continuation from previous books. Minor subplots are just completely forgotten. Hamish has started sounding annoying and I think he should probably be written out. And please don't even get me started on Meredith Channing. (spelling?) I can't stand her. She's all silent and enigmatic, basically a female Ian, and they have zero chemistry.
The story begins with a missing man, Walter Teller. His family is obviously hiding something, but Ian can't figure out what. When Walter reappears and says he wasn't feeling well, Ian isn't satisfied, but lets it go. That is until the murder.
In a small village a woman named Florence Teller is murdered. Her husband's name is Peter Teller, and he went missing during the war. Peter Teller happens to be the name of Walter's brother, someone keeping secrets.
Ian knows the Teller family is keeping secrets, but it will take him some time (a LONG time) to uncover them.
The problem I have is this. Florence is murdered and Ian is sure that one of the brothers is her missing husband. He could've easily figured out which one by showing a photograph to the people in town. Does he do this? No. Not at all. That's what I mean about dragging it out. I can't suspend reality with that kind of idiocy. It kind of makes me mad at the authors because they've created this fantastic character and this kind of plot lessens him.
Another problem in this book was the random side plots. A train crash that Meredith Channing just "happens" to be on. Some guy named Billy stabbing people on the bridge. There was no purpose to these side plots. They didn't do anything besides drag the story out even longer. It would've trimmed off probably about 1/5-1/4 of the book by getting rid of those and these books could stand to be a bit shorter.
If Simon Prebble wasn't such an FANTASIC narrator, I don't think I'd even go on in the series. As it is now. I plan on taking a break and seeing how I feel.
The story begins with a missing man, Walter Teller. His family is obviously hiding something, but Ian can't figure out what. When Walter reappears and says he wasn't feeling well, Ian isn't satisfied, but lets it go. That is until the murder.
In a small village a woman named Florence Teller is murdered. Her husband's name is Peter Teller, and he went missing during the war. Peter Teller happens to be the name of Walter's brother, someone keeping secrets.
Ian knows the Teller family is keeping secrets, but it will take him some time (a LONG time) to uncover them.
The problem I have is this. Florence is murdered and Ian is sure that one of the brothers is her missing husband. He could've easily figured out which one by showing a photograph to the people in town. Does he do this? No. Not at all. That's what I mean about dragging it out. I can't suspend reality with that kind of idiocy. It kind of makes me mad at the authors because they've created this fantastic character and this kind of plot lessens him.
Another problem in this book was the random side plots. A train crash that Meredith Channing just "happens" to be on. Some guy named Billy stabbing people on the bridge. There was no purpose to these side plots. They didn't do anything besides drag the story out even longer. It would've trimmed off probably about 1/5-1/4 of the book by getting rid of those and these books could stand to be a bit shorter.
If Simon Prebble wasn't such an FANTASIC narrator, I don't think I'd even go on in the series. As it is now. I plan on taking a break and seeing how I feel.
November 4, 2016
Bring on the next in the series. No time to write a review - got to keep reading!
December 7, 2021
Charles Todd, Inspector Ian Rutledge series
https://www.orderofbooks.com/authors/...
Our hero is Inspector Ian Rutledge, shell-shocked after WWI, routinely hears the voice of his dead corporal, Hamish McLeod, in his head. The two of them are good characters; their relationship develops over the series from antagonism to a kind of partnership.
Rutledge is the Rodney Dangerfield of Scotland Yard: no respect from his higher-ups, no respect from the public, none from the local police he's sent to help.
Especially early in the series, they end abruptly.
They don't have to be read in order.
Charles Todd is the pen name of an American mother-and-son writing team: Caroline Todd, died 2021.08.28 (book 24 already sent to the publisher) and Charles Todd.
To orient the stories in time and place:
General areas of each book: https://www.charlestoddmap.com/ The books take us all over Britain. The U.K. has slightly less land area than Oregon. https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i... England comprises about 82 counties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countie...
1857 Melinda Crawford survived Indian Mutiny (she's 72 in 1919; she lives on the Kent/East Sussex border https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken... )
c. 1890 Ian Rutledge born
c. 1892 Ian's sister Frances born
1912 Rutledge was a (New) Scotland Yard inspector
1914.08 WWI began
1916.07 Captain Ian Rutledge put Corporal Hamish McLeod to death for refusing an order to lead more men to their deaths, on the Somme.
1916 - 1919 Influenza epidemic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish...
1918.11.11 WWI ended
1919.02 Shell-shocked WWI survivor Rutledge's fiancée, Jean, ended their engagement.
1919.06.01 Rutledge returned to work at (New) Scotland Yard after recuperating from WWI. New Scotland Yard: https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%...
Simon Prebble is the best audio narrator: books 10-16, 18-22.
Tales -- Short Stories 0.5 and 12.5, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2013 0.5 Cold Comfort -- Kindle, in Tales, Short Story ✅ ★★★
2015 0.6 A Guid Soldier -- Kindle, Short Story ✅ ★★★
1994 1 A Test of Wills -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.06 Warwickshire
1998 2 Wings of Fire -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★★
Suspicious deaths in the house of fictional poet O.A. Manning. Cornwall. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cor...
1999 3 Search the Dark -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.08 Dorset. Ends rather badly.
2000 4 Legacy of the Dead -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.09 Scotland. Features Fiona MacDonald, fiancée of the late Corporal Hamish McLeod.
2001 5 Watchers of Time -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.10 Norfolk https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2002 6 A Fearsome Doubt -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.11 Kent. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken... farther from London than Maidstone https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mai... (33%)
Rutledge remembers a little of what happened 1918.11.11-1919.02.
2005 7 A Cold Treachery -- Audible ✅ ★★★★
1919.12 Cumbria https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cum... Lake District near Kendal https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken...
2006 8 A Long Shadow -- Audible ✅ ★★★★
1919.12 - 1920.02 We meet Mrs. Meredith Channing. This one has an exciting ending.
Northamptonshire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2007 9 A False Mirror -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1920.02 - 1920.03 We hear Rutledge's nasty boss, Bowles's, thoughts about how to destroy Rutledge. Some very stupid suspects. Dorset. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dor...
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Westo...
2007 10 A Pale Horse -- Kindle, Audible, first book narrated by Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★
1920.04 Set at the Uffington White Horse, https://kottke.org/plus/misc/images/u... ,
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5775,...
Oxfordshire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oxf... (formerly Berkshire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire )
and at Fountains Abbey, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountai... ,
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fou...
North Yorkshire: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2008 11 A Matter of Justice -- Audible: Simon Prebble, library large print, ✅ ★★★★
Starts in the Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902). Good story.
2009 12 The Red Door -- Libby ebook, Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★
1918.11.12-13 Lancashire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lan...
1920.05 Essex https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ess...
1920.05-06 London; southwestern Suffolk; Aylesford, Kent; Essex; Lancashire. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Suf...
How do you ask a parrot about a murder? (chapter 19)
The near-senile Gran is the one likeable character in the central family. Many of the characters are despicable.
2010 12.5 The Kidnapping -- short story, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2011 13 A Lonely Death -- Audible: Simon Prebble, large print ✅ ★★★★
2011 14 The Confession -- Audible: Simon Prebble, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2013 15 Proof of Guilt -- Libby audio: Simon Prebble; Libby ebook ✅ ★★★★
2014 16 Hunting Shadows -- Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★; Kindle
2015 17 A Fine Summer’s Day -- Libby audio ✅ ★★★★; large print
1914.06.28 - 1914.12.26. This one has Inspector Rutledge's backstory as a Scotland Yard inspector in the months before he goes to war. The fine summer's day is the day the Austrian archduke is murdered in Serbia.
2016 18 No Shred of Evidence -- Libby audio: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★★; Libby ebook
2017 19 Racing the Devil -- Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★
2017 19.5 The Piper -- Kindle ✅ ★★★
2018 20 The Gate Keeper -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2019 21 The Black Ascot -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2020 22 A Divided Loyalty -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2021 23 A Fatal Lie -- Audible; Kindle ✅ ★★★★★
Has an overage of unpleasant characters. Early 1920s, Wales and Shropshire.
2021.08.28 Caroline Todd died (book 24 already sent to the publisher)
2022 24 A Game of Fear
Trivia:
Book 5: Watchers of Time:
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
https://www.orderofbooks.com/authors/...
Our hero is Inspector Ian Rutledge, shell-shocked after WWI, routinely hears the voice of his dead corporal, Hamish McLeod, in his head. The two of them are good characters; their relationship develops over the series from antagonism to a kind of partnership.
Rutledge is the Rodney Dangerfield of Scotland Yard: no respect from his higher-ups, no respect from the public, none from the local police he's sent to help.
Especially early in the series, they end abruptly.
They don't have to be read in order.
Charles Todd is the pen name of an American mother-and-son writing team: Caroline Todd, died 2021.08.28 (book 24 already sent to the publisher) and Charles Todd.
To orient the stories in time and place:
General areas of each book: https://www.charlestoddmap.com/ The books take us all over Britain. The U.K. has slightly less land area than Oregon. https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i... England comprises about 82 counties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countie...
1857 Melinda Crawford survived Indian Mutiny (she's 72 in 1919; she lives on the Kent/East Sussex border https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken... )
c. 1890 Ian Rutledge born
c. 1892 Ian's sister Frances born
1912 Rutledge was a (New) Scotland Yard inspector
1914.08 WWI began
1916.07 Captain Ian Rutledge put Corporal Hamish McLeod to death for refusing an order to lead more men to their deaths, on the Somme.
1916 - 1919 Influenza epidemic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish...
1918.11.11 WWI ended
1919.02 Shell-shocked WWI survivor Rutledge's fiancée, Jean, ended their engagement.
1919.06.01 Rutledge returned to work at (New) Scotland Yard after recuperating from WWI. New Scotland Yard: https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%...
Simon Prebble is the best audio narrator: books 10-16, 18-22.
Tales -- Short Stories 0.5 and 12.5, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2013 0.5 Cold Comfort -- Kindle, in Tales, Short Story ✅ ★★★
2015 0.6 A Guid Soldier -- Kindle, Short Story ✅ ★★★
1994 1 A Test of Wills -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.06 Warwickshire
1998 2 Wings of Fire -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★★
Suspicious deaths in the house of fictional poet O.A. Manning. Cornwall. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cor...
1999 3 Search the Dark -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.08 Dorset. Ends rather badly.
2000 4 Legacy of the Dead -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.09 Scotland. Features Fiona MacDonald, fiancée of the late Corporal Hamish McLeod.
2001 5 Watchers of Time -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.10 Norfolk https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2002 6 A Fearsome Doubt -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1919.11 Kent. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken... farther from London than Maidstone https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mai... (33%)
Rutledge remembers a little of what happened 1918.11.11-1919.02.
2005 7 A Cold Treachery -- Audible ✅ ★★★★
1919.12 Cumbria https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cum... Lake District near Kendal https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ken...
2006 8 A Long Shadow -- Audible ✅ ★★★★
1919.12 - 1920.02 We meet Mrs. Meredith Channing. This one has an exciting ending.
Northamptonshire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2007 9 A False Mirror -- Kindle, Audible ✅ ★★★
1920.02 - 1920.03 We hear Rutledge's nasty boss, Bowles's, thoughts about how to destroy Rutledge. Some very stupid suspects. Dorset. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dor...
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Westo...
2007 10 A Pale Horse -- Kindle, Audible, first book narrated by Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★
1920.04 Set at the Uffington White Horse, https://kottke.org/plus/misc/images/u... ,
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5775,...
Oxfordshire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oxf... (formerly Berkshire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire )
and at Fountains Abbey, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountai... ,
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fou...
North Yorkshire: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nor...
2008 11 A Matter of Justice -- Audible: Simon Prebble, library large print, ✅ ★★★★
Starts in the Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902). Good story.
2009 12 The Red Door -- Libby ebook, Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★
1918.11.12-13 Lancashire https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lan...
1920.05 Essex https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ess...
1920.05-06 London; southwestern Suffolk; Aylesford, Kent; Essex; Lancashire. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Suf...
How do you ask a parrot about a murder? (chapter 19)
The near-senile Gran is the one likeable character in the central family. Many of the characters are despicable.
2010 12.5 The Kidnapping -- short story, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2011 13 A Lonely Death -- Audible: Simon Prebble, large print ✅ ★★★★
2011 14 The Confession -- Audible: Simon Prebble, Kindle ✅ ★★★
2013 15 Proof of Guilt -- Libby audio: Simon Prebble; Libby ebook ✅ ★★★★
2014 16 Hunting Shadows -- Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★; Kindle
2015 17 A Fine Summer’s Day -- Libby audio ✅ ★★★★; large print
1914.06.28 - 1914.12.26. This one has Inspector Rutledge's backstory as a Scotland Yard inspector in the months before he goes to war. The fine summer's day is the day the Austrian archduke is murdered in Serbia.
2016 18 No Shred of Evidence -- Libby audio: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★★; Libby ebook
2017 19 Racing the Devil -- Audible: Simon Prebble ✅ ★★★★
2017 19.5 The Piper -- Kindle ✅ ★★★
2018 20 The Gate Keeper -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2019 21 The Black Ascot -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2020 22 A Divided Loyalty -- Audible: Simon Prebble; Kindle ✅ ★★★★
2021 23 A Fatal Lie -- Audible; Kindle ✅ ★★★★★
Has an overage of unpleasant characters. Early 1920s, Wales and Shropshire.
2021.08.28 Caroline Todd died (book 24 already sent to the publisher)
2022 24 A Game of Fear
Trivia:
Book 5: Watchers of Time:
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
February 18, 2016
Usually I really enjoy the Todd books, but this time it really felt like two different people were writing it (which is always true, but more noticeable this time). The first part, where Ian is jolted by the train wreck and the fall-out from that, feels like something that has been needing to happen for a long time in these books - having him have some feelings and some depth and some connection with other characters. But then that is dropped and barely touched upon for the rest of the book, as if one half of the writing pair wants to develop his character, give him more emotional depth, while the other half just wants to plod on through plotlines and action. The weird subplot with the murderer on the bridge also seems to go nowhere - to what point is this included? Is it a start of something to follow up on in the next book? A little sub-commentary on the fatherhood -- good ones and bad ones-- in the rest of the book? Or just a reason to drag things out a little longer? Also missed Hamish - he seems to have been relegated to a simple occasional nod - oh yeah, we forgot about Hamish; better have him say something now. Are Todd and Todd tired of Rutledge? It feels like it.
And, as a sidebar, am I the only reader who finds Rutledge rather dour and stodgy, without humor, and getting more annoying? Maybe it's just reading 12 books of this character presented this way that is starting to grate on me.
And, as a sidebar, am I the only reader who finds Rutledge rather dour and stodgy, without humor, and getting more annoying? Maybe it's just reading 12 books of this character presented this way that is starting to grate on me.
November 21, 2021
This was one of the best that I’ve read in awhile. Dysfunctional family— skeletons in the closet- lies….the thing about these Rutledge books is that even though they follow a nice orderly trajectory that is soothing to my brain- there are logical twists. This one had several story lines and they were wrapped up in a satisfying way.
September 24, 2019
I would argue this is one of the better ones in the series. The mystery is intriguing. Every single person involved in it isn't trying to thwart Rutledge at every turn (I have no objection to *some* people trying to thwart Rutledge, but in some of these, it feels like everyone is, and that gets tedious fast. It's unreasonable to expect that every single occupant in a small village would decide to do that.)
I also thought the minor characters were used well here. Ian's godfather shows up again. His sister has a prominent role, linked to his godfather showing up again. Mrs. Channing makes an appearance, and that subplot has some serious potential to get interesting. All of these things together have the effect of indicating some small character growth is happening. I am intrigued.
The one fly in the ointment? The Bowles subplot is reaching new lows. Look, I get it, he's the worst. But in this one, Bowles via his favoured subordinate do things that deliberately put Rutledge in danger while on duty, in front of other police officers. Now, I get that there's a chain of command, but *surely* that sort of thing would be considered crossing a line to the extent that there would be consequences. I maintain that either the Bowles arc needs to ramp up and reach some sort of conclusion, or fade into the background. Because at this point, it's nothing but tedious. These books require Rutledge to work at Scotland Yard. Him being constantly frustrated by his own supervisor over a supremely petty grudge/dislike doesn't really add much at this point. Especially as it never goes anywhere.
I also thought the minor characters were used well here. Ian's godfather shows up again. His sister has a prominent role, linked to his godfather showing up again. Mrs. Channing makes an appearance, and that subplot has some serious potential to get interesting. All of these things together have the effect of indicating some small character growth is happening. I am intrigued.
The one fly in the ointment? The Bowles subplot is reaching new lows. Look, I get it, he's the worst. But in this one, Bowles via his favoured subordinate do things that deliberately put Rutledge in danger while on duty, in front of other police officers. Now, I get that there's a chain of command, but *surely* that sort of thing would be considered crossing a line to the extent that there would be consequences. I maintain that either the Bowles arc needs to ramp up and reach some sort of conclusion, or fade into the background. Because at this point, it's nothing but tedious. These books require Rutledge to work at Scotland Yard. Him being constantly frustrated by his own supervisor over a supremely petty grudge/dislike doesn't really add much at this point. Especially as it never goes anywhere.
March 10, 2018
A woman waits for her husband to come back from the war, but he never comes. So her life is framed, because there is no notice from the war department, she continues to have hope that some day he will return.
A missionary, whose career and that of is brothers have been dictated by their father, suddenly suffers paralysis but days later somehow gets up, dresses himself and leaves the hospital. His family calls in Scotland Yard and Ian Rutledge is sent to find out how this was possible and what has happened to the man. What caused his health crisis and his recovery? Where did he go and why?
Soon after the man returns with few if any answers for what has happened, the woman who has lived with hope is found dead and Rutledge finds strange connections in the names of those involved in these two cases. He must winnow out the secrets of family and family tradition, and get to the truth.
Charles Todd has created a terrific character in Ian Rutledge and the stories that he is involved in during those years following the horrific first world war are intense, complicated and very human. With realistic characters, in-depth stories and fantastic writing, this mother-son duo have created a deeply moving story that will keep readers focused and reading. It is one to ponder, to reflect and remember.
A missionary, whose career and that of is brothers have been dictated by their father, suddenly suffers paralysis but days later somehow gets up, dresses himself and leaves the hospital. His family calls in Scotland Yard and Ian Rutledge is sent to find out how this was possible and what has happened to the man. What caused his health crisis and his recovery? Where did he go and why?
Soon after the man returns with few if any answers for what has happened, the woman who has lived with hope is found dead and Rutledge finds strange connections in the names of those involved in these two cases. He must winnow out the secrets of family and family tradition, and get to the truth.
Charles Todd has created a terrific character in Ian Rutledge and the stories that he is involved in during those years following the horrific first world war are intense, complicated and very human. With realistic characters, in-depth stories and fantastic writing, this mother-son duo have created a deeply moving story that will keep readers focused and reading. It is one to ponder, to reflect and remember.
January 9, 2022
Really not a bad read for a random pick! It kept me guessing and surprised, I'd recommend it.
May 14, 2011
Ian Rutledge returns in his 12th case in "The Red Door." He must deal with a young knife wielding robber in London, a missing missionary, and the murder of a teacher named Florence in a distant village.
Charles Todd has constructed a series of puzzles seemingly unrelated but perhaps they are. We begin with Florence, an attractive woman, at the time of the Armistice. She is waiting for her soldier husband to return from France. She paints her front door a brilliant red for him to see when he comes home. However, she waits for a husband who never returns.
Meanwhile, in London, Rutledge is accosted by a young man named Billy who attempts to rob him as he crosses the bridge over the Thames during an evening walk. Rutledge bluffs the young robber into giving up his attempt at mugging Rutledge. However, Billy's incidents escalate. His robberies result in murder. Rutledge must deal with the guilt of letting Billy go when he was accosted and he will become a decoy in the effort to flush Billy from hiding and to be taken into custody.
However, Rutledge's detail to bring Billy to justice must take a back seat to solving the disappearance of a member of the well known Teller family. Walter Teller is a well known missionary who has written of his experiences and has a broad reading audience. When called by into the field by the evangelical society for which he works, Walter vanishes into thin air.
The Teller family has many secrets. Rutledge is not a welcome intrusion into their daily lives. The Teller patriarch has chosen the careers of his sons and they have dutifully filled those roles. Peter is the soldier. Walter the missionary, and Edwin the stable head of the family following the death of their father.
When Walter disappears, Rutledge finds that all the family members have gone on their own search for Walter. There is something in the Teller family past that must not see the light of day.
Rutledge's involvement in the Teller disappearance would seem to be over when he is called by the high constable to investigate the murder of the woman who owns the cottage with the red door. It seems her name was Florence, Florence Teller. And the man to whom she was married that never returned from France was named Peter Teller. A coincidence? Or did Peter Teller lead a double life? That a Teller should be a bigamist is not an acceptable finding. Rutledge has his hands full untangling a delicate social dilemma without failing to bring the murderer to justice no matter what social class the killer may move in within the respectable circles of London.
Todd presents another rewarding read, yet wraps the solution to all of the investigations into tangled and forced resolutions. Billy's story serves as a distraction to the over all plot of the book. It is difficult to find sympathy for the Teller family. And, perhaps for that reason, I found "The Red Door" considerably less satisfying than previous volumes.
Nevertheless, any Charles Todd should never be discounted as unworthy of being read. And as I've reached the most current Rutledge, #13, I must consider Todd's new series involving a battlefield nurse, Bess Crawford in "A Duty to the Dead."
Charles Todd has constructed a series of puzzles seemingly unrelated but perhaps they are. We begin with Florence, an attractive woman, at the time of the Armistice. She is waiting for her soldier husband to return from France. She paints her front door a brilliant red for him to see when he comes home. However, she waits for a husband who never returns.
Meanwhile, in London, Rutledge is accosted by a young man named Billy who attempts to rob him as he crosses the bridge over the Thames during an evening walk. Rutledge bluffs the young robber into giving up his attempt at mugging Rutledge. However, Billy's incidents escalate. His robberies result in murder. Rutledge must deal with the guilt of letting Billy go when he was accosted and he will become a decoy in the effort to flush Billy from hiding and to be taken into custody.
However, Rutledge's detail to bring Billy to justice must take a back seat to solving the disappearance of a member of the well known Teller family. Walter Teller is a well known missionary who has written of his experiences and has a broad reading audience. When called by into the field by the evangelical society for which he works, Walter vanishes into thin air.
The Teller family has many secrets. Rutledge is not a welcome intrusion into their daily lives. The Teller patriarch has chosen the careers of his sons and they have dutifully filled those roles. Peter is the soldier. Walter the missionary, and Edwin the stable head of the family following the death of their father.
When Walter disappears, Rutledge finds that all the family members have gone on their own search for Walter. There is something in the Teller family past that must not see the light of day.
Rutledge's involvement in the Teller disappearance would seem to be over when he is called by the high constable to investigate the murder of the woman who owns the cottage with the red door. It seems her name was Florence, Florence Teller. And the man to whom she was married that never returned from France was named Peter Teller. A coincidence? Or did Peter Teller lead a double life? That a Teller should be a bigamist is not an acceptable finding. Rutledge has his hands full untangling a delicate social dilemma without failing to bring the murderer to justice no matter what social class the killer may move in within the respectable circles of London.
Todd presents another rewarding read, yet wraps the solution to all of the investigations into tangled and forced resolutions. Billy's story serves as a distraction to the over all plot of the book. It is difficult to find sympathy for the Teller family. And, perhaps for that reason, I found "The Red Door" considerably less satisfying than previous volumes.
Nevertheless, any Charles Todd should never be discounted as unworthy of being read. And as I've reached the most current Rutledge, #13, I must consider Todd's new series involving a battlefield nurse, Bess Crawford in "A Duty to the Dead."
June 21, 2010
Reason for Reading: I've always wanted to read a book by this "author". The reason for reading the book now though is that this was actually the very first book I received in 2010 to review and while I was putting my piles of review, won, tbr, etc. books onto my new bookcase I found it grouped with the wrong books so I rectified the situation by making it my next read.
Jumping in with book twelve in a mystery series has the potential to cause some problems. As to an ongoing personal story there was only a brief mention of that at the beginning and the end, plus some vague references to previous solved crimes which didn't interfere with my reading at all. What did make the book hard for me to get into was the character of Ian Rutledge. By this time, he is a well established character and readers are presumed to know him already. Being new to this type of character did hinder my getting settled into the story, especially since Rutledge is unlike any other inspector I've come across. Set two years after the end of the Great War, Rutledge is a war veteran who secretly suffers from emotional effects of the war, shell shock, which is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder. In particular, he carries around with him, so to speak, one of his fallen soldiers, Hamish, who speaks to him in his head and Rutledge needs to physically be aware that there is space for him, though he will never look at him, they do have conversations and Hamish can be considered to be Rutledge's partner as would be found in other books. This took some time for me to actually comprehend and now makes me want to start this series from the beginning.
The story itself is wonderful. A full cast of characters connected in one way or another makes the list of suspects large but finite. The writing spends much time on the characters lives, giving each individual a real and true representation. Rutledge is given two cases to work on. The first involves a lone widow whose husband never returned from the War, who is found murdered at her own front door. The second is of a wealthy man who mysteriously disappears from hospital. The man turns up safe after being away long enough to cause considerable worry but soon Rutledge has more than just one body on his hands. A very clever mystery. What I usually term a "thinking man's" mystery. There are several secrets and mysteries along with the murder to solve and reveals come slowly and can change the reader's whole take on things. I had fun having the satisfaction of figuring out some secrets and mysteries but never could hold on to the murderer. In the end I was surprised.
I really enjoyed this book. The time period is a perfect setting for British mysteries, invoking the charm of the the Golden Age writers, yet I wouldn't call this a cozy. This is much more a psychological drama with a lot of insight into the after effects of war, in all sorts of ways throughout British society. A very satisfying read and one that I will be adding to my must read list. Though I'll have to start at the beginning to get the full story on the intriguing Inspector Ian Rutledge.
back-to-books.blogspot.com
Jumping in with book twelve in a mystery series has the potential to cause some problems. As to an ongoing personal story there was only a brief mention of that at the beginning and the end, plus some vague references to previous solved crimes which didn't interfere with my reading at all. What did make the book hard for me to get into was the character of Ian Rutledge. By this time, he is a well established character and readers are presumed to know him already. Being new to this type of character did hinder my getting settled into the story, especially since Rutledge is unlike any other inspector I've come across. Set two years after the end of the Great War, Rutledge is a war veteran who secretly suffers from emotional effects of the war, shell shock, which is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder. In particular, he carries around with him, so to speak, one of his fallen soldiers, Hamish, who speaks to him in his head and Rutledge needs to physically be aware that there is space for him, though he will never look at him, they do have conversations and Hamish can be considered to be Rutledge's partner as would be found in other books. This took some time for me to actually comprehend and now makes me want to start this series from the beginning.
The story itself is wonderful. A full cast of characters connected in one way or another makes the list of suspects large but finite. The writing spends much time on the characters lives, giving each individual a real and true representation. Rutledge is given two cases to work on. The first involves a lone widow whose husband never returned from the War, who is found murdered at her own front door. The second is of a wealthy man who mysteriously disappears from hospital. The man turns up safe after being away long enough to cause considerable worry but soon Rutledge has more than just one body on his hands. A very clever mystery. What I usually term a "thinking man's" mystery. There are several secrets and mysteries along with the murder to solve and reveals come slowly and can change the reader's whole take on things. I had fun having the satisfaction of figuring out some secrets and mysteries but never could hold on to the murderer. In the end I was surprised.
I really enjoyed this book. The time period is a perfect setting for British mysteries, invoking the charm of the the Golden Age writers, yet I wouldn't call this a cozy. This is much more a psychological drama with a lot of insight into the after effects of war, in all sorts of ways throughout British society. A very satisfying read and one that I will be adding to my must read list. Though I'll have to start at the beginning to get the full story on the intriguing Inspector Ian Rutledge.
back-to-books.blogspot.com
January 31, 2010
This historical mystery set in Britain in 1920 is the 12th in a series, although the story was mostly self-contained. I think a reader, especially a fan of old-fashioned type mysteries, could up pick up The Red Door and enjoy the story.
Like all good mysteries, The Red Door is filled with lots of crime, twists, intrigue, a very large cast of shady characters. There are large middle-upper class families with many secrets, difficult co-workers, village-folk who try to be helpful, and solitary characters. I also laughed the parrot, Jake, who even had his own personality flaws.
There are some odd quirks that did take me a little bit to catch on to: Inspector Rutledge is a veteran of WWI and clearly experienced some traumatic events in France that weigh heavily on him. So heavily that he hears the voice of a former dead soldier having conversations with him. It's very much like Six with Baltar in the new Battlestar Galactica, if you're familiar with the show. It's handy that the disembodied voice has a thick Scottish brogue, as Todd's dialogue rarely signifies who's uttering the line. Second, there's clearly a long history between Rutledge, his sister, his godfather and a girl he's quite sweet on. Those relationships were a tad confusing, but cleared up as the story got going.
As much as I thoroughly enjoy any good story set in Dear Old Blighty, something about it's British-ness felt off to me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I guess when compared to other novels actually written in that WWI to WWII break (du Maurier springs to mind), the language and personal interactions don't feel quite old enough. But that's okay; we still get crank-start cars, British gardens and rain, lovely country cottages, lots of cups of tea, and the stiff-upper lip mentality.
In the end, writing a review for a 3-star book is really hard. I didn't love the story, although I think Inspector Rutledge grew on me as a terribly troubled, smart, flawed, sincere character. But I didn't hate the book either, as it certainly entertained me for a few days. I can't imagine that much will stick with me after I click "save" on this review, except that I have a talent for dangling my participles, which I apologize for.
Like all good mysteries, The Red Door is filled with lots of crime, twists, intrigue, a very large cast of shady characters. There are large middle-upper class families with many secrets, difficult co-workers, village-folk who try to be helpful, and solitary characters. I also laughed the parrot, Jake, who even had his own personality flaws.
There are some odd quirks that did take me a little bit to catch on to: Inspector Rutledge is a veteran of WWI and clearly experienced some traumatic events in France that weigh heavily on him. So heavily that he hears the voice of a former dead soldier having conversations with him. It's very much like Six with Baltar in the new Battlestar Galactica, if you're familiar with the show. It's handy that the disembodied voice has a thick Scottish brogue, as Todd's dialogue rarely signifies who's uttering the line. Second, there's clearly a long history between Rutledge, his sister, his godfather and a girl he's quite sweet on. Those relationships were a tad confusing, but cleared up as the story got going.
As much as I thoroughly enjoy any good story set in Dear Old Blighty, something about it's British-ness felt off to me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I guess when compared to other novels actually written in that WWI to WWII break (du Maurier springs to mind), the language and personal interactions don't feel quite old enough. But that's okay; we still get crank-start cars, British gardens and rain, lovely country cottages, lots of cups of tea, and the stiff-upper lip mentality.
In the end, writing a review for a 3-star book is really hard. I didn't love the story, although I think Inspector Rutledge grew on me as a terribly troubled, smart, flawed, sincere character. But I didn't hate the book either, as it certainly entertained me for a few days. I can't imagine that much will stick with me after I click "save" on this review, except that I have a talent for dangling my participles, which I apologize for.
January 1, 2010
This entry doesn't quite reach the high standards of the previous 11 books in the series, though it is still a very enjoyable read.
These books are more 'whydunnits' than' whodunnits' - if Todd gives you the clues to figure out everything that happened, I certainly didn't catch them all, though looking back everything fits together. The place and time are well established without hitting you over the head with geography and history lessons. The main mystery has plenty of twists and turns. Although I can see what Todd was going for with the secondary case, it didn't completely work for me.
What worked least for me (and the part I usually enjoy the most) were the interactions between Rutledge and his friends and family, and Rutledge's attempts to hide the aftermath of shell shock from them. Todd seemed to be building toward something, but there was no payoff - like watching someone over inflating a balloon that never pops. For me, it's time to reveal Rutledge's problems to some of his family or friends, and for him to have to deal with the consequences. It may only have been a year in Rutledge's world since the events of "A Test of Wills", but it's been 14 years for those of us who've been reading the series from the beginning.
These books are more 'whydunnits' than' whodunnits' - if Todd gives you the clues to figure out everything that happened, I certainly didn't catch them all, though looking back everything fits together. The place and time are well established without hitting you over the head with geography and history lessons. The main mystery has plenty of twists and turns. Although I can see what Todd was going for with the secondary case, it didn't completely work for me.
What worked least for me (and the part I usually enjoy the most) were the interactions between Rutledge and his friends and family, and Rutledge's attempts to hide the aftermath of shell shock from them. Todd seemed to be building toward something, but there was no payoff - like watching someone over inflating a balloon that never pops. For me, it's time to reveal Rutledge's problems to some of his family or friends, and for him to have to deal with the consequences. It may only have been a year in Rutledge's world since the events of "A Test of Wills", but it's been 14 years for those of us who've been reading the series from the beginning.
March 13, 2013
Inspector Ian Rutledge has returned to Scotland Yard after action in WWI. He suffers from the effects of the war and seeing so many men under his command killed.
He's ordered to investigate the murder of a woman on a farm some distance from London. She was waiting for her husband to return from the front but he never returned and she received no official notice of what might have happened to him.
Rutledge finds another man with the same name but this man is from a prominent family and Rutledge's boss tells him to be careful.
As the investigation moves along, we see another family deeply troubled and suffering.
This is a wonderfully plotted novel, rich in historical information. Rutledge digs into the case and we witness what might have been happening after WWI.
He's ordered to investigate the murder of a woman on a farm some distance from London. She was waiting for her husband to return from the front but he never returned and she received no official notice of what might have happened to him.
Rutledge finds another man with the same name but this man is from a prominent family and Rutledge's boss tells him to be careful.
As the investigation moves along, we see another family deeply troubled and suffering.
This is a wonderfully plotted novel, rich in historical information. Rutledge digs into the case and we witness what might have been happening after WWI.
December 24, 2012
A paralyzed patient goes missing, a soldier who didn't return from France, a mugger's attack on Rutledge, and a train wreck are the threads that tie this gripping novel together. Rutledge is asked to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Walter Teller and in a small village the widow of a missing soldier with the same name as Walter's brother is murdered. As Rutledge puts the pieces of a complicated puzzle together, he begins to understand that running away from involvement with his family and friends isn't necessarily the answer to living with his tortured memories.
January 15, 2016
Good story. This time, there weren't quite as many different minor characters to keep track of so that pleased my ADD mind. I'm not reading them in order, just as they're available, but his side love interest would be easier to follow if I read in order. Such is life. I'll keep listening to the audiobooks; I enjoy them, although I think these books are probably better suited for print for scatterbrains like mine.
February 19, 2019
This story had about 3 twists too many 🙄 So many people lying, for no reason. A case that could've been solved if Rutledge had bothered to show anybody the photograph he carried for most of the book. A sideplot with no bearing on the main plot, and thus a distraction. And Lord help us all, by the end Ian was absolutely pathetic over Meredith Channing, begging her not to leave, only for her to close the door in his face, quite literally. If she never shows up again, it would be too soon 🙄🙄🙄
June 30, 2018
The book begins with an arresting scene of how the eponymous door came to be red. Then we flash forward to the 1920's and the mystery has its second beginning.
I found the Teller family repellent. There were no characters that I found sympathetic (well, the child was of course, but basically he was rarely, even at a distance, present so to speak. Though all the characters were concerned about him, I think he was probably better off with the murder of several characters--well, maybe not his mother; better that he had lost his father). I don't think that last sentence was a spoiler.
It was a confusing mystery to follow. Four brothers (I think; maybe there were five?) and their wives (I think they were all married), plus at least one unmarried sister. Perhaps I should have reread that second chapter in which they were introduced. But there were also a lot of scenes and people extraneous to the central mystery, though they do fill out the interior and exterior lives of Rutledge. I mean David Trevor and young Ian--and Meredith Channing. I need to read the mystery in which she first appears; I can't quite conceive how Rutledge is really trying to be romantically involved with her while he still fears the presence of Hamish, as Rutledge so often in previous mysteries has found that presence really the wall between him and others. (Well, yes, what would anyone, let alone nurse Meredith, make of a ghostly presence in her life should she marry Rutledge?)
And then there is the murderous young man that attacks Rutledge; this side story seems to me to flesh out Rutledge's relations with his boss, Bowles. Working in Scotland Yard seems to be very isolating; no one seems to have anyone's back, and Bowles is a very bad boss. (Sadly I have seen similar situations and how long such bad bosses are tolerated by their superiors until the superiors' hands are finally forced to do something--with all the attendant bad publicity, which could have been avoided with some courage and resolution to solve the problem earlier.)
But I hope the young boy gets a better family life; but I doubt it; his father will see to that.
I found the Teller family repellent. There were no characters that I found sympathetic (well, the child was of course, but basically he was rarely, even at a distance, present so to speak. Though all the characters were concerned about him, I think he was probably better off with the murder of several characters--well, maybe not his mother; better that he had lost his father). I don't think that last sentence was a spoiler.
It was a confusing mystery to follow. Four brothers (I think; maybe there were five?) and their wives (I think they were all married), plus at least one unmarried sister. Perhaps I should have reread that second chapter in which they were introduced. But there were also a lot of scenes and people extraneous to the central mystery, though they do fill out the interior and exterior lives of Rutledge. I mean David Trevor and young Ian--and Meredith Channing. I need to read the mystery in which she first appears; I can't quite conceive how Rutledge is really trying to be romantically involved with her while he still fears the presence of Hamish, as Rutledge so often in previous mysteries has found that presence really the wall between him and others. (Well, yes, what would anyone, let alone nurse Meredith, make of a ghostly presence in her life should she marry Rutledge?)
And then there is the murderous young man that attacks Rutledge; this side story seems to me to flesh out Rutledge's relations with his boss, Bowles. Working in Scotland Yard seems to be very isolating; no one seems to have anyone's back, and Bowles is a very bad boss. (Sadly I have seen similar situations and how long such bad bosses are tolerated by their superiors until the superiors' hands are finally forced to do something--with all the attendant bad publicity, which could have been avoided with some courage and resolution to solve the problem earlier.)
But I hope the young boy gets a better family life; but I doubt it; his father will see to that.
July 4, 2017
Just one year after the end of World War I, Inspector Ian Rutledge in involved in two murder cases. A woman's whose husband never returned from the war is murdered and clues lead to a well connected family. A mugger is killing people in London and Rutledge was almost a victim himself. The whole time he is plagued by a ghost in his head. This is a vintage style British who-done-it.
October 10, 2021
This is the story of a woman in a small town in the English countryside who was found murdered, and of another man near London who disappears, after WWI. Inspector Rutledge, still suffering from shell shock from his war time duties, works on both cases. Children, dead and alive, are involved. There is another death, which may or may not be accidental. A lot of motoring back and forth happens. Rutledge manages to tie it all up at the end, with some surprises.
I will read more of Charles Todd, this mother and son team writes well together.
I will read more of Charles Todd, this mother and son team writes well together.
January 20, 2023
Old school murder mystery based in England. Wealthy family drama around money and inheritance, love and lies, revenge and loss. It has a slow cadence, which makes it an easier read. Didn’t see the end coming.
July 27, 2018
Yes!
Never saw this end coming! Right up until I turned the page revealing the murderer I was so completely wrong! Another great case by the great Inspector Ian Rutledge!
Never saw this end coming! Right up until I turned the page revealing the murderer I was so completely wrong! Another great case by the great Inspector Ian Rutledge!
July 29, 2018
Excellent book. 4.5
March 2, 2020
Such a great character!
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