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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
The resolution of the situation’s a little wonky, but still a good story. There’s no modern sensibility here, which I suppose is true to the time the story’s set in, 1920. But the young women are “protected” so! So sheltered!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this one was wonderful - fascinating threads that lead to nowhere and somewhere and then back again.
This series rarely disappoints and the latest addition has several mysteries going with no shred of evidence available to solve anything. Perhaps it was because I read it the weekend of the Downton Abbey series finale, but the book's delineation of classes in England after WWI was reminiscent of that and was an important factor in the story. For fans of Cornwall, a number of the small towns appear, along with various rivers. The four young women accused of murder are well drawn and Routledge is at his best, with Hamish both a burden and a source of wisdom. Keep writing, Charles Todd!
(One of my lost reviews)
(One of my lost reviews)
I always enjoy Todd's stories. This one is unique - with four people accused of murder and no clues as to what happened. Lots of great descriptions of Cornwall which made me want to go on vacation.
WOWZERS!!! I couldn't put this one down! Lots of twists and turns!
Pretty good. I liked that someone from Rutledge’s old life made an appearance. The mystery was good-
This novel show that no good deed goes unpunished as it opens with an incident where aid to a drowning man is misunderstood.
Five stars for Simon Prebble, two stars for No Shred of Evidence.
I would listen to Simon Prebble read anything, and he got me through this extremely implausible Inspector Rutledge mystery by Charles Todd. Inspector Rutledge is a very interesting character. He suffers from PTSD from his time fighting in the Great War. It’s something he has learned to live with. Ian Rutledge is a strong but vulnerable character with many layers.
I liked that this book focused on Inspector Rutledge doing his job, rather than on his personal life. I enjoy listening to his thought processes, how he gathers and sorts information.
However, the setup for the plot was ridiculous. Four well-bred young ladies are out rowing when they encounter a young man in a dinghy. The dinghy appears to be sinking, and he waves for help. One of the four young women doesn’t want to help him, thinking he is just flirting. When the dinghy sinks, they try to get him into their boat. The young woman who didn’t want to help him accidentally strikes him with an oar. A farmer passing by on the bank jumps in the water, helps them get the unconscious man on board, and promptly accuses the four young women of trying to murder the young man. And the local constable takes them into custody.
There is NO WAY anyone takes this accusation seriously. NO WAY. No one believes a farmer over four well-bred young women who have NO MOTIVE to try to drown a young man. Rutledge is brought in from London to investigate, and even he takes this seriously. It was very difficult for me to forget how ridiculous this “crime” was as I listened to the audiobook.
The big climax was also ridiculous, and there were many plot points that just did not make sense as the book wrapped up. So many red herrings, so much repetition. I will listen to the next Inspector Rutledge if it is narrated by Simon Prebble, but I hope it has a more believable plot.
I would listen to Simon Prebble read anything, and he got me through this extremely implausible Inspector Rutledge mystery by Charles Todd. Inspector Rutledge is a very interesting character. He suffers from PTSD from his time fighting in the Great War. It’s something he has learned to live with. Ian Rutledge is a strong but vulnerable character with many layers.
I liked that this book focused on Inspector Rutledge doing his job, rather than on his personal life. I enjoy listening to his thought processes, how he gathers and sorts information.
However, the setup for the plot was ridiculous. Four well-bred young ladies are out rowing when they encounter a young man in a dinghy. The dinghy appears to be sinking, and he waves for help. One of the four young women doesn’t want to help him, thinking he is just flirting. When the dinghy sinks, they try to get him into their boat. The young woman who didn’t want to help him accidentally strikes him with an oar. A farmer passing by on the bank jumps in the water, helps them get the unconscious man on board, and promptly accuses the four young women of trying to murder the young man. And the local constable takes them into custody.
There is NO WAY anyone takes this accusation seriously. NO WAY. No one believes a farmer over four well-bred young women who have NO MOTIVE to try to drown a young man. Rutledge is brought in from London to investigate, and even he takes this seriously. It was very difficult for me to forget how ridiculous this “crime” was as I listened to the audiobook.
The big climax was also ridiculous, and there were many plot points that just did not make sense as the book wrapped up. So many red herrings, so much repetition. I will listen to the next Inspector Rutledge if it is narrated by Simon Prebble, but I hope it has a more believable plot.