Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries

Scotland Yard's best detective, Inspector Ian Rutledge, must solve a dangerous case that reaches far into the past in this superb mystery in the acclaimed series. Declaring he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin five years earlier during the Great War. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man evades his questions, revealing only that he hails from a village east of London. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own. Less than two weeks later, the alleged killer's body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet in the back of his head. Searching for answers, Rutledge discovers that the dead man was not who he claimed to be. What was his real name-and who put a bullet in his head? Were the "confession" and his own death related? Or was there something else in the victim's past that led to his murder? The inspector's only clue is a gold locket, found around the dead man's neck, that leads back to Essex and an insular village whose occupants will do anything to protect themselves from notoriety, for notoriety brings the curious, and with the curious come change and an unwelcome spotlight on a centuries-old act of evil that even now can damn them all. "Todd once and for all establishes the shell-shocked Rutledge as the genre's most complex and fascinating detective." "There's both a pattern and a purpose to the superb historical mysteries produced by mother-and-son writing partners known as Charles Todd." "Consistently ingenious and atmospheric…Even given Todd's superlative track record, The Confession is a standout." "As with any good mystery, the tension ramps up as the story progresses, pulling more and more characters into the fray, weaving three murders flawlessly into a tight tale. Mr. Todd's characterization is his strength." "Set in 1920, Todd's excellent fourteenth mystery featuring Inspector Ian Rutledge offers an intriguing setup…The plot convolutions compel, but the book's main strength is its remarkable lead, who has survived the trench warfare of WWI and remains haunted by what the exigencies of the battlefield forced him to do." "Todd invests this absorbing fiction with creative storytelling (including intriguing subplots), memorable characters and graceful, seemingly effortless prose….This is fiction that moves, entertains, and as always, underscores life's victories over death." "Another excellent Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery....You follow a twisting road when you read this book. You won't soon forget your trip to Furnham and the people who may not be who they seem to be." "A deliciously intricate plot…will keep you enthralled and entranced to the end." "The Confession is in the historical mystery genre, but there is nothing musty about the Todds' approach to the past-it's another superb entry in one of the best continuing series in crime fiction." "While Rutledge shines as the stalwart detective wrestling with his personal demons, the compelling mystery of shameful secrets and revenge are what keep these pages turning. Highly recommended." "Todd serves up plenty of period detail and plot twists, but the real attraction here is Rutledge, a shrewd, dedicated detective grappling with the demons of his past." "Todd's masterful storytelling skills shine." "An intriguing mystery, the book finds its strength in the atmosphere, historic detail, and excellent characterization of Rutledge. Verdict: Simon Prebble's reading makes the characters believable, especially the tough guys." "The latest entry in the well-established Inspector Ian Rutledge series is read by Prebble, whose slightly aristocratic tones and distinctly British accent are perfect for this atmospheric historical mystery...Prebbl

Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates a possible attempted murder in this seasonal mystery novella from New York Times bestseller Charles Todd. December 1921: Being single and a new Chief, Inspector Rutledge of Scotland Yard gets the short straw at Christmastime and is called upon by Chief Superintendent Markum to go to the Kentish home of a lord recovering from an attempt on his life. In bed with a concussion, the man is convinced someone is trying to kill him after he claims he was struck by the hoof of a running horse whose rider never stopped to check on him. Struggling with his own demons from the war and misgivings about helping a man who, as a colonel, oversaw the suffering of those on the frontlines from afar, Rutledge undertakes an uneasy investigation. And as the winter holiday approaches, he becomes increasingly convinced that nothing is as it seems . . .