Jud H. (trekie70) -
When 4 young ladies are accused of murder, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent to investigate after the first assigned inspector unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. What seems like an open and shut case soon proves to be anything but. The first inspector's notes are missing and despite what appears to be an eyewitness to the crime, there is no apparent motive and an abundance of contradictory evidence. The deeper Rutledge digs into the background of the accused, the more secrets began to be revealed. Rutledge soon finds himself in a race against time to find the true killer before he strikes again.
No Shred of Evidence by Charles Todd is a first class British mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Set in the years following WW I, Todd has done a yeoman's job of taking the reader back to the early 20th century, before computers and DNA, when investigating a murder mean hitting the streets instead of tapping on keys. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the 1920's British countryside where loyalties run deep and secrets are numerous. I won't be able to read the rest of the series fast enough and give this book 4/5 stars.
No Shred of Evidence by Charles Todd is a first class British mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Set in the years following WW I, Todd has done a yeoman's job of taking the reader back to the early 20th century, before computers and DNA, when investigating a murder mean hitting the streets instead of tapping on keys. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the 1920's British countryside where loyalties run deep and secrets are numerous. I won't be able to read the rest of the series fast enough and give this book 4/5 stars.
Carolyn A. (carolynalt) reviewed No Shred of Evidence (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 18) on + 36 more book reviews
All of Charles Todd's books are really good but this was one of my favorites. Two very different views of a "crime" and no way to know who was telling the truth. Excellent!!
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed No Shred of Evidence (Inspector Ian Rutledge, Bk 18) on + 1438 more book reviews
In this authentic period tale, Rutledge, battle scarred from engagements at the Somme, has returned to prewar work as a policeman. The death of Hamish, a sergeant he was forced to execute for failure to follow orders, continues to haunt him. While it's in his mind, what he hears as the ghost's voice, comments on his cases and actions. Rutledge comes late to this case because Inspector Barrington who was there first first died of a heart attack. Since Barrington's notes cannot be located, Rutledge must start from the beginning.
Four young women oaring on the canal attempt to rescue the banker's son, Harry Saunders, are instead accused to drowning him. Their attempts to rescue Saunders is aided by a farmer, Bradford Trevose, who dives in to help. Saunders dies and Trevose, who says he saw it all states that the women were trying to drown the man, not rescue him. Did he misunderstand what he saw or is he lying? It is up to Rutledge to untangle it all and decide who to believe. The lives of the four young women are at stake.
Four young women oaring on the canal attempt to rescue the banker's son, Harry Saunders, are instead accused to drowning him. Their attempts to rescue Saunders is aided by a farmer, Bradford Trevose, who dives in to help. Saunders dies and Trevose, who says he saw it all states that the women were trying to drown the man, not rescue him. Did he misunderstand what he saw or is he lying? It is up to Rutledge to untangle it all and decide who to believe. The lives of the four young women are at stake.
