A review by nonna7
A Long Shadow by Charles Todd

5.0

Whenever I read a Charles Todd novel, I am always delighted by the depth and breadth of the writing. This book is surprising in it's complexity even for a Todd novel. When Ian Rutledge is sent to a small village to investigate the shooting by bow and arrow of the village constable, Hensley, he is surprised until he is told by his mercuric supervisor, Bowles, that Hensley was a good man, and he wants this shooter found and punished. Rutledge can't help but wonder why this is so important. When he gets to the village, he discovers that there is much more to the story. A young girl had disappeared two years before. Some in the village assume that Hensley was responsible for the death of the young woman. Others think that she went to London looking for her mother who had disappeared years before. Meanwhile, Rutledge is finding shell casings left for him. Then someone shoots at him, but it appears to be more of a warning shot. Honestly, this one went in so many directions with so many red herrings, it really kept me guessing. I'm not ashamed to admit I wasn't expecting the ending. This is a terrific book.