Wings of Fire (An Ian Rutledge Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: Unique, strange, and dark...very dark
Review: Charles Todd's first book, A Test of Wills, was a good story, and introduced us to his main character, Ian Rutledge, a detective who spent four years in the trenches of World War I, and returned to policework with the ghost of a subordinate he'd had executed wandering around inside his head. It's a strange idea: a sort of dark version of Calvin and Hobbes, with only Inspector Rutledge able to hear the voice of Hamish as he caustically comments on everything that's going on.

In this second installment in the series, Rutledge is called upon to investigate a trio of deaths in the English countryside. One of the dead is a poet who's currently pretty popular, though no one knew she was the poet until she died, and the family's very well-connected also. So Rutledge goes and investigates, but there doesn't seem to be any crime, and though the family's been beset by tragedy repeatedly, everyone seems to think he should go home. He is, however, determined to find out why the poet killed herself, in part because he was attached to her poetry while he was serving in the trenches. There is, however, no apparent crime and worse, if there was a crime, most of the potential suspects are already dead.

This makes for a strange, moody, slow-moving mystery, full of atmosphere and dialog, but not much action. I did enjoy it, though, and I would recommend it, especially to mystery fans.

Rating:
Summary: As addictive as laudanum...
Review: Gorgeously written, psychologically complex and historically dead-on. Shell-shocked, haunted and full of self-doubt, Rutledge won my heart in the first ten pages. (Haimish too!)

Rating:
Summary: Kept me guessing -- and that's not easy
Review: I am an avid mystery reader. I am loyal to certain writers -- so much so that I often begin to pick up on their pattern. However, I have found a special place in my heart for historical mysteries -- Anne Perry's two series and the Amelia Peabody series are examples.

Ordinarily, I start to figure it out by the middle. Todd's book not only kept me guessing until the very last page, it satisfied a hunger for historical detail that is not anachronistic.

This book kept me up all night. I simply could not put it down as I found myself thinking about the characters in the dark trying to fall asleep.

I have two of Todd's books and will be ordering a third soon. I recommend the book and the author very highly.

Rating:
Summary: ENTHRALLING!
Review: I read Charles Todd's first book, A Test of Wills, and loved it. His second book was just as wonderful. A sense of place and time. The aftermath of WWI is unknown to me. What a revelation! Wonderful character. Read it.

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Summary: The story continues
Review: In this sequel to "A Test of Wills", Todd continues his psychological explorations into the damaged mind of Ian Rutledge while at the same time creating a more complex scenario in which to demonstrate his superior (and unconventional) detection skills.

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful writing with intricately woven plots...
Review: It is so nice to find an American who can write with the seemingly innate beautiful language abilities of the British. I am very curious as to where the author, Charles Todd, went to school. I find it difficult to believe that an American public school turned out someone with the ability to write as this many does. Maybe he attended private schools...but I will bet that he is an avid reader. It shows through in his own writing.

Todd's series involving an English detective after World War I are unique. Many people write period mysteries, few pull it off. It's difficult to draw a picture of that time period in so few words that will not clash or take away from the mystery. Todd manages to do that. When the reader becomes involved in thes story, it's almost as if someone reaches above the reader's head and manages to dim the light. Todd draws graphics with words, giving the reader a sense of stepping back into another world...time slows down, the bustle we are used to in this day and age disappear, the difference of how people treated one another, the destitution left by a war and the 1918 outbreak of influenza on not only material goods but on the people in England...all of this and more is conveyed by Todd's writing.

I really enjoyed this mystery. It moves at a pace in keeping with the time period. Rutledge's problem with his 'inner voice,' Hamish (a Scot who was a member of Rutledge's troop who died) is less obvious in this book. I did not find Hamish's presence to be a bother...actually, knowing what I do from medical school about acute traumatic events on the brain, it actually makes sense. Even though Hamish is still present, he seems to be losing his control over Rutledge's mind. Or rather Rutledge seems to be gaining more control over his own thoughts, which you would expect to happen. The story about a deeply troubled family is very convoluted, but for all that it makes for enjoyable reading...

Karen Sadler
University of Pittsburgh

Rating:
Summary: More than Meets the Eye
Review: Wings of Fire is Charles Todd's second Ian Rutledge mystery. The sequel to A Test of Wills it goes above and beyond the first. Todd once again crafts a very enthralling and complicated story that is complex and ever changing as are the numerous characters, making for a very exciting read. Inspector Rutledge, still haunted by the voice of a slain soldier, travels to Cornwall, England to look into a double suicide. The deceased are brother and sister, Olivia Marlowe and Nicholas Cheney, members of a very prominent and complicated family, the Treveylans, who are at the very heart of the mystery. Olivia is a famous poet, whose war poetry gave many of the men in the trenches, including Rutledge, a link to reality and sanity. On the surface there appears to be no foul play in the deaths, but as Rutledge digs deeper he discovers a myriad of secrets in the family's history that may be the key to discovering what really happened the night the siblings died. Todd slowly and carefully introduces us to each of the intriguing characters, even those already dead, and brings to life the very large and complicated family. Keeping the many characters straight can sometimes be a daunting task, but you come to realize that each of them has their own importance in the story. Todd gradually brings together a very intricately woven and often confusing story so that everything becomes clear once the truth it revealed. A slow read at times, but once the story gets going a truly captivating book. I would recommend this book anyone who appreciates a well-written mystery.

Rating:
Summary: More than Meets the Eye
Review: Wings of Fire is Charles Todd's second Ian Rutledge mystery. The sequel to A Test of Wills it goes above and beyond the first. Todd once again crafts a very enthralling and complicated story that is complex and ever changing as are the numerous characters, making for a very exciting read. Inspector Rutledge, still haunted by the voice of a slain soldier, travels to Cornwall, England to look into a double suicide. The deceased are brother and sister, Olivia Marlowe and Nicholas Cheney, members of a very prominent and complicated family, the Treveylans, who are at the very heart of the mystery. Olivia is a famous poet, whose war poetry gave many of the men in the trenches, including Rutledge, a link to reality and sanity. On the surface there appears to be no foul play in the deaths, but as Rutledge digs deeper he discovers a myriad of secrets in the family's history that may be the key to discovering what really happened the night the siblings died. Todd slowly and carefully introduces us to each of the intriguing characters, even those already dead, and brings to life the very large and complicated family. Keeping the many characters straight can sometimes be a daunting task, but you come to realize that each of them has their own importance in the story. Todd gradually brings together a very intricately woven and often confusing story so that everything becomes clear once the truth it revealed. A slow read at times, but once the story gets going a truly captivating book. I would recommend this book anyone who appreciates a well-written mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Adequete #2 in the series
Review: WWI vet and shell shook victim Inspector Rutledge is once again sent to the English countryside to get him out of the way of his Scotland Yard rival. While a serial killer stalks London, Rutledge is in Cornwall checking on a double-suicide and accident within the same household. In this story, it's not clear for much of the book whether or not a crime has been committed or not, as Rutledge follows his instincts in prodding the memories of the villagers about the three dead people--one of whom was renowned poet. It all hinges on a very complex family, involving a woman with three husbands, children from each marriage (including twins), and their spouses. Todd seems to enjoy writing about mental tussles between people, but no matter how well he does it, it's all a little tame for my tastes.