Charles Todd has once again proven his mastery!

Every serial mystery novelist should take a page from how Charles Todd introduces Ian Rutledge. Even after a whopping 8 novels, he manages to avoid using the same tired and trite descriptions. It's truly remarkable and leaves me constantly amazed, and this is just in the beginning!!

In this latest installment, Ian ventures to yet another idyllic country village. His mission? To investigate the shooting of a Constable in the back with an arrow. As he delves deeper into the case, he stumbles upon a complex web of secrets. Unraveling this web will demand all of his extensive expertise and sharp intuition.

Readers are in for a thrilling ride as Ian navigates the twists and turns of this mysterious case, uncovering hidden truths and facing unexpected challenges along the way. Charles Todd's storytelling prowess shines through, making this a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.

A re-read. This particular installment is one of the earlier ones in the series, and it turns out to be significantly better than the latest offerings.

Hamish, who appears so vivid and real to Ian, is not just a remnant from World War I. Instead, he seems to be more like Ian's inner mind and conscience.

When Ian interacts with Hamish, it's as if he is having a dialogue with his own deepest thoughts and moral compass. Hamish's presence challenges Ian, makes him question his actions and decisions.

This dynamic between Ian and Hamish adds a layer of complexity and depth to the story that is lacking in the later books. It makes the earlier installment a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Perhaps it's because the author was still in the process of developing the characters and the overall narrative, and this early work shows a freshness and authenticity that is sometimes lost as the series progresses.

Nonetheless, this re-read has reminded me of the power and charm of this particular book in the series, and I look forward to exploring the earlier installments further.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is yet another outstanding mystery penned by Charles Todd.

Ian Rutledge, a shell-shocked survivor of World War I, finds himself in a rather interesting situation. The story commences with a dinner in London that Ian and his sister, Frances, are invited to. Among the guests is Mrs. Meredith Channing, who is asked to conduct a seance. Instantly, Ian and his ever-present haunt, Hamish, are alarmed. Ian dreads having to face any of his ghosts in public. Fortunately, he receives a phone call, which gives him an excuse to leave. On his way home, he steps on a machine gun casing placed in the street, leaving him wondering about the intended message.

Ian is then dispatched to a small community called Dudlington in Northamptonshire, where a constable has been shot with a bow and arrow. He ends up staying in the constable's house, which also houses the office.

Ian becomes embroiled in the three-year-old mystery of a missing seventeen-year-old girl. The intimidating Frith Wood, a forest that terrifies all the inhabitants of the community, also features prominently.

Ian begins to suspect that he is being targeted when his windshield is shattered by a bullet. He continues to receive more gun casings, ominous warnings of an impending showdown. However, he has no clue as to who is behind the attacks.

The mystery of who shot the constable seems to be intertwined with the girl's disappearance. To add to the intrigue, Mrs. Channing shows up in the community. Ian is unsure if he can trust her. More casings appear, and Ian is nearly run down by a lorry. Finally, he pieces it all together, leading to a thrilling finale.

This book turned out to be a first-class mystery read for me, and I truly relished every moment of it.

I have a preference for reading a series in sequential order. As a result, this particular book is the eighth one in the Ian Rutledge series that I have had the pleasure of perusing. I have to admit that this installment stands out as the most captivating mystery thus far. With these books, it typically requires some investment of time to fully immerse oneself in the story and get a handle on the characters. However, if one persists, the payoff is a truly excellent narrative. This particular book, though, was a bit of an anomaly! Right from the very first few pages, I was completely enthralled and could scarcely bring myself to set it aside. I won't go into the details of the story as numerous others have already done so. Suffice it to say, it was an extremely satisfying read!