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)

It was a mystery for sure, but who was Hammas?

I never understood who Hamas was, and if he was a double personality, how did he come about? The story was pretty good, but it had too many unnecessary twist.

Very well done!

Great story and read so well by the narrator. Will be sure to listen to another Charles Todd mystery

Another Good Read

I enjoyed this story very much thought it was one of his best. I highly recommend it

Kept me guessing!

This story was well written. I choose so many people as the killers. I was wrong every time.

Always a good Charles Todd read

Writing provides a good description of characters. Storyline is full of suspense and twists and turns.

Everything!! I'm hooked

I didn't think I would find a detective I loved as much as Hercule Piorot Agatha Christie's Detective! I'm hooked

More than just a "red door"

I am thoroughly enjoying this series of mystery novels by Charles Todd. In "The Red Door," Todd starts off with the door and the owner of that door, but it isn't until far along in the novel that the connection is made between the door and the latter characters and circumstances. An interesting trope, it kept me intrigued because I kept listening, wanting to know how the door and its owner were related (if at all) to the other characters. Even once the connection is made, the reader is kept well in the dark regarding the identity of the murderer. Admittedly, the conclusion of the novel seemed rather convoluted, and I did feel a bit of grudge at Todd for throwing what I think was a red herring in the narrative. Todd is a bit selective in who he chooses to provide narration for: we hear the thoughts of Inspector Rutledge, of course, but also of other characters, which can throw you off. You, the reader, think you're getting more information than Rutledge can possibly get. It's a deceptive, but forgivable, approach. Rutledge's own psychological scars from WWI often threaten to derail his investigations, and they definitely threaten his chances at peace and happiness in his own life. Todd's sympathetic rendition of the "collateral damage" of war borders on the poetic, making such depictions heart-rending. These novels would not be the same without Rutledge's ever-present ghostly companion, Hamish. As adversarial as Hamish can be at times, he also helps Rutledge, working with him to understand and solve the cases. Hamish may not be real, but the reader can't help but believe in his existence in much the same way that Rutledge does.

Simon Prebble has an uncanny ability to provide enough distinctiveness in the characters' voices without resorting to caricatures. If you like puzzling mysteries, ones that make you think more than flinch, then do listen to this installment of the Inspector Rutledge series.

Very slow mover.

I found this book to be tedious and slow. It was difficult to remain engaged without my mind wondering. I believe the same story could have been told with half the words.

Best from the best

The Red Door is my favorite. I like everything about this book. I enjoy all of Todd's books, this one pure enjoyment.

Twisting roads lead to the Red Door

Charles Todd winds several stories into this part of the Ian Rutledge series. I liked listening carefully to follow the different paths until they merged. This is a good listen. I think Simon Prebble does a wonderful narration.