Helpful Score: 4
After the Great War was over, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge returns to his old job with lots of "left over" problems from the war. Rutledge is tormented by what he has seen and done on the battlefields of France. Even though he has just returned, he is
thrown immediately into the case of the murder of a popular colonel by a decorated war hero. His Scotland Yard boss is hoping to ruin Rutledge's career by giving him a case that is a personal and political minefield. The horrors of WWI and its aftermath on survivors is very well described. Described as "shell shocked", Rutledge carries in his mind the voice Hamish MacLeod,a dead Scots soldier, who is all too real and cannot be forgotten.
This book and the entire series is well written, well crafted, and a true delight.
thrown immediately into the case of the murder of a popular colonel by a decorated war hero. His Scotland Yard boss is hoping to ruin Rutledge's career by giving him a case that is a personal and political minefield. The horrors of WWI and its aftermath on survivors is very well described. Described as "shell shocked", Rutledge carries in his mind the voice Hamish MacLeod,a dead Scots soldier, who is all too real and cannot be forgotten.
This book and the entire series is well written, well crafted, and a true delight.
Cindy R. (dominionfamily) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is Charles Todd's first Ian Rutledge novel. I was especially looking forward to reading a novel placed in the time frame immediately following WWI. For the Anglophile this book does the trick. The characters are richly drawn and the story compelling. I am definitely planning on reading further Ian Rutledge mysteries after spending a dreary February day reading this good read.
Helpful Score: 2
Both unusual and remarkable. I'm not usually a detective/mystery fan but this one is so much more. Set in post World War I small-village England, the tale has both nothing and everything to do with that war. Remained a psychological and sophistocated puzzle until the end.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent story of a post WWI army veteran returning to his pre-war role of policeman. As good as anything by Anne Perry.
Jud H. (trekie70) -
This is the introduction to Inspector Ian Rutledge, a veteran of the Great War who has just come home. His first case back takes him to a small village, where the guardian of a soon to be married young lady has been murdered. Rutledge must work thru his personal demons if he is going to stay on the job and show his bosses he hasn't lost his skills.
Terrific! Great detecting. The main character has returned from WWI with a few problems, and because of what he's gone thru, he manages to read the people he is involved with quite well. He has a tag-along Scot who is dead, but Ian has learned to deal with him too as part of his "shell shock." I'll read more.
Margaret H. (ExPeruanista) -
Wretched book with a badly handled plot device (Hamish) and a flimsy and unconvincing ending with at least one gigantic hole in it. I'm glad I read the library's copy and didn't waste money or a PBS credit on it. I am sorry I bothered to finish it, but friends had recommended it highly.
I enjoyed it and will read more of this author's work.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 1710 more book reviews
I was slow to get into this story and connecting with Ian Rutledge, don't know why but just that way for me. He does grow on you and you get into his rhythm of investigating.
I will try the next couple books in the series since he got is groove back so to speak at the end and is looking forward to continuing his job at the Yard.
He is suffering from "shell shock" or as we call it now PTSD and is applying what he learned in the clinic to functioning back in real life.
Also looking forward to seeing what is boss is actually up to and why he is against him.
I will try the next couple books in the series since he got is groove back so to speak at the end and is looking forward to continuing his job at the Yard.
He is suffering from "shell shock" or as we call it now PTSD and is applying what he learned in the clinic to functioning back in real life.
Also looking forward to seeing what is boss is actually up to and why he is against him.
Cindy T. (biker-girl) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
I loved this book! Great series - can't believe I had never come across it before.
The first in a very solid series. If you like stories set in the aftermath of WWI, you'll like this one a lot.
Linda L. (lakelinda) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 108 more book reviews
The FIRST in this award winning series. NYT Notable book - 100 best mysteries of the century. British location, intricate plotting and post WWI era make this a great read. I really liked it (Can you tell!)! and will be going on the read the rest of the series.
Nicole K. (nicoleodeon) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
A great fun read with a twist. Kind of "Downton Abbey meets a less quirky Sherlock Holmes". Enjoyed it. Like that it is a series. I will be reading the others.
Bonnie S. (HikingNurse) reviewed A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 1) on + 63 more book reviews
Like the time period after WW1. Troubled inspector of Scotland yard solves mystery. I plan to read more from this series. Liked the characters and storyline.
Edward C. S. (ed) -
book # one in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series. This is a well crafted mystery and psychological drama set in post WWI England. If you like well written "intelligent" mysteries. then rea this one.
Read it for my book club and enjoyed it very much
Karen S. (BoysMom) -
This ISBN is NOT a large print book as indicated above. It appears this description was lifted in its entirety from the LARGE PRINT edition. This is a regular sized typeface.
