Customer Reviews

A Long Shadow: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries)

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I enjoyed this novel, as I do all of Charles Todd's books about Inspector Ian Rutledge. The Rutledge novels are well-written, are replete with minutely researched post-Great War period details, and delineate a type of character - the psychologically wounded war veteran trying to adjust - not seen often in literature these days. All these things are to the good, and Todd has marked out an almost virgin territory that has me hooked as a fan.

But, what for many may be part of the appeal of these books has become a liability for me. I'm talking about the voice of Hamish MacLeod that resides inside Rutledge's head. If Hamish in life was as bitter, abusive, and censorious as he is in Rutledge's mind, then little wonder he died friendless and alone. After eight times out with this unyielding and unfriendly presence, I find his running commentary tedious, irritating, and extraneous to the mystery.

Hamish's continued and unabated presence is also beginning to stretch credibility. If he is truly present, then Rutledge is insane and shouldn't be able to withstand the constant carping much longer, at least while continuing to solve emotionally taxing mysteries one after another. If he's a manifestation of Rutledge's guilt, then why doesn't this otherwise insightful and rational man consult someone and get some help in exorcising the ghost - an alienist (as psychiatrists were known then), or an Anglican clergyman trained as an exorcist, or his new almost-girl friend, the mysterious psychic Mrs. Channing?

Otherwise, "A Long Shadow" is up to Todd's usual standard. The characters are well-drawn, as is the depiction of English village life, with its class system, its insiders, its outsiders, and its endless gossip and secrets. The creation of the brooding presence of Frith's Woods was a masterstroke, hinting at ancient, forgotten evils and England's pagan past. The wood's long shadow has affected the village of Dudlington more than its inhabitants know, just as it affects Rutledge who's combating a new enemy, an anonymous stalker.

While it's a wonder that Ian Rutledge stays so calm with Hamish gnawing away at him inside and an assassin lurking outside, I am also puzzled as to how much longer Superintendent Bowles is going to be allowed to persecute Inspector Rutledge. An interesting aspect of the series is that chronologically each mystery picks up after the last, weeks, sometimes days, after the other ends. Rutledge has shown an extraordinary degree of professional success in a matter of months since his return to the Force, capturing notorious murderers, ferreting out serial killers, solving crimes that were not even known to occur, and saving potential victims. In the real world, he'd be a celebrity, at least among his colleagues, not the passive victim of a petty tyrant and jealous superior who, among other things, seems to be on the take.

This is the eighth entry in this outstanding series featuring Ian Rutledge and his constant companion Hamish is set in 1919 and continues the story of the haunted Rutledge. In this outing, Rutledge is sent to the remote village of Dudlington to investigate the attempted murder (by bow and arrow) of the local constable. Rutledge is faced with a close-mouthed community suspicious of outsiders and determined to keep its secrets. Slowly, but surely Rutledge begins to gather information. Almost immediately, he realizes that the attempt on the constable's life may be linked to the disappearance of a young lady in the village. His attempts to solve the mystery of who shot the constable and why are hampered by a stalker who somehow knows where he will be almost before he himself knows. In the end, Rutledge solves the crime and, almost simultaneously, discovers who wants him (and Hamish) dead.

This is another "I can't put this down even though it's two in the morning and I have to go to work in five hours" entry. Charles Todd sits at the top of my list of the best authors writing mysteries/procedurals today. Todd continues to develop the personality of both Rutledge and Hamish and the relationship between the two. Todd's descriptions of the village, its inhabitants, and the surrounding land are vivid - so vivid that while you're reading you can almost feel the rising winter's wind stealing its way into your bones.

This is an outstandingly written series and deserves a very large following. If you are new to the series, I suggest you start with the first book "A Test of Wills" to understand the relationship between Rutledge and Hamish as well as watch the author grow these two. Along the way, Todd writes a wonderful procedural and shares each bit of information with the reader. Just when you figure out who the culprit is, Todd throws yet another piece of the puzzle into the mix and both you and Rutledge are forced to change your minds.

Set in the year 1919. Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge spent four years fighting in the Great War. Now he is back to being a dedicated investigator. But it seems that someone has targeted Ian for a game of cat and mouse. Someone follows Ian, leaving brass machine gun cartridge casings, with interesting designs etched upon them, where he is sure to find them. Ian, knowing that his stalker seems to holding his leash, finds his resolve actually shaking.

Ian's investigation of a constable's death makes him the outsider this time around. Locals want nothing to do with him, except for one young lady who claims to be a psychic.

**** This is the eighth Inspector Ian Rutledge novel and probably the best yet, in my opinion. Only the prior novel, "A Cold Treachery", can come close to claiming the spot as my favorite story within this series. A bit long winded at times, but very good reading. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

"I don't want you to die," she said bluntly. "I've seen enough of death and destruction. I want to hold my séances and bring back dead kings and silly jesters and the ghost of Hamlet's father. There is no harm in that and it makes people laugh. And, it keeps my mind from dwelling on what it should not be remembering. You were the soldier, Inspector but I put soldiers back together. Or tried to help others do that. I don't know which is worse."

In the New Year of 1919, Scotland Yard's Inspector Rutledge has gone to a dinner party with his sister. While there he finds a spent brass cartridge casing as he is leaving the party to answer an emergent call. Then a while later he finds another. What do these spent cartridges foretell, and why do we care?

Inspector Rutledge is sent by his superiors to a tiny hamlet called Dudlington. He is to investigate the attempted murder of an ex-inspector Hensley. As he arrives Inspector Rutledge feels an odd aura that he suspects is a fore warning of what is to come. The hamlet is suspicious of this Scotland Yard man and is not as welcoming as they could be. But as events unfold Inspector Ian Rutledge makes a name for himself, and the towns people begin to believe that maybe this man can solve some of the mysteries that have just begun. A young girl is missing and their Constable attacked. A Mrs Charlston, a soldier who had misfortunes, a pub owner and others who all come into play and Inspector Ian Rutledge will put the clues all together, and then find out who may be stalking him.

Charles Todd is the mother/son team of Charles and Caroline Todd. Inspector Rutledge mysteries are set in post World War I England. "A Long Shadow" is the eighth novel for this team. In the previous seven novels we learn that Inspector Rutledge was in the Great War and, as many before him have, he suffered 'shell shock'. He is hiding this and it is a heavy secret. One of the most unusual aspects of this series is that Inspector Rutledge has a friend or a voice who is with him almost constantly, Hamish MacLeod. A young Scotsman who plays a large part in this Inspector's history; now and then.

The Charles Todd duo's new mystery series is a must read for anyone who love English Mysteries and a thriller. A real find for me and recommended by a friend. Highly Recommended. prisrob 2-10-06

This book serves up all the elements that I love about this series: a brooding, tormented hero, mysteries within mysteries, isolated villages concealing secrets, and enigmatic new characters. Mrs. Channing is a terrific character and her parting shot is masterful. I hope she comes back in the next book.

"A Long Shadow," I think is definitely one of Charles Todd's more riveting offerings. Truth to tell (and I'm embarrassed to admit this), I was beginning to grow a little tired of Hamish's harsh, angry, taunting presence, and wondered how much longer I would be able to put up with it. Well, Hamish may be as harsh and as taunting as ever, but Charles Todd continues to write terribly atmospheric mystery novels that are both tantalising and riveting, so I rather think that I will be reading future installments for quite a while!

In this latest Ian Rutledge/Hamish mystery novel, Rutledge is sent to the remote village of Dudlington to investigate an assault on the village constable, Hensley (he was shot with a bow and arrow in Frith's Wood which is reputed to be haunted and which the villagers avoid). Who would want to shot Hensley and why? And why does Hensley have no memory of having entered the wood? Was he moved? Or is he lying? As Rutledge confronts these perplexing questions, he finds himself delving into an old missing persons case, that of young Emma Mason, a case that seems to have haunted Hensley. Unfortunately, however, it isn't just this strange assault on Hensley that is claiming Rutledge's attention. Rutledge is also being stalked by someone out to intimidate and menace him; and his stalker seems to have followed him to Dudlington! With his mind and attention pulled in so many directions, Rutledge can only hope that he doesn't let his guard down enough to allow his stalker to strike...

What I liked most about "A Long Shadow" was the atmosphere -- the bleak, gray and brown landscape that enveloped the village of Dudlington, as well as the menacing shadow of Frith Wood -- both authors did a wonderful job of incorporating these into the tone and mood of the book. And how wonderfully this little village contrasted with the colourful and jolly London dinner party that Rutledge and sister attend when the book opens! That is really setting up a study on contrasts! Also well done was how the characters, both secondary and primary were vividly portrayed -- these were characters that were so alive in their flaws and virtues, that they simply leaped out of the pages and came alive for all to appreciate. The pacing of "A Long Shadow" was a little sedate at first, as Rutledge tries to figure out the motive behind the assault on Hensley (and he does take a while to get to the bottom of things), but such the skill that was employed that one hardly even notices this. The pace does gather momentum as the plot unfolds and the tension also mounts quite palpably as Rutledge gathers himself to both confront the murderer and his stalker. So that even though there aren't that many shocking plot twists and turns, the suspense and intrigue is still there for all to enjoy and savour. All in all, I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and in spite of my doubts about Hamish, am definitely looking forward to the next Ian Rutledge/Hamish mystery novel.

I agree that this installment is not as enjoyable as others in the series. The two plot lines never seem to gel. However it did not stop me from continuing on with the series. If you enjoyed the novels preceding this one I encourage you to read on. Some of the more recent installments have better plot lines to keep the reader interested.

In 1919, someone murders the Dudlington constable as he apparently was investigating something in the nearby forest. Still haunted by severe guilt feelings about Corporal Hamish who he ordered executed for insubordination during WW I Rutledge is mentally more unstable than ever; on top of battle fatigue syndrome he also poorly copes with his recent investigation into a grisly mass murder (see A COLD TREACHERY). Still his police skills remains superb so he travels to the ends of world to investigate who shot an arrow into the constable's back.

The locals resent the outsider, but Rutledge still learns that a young girl recently vanished. He wonders if the disappearance and the homicide could be linked and seeks the connection. As he continues to dig for clues a woman claiming to be a psychic insists she can help his troubled soul as she asserts she can speak with the dead. Though he has doubts about her skills Rutledge leans towards trying to plead for forgiveness from Hamish. At the same time that the spiritualist has knocked him somewhat off his sleuthing game, an adversary plays cat and mouse with Rutledge, purposely leaving clues that suggest the culprit could kill the inspector at any time.

This is one of the best most haunting historical mystery series on the market today with the latest entry as powerful as the previous seven tales. Rutledge is an intriguing person struggling alone to deal with the haunting of his soul. The mystery is terrific and the insights into post WW I isolated northern England is insightful and vivid. However, as always it is the psychological look at a veteran unable to deal with what he did and saw during the war that makes Charles R. Todd's dark thriller a winner once again.

Harriet Klausner

As always, a very nicely crafted Ian Rutledge mystery. In this book, however, the author begins to make needed and well-timed transitions in his angst ridden main character. For the first time, the reader begins to see rather than a totally beaten man, a man who's strength is beginning to re-emerge. Ian actually snaps at Hamish showing the start of a change in their dynamic. Perhaps they will one day become a real team as they solve the myriad of crimes placed before them. For the first time, there is an inkling that Bowles is just the nasty, corrupt person we were hoping someone would notice that he is. Hope for vindication on some level looms large - so gratifying. And the reintroduction of a female character from the last book in Ian's thoughts is heartening...he is beginning to be ready to re-engage in emotion. The introduction of a very interesting and challenging female character in this book, one that struck me as open ended, was encouraging. If Rutledge can develop a relationship with a smart, intuitive, independent woman (a la Maisy Dobbs) we will begin to see the more three dimensional man we long for. Thanks to the author for his understanding that we are ready to see Inspector Ian Rutledge start to heal and for his pre-war personality to start to emerge. A superb read.

This is another in a series of stories involving the detecting skills of Scotland Yard's Ian Rutledge. Rutledge's major handicap is the auditory hallucinations from a Scots soldier whom Rutledge had ordered shot for cowardice. Basically there are 2 mysteries going on. One is a personal problem for Rutledge of being stalked and the other is solving what turns out to be a serial murder case. The solution to the second problem comes to the reader early and the solution to the first problem is disappointing. On a personal note, there is now a woman who is entering Rutledge's private life. It was entertaining, but not the strongest of the Ian Rutledge stories.