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judyward's review against another edition
4.0
It's August 1920 and a guest is shot by a sniper as he walks into Ely Cathedral in Cambridgshire for a wedding. Shortly thereafter a Tory candidate for Parliament is shot, also by a sniper, while giving a campaign speech in a small town. Because of a lack of progress in solving the murders, Scotland Yard is called in and Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent to investigate. I confess that I love this series and purchased this book on the day that it was released. And this book does not disappoint. The landscape almost becomes a character as Inspctor Rutledge travels through the Fen country in East Anglia and, as always, the shadows of World War I haunt most of the characters. This is the 16th book in the Ian Rutledge series and each one more fully develops Rutledge's story. So my recommendation is to read the books in this series in order to fully appreciate the character development as Ian Rutledge tries to create a life for himself following his time in the trenches in World War I.
zogg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
majkia's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great series. Ian struggling with his demons from the Great War, often hunting men in the same condition. This one takes place in the Fens and has lots of atmosphere and colorful locale and locals as well as the psychological depths these books keep exploring.
perednia's review against another edition
4.0
Returning for his 16th novel, WWI survivor and Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is on the road again, solving murders in the appropriately named Hunting Shadows.
This time, the story begins with an old soldier who largely keeps to himself but feels he needs to pay his respects to another soldier by attending his funeral in the Fens country. He stops short of entering the church upon seeing an old enemy, a former officer. He waits until the man returns to the area for a wedding and, drawing on his sniper experience during the war, kills the man in front of the bridegroom.
The public slaying horrifies the area. People are even more scared when another man, a quiet country solicitor running for Parliament, also is killed by an unknown assailant in public.
En route to the small villages where the murders took place, Rutledge is lost in the fog one night on the Fens, guided by a ghostly presence who leads him to eventual safety. As with many people Rutledge meets in his investigations, people are suspicious of the police yet expect them to solve crimes, preferably before they happen.
Mixed in with the prickly characters are those who intrigue Rutledge as people, whether they may know much about the murders or even be suspects. There are at least two who would be worth seeing in subsequent novels in this series.
One of the highlights of this novel is the focus on the role of snipers in WWI. Although they saved many lives, their ability to blend into their surroundings to kill was seen by many as cowardly, as not forthright or sporting. The snipers often keep their past a secret, to avoid being shunned. It's an interesting commentary on warcraft and the needs of the battlefield.
The novel also does a wonderful job of bringing the bleak, blandly treacherous Fens to life. This is the landscape in which Lord Peter Wimsey got lost in The Nine Tailors, and this Todd novel recalls that classic tale as well as tells its own strong story.
Rutledge remains haunted by Hamish MacLeod, although the corporal whose execution Rutledge ordered does not disrupt the narrative. He serves as Rutledge's inner guide, asking the right question at the right time and being a bit of a worrywart. Rutledge still suffers from being in the trenches. As his investigation brings back the horrors of those times, he relives them as well.
But he also is soldiering on in that he shows signs of trying to move on by doing his job with diligence, wishing happiness for those he cares about and showing a wee bit more of his human side in his consideration of people he comes across in this outing.
Hunting Shadows is a superb entry in one of the most consistently entertaining historical mystery series around.
This time, the story begins with an old soldier who largely keeps to himself but feels he needs to pay his respects to another soldier by attending his funeral in the Fens country. He stops short of entering the church upon seeing an old enemy, a former officer. He waits until the man returns to the area for a wedding and, drawing on his sniper experience during the war, kills the man in front of the bridegroom.
The public slaying horrifies the area. People are even more scared when another man, a quiet country solicitor running for Parliament, also is killed by an unknown assailant in public.
En route to the small villages where the murders took place, Rutledge is lost in the fog one night on the Fens, guided by a ghostly presence who leads him to eventual safety. As with many people Rutledge meets in his investigations, people are suspicious of the police yet expect them to solve crimes, preferably before they happen.
Mixed in with the prickly characters are those who intrigue Rutledge as people, whether they may know much about the murders or even be suspects. There are at least two who would be worth seeing in subsequent novels in this series.
One of the highlights of this novel is the focus on the role of snipers in WWI. Although they saved many lives, their ability to blend into their surroundings to kill was seen by many as cowardly, as not forthright or sporting. The snipers often keep their past a secret, to avoid being shunned. It's an interesting commentary on warcraft and the needs of the battlefield.
The novel also does a wonderful job of bringing the bleak, blandly treacherous Fens to life. This is the landscape in which Lord Peter Wimsey got lost in The Nine Tailors, and this Todd novel recalls that classic tale as well as tells its own strong story.
Rutledge remains haunted by Hamish MacLeod, although the corporal whose execution Rutledge ordered does not disrupt the narrative. He serves as Rutledge's inner guide, asking the right question at the right time and being a bit of a worrywart. Rutledge still suffers from being in the trenches. As his investigation brings back the horrors of those times, he relives them as well.
But he also is soldiering on in that he shows signs of trying to move on by doing his job with diligence, wishing happiness for those he cares about and showing a wee bit more of his human side in his consideration of people he comes across in this outing.
Hunting Shadows is a superb entry in one of the most consistently entertaining historical mystery series around.
lberestecki's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't interest me much. The Rutledge books are very hit or miss for me, and this one was a miss. If you enjoy the series, you'll probably enjoy this book too.
carebear102106's review against another edition
5.0
*advance readers copy* received free from goodreads first reads *
Another wonderful Ian Rutledge mystery. The last couple of novels had strayed, the character, Ian Rutledge, seemed flat. Insight must have been assumed from previous books. In 'Hunting Shadows' the depth of his character is back. Ian seems to be healing, so Hamish has almost become more of a trusted confidant than the reminder of the past he was earlier. The twists and turns kept me guessing right until the end. Even with the benefit of knowing more about the killer from the beginning.
Another wonderful Ian Rutledge mystery. The last couple of novels had strayed, the character, Ian Rutledge, seemed flat. Insight must have been assumed from previous books. In 'Hunting Shadows' the depth of his character is back. Ian seems to be healing, so Hamish has almost become more of a trusted confidant than the reminder of the past he was earlier. The twists and turns kept me guessing right until the end. Even with the benefit of knowing more about the killer from the beginning.
nonna7's review against another edition
5.0
The latest in the Ian Rutledge series doesn't disappoint. It's 1920 and there's a funeral for a soldier who has spent the last two years in the hospital dying from gangrene. One of the people there stands in the shadows and is angry when he sees an army captain among the mourners. He's angry because he doesn't see any reason for him to be there other than to further his own ambitions. Shortly thereafter, the same captain, Hutchinson, is a guest at a society wedding. Everyone is shocked when he is killed by a single bullet to his heart. Shortly thereafter, an aspiring politician, Swift, is also shot. There doesn't seem to be any connection between the two. When the local constabulary can't solve the case, they call in Scotland Yard. Rutledge is sent and instructed to wrap things up quickly. Of course, the case turns out to be more complicated than anyone can imagine. As always, there are so many fascinating twists and turns to the story although there IS a generous hint woven within. Rutledge is such a fascinating character. He wrestles with his own demons from WWI, is haunted by his Sgt who he was forced to condemn to death because he disobeyed orders. He also keeps a gun at his home for the time when he can no longer bear the nightmares and guilt. Every time I read one of these, I marvel at how an American writing team - in this case a mother/son - can capture this period so well. They write like British authors which, for me anyway, is high praise.
gawronma's review against another edition
4.0
Another fine entry in the Ian Rutledge series. This series is a reminder that for those who fight in a war, the doesn't end when peace is declared.
katenetz's review against another edition
4.0
It's always amazing to me that Charles Todd can write such a slow-moving and deliberate murder mystery and it can STILL suck me in. I think it is the mesmerizing atmosphere - there is always heavy fog and mist swirling about and suspicious close-mouthed people inhabiting the windswept moors or something. It fills a murder mystery niche.
Interesting plot, didn't see it coming!
Interesting plot, didn't see it coming!
nonnie63's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book, Sherlock Holmes move aside. Received in a Goodreads Giveaway.