Watchers of Time

Not one of the best Inspector Rutledge mysteries to date, I'm afraid. As with 'Wings of Fire', the pace is too slack and the mood overly introspective to sustain interest in the crime being investigated. I was intrigued by the initial premise - a priest is murdered after hearing the deathbed confession of a man who knows too much about the apparent death of a woman on the Titanic - but the story didn't deliver. The connection with the doomed liner is tenuous to say the least, and there isn't enough tension in the case of the dead woman tying all the threads together. I just didn't care, especially after having to plough through half of the book before anything happened. Rutledge spends the first two hundred pages revisting three points show more of an eternal triangle - rectory, vicarage and hotel dining room - and asking the same witnesses increasingly desperate questions!

The one vital development of this novel is actually Rutledge's health, both mental and physical. After meeting another shell-shocked veteran of the War - the scene where he leads the traumatised soldier out of a crowded pub is very emotional - and a woman with troubles of her own, the Inspector almost has a nervous breakdown. Instead of improving with time, the events of the previous novel have carried over as an additional burden, and Hamish's voice becomes louder and more critical of Rutledge's thoughts and actions. In fact, Hamish is very nearly a separate personality in this story, with Rutledge barely able to maintain his self-control on a couple of occasions. (I keep waiting for someone to catch him talking to himself!)

On a trivial note, because the mystery was less than arresting in this case, I do wish these books could be re-edited and released for the UK market - it's not the American spelling that bothers me, but when words like 'sweater' start creeping into a novel set in post-WW1 England. I keep imagining farmers' wives dressed in Gap hoodies! 'Jumper' or 'cardigan', please. And on the same level, the word is 'barmy', meaning crazy or angry, not 'balmy'.

Nitpicking aside, Charles Todd's attention to historical and cultural detail is beautifully consistent, and I almost feel I was there in Norfolk with Rutledge. The Inspector is that rare type of fictional detective whose private life is more than just a 'hook' to sell another mystery series, though, and I shall definitely keep reading. show less

This is one of my favorites in the Rutledge series, perhaps - pace AdonisGuilfoyle - because it's more introspective. I think it has an extra helping of English county life in it - I really enjoy that, and being not from England can only hope it's pretty accurate. Granted the pace may be slower, but this story kept my interest stoked all the way through. Probably a more tenuous plot, but I read mysteries for the characters, the suspense and the atmosphere more than for the ultimate in realistic plots.

As always, Charles Todd writes an atmospheric thriller, taking place in England shortly after the first World war. Scotland Yard investigator Ian Rutledge is sent to the village of Osterly, a tightly knit community on the Norfolk coast. to investigate the brutal murder of the village priest. Rutledge is a fragile ex-soldier still suffering from shell shock, and hearing the voice of Hamish MacLeod, a Scottish soldier Rutledge was forced to execute in the trenches.
The local police have a suspect and want to close the case but Rutledge is not convinced. The village gradually reveals its secrets and Rutledge uncovers a chain of sinister events that lead to the startling conclusion.

Highly recommended.

The further along I get into this series, the more I love the plots. You really need to read these in order as there are many references to past plots that will be missed if you haven't. I must say that these aren't as easy to figure out as most murder mysteries!

The more I read about Ian Rutledge and Hamish the more I am enjoying the character(s) and can only hope that both find peace at the end of however many books they appear in (23 as of now). A really enjoyable read and a nice break from heavier stuff I normally read. Far from light and fluffy but not as deep/dark as Sansom. On to book 6!

Synopsis: Rutledge, recovering from a gun shot wound, is sent to reassure a Monsignor that the murder of a priest is being handled appropriately by the local authorities. However, he finds that there is a lot more to this murder than the easy answer of a traveling strong man looking for money. The murder actually ties back to a woman who was presumed drowned on the Titanic.
Review: This is another page-turner, but I'm beginning to see a bit of a prescription to Todd's writing.

This was a pleasant little mystery. It felt dated, due to the fact that it took place
after WWI, and there are often references to same. This is the fifth book in the series,
and one that was easily available from the library as an ebook.

The Poor Inspector was in a bad way, but still managed to muddle through and
put together the answers to bring a criminal to justice. He was aided in this
endeavor by Hamish, the voice in his head ( and his back seat).

I felt it was a little too descriptive here and there, not getting to the point
quickly enough. I am not sure that I like Rutledge himself, but think that I
will most likely read a more recent offering to see if my opinion changes. I liked
it enough, in other words to give him another chance show more sometime. show less