annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
There are very few books that entrance me so thoroughly that I am compelled to go and buy the rest of the series before I've even finished the first one. This is a wonderful book and a wonderful series.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
A Test of Wills
4 Stars
In the aftermath of WWI, Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to investigate the murder of a decorated veteran, Colonel Charles Harris. Everyone in the area is surprised at the senseless crime, but as the secrets of the tiny Warwickshire village emerge, Rutledge comes to realize that still waters run deep and something dark and sinister is at work.
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries, the seemingly peaceful village atmosphere, the intriguing investigation and the compelling protagonist all make for an entertaining read.
Rutledge is a fascinating character. Suffering from shell-shock (PTSD in today’s terminology) as a result of his experiences in the trenches, he struggles to cope with his own demons as he exposes the secrets of the various villagers along with their motives for murder.
Each of the suspects is fleshed out well whether it be the Colonel’s enticing young ward with her bewitching eyes and lying tongue, or the famous flying ace who quarreled with the victim before his death, or the town troublemaker who bears a nasty grudge and is not adverse to spreading half truths. Not to mention the obsequious priest, or the talented young artist with a disturbing past, or the painfully shy girl whose afraid of her own shadow. All of them contribute to the dark and insidious vibe within the misleadingly quaint and peaceful village.
Although the story takes a while to get going as Rutledge interviews each of the suspects and works to gather evidence from the most unlikely of sources, the last few chapters are gripping and the finale is intense and exciting with an interesting twist or two.
In sum, a promising beginning to the series and I look forward to following Inspector Rutledge’s future investigations and learning more about his past.
4 Stars
In the aftermath of WWI, Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to investigate the murder of a decorated veteran, Colonel Charles Harris. Everyone in the area is surprised at the senseless crime, but as the secrets of the tiny Warwickshire village emerge, Rutledge comes to realize that still waters run deep and something dark and sinister is at work.
Reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries, the seemingly peaceful village atmosphere, the intriguing investigation and the compelling protagonist all make for an entertaining read.
Rutledge is a fascinating character. Suffering from shell-shock (PTSD in today’s terminology) as a result of his experiences in the trenches, he struggles to cope with his own demons as he exposes the secrets of the various villagers along with their motives for murder.
Each of the suspects is fleshed out well whether it be the Colonel’s enticing young ward with her bewitching eyes and lying tongue, or the famous flying ace who quarreled with the victim before his death, or the town troublemaker who bears a nasty grudge and is not adverse to spreading half truths. Not to mention the obsequious priest, or the talented young artist with a disturbing past, or the painfully shy girl whose afraid of her own shadow. All of them contribute to the dark and insidious vibe within the misleadingly quaint and peaceful village.
Although the story takes a while to get going as Rutledge interviews each of the suspects and works to gather evidence from the most unlikely of sources, the last few chapters are gripping and the finale is intense and exciting with an interesting twist or two.
In sum, a promising beginning to the series and I look forward to following Inspector Rutledge’s future investigations and learning more about his past.
deehaichess's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The first Charles Todd book, and the first of "his" I have ever read. I thought the premise sounded interesting, but the book was quite slow and I was frustrated by the way in which the main character seemed to just basically go back and forth asking the same questions of all the suspects with very little progress until the 75% mark, where suddenly, everything got quite fast and tense. From that point on the story was great right to the end! That 25% made me glad I hadn't abandoned it, and I think I will try at least 1 or 2 more of Todd's Inspector Rutlege books. I felt like this was a taste of the surgical precision with which the author (just discovered a second ago that the author is a pen-name for a mother-son writing team) dissected and critiqued Post War British society. There was a poem quoted in this book - brutal in its bitter examination of such and if that is the direction the rest of the books go in, I am all in.
Oh! Also, omg but this was another audiobook and the narrator (Samuel Giles) sounded a bit like he reading it in the style of Anthony Hopkins (and now I've said that, you won't be able to un-hear it). No shade on either actor but it was not really my thing.
Oh! Also, omg but this was another audiobook and the narrator (Samuel Giles) sounded a bit like he reading it in the style of Anthony Hopkins (and now I've said that, you won't be able to un-hear it). No shade on either actor but it was not really my thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Classism
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
2.0
Giving at least the first few books of this series a try. Not sold yet, but mainly because it's all so different from the Bess Crawford series. Not a bad thing in and of itself.
reasonpassion's review against another edition
Slow and methodical
I was surprisingly intrigued as I went through, then it began to slog down and then the ending came so swiftly I didn't know what to think. Rutledge's character is nuanced and complicated and the depth of human story is well done. I'm just not sure it's enticing enough to continue.
I was surprisingly intrigued as I went through, then it began to slog down and then the ending came so swiftly I didn't know what to think. Rutledge's character is nuanced and complicated and the depth of human story is well done. I'm just not sure it's enticing enough to continue.
ljstrain28's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 3.5! I liked it and want to read the next one.
annakim's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the mystery, even though I felt that the ending was a little rushed and a bit too convenient. Ian Rutledge is a promising detective who has his share of troubles (which fictional detective doesn't?), but his demons are a bit more personal.
dibot's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0