The Red Door

An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery

By: Charles Todd

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

June 1920. In a house with a red door lies the body of a woman who has been bludgeoned to death. Rumor has it that two years earlier, she'd painted that door to welcome her husband back from the Front - only he never came home.

Meanwhile, in London, a man suffering from a mysterious illness first goes missing and then just as suddenly reappears. He is unable to explain his recovery.

Inspector Ian Rutledge must solve the cases. Who was the woman who lived and died behind the red door? Who was the man who never came home from the Great War, for the simple reason that he might never have gone? And what have they to do with a man who cannot break the seal of his own guilt without damning those he loves most?

Solve another case with Inspector Ian Rutledge.

©2010 Charles Todd (P)2010 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"One of the strongest entries yet in a series that shows no sign of losing steam. Once again Todd perfectly balances incisive portraits of all the characters, not just the complex and original lead." ( Publishers Weekly)

Tragic

It always saddens me to read of a life that was wasted thru waiting or inattention of a loved one. This was sad, but I couldn’t put it down.

Slowly evolving story, but worth the listen

There are two types of mystery writers: the slam-bang starters who twist and turn through a story, and the slow methodical writers who weave a web of relationships and deceptions as they craft a story. Charles Todd is the latter. The Red Door is a wonderful example of his technique, and a great story of family secrets and lies, to boot. The relationship between Inspector Ian Rutledge and Hamish (the man he shot in WWI for failing to follow orders) continues, with Rutledge making room for Hamish (in the back seat of his car, as in other places), so we hear his voice throughout the investigation of murder.

What is compelling to me about this series is that as a reader, I really want Rutledge to let go of Hamish -- to move on to a normal existence after his experiences in WWI. If that were to happen, some of the personal angst Rutledge experiences would resolve, and I know that would make these mysteries less appealing to many readers. But Todd has created a character in Ian Rutledge that we would really like to see heal from his experiences, much as we would like to see all soldiers overcome their battlefield experiences.

It is a long book requiring attention, not one to be listened to in a casual way.

Excellent:

Plot, characters and narration, all excellent. This is one of my favorite series. Charles Todd

The red door is poignant

The red door is a poignant starting/ending place. I had to re-read chapter 1 several times to realize that the chapter merely sets the scene. This was a complex and interesting story. Simon Prebble is one of my favorite readers, calm and English. I like what another reviewer said about having Mr. Prebble re-read some of the other stories. I started on another book, read by Samuel Gillies, who has a fine voice. However, I wasn't expecting it, and returned that book. If I'd started with Mr. Gillies, I may very well have continued.

Shades of Agatha

Being a fan of British Mystery for numerous years, Charles Todd has written a marvelous whodunit!. I find the chief character of Inspector Rutledge a true to form British detective. The ending of this book will come as a real surprise to most. This is my second Ian Rutledge Mystery and I can't wait to begin my third encounter with a master story teller.

Great narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of The Red Door to be better than the print version?

This reader does a good job. I like his voice - and thereby the voice he gives the inspector.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Great plot. Good story. Nicely written. Multiple issues being addressed by the same person during the same time period.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Worth it.

Very engaging

I wasn’t expecting much with this series but I think Todd and Prebble are both masters at their art. I’m often not fond of British narrators because I think they can sound arrogant - Prebble is excellent at characters and in all regards to helping you feel like you are in the middle of the happenings!

Always an excellent story

The detail in these novels is one of the values of the story.
It’s possible to jump in to any of the books and not risk missing a link.
Well worth the cost.

Wish the Whole Series were Audio

What made the experience of listening to The Red Door the most enjoyable?

I spend a lot of time in the car and these novels keep my interest--excellent writing.

What did you like best about this story?

Mystery! Also, love historical novels

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebble’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes--same---giving the Characters real life

Two books in one?

This was one of the most fascinating of the Ian Rutledge mysteries. The story had countless twists and turns. My only criticism is the failure to connect the murders in London with the main story line. It ended up being a pointless distraction other than to illustrate how unfairly Boyle’s treated him. Still, a great read.