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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Charles Todd story weaving is fantastic!
The Ian Rutledge series is top notch, even if I’m even more partial to his Bess Crawford series.
I really appreciate the highlight on PTSD and after effects of war that wasn’t really addressed at that time. Everyone seemed to just expect them to come home and it be the way it was before or “pick themselves by up their bootstraps”, like if they were “real men” they wouldn’t struggle with how things had changed(themselves included) or the nightmare(waking and dreaming) war is. Psychology has come such a long way.
I love Ian’s complexity but straightforwardness too. He tries so hard. And even if to him, his job as an investigator is about pushing himself, to try his best for normalcy, he does care about people too. Might even add him to my book-crush list.
The Ian Rutledge series is top notch, even if I’m even more partial to his Bess Crawford series.
I really appreciate the highlight on PTSD and after effects of war that wasn’t really addressed at that time. Everyone seemed to just expect them to come home and it be the way it was before or “pick themselves by up their bootstraps”, like if they were “real men” they wouldn’t struggle with how things had changed(themselves included) or the nightmare(waking and dreaming) war is. Psychology has come such a long way.
I love Ian’s complexity but straightforwardness too. He tries so hard. And even if to him, his job as an investigator is about pushing himself, to try his best for normalcy, he does care about people too. Might even add him to my book-crush list.
Charles Todd, who I've learned is actually a mother/son writing duo, does a fantastic job of creating a mystery that's intriguing. Seeing multiple characters in the waning days of WWI dealing with the ramifications of the war is spectacular. Seeing PTSD manifest in different ways and how the world treated the ailment in the early 1920's. The main character, Ian Rutledge, is one such character. He battles his own inner demons while solving a murder. The suspects are all fleshed out well and the guilty party made sense even with the twist. Overall, a very good mystery.
Brilliant
Brillantly crafted, with fine writing, and characters wonderfully created, this first column in Charles Todd’s Inspector Rutledge series lives up to and surpasses expectations.
Brillantly crafted, with fine writing, and characters wonderfully created, this first column in Charles Todd’s Inspector Rutledge series lives up to and surpasses expectations.
I read this 1st book in the series because I’d read a good review of a later book and wanted to start at the beginning. I’m not sure if the time period and protagonist have captured my interest enough to continue to the next book or not. Time will tell.
I FINALLY got to this series after having it on my TBR for years, and I did enjoy it and look forward to more.
While I didn’t connect to Ian Rutledge as well as I do to Bess Crawford (in another of Todd’s series), and I found his “conscience” a bit unnerving/odd, I did find his tortured soul intriguing and the plot twisty and engaging. Involves a gruesome murder, an array of local suspects and a surprise whodunit.
While I didn’t connect to Ian Rutledge as well as I do to Bess Crawford (in another of Todd’s series), and I found his “conscience” a bit unnerving/odd, I did find his tortured soul intriguing and the plot twisty and engaging. Involves a gruesome murder, an array of local suspects and a surprise whodunit.
Decent first book in a series, but I saw one of the twists from a mile off. Also had a hard time keeping character names straight because no one was vivid in my mind.
I would give this author another try because I love the time period and I've heard so many good things.
I would give this author another try because I love the time period and I've heard so many good things.
I found myself unable to complete this book. I skipped ahead to the end and discovered most of what I figured out in the first fifty pages came true. This book was well-written and edited. I can recognize the appeal others would have for this story, but for me it was slow-going and predictable.
I like this series a lot... am interested in where it goes from here!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good start to a series.
The story went on, a bit too long in the middle only to bring in a last minute surprise suspect.
Will look for more titles in the series.
The story went on, a bit too long in the middle only to bring in a last minute surprise suspect.
Will look for more titles in the series.