Legacy of the Dead (Inspector Ian Rutledge)

Slowly, slowly, slowly Charles Todd's story in "Legacy of the Dead" stretches to its conclusion. The extended suspense is almost intolerable. One is forced to keep reading. You may, however, find the ending a bit abrupt, but you'll understand it. If you're like me, you'll have to turn back to the very first chapter, which has stuck in your mind. By carefully rereading those few beginning pages, you'll also understand what you likely couldn't have understood before finishing the book. Meanwhile, a young woman hated and shunned by the prim inhabitants of a small English town near the Scottish border, finds herself accused of stealing a baby boy at birth and murdering the mother. Vicious rumors and letters have turned the town against her. Her refusal to defend herself makes a finding of guilt in the impending trial by town jury, a veritable certainty. The case seems hopeless; she will hang. A woman's bones have been found in the Scottish mountains. Are they of the murdered mother? English police have approached and angered a Lady Maude Gray about whether the bones might belong to her missing daughter, Eleanor. Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to investigate and "smooth troubled waters" with Lady Maude and between the English and Scottish jurisdictions. He becomes deeply involved with all the characters, including the accused. Rutledge's mental companion, Hamish, is more strongly present than in the earlier novels. We find out much more about the Scotland area Hamish came from and about the woman he left behind. We also learn more of Rutledge's background and his Scottish godfather, David Trevor, whose house Rutledge had frequently visited while growing up. The household is grieving the loss of David's son in the war. The characters are well drawn. Their conflicts are intriguing. The writing is superb.

This is a thoroughly satisfying mystery. We, who have come to think of Inspector Ian Rutledge as our friend and his shadow-companion Hamish as a benign but ubiquitous presence in Charles Todd's mysteries, are glad for this book. Herein, the author takes us North, first to meet a grande dame, Lady Maude, and then on to investigate a mystery that may or may not involve her missing daughter, Eleanor Gray. One gets a sense of the societal changes of the post W W I era, as one follows the investigation. Miss Gray lived a life that took full advantage of the strides that women were making as the 1920s began, and this was both a cause of concern for her incredibly wealthy, titled family, but also part of the reason why she went so long unsought. While in the North, Rutledge ventures into the borders of Scotland as he visits the father of his best friend - who died in the War - and this leads to complications that cause him to cross into the Highlands and Hamish's old stomping grounds. Whether he is ready or not to face those ghosts becomes part of the tale. Then, too, as the plot thickens, living reminders of Hamish become entwined in the mystery. Chief among them, Hamish's beloved and betrothed, Fiona MacDonald. Did Fiona have anything to do with Eleanor's disappearance? Even - perish the thought - Eleanor's murder? And if so, where pray tell is the body? As in the other Rutledge mysteries, the recent memory of W W I is like a mist that creeps into the investigation from time to time. There are some harrowing scenes out in nature that remind Rutledge that peacetime is as dangerous as wartime. All the while, the powers that be at Scotland Yard have thrown him into a nearly impossible case, where to succeed might spell his own disaster, if Lady Maude is not pleased with the outcome. Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge is bound to become one of the dozen or so classic mystery detectives. May Todd's faithful readership grow--and may many more books featuring Ian and Hamish come into being! One further thought. For those readers who are eager to find fault with the occasional non-British turn of phrase in these novels, perhaps you might choose, instead, to think if them as little "Ninas" inserted in the text as hidden clues to the authors' American background. After all, Nancy Astor and Jennie Jerome made their way in the UK. Why can't Todd! If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction

I recently learned in one of the trade magazines that Charles Todd is actually a mother-son writing team. No problem. From the outset, I've found this to be one of the most well-conceived, historically accurate series ever. The idea of a WW1 veteran tormented by the Scottish burring of comments and observations (inside his own head) of a solider he admired and respected, yet had to condemn to death on the battlefield shouldn't work. But it does. It's no small accomplishment; neither is the circuitous plotting and stunning characterizations-of even the most minor characters. Each book deals less with who-did-it and far more with why-did-s/he-do it; and the convoluted rationales of the central characters are never short of fascinating.What I found particularly enjoyable about Legacy Of The Dead was the meticulous detailing of the search for Eleanor Gray, missing for three years; as well as the identity of the child in possession of the heroine, Fiona MacDonald, who is imprisoned on a charge of murdering the nameless skeletal remains of a woman (who might or might not be Eleanor Gray). This is sleuthing at its best. I've loved each book in this series, and this latest met my every expectation. I recommend the series wholeheartedly.

Charles Todd's writing offers a whole new perspective to the horrors and the great losses endured in WWI. Ian Rutledge, the Scotland Yard Inspector exhibits the ability to continue on, no matter his personal suffering. The spirit to overcome roadblocks and succeed at finding truth has been present in all the Ian Rutledge series. The characterizations of individuals in another time and place give further appeal. All in all, I can't wait for the next opportunity to enter the Inspector's world.

In 1919 Scotland, World War I veteran, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates the death of Eleanor Gray, last seen three years ago. Apparently, the remains of a person, probably Eleanor, have been found on a mountainside near Duncarrick. The local police arrest Fiona MacDonald for murdering Eleanor.Ian knows he must carefully conduct his investigation so as not to affront the victim's mother Lady Maude Gray. At the same time, Ian feels stifled because the accused declines any defense even if it means her execution. With the ghost of Hamish MacLeod haunting his every step, Ian asks questions of anyone associated with the two women especially during the year of Eleanor's disappearance. Each step forward seems to lead to detours from the truth as an unknown puppet master manipulates behind the scenes.In his fourth appearance, Rutledge has become a complete character so that readers can fully understand him and through his mind MacLeod. In turn, the audience also obtains a feel for the impact of World War I especially on the immediate decade that followed. LEGACY OF DEAD is a powerful entry in a strong series as Charles Todd continues his intelligent writing that assumes his followers are shrewd and perceptive individuals. This novel is a dazzling historical police procedural that will send new fans searching for the three antecedent books.Harriet Klausner