The Red Door: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery

This is one of my favorite mystery series. Its protagonist is unique and, in most of the books (this one is an exception), the physical and (especially) the psychological setting of post-WWI England are engrossing. Simon Prebble's narrations are excellent.

That said, this entry is disappointing. After a promising and intriguing start (maybe the first 1/3 of the book), the story loses focus. Inspector Rutledge is constantly crank-starting his motor car as he travels back and forth across southern England multiple times following the threads of three cases. He gets exhausted and so did I. I'm all for unexpected twists in a whodunnit, but in this one the twists tangle into a Gordian knot that is totally frustrating (to say nothing of unbelievable).

If you have never tried this series, you should read the first one ("A Test of Wills") first; a superb book, it lays groundwork for the main character(s) that is essential. After that may be helpful to read the series in sequence, but I haven't and have still enjoyed them. And I'd advise skipping this particular entry.

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.

This is one of the better Ian Rutledge mysteries in the series that started in a Test of Wills, with Hamish still ever present. It is a great listen, but one that needs full concentration as the plot is full of shifting complexities.

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.

the story tends to be somewhat long, but the narrator's voice is so wonderful that I didn't mind the too lengthy story.

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.

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

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

Yes

Worth it.

This file would not play properly on my iPod. It would start out, then freeze. I tried downloading other Formats, and did a Concierge on-line chat -- to no avail. Irritating.

Having learned that "Charles Todd" is actually a mother-son writing team, I can only surmise that their communication regarding the writing of this book slipped a cog now and then.

I am a big fan of the Inspector Ian Rutledge series, and the novels are usually tightly plotted and have a pleasant rhythm to them, which is carried out superbly by the voice of Simon Prebble. This book, however, could not seem to decide where it was going. Poor Rutledge must have put thousands of kilometers on his car, driving all over Southern England and back to London over and over, as he sought to solve two (three? four? five?) completely unrelated cases. I kept looking at the time remaining on my iPod and wondering when it was going to be finally over.

Diehard fans will, nonetheless, probably want to read this book, if for no other reason than to track the events in Rutledge's life, as there are some notable events in this book. Just don't expect the usual well-written story - it is tolerable, but not up to the usual Charles Todd standard.

THis novel is just too slow for me - didn't finish. Narrator is excellent it's well written but it's just too slow and quiet of a story.