A review by kansas_girl
A Test of Wills by Charles Todd

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is the first in Charles Todd’s Ian Rutledge series. If you have not found Inspector Rutledge yet, you must put this on your reading list. Rutledge is a veteran of WWI, who returns to his position as Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard, uncertain of his ability to return to his former extraordinary skills in police work. He suffers from “shell shock” and is haunted by the voice of Corporal Hamish Macleod, whose death broke Rutledge for reasons I’ll let you find out while reading. Hamish chides, laughs, snorts, and grumbles, excoriating Rutledge for his weaknesses and reminding him of his strengths, all in a voice heard only by the detective.