A dangerous case with ties leading back to the battlefields of World War I dredges up dark memories for Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge in Hunting Shadows, a gripping and atmospheric historical mystery set in 1920s England, from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd.
A society wedding at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire becomes a crime scene when a man is murdered. After another body is found, the baffled local constabulary turns to Scotland Yard. Though the second crime had a witness, her description of the killer is so strange its unbelievable.
Despite his experience, Inspector Ian Rutledge has few answers of his own. The victims are so different that there is no rhyme or reason to their deaths. Nothing logically seems to connect them--except the killer. As the investigation widens, a clear suspect emerges. But for Rutledge, the facts still don't add up, leaving him to question his own judgment.
In going over the details of the case, Rutledge is reminded of a dark episode he witnessed in the war. While the memory could lead him to the truth, it also raises a prickly dilemma. To stop a murderer, will the ethical detective choose to follow the letter--or the spirit--of the law?
About the Author :
Charles Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries, the Bess Crawford mysteries, and two stand-alone novels. A mother-and-son writing team, Caroline passed away in August 2021 and Charles lives in Florida.
Simon Prebble has worked extensively on British and American television as both actor and narrator.
Review :
"Hunting Shadows is another winner from this mother-and-son writing team. Strong atmosphere and a complicated mystery make this book one that readers won't be able to put down. Set in England after WW I, both the history and atmosphere of the time are perfectly balanced. The devastating loss of so many soldiers and the physical and emotional crippling of the men who returned from war--such as Rutledge, who suffers from what we now call PTSD--permeate the story."
-- "RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars)"
"As always, the North Carolina-based mother and son who write under the pseudonym Charles Todd do a beautiful job with the period detail, making these books a nostalgic outing to England between the world wars."
-- "Raleigh News & Observer"
"Elusive clues, suspense and excellent writing make for reading pleasure."
-- "Oklahoma City Oklahoman"
"It's the summer of 1920, and Scotland Yard's Inspector Ian Rutledge has a tricky case on his hands...There are a lot of questions, but perhaps the most pressing is whether Rutledge's memories of war, sparked by these recent murders, are distracting annoyances or the key to solving the case. Another well-written, well-plotted entry in this always engaging mystery series."
-- "Booklist"
"Of all the places where Inspector Ian Rutledge's Scotland Yard assignments have taken him, the desolate Fen country must surely be the eeriest. [This is an] excellent historical series."
-- "New York Times Book Review"
"Readers who stick with the chase...should be enthralled, as Rutledge sorts through a fascinating portrait gallery of witnesses and suspects, most of whom aren't telling him the whole truth."
-- "Wilmington News Journal"
"Tricky plotting and rich atmospherics distinguish [Hunting Shadows]...Todd has rarely been better."
-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
