Ian Rutledge truly breaks my heart.

On the surface, he presents as an upper class British officer who has returned from the front after WWI to take up his position once again as an inspector at Scotland Yard. His appearance is that of a handsome and composed individual.

However, beneath this charming facade lies a man who is the ultimate casualty of a terrible war. He is tortured by his memories, constantly haunted by a decision he made in the heat of battle. To make matters worse, he has been abandoned by his fiancée.

Despite all this, Rutledge throws himself full force into solving the cases he is assigned. But instead of having a real partner or sidekick, he has only the ghostly specter of a dead colleague and brother-in-arms, Hamish McCleod, to assist him in sorting out the details.

His story is both smart and original, drawing the reader in and making them empathize with his pain and struggle.

I actually struggled with deciding whether I liked this book or not. I have enjoyed earlier books in the series and do find Ian Rutledge to be an engaging character.

I initially was inclined to give this book three stars but, on further thought, knocked off a star. This book does do some things well. I found the plot around Rutledge's stalker to be engaging. This provided the most suspense.

However, the main mystery here was not quite as engaging. For me, a major reason for this was that the series is becoming increasingly repetitive. Each book follows the same basic set-up. A crime is committed in a rural community and Rutledge has to venture out there alone to get the facts. He is faced with reluctant and suspicious citizens and an often hostile local police force. Meanwhile, he tries to deal with the sometimes helpful but often biting and sardonic voice of the dead Corporal Hamish McLeod. He is also trying to keep his grip on sanity and deal with his PTSD.

Many of those he encounters start to feel like the same characters from previous novels with their names changed, leading to a sense of déjà vu. As someone who finds the best fiction has strongly defined and engaging characters, this is a major problem. Some of the characters who have been in the series since its inception still seem to be one-dimensional. I take no pleasure writing this review, as I do believe the Todds (it's a mother and son duo) are good writers and can create interesting characters and stories.

I'm planning on giving this series one or two more books based on what I feel the authors do well. They show the impact of WWI on all aspects of British society, strongly evoke settings, and provide a vivid picture of Rutledge that draws my attention and makes me want to know what is going to happen to him.

In conclusion, let me suggest a setup that I would find more engaging for a future novel. Unfortunately, from a quick glimpse at some future novels this does not appear to have happened. Anyone is free to correct me on that. Here we go. Rutledge does not go off to a rural village alone and is forced to work closely with his colleagues in London on a massive complicated case. While trying to do this, he is still struggling with his PTSD and its associated symptoms, e.g. Hamish, claustrophobia, flashbacks etc. If he can't handle it he may be killed, get fired or be re-institutionalized. Just writing that description makes me excited for that novel.

It's difficult enough to investigate crimes without having a Scottish ghost by your side at every moment. But that's precisely the challenge Inspector Ian Rutledge faces each day after returning from the trenches at Sommes during WWI.

It seems that someone is stalking him, leaving empty shell casings for him to find, taking a shot at him while he's driving, and even perhaps trying to run him down in a stolen lorry.

But do these attempts on his life and the presence of the shell casing mean something else entirely? Is he being warned away from discovering the body of a missing teenage girl in Dudlington? And who is responsible for the rector's fall and shooting Constable Henley in the back with a poisoned arrow?

With tight-lipped villagers and an evil presence lurking in the nearby woods, there are long shadows indeed dogging Inspector Rutledge's every step as he endeavors to make sense of the plots, mysteries, and secrets that he's only just beginning to uncover.

As he delves deeper into the case, Rutledge finds himself caught in a web of deception and danger, not knowing who to trust or what to believe. Will he be able to solve the crimes and unmask the culprit before it's too late? Only time will tell.

I am going back and reading these novels in time order. Of course, I read the last one first. None of them is a disappointment. Some are just better than others.

This particular novel had a few too many characters for my taste. Additionally, the setting was not as well drawn and intriguing as some of the others have been. However, the resolution was well done and satisfying.

I am now looking forward to reading Ian's next adventure, which takes place in rural England. I can't wait to see what new challenges and experiences he will encounter in this different setting. It will be interesting to compare it to the previous novels and see how the author has developed the story and the characters.

I am sure that I will enjoy this next installment just as much as the others, despite the minor flaws in this one. I have become quite a fan of Ian's adventures and look forward to seeing where the author takes him next.

Another GREAT book by two of my favorite authors.

It is truly remarkable how easy it is to identify with Ian and his unwavering tenacity.

I find myself completely engrossed in the way his mind works, constantly coming up with ingenious solutions and strategies.

And of course, Hamish plays a crucial role in keeping him safe, their bond is both heartwarming and essential to the story.

The authors have once again managed to create a captivating world filled with complex characters and thrilling adventures.

I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in their next book.

This one is definitely a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone looking for an exciting and engaging story.

Inspector Rytledge has been dispatched to look into an assault on Constable Hensley.

Constable Hensley is a man who appears to be disliked and distrusted by all, and he has a rather murky past.

As Rutledge delves into the case, he also has to contend with a mysterious individual who keeps leaving menacing shell cases for him to discover.

The case surrounding Constable Hensley prompts him to investigate the disappearance of a beautiful young girl a few years ago. He senses a connection, despite the lack of any concrete proof.

This was a captivating mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely unable to guess the identity of the killer or how the case would ultimately be resolved.

It is truly one of the finest installments in the series.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all the Ian Rutledge books that I've had the pleasure of reading or listening to.

Each book in this series is a captivating mystery that keeps me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The character of Ian Rutledge is complex and fascinating, with his haunted past and inner turmoil adding an extra layer of depth to the stories.

The settings are vividly described, transporting me to different times and places in England. I love how the author weaves together the mystery plot with elements of history and social commentary.

Whether it's a murder investigation in a small village or a case that has far-reaching implications, the Ian Rutledge books always deliver an engaging and satisfying reading experience. I can't wait to discover more of these wonderful mysteries.

Charles Todd, the pen name of an American mother-and-son writing team (Caroline Todd, who passed away in 2021.08.28, and Charles Todd), has created the Inspector Ian Rutledge series.

Our hero, Inspector Ian Rutledge, is shell-shocked after WWI and constantly hears the voice of his dead corporal, Hamish McLeod, in his head. Their relationship evolves from antagonism to a form of partnership over the series.

Rutledge is like Rodney Dangerfield of Scotland Yard, getting no respect from his superiors, the public, or the local police he's sent to assist.

The stories don't necessarily have to be read in order. To understand the time and place of the stories better, there is a general area map for each book available at https://www.charlestoddmap.com/.

The series features various locations in the UK, such as Cornwall, Dorset, Scotland, Norfolk, Kent, Cumbria, Northamptonshire, and more. Each book has its own unique plot and characters, with some having exciting endings and others dealing with Rutledge's past and memories.

Simon Prebble is the highly regarded audio narrator for several books in the series. The series also includes short stories like "Cold Comfort" and "A Guid Soldier".

Overall, the Inspector Ian Rutledge series offers a captivating look at post-WWI England through the eyes of a troubled detective.

I truly enjoy this series.

In this particular book, Rutledge's relationship with Hamish takes on an even more remarkable dimension. It becomes not only strange but also quite funny.

At one point, Rutledge remarks to Hamish, "You'll be as dead as I am, if I'm wrong."

There are some long-reaching elements that seem to be initiated in this book.

These elements have piqued my curiosity to such an extent that I will soon be obtaining the next book in the series.

I am eager to discover what unfolds and how these elements develop further.

The anticipation is palpable, and I can't wait to continue delving into this captivating story.

The eighth Rutledge Mystery offers us a veritable treasure trove, giving at least three mysteries for the price of one. Ian has been stumbling upon machine gun casings in the most unexpected places, even on top of his own bed. It's as if someone is taunting him, leaving these ominous signs in his path. Then, to add to the drama, someone takes a shot at his motorcar, shattering the windshield and narrowly missing Ian himself. The danger is palpable, and Ian is left wondering who would want to harm him and why.

Adding to the mystery, an officer is found shot with a bow in a woods that has an evil reputation. When Ian is dispatched to investigate, the officer claims to have no memory of the event or how he ended up there. But strangely, Ian is invited to use the officer's home while in town. The officer's bedroom window overlooks the bedroom opposite, which is occupied by a girl who was raised by her grandmother but mysteriously disappeared three years ago. In this small town where gossip runs rampant, nobody seems willing to talk to Ian. The Innkeeper claims not to have a room for him in an otherwise empty Inn, and the local barkeep all but throws him out of the local pub.

To top it off, Ian wonders why a London cop with commendations would move to the sticks. As usual, Bowels expects a quick resolution to the case. Taunted that the Yard was expected to find a quick solution, Rutledge replies, “The Yard works with information. Apparently in Dudlington there’s none to be had.” It seems that Ian is in for a difficult and mysterious investigation in this small town.

This is the eighth adventure of Ian Rutledge, a “shell-shocked” World War I veteran. He has returned to his pre-war job at Scotland Yard, where he is tasked with investigating and solving murders. The books are set in 1919. Ian is not only dealing with the horrors of war that still haunt him but also with the literal ghost of a Scottish soldier, Hamish, who reported to him during his time in the trenches. Hamish is not just a fleeting presence but a constant character. After eight books, Hamish has become more than just tiresome; he is aggravating, much like a neighbor’s barking dog. Additionally, this series has become both stale and repetitive.

The authors, Charles Todd (a mother/son duo), follow a very similar outline for each of the Rutledge books. Although Ian is based in London, he spends little time there. His superior, a one-dimensional bureaucrat and blowhard, assigns him to cases in the English countryside. This suits the loner Ian just fine, as he hops into his “motor-car” and travels to a distant small village or hamlet to solve a murder.

When Ian arrives at his destination, he is always greeted with suspicion by the small-town folk. He drinks copious amounts of tea and sleeps little. He encounters an obvious red-herring, a member of the community who seems guilty but isn’t. And there is always a woman, usually a young widow, who kindles a romantic spark within him. Rutledge always solves the case just before he can truly fall in love and just in time for his superior to assign him to another case in another remote location.
And, of course, there is always Hamish the Obnoxious Ghost, yammering in his impenetrable Scottish burr in the background.
“A Long Shadow” follows this template. It differs from its predecessors in that the solution to the case, or rather cases, is incredibly weak, especially the identity of the murderer. Also, Rutledge has attracted a stalker in this book, the point of which I missed.
I was initially drawn to this series because it had all the elements I usually enjoy. However, to say that the Rutledge books are similar is an understatement. They are all essentially the same book. If you’ve read one, you’ve read them all.

This tale reaches back into the past,

unsettling and unmoored. It seems to drift in a sea of mystery and uncertainty.

The end is accounted for, and yet I never felt more sorry for Rutledge.

He leads a lonely life, with only a ghost to keep him company.

Day in and day out, he is haunted by the presence of this spectral being.

Perhaps it is a punishment for something he did or a reminder of a past he cannot escape.

Despite the company of the ghost, Rutledge still feels a profound sense of isolation.

He longs for human connection, for someone to understand his pain and share his burden.

But in this desolate existence, such a connection seems elusive.

The tale of Rutledge is a tragic one, a story of a man trapped between the living and the dead.

It leaves us with a sense of melancholy and a deep empathy for his plight.