When a gaunt but well-dressed man confesses to an old murder, Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard finds that this case is anything but open and shut.
Scotland Yard Detective
Dining with the self-proclaimed murderer, Rutledge notices Wyatt Russell’s impeccable manners and self-deprecating comments about the terminal cancer eating away at him even as Rutledge attempts to close the case. When Russell’s body ends up in the river with a bullet wound, Rutledge’s interest requires him to pursue the leads quietly and without his superior.
Aided by the unfortunate sudden illness of the Yard’s Chief Superintendent, the unpopular Rutledge manages to fly under the radar more easily than usual, avoiding in-house politicking and intrigue.
North Sea English Village
Rutledge’s few leads come from Russell’s name and military record, leading him to spend his time in the secluded community which Russell lived near, although his social and economic status meant that he had few actual ties to the village and its inhabitants.
Although Rutledge lives in London and his welcome in the village consists of stares and an inn eager to get rid of him, there’s something about the self-sufficiency and solitary ways of the area that seems to resonate with the detective. While he remains in danger during long stretches, he seems to be the ideal detective to ferret out the truth of the dead man’s murder and the fiction behind the confession.
Charles Todd
Charles and Caroline Todd, writing as Charles Todd in both the Bess Crawford and Ian Rutledge series, continue to solidify Rutledge’s enigmatic presence as both haunting and painfully human. While Rutledge isn’t the one that a person might look forward to sharing a pint with at the pub, his tenacity and creativity prove valuable when it comes to digging up the pasts of murderers and liars.
Unexpectedly, Todd’s mystery in The Confession involves a painful triangle and a secret that the distrustful villagers prefer to keep far out of the sight of the Yard. Rutledge, bearing his own shameful history of shell shock and the accompaniment of one of his deceased soldiers, relies on pragmatism and discretion. Hamish’s disembodied presence seems less distracting for Rutledge, even occasionally warning him of danger as is his wont.
The Confession
Readers of the Charles Todd series and other early twentieth century historical mysteries should definitely pick up the 14th Ian Rutledge installment for a fantastic, even lovely, mystery.
Publisher’s Information
Todd, Charles, The Confession. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2012.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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