A Fatal Lie

A Novel

By: Charles Todd

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

“If there’s ever been a more complex and compelling hero in crime fiction than Inspector Rutledge, I can’t think of one.” (Jeffery Deaver)

In one of his most puzzling cases, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge must delve deep into a dead man’s life and his past to find a killer determined to keep dark secrets buried.

A peaceful Welsh village is thrown into turmoil when a terrified boy stumbles on a body in a nearby river. The man appears to have fallen from the canal aqueduct spanning the valley. But there is no identification on the body, he isn’t a local, and no one will admit to having seen him before. With little to go on, the village police turn to Scotland Yard for help.

When Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent from London to find answers, he is given few clues - a faded military tattoo on the victim’s arm and an unusual label in the collar of his shirt. They eventually lead him to the victim’s identity: Sam Milford. By all accounts, he was a good man and well-respected. Then, why is his death so mysterious? Looking for the truth, Rutledge uncovers a web of lies swirling around a suicidal woman, a child’s tragic fate, another woman bent on protecting her past. But where among all the lies is the motive for murder?

To track a killer, Rutledge must retrace Milford’s last journey. Yet death seems to stalk his every move, and the truth seems to shift at every turn. Man or woman, this murderer stays in the shadows, and it will take desperate measures to lure him - or her - into the light.

©2021 Charles Todd (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent Listen

The narrator was fantastic. He really brought the characters to life.
The ending was grand.

Excellent Story.

If you like Mysteries that take almost the whole book to figure out then you’ll love this one. It’s like a puzzle all the pieces are there but the why, how and who need to be put together. I am a fan of English mysteries and this is one of the most interesting ones I’ve read.

Always excellent!

I read complaints about the new narrator before I started listening to this book. It’s always a surprise when you hear a voice that’s new but I really don’t understand the complaints. Simon Vance did an outstanding job and the change didn’t detract from the story at all. Great authors! Great narrator! As always, another winning book!!

Simon Preble Please

The story was great and Simon did a wonderful job. The only shortcoming is that Ian Rutledge mysteries are married to Simon Preble’s voice.

Good book

It was a good book. It got a little tedious at places. Usual Charles Todd.

Wow

Can I just say I love Rutledge? With all of his mental challenges he is such a good man.
This started out slow but quickly got intriguing.

Excellent

A very good detective novel. At first I missed the prior narrator, but I got used to him. Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators anyway. I have all the books in this series. They are all very well written and this one is no exception. Recommend it.

Inspector Rutlege does it again

First, let me say Simon Vance's narration equals that of Prebble and Lee It is excellent. He brings the characters to life so well that I can visualize them in my mind.

As always, the books in this series are complex with many twists and turns mirroring the twists and turns of Rutledge's travels through England. It may have been just me, but I found it difficult to follow the large cast of characters and often had to go back and re-listen portions to try and keep them all straight . But that is by no means a reason not to enjoy another fine Charles Todd mystery

A struggle to follow.

Compelling but unpleasant. Beautifully read. Too long, too twisted,too vaguely uncomfortable for the reader.

More like Myriad Fatal Lies

Another great installment of the series. Placed outside of London, all the action takes place in Wales and the northern country, the supporting cast was missing. Even Hamish made very few contributions. It was a satisfying read and like any good travel experience, it will be good to get back home, having had a break from the familiar.