| Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge, has returned to the force at the end of the First World War. In 1919 England was thankful for the end of war, the return of their men and was beginning to rebuild the society that had been interrupted. But as Rutledge well knows, nothing will be the same and there is a sense of loss in England.
Rutledge has returned from the war shell-shocked, numb and with the ever present voice of Hamish MacLeod whispering in his ear. Rutledge is in a daily battle to stay sane and he knows it. Hamish was a young Scot Rutledge was forced to execute for refusing to fight and now is a constant companion inhabiting his subconcious. The village of Warwickshire asks for the help of Scotland Yard when Colonel Harris, from one its oldest families, is brutally murdered and found in a field. The local authorities back away from the case when it appears Captain Wilton, fiance of Harris' ward, war hero and friend of the royal family may be involved. When Rutledge begins his investigation, he finds more than one person with a motive and the opportunity to kill the colonel. The very complex story and the way Rutledge unravels the mystery is a riveting read. Todd tells a story of post war England that is masterful in the description of the locations themselves, but more so the fragile emotions of a whole generation that felt themselves lost and unsure. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60% Special suspect? - chronically deranged person Murder of certain profession? Misc. Murder Plotlets - local police w/ IQ of a houseplant Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Eccentric: Yes Motive of antagonist - revenge How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Small town? Yes Misc setting - fancy mansion Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Unusual form of death? Yes Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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