If a movie is going to be made from these books - this should be the one!! This book is an outstanding mystery that keeps the reader guessing right until the very last chapter. It's yet another one of my favorite Ian Rutledge books.

A mystery solved without CSI!! The book progresses at a steady pace - and whenever I think it could have gone quicker, I realize that the story takes place in 1919 and there is no CSI. They couldn't even take a fingerprint. I was surprised that it could be determined that someone was poisoned!!

The one annoying thing - is that it is very obvious that the book was not written by an Englishman - because the word honor is Americanized. Other than that - you can almost hear the accent and envision the English countryside.

This is my favorite Ian Rutledge book. By this point, he has become a well-established detective.

Things I love:

-\\tUsing people’s body language to obtain information

-\\tShort chapters

-\\tSmall town characters

-\\tIan Rutledge’s use of gossips

This book begins the “romance” of Ian and Meredith Channing.

BEST USE OF: Tea and lots of it!! Hot tea, cold tea, sweet tea, poisoned tea – I had to have tea while reading this book!!

ALPHA MALE Ian is an 8 in this book

SPUNKY HEROINE Meredith Channing is the only heroine and she is a 10

IMPLIED SEX 0

HEA(HAPPILY EVER AFTER) No one is HEA in an Ian Rutledge mystery

PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE None

Rating System

10 – Perfect – one of my favorites – a keeper forever

Heat Level

0 – You couldn’t even start a fire with this book!!

COVER COVERS IT: ok - a picture of a long shadow - got it. Who's shadow. And the use of the word shadow - has nothing to do with an actual person's shadow.

HOLLYWOOD CALLING: Oh please make a movie or TV series of this book series.

Oh, Inspector Rutledge, you troubled, haunted man.

His trauma from the war is like a shadow that follows him everywhere, permeating every aspect of his life. It affects his job, his relationships, and even his thoughts.

Despite this, he refuses to let it defeat him. He fights it with every ounce of strength he has, right alongside the cases he's working on.

It's truly heart-wrenching to see him struggle like this, but at the same time, it's inspiring. His determination and courage in the face of such adversity are what make him such a great character.

The author has done an excellent job of bringing him to life on the page. You can feel his pain, his confusion, and his hope. It's a masterful piece of writing that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

Tormented Inspector, 11 Feb 2006

"I don't want you to die," she said bluntly. "I've seen enough of death and destruction. I want to hold my séances and bring back dead kings and silly jesters and the ghost of Hamlet's father. There is no harm in that and it makes people laugh. And, it keeps my mind from dwelling on what it should not be remembering. You were the soldier, Inspector but I put soldiers back together. Or tried to help others do that. I don't know which is worse."
In the New Year of 1919, Scotland Yard's Inspector Rutledge attended a dinner party with his sister. As he was leaving the party to answer an urgent call, he discovered a spent brass cartridge casing. Later, he found another. What do these spent cartridges portend, and why should we care?
Inspector Rutledge was dispatched by his superiors to a small hamlet called Dudlington to investigate the attempted murder of an ex-inspector Hensley. Upon his arrival, Inspector Rutledge sensed an odd atmosphere, which he suspected was a premonition of what was to come. The hamlet was suspicious of this Scotland Yard man and not as hospitable as they might have been. However, as events unfolded, Inspector Ian Rutledge made a name for himself, and the townspeople began to believe that perhaps this man could solve some of the mysteries that had just begun. A young girl was missing, and their constable had been attacked. Mrs Charlston, a soldier with misfortunes, a pub owner, and others all came into play, and Inspector Ian Rutledge would piece together the clues and then determine who might be stalking him.
Charles Todd is the mother/son team of Charles and Caroline Todd. The Inspector Rutledge mysteries are set in post-World War I England. "A Long Shadow" is the eighth novel for this team. In the previous seven novels, we learned that Inspector Rutledge served in the Great War and, like many before him, suffered from'shell shock'. He is concealing this, and it is a heavy secret. One of the most unusual aspects of this series is that Inspector Rutledge has a friend or a voice, Hamish MacLeod, who is almost constantly with him. A young Scotsman who plays a significant role in this inspector's history, now and then.
The Charles Todd duo's new mystery series is a must-read for anyone who loves English mysteries and thrillers. It was a real find for me, recommended by a friend. Highly recommended. prisrob 2-10-06

This story of Inspector Rutledge is filled with intrigue and mystery. The setting of post-war England adds a layer of authenticity and atmosphere. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The addition of Hamish MacLeod as a constant presence in Rutledge's mind adds an interesting psychological element to the story. The author does a great job of building suspense and keeping the reader guessing until the very end. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable and engaging mystery series that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

4.5 stars

I just absolutely adored this book in the series! It was truly a delight to read. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them. They are such wonderful sources of entertainment. The stories are engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the plots are full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Each book builds upon the previous ones, creating a rich and immersive world that you can't help but get lost in. I can't wait to see what comes next in this amazing series. It's definitely one of my favorites and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

It is New Year’s Eve in London in 1919. Ian Rutledge, accompanied by his sister Frances, attends a celebratory dinner at Maryanne Browning’s home. Responding to her urging to re-enter life after his war return, he realizes he must make an effort. However, after dinner, when he learns the entertainment will be a séance by popular medium Mrs. Meredith Channing, he panics. Haunted by the voice of Corporal Hamish Macleod, whom he executed during the Somme battle, he fears others will discover his secret.

Using business at Scotland Yard as an excuse, he flees before the séance begins. Outside, on the steps of the Browning home, he finds an empty brass shell casing from a Maxim machine gun. Intricately cut with the form of delicate poppies, he pockets it and continues on his way. As he heads to his next case, the murder of a police constable in Dudlington, he discovers more shell casings placed for him to find. He senses he is being stalked and takes them as a threat.

Arriving in Dudlington, he finds the villagers uncomfortable with his presence. Hemsley, the injured constable, insists he was not in the haunted Firth Wood when shot but on the main road. The village is unfriendly, and Rutledge struggles to get information. He believes the attack on Hemsley is connected to the disappearance of Emma Mason, but the villagers hold secrets and obstruct his investigation.

During his stay, Rutledge experiences several attempts on his life. He wonders why Chief Constable Bowles sent him to Dudlington and if it’s related to Hemsley’s past with Bowles. The author, the mother/son team of Mary and Charles Todd, creates a dark and moody atmosphere. The voice of Hamish evolves into an imaginary partner and protector for Rutledge. The novel also features great characters like Meredith Channing and Mary Ellison.

As the investigation progresses, Rutledge is confused until suddenly the pieces start to fit. The mystery, filled with intrigue, envy, revenge, and murder, keeps readers guessing until the end. It’s a solid addition to the series.

2.5 stars.

I DNF (Did Not Finish) this book when it had only 14 pages left to complete. It was from Scribd.com, which provided the English text, along with a translation for Portuguese and an audio in English from Google Translate.

I am continuing my Project of Learning English by myself. This has been an interesting journey so far. I have been exploring different resources like this book to improve my language skills.

Although I didn't finish this particular book, I still gained some valuable insights and exposure to new vocabulary and sentence structures. The combination of the English text, Portuguese translation, and audio has been quite helpful in understanding the content better.

I look forward to continuing my self-learning process and discovering more great resources to enhance my English proficiency.

This is a truly great series.

It has captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world.

The storylines are engaging, filled with excitement, drama, and unexpected twists.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and backstories.

The production values are top-notch, with stunning visuals and a great soundtrack.

Whether you're a fan of action, adventure, or drama, this series has something for everyone.

It's no wonder that it has become so popular and has received critical acclaim.

If you haven't checked it out yet, you're missing out on a truly amazing viewing experience.

Give it a try and see for yourself why this series is so great.

A LONG SHADOW (Police Procedural-England-1919) – VG
Todd, Charles – 8th in series
William Morrow, 2006-Hardcover

Inspector Ian Rutledge, a tormented soul still haunted by his past and the persistent spirit of Hamish, finds himself in a strange and disturbing situation. Cartridge shells, etched with poppies, are being left for him, first in London and then even after he is dispatched to a remote country village. In this village, local Constable Hensley has been brutally shot in the back with an arrow and left in a wood that is shunned by the locals. Rutledge can't help but wonder if this attack is a form of revenge and somehow associated with the disappearance of Emma Mason, a young local woman.

This is not your typical, fast-paced procedural. Instead, it is a dogged, painstaking investigation by Rutledge, who feels a deep responsibility to stand for the dead. He is a complex and realistically drawn character, with his past and the profound impact of WWI playing a major role in his present. The supporting characters are equally strong, each with their own rich history that is skillfully woven together to create an atmospheric story. The sense of place is excellent, the suspense is very good, and there are unexpected twists at the end that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Highly recommended, but it is advisable to start with the first book in the series to fully appreciate the development of the characters and the story arc.

AROUND THE WORLD OF CRIME AND MYSTERY

USA - 2007 - I am the proud owner of this book and was all set to read "A False Mirror". However, the blurb of that "Mirror" book mentions Rutledge meeting someone from his past. Since not everything was explained in "Shadow", I decided to take another plunge into "Long Shadow" first. Moreover, in my initial review (below), I stated that this feels like two books, so perhaps it continues with "Mirror".

CAST - 4 stars: Rutledge and his alter ego, Hamish, are truly captivating. The novel commences with a seance led by the very mysterious Mrs. Channing, and Ian is petrified that Hamish will make an appearance. Mrs. Ellison is the town snob, and Emma is her granddaughter who vanished at the age of 17. Mr. Keaton is an unfriendly pub owner. Why is he so unfriendly? Constable Hensley is shot in the back with an arrow in an impossibly dense wooded area. Grace Letteridge is heartbroken. A 16-year-old boy keeps blabbering about a dead soldier in said woods. It's a very interesting cast indeed.

ATMOSPHERE - 4 stars: It starts with a seance, setting a spooky tone. Then there's Firth's Wood, a haunted darkness that looms over the town. The town is afraid, living on the edge of mystery and danger.

PLOT - 4: This one has an intriguing structure. Three characters are severely harmed, and one or more may already be dead. Death itself remains mostly out of sight, adding to the mystery.
INVESTIGATION - 2: The plot requires Rutledge to live in a house without a lock. Someone is coming and going at odd hours, yet he doesn't put a lock on the door. If he did, an important part of the plot wouldn't work. I would definitely lock up! And just when Rutledge needs to ask THE crucial question, he has to go climb a bell tower or something. It can be quite irritating at times. But many crime authors are guilty of such plot devices.
RESOLUTION - 3: There are resolutions for some, but not for Ian. It seems this story may continue in the next installment.
SUMMARY - 3.4 stars. I'm eagerly looking forward to Rutledge #9 as I believe it could be a continuation of this captivating story.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Inspector Rutledge, arguably, represents all veterans returning from war. Some have terrible memories they can cope with, some have memories that haunt them every hour (like Rutledge), and some even drift into insanity. There are creepy scenes in this book. Rutledge attends a seance, there's a discovery he refuses to view, and at the end, he comes face to face with what could potentially be his own destiny. I'm reading these books in order, and this one could have been much better if it had been split into two novels. Are publishers once again basing their payments on page or word count? After all, I don't mind a 175-page Dame Christie or M.C. Beaton at all (although neither of them explored a character as psychologically shattered as Rutledge).

A truly sad tale unfolds, centering around lonely individuals bound together by secrets and the excruciating pain of war and disillusionment.

It all converges in a small town where a constable has been shot with a bow and arrow in a haunted forest. Some whisper that he was in search of the grave of a young woman who vanished three years prior.

It falls upon Inspector Ian Rutledge to untangle the mystery. Why was the constable shot? What became of the young woman? And why has someone been leaving empty rifle cartridges for him?

Rutledge is not only haunted by the unknown but also fears what might be revealed. He endures great pain and suffering, tortured by what could have been and what the future might hold.

This is a solid piece of storytelling from two masters. The character of Rutledge will grip your attention and linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page.

It's a tale that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of mystery, pain, and the search for truth in a world filled with darkness and uncertainty.

A Long Shadow by Charles Todd is an outstanding who-dun-it.

Set in post-war England in 1919, Inspector Ian Rutledge is tasked with uncovering the identity of the person who was shot with a bow and arrow in the woods. As he delves into this case, he stumbles upon another mystery - the disappearance of a young girl three years earlier.

While attempting to solve both mysteries, Rutledge discovers that he is being stalked. Casings from a gun are being left for him, along with a trail of spent bullets, serving as a reminder of the haunting war.

To make matters worse, his own personal demons from the war are starting to drive him to the brink of madness.

This book is a great read for those who have a passion for murder and mystery. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns, and the complex characters add an extra layer of depth to the story.

If you're looking for a thrilling and engaging mystery, A Long Shadow is definitely worth checking out.

The Best of the Series



Without a doubt, this is my favorite Inspector Rutledge book. It is truly the most creepy one as well. The story is extremely well crafted, delving into murders that took place over a span of almost 40 years. The author has done an excellent job of weaving together the details and events from different time periods, creating a complex and engaging narrative. What makes this book even more captivating is that it leaves one last character mysterious right until the very end. You keep reading, hoping to uncover the truth about this enigmatic figure, but the author skillfully withholds the information, building up the suspense. It's a masterful work that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.