First of all, it must be said that if there is a Tourist Board or Bureau in the Northampton area, they surely cannot be pleased after reading this book.

The locals here are insular, often bordering on or truly being rude, nasty, and unhelpful to Inspector Rutledge. They are just generally jerks. The vicar is the only exception.

Furthermore, the landscape, at least in the winter, is bleak. Come to think of it, a lot of the locals seem pretty bleak too.

That being said, there are multiple mysteries in this story. One involves the village where a former Scotland Yard constable has been shot, and the other involves someone stalking Rutledge.

As is typical in the Rutledge series, these multiple mysteries are intertwined. And there is the usual attractive woman, this one perhaps with some psychic powers.

I have read the first 8 books in order, with this being the eighth. And I have to tell you: part of me wishes Rutledge would get involved with one of the many women he has encountered, as long as the woman is willing, unmarried, and so on. But that would have unknown consequences with Hamish.

There is also the usual very quick and brief denouement, seemingly just a few paragraphs at most. Yes, the questions are answered, but I think many readers would appreciate a bit more detail.

Also as usual, the villain is very well disguised among other possible bad guys or gals. That's okay with me - I don't try to guess who it is - but those who do might get frustrated.

Anyway, it's on to book 9!

This is yet another exquisitely crafted who-done-it within the Inspector Ian Rutledge series.

The story unfolds with a complex web of mystery and intrigue. Inspector Rutledge, a seasoned detective with a sharp mind and a haunted past, is once again thrust into the middle of a puzzling case.

As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a series of clues that lead him down a twisting path. The characters in the story are richly developed, each with their own motives and secrets.

The author's skillful writing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, guessing until the very end. With its atmospheric setting and engaging plot, this installment of the Inspector Ian Rutledge series is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

Very good. I'm not certain where precisely in England we were this time around. However, it was undeniably a cold and dreary location.

I had absolutely no clue "who done it" throughout. There was a bit of a loose end in the previous book that this one neatly snipped off. I'm not going to dwell on that. Besides the murder, there was a side story about a stalker. I thought this was extraneous, confusing, and highly distracting. It added nothing at all to the overall plot.

There was also a female character with ESP, which I felt was equally unnecessary. On the other hand, Hamish did an excellent job of being the watchdog. But after the murderer was finally revealed, I still felt that there were several things that were left unexplained and unresolved.

Another Ian Rutledge murder mystery by two of my favorite mystery writers.

This latest installment in the series is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story follows Ian Rutledge as he investigates a new murder case that has shaken the small town.

With his sharp intellect and keen sense of observation, Rutledge delves deep into the lives of the suspects, uncovering secrets and motives along the way.

The authors do an excellent job of creating a vivid and atmospheric setting, making readers feel as if they are right there in the midst of the investigation.

The characters are well-developed and complex, adding depth and dimension to the story.

As always, the mystery is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

If you're a fan of mystery novels, this Ian Rutledge murder mystery is a must-read.

Another truly delightful read comes from the talented mother and son team known as Charles Todd.

In Dudlington, there is a constable, a former Scotland Yard Inspector in London who was unfortunately embroiled in a scandalous arson case where a man lost his life. This constable was then shot in the back in Dudlington’s Firth of Wood by an assailant armed with a bow and arrow. Inspector Rutledge is tasked with handling this case.

Surprisingly, the case proves to be much wider and deeper than initially suspected. It is far more complex and treacherous, presenting numerous challenges for Inspector Rutledge.

Just like in the other books of this series, the writing style is clean and engaging, making the pages turn effortlessly. Through this story, readers also gain a wealth of knowledge about post-WWI England, particularly in rural areas.

Overall, this book earns 4 stars and is highly recommended reading for those who enjoy mystery and historical fiction.

This mystery is really good!

It's so engaging that it keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you want to turn the page continuously.

The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

The author has done a great job of creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, making it impossible to put the book down.

Whether you're a fan of mysteries or just looking for a good read, this one is definitely worth checking out.

You'll be hooked from the first page and won't be able to stop until you've solved the mystery.

So, grab a copy and get ready for a thrilling ride!

Each book in this remarkable series has managed to outshine the previous one, and the last three have truly been outstanding.

However, I firmly believe that this particular installment is the one I hold dearest. It presents not just one, but three excellent mysteries.

Someone has shockingly shot a local constable in the back with an arrow. This is no ordinary constable; he was especially close to Rutledge's much-despised boss, Chief Inspector Bowles.

Rutledge is promptly dispatched to uncover the identity of the culprit. But as he delves deeper, he stumbles upon a completely different mystery - the mysterious disappearance of a young girl from the very same village.

Rutledge's instincts strongly suggest that the two cases are somehow intertwined.

Meanwhile, there are clear indications that someone is stalking Rutledge. Shell casings from a particular gun used in the war keep turning up, adding an element of mystery and danger.

And to make matters even more complex, a woman who conducts seances for those seeking to communicate with the dead keeps showing up to "help" Rutledge.

All these elements come together to form an excellent and captivating story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

I've read up to this #8 in the series. It's an interesting time, post WWI in the UK.

Our hero is a war vet suffering from PTSD, which is personified by the dead Scotsman Hamish, who takes up space in Rutledge's brain and the back seat of his car. I'm not always certain how I feel about Hamish.

This title has numerous narratives. There's a former London policeman now in Northamptonshire (where the first of my family's emigres lived, so there's kind of a connection). He was shot in the back with an arrow while in the deep of a locally feared woods. That's one storyline. Rutledge is sent to investigate.

But then there's a stalker leaving Rutledge a gift of rifle shells. Is it a warning? A threat? And then there's the 5-year-old mystery of a young girl from this very same village. The multiple plotlines add depth and complexity to the story, making it a captivating read.

I'm eager to see how all these threads will come together and how Rutledge will deal with his PTSD and the various mysteries and threats that come his way.

Another complex plot unfolds, captivating our attention as we join Ian Rutledge in considering one likely candidate after another as the culprit.

This book, like all the others by Charles Todd that I have had the pleasure of reading, is incredibly readable. The protagonist, Ian Rutledge, is not only kind but also refreshingly real, making it easy for readers to form a connection with him. The other characters are all well-developed and evenly drawn, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

From the very first page to the last, the story has a powerful pull, keeping us on the edge of our seats. However, for me, the only aspect of this book that was slightly less great was the story of the shadower. It felt a bit too orchestrated, lacking in a sufficient reason for its existence.

Nonetheless, if you have a passion for sitting down and getting lost in a good book, just like I do, then I highly recommend reading this book (as well as all the Ian Rutledge series and other books by Charles Todd). You won't be disappointed.

I really have a great affection for this series. In it, Rutledge not only has to grapple with his inner turmoil but also endeavors to solve the case.

The characters in this series are depicted extremely well. Each one has its own unique personality and characteristics, which makes them come alive in the readers' minds.

The plot is also highly engrossing. It is set in an unfriendly and superstitious town, which adds an extra layer of mystery and tension to the story.

As the story unfolds, we follow Rutledge's journey as he tries to untangle the web of secrets and lies in the town. The author does a great job of keeping the readers on the edge of their seats, constantly guessing what will happen next.

Overall, this series is a must-read for anyone who loves mystery and crime novels. It has all the elements that make a great story - well-developed characters, an engaging plot, and a touch of mystery and superstition.

These novels are okay when I'm reading them.

The writing is not bad. It has a certain level of quality.

However, just five minutes after I finish reading, I find that I've completely forgotten everything that happened in the story.

It's as if the words just pass through my mind without leaving any lasting impression.

I can't remember the characters, their actions, or the plot twists.

It's a bit frustrating because I feel like I'm not really getting anything out of these novels.

Maybe I need to find some more engaging and memorable books to read.

Books that will stay with me long after I've turned the last page.

That way, I can truly enjoy the reading experience and gain something from it.

Reading this novel was truly an interesting experience.

One of the crucial characters is a constable named Hensley. Remarkably, Hensley happens to be my mother's maiden name and also my middle name.

In North Carolina and Tennessee, it is not an overly uncommon name. However, in the western U.S. where I have resided for most of my life, it is an extremely rare name.

In fact, the only instance I have come across the name Hensley has been on the trucks of a local beer distributor.

As I delved into "A Long Shadow," I found myself feeling startled each time Constable Hensley was mentioned. It was rather strange.

Nonetheless, the novel itself is a very good one! It has engaging characters, a captivating plot, and beautiful prose that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Despite the initial surprise of seeing my name in the novel, I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and enjoy the reading experience.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or a well-written story.