A Matter of Justice: Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries

This is my first listen to one of Charles Todd's mystery series. I chose it after a marathon of three of James Lee Burke's novels, needing a change of pace from Burke's contemporary and considerably more violent police procedurals. Like all good series writers, Todd brings the neophyte up with speed with his characters by moderate amounts of judiciously placed flashbacks and reflections. I enjoyed the post-WWI settings of London and surrounding villages, with side trips to St. Ann's. I enjoyed "knowing" at the outset the history of the murdered victim, and then listening to Rutledge try to piece it all together. Rutledge was a fine character, doggedly persistent in uncovering the truth when he could have easily washed his hands of the crime once a trial-worthy suspect was found. Like other mysteries I've enjoyed, I wound up listening to the last two hours late at night, unable to sleep because Rutledge was so close to revealing the oddly intertwined relationships that led to the murder. I simply couldn't wait to know how it all would play out in the end. It was difficult for me to keep track of all the characters through audio (some considerably minor but they still pop up frequently), and so I might have lost some of the character development that I usually enjoy in these well-paced novels. It was challenging to believe that the murdered victim might have actually had some redeeming qualities: I don't know if Todd just wanted to confound the reader/Rutledge in the quest to find the murderer or if the point was to highlight the strange confluence of guilt and evil. In any case, it added to the tension and kept me glued to my earbuds.

I love the narration of Simon Prebble who has an uncanny ability to modulate his voice just enough to discern the different characters without making them into caricatures. I highly recommend this particular novel in the series and hope to listen to some of Inspector Rutledge's adventures

I initially had a hard time getting into this story, and thought I would need to go back and listen to the beginning again, but I decided to just keep listening, and it was an excellent mystery, with ties back into the past and all the things that make it fun to read detective mysteries.

I loved the feel of this book almost like an Agetha Christie. The twists and turns of plot kept me entertained all the way throught.

This is an engaging tale, well-presented by author and narrator, featuring a thoughtful, flawed, courageous protagonist in a cultural context with which I'm unfamiliar. It came together as the pleasant diversion I seek in this type of audio book.

A Matter of Justice is entertaining. It is interesting and different enough to keep the listener a listener! Just enjoy it.

Althouth the reader knows from the beginning who likely "done it", the chase is still fun. And there are enough twists to keep it interesting! It fades a little in the middle. Takes too long to get to the meat of the matter.

I have come to really like this authors and his detective. The mysteries are well plotted and the murderer often comes as a real surprise as does the motive.

The author does a great job of evoking post WWI Britain which I think is one of the things I like about these book. He writes of a simpler times but with lives no less complicated.

These are well-plotted books and I never a miss a one. If you like a well-plotted mystery which harkens back to a simpler time when detective work was not all forensic labs, but rather skilled interviews and following up clues and tiny pieces of information whereever it takes you - this is the book for you.

It is not a fast-paced book like modern day crime writers but I like this about the book, as I don't care for these modern day crime writers - but this harkens back to Agathe Christie at her best. If you like these period British Mystieries, you don't want to miss this writer and his Detective.

I am not telling you what happens. This is post WW1.It is a murder mystery. The phone is a new toy, there are motor cars and peculiar people. Maybe. A story of revenge rage and greed. Sound familiar? Simon Prebble does read well and I am sad there is only two Audible books in this series.
I know nothing of Charles Todd, so I will be checking out inter library loans.and looking in my local library.

This it the first Ian Ruthledge story I've listened to and found the story a bit annoying in parts - the repetitive introjections by "Hamish" was just too much at times. The detective seemed too befuddled to be effective in assessing each potential clue. Maybe more reflective of reality but a drag after a while. I'm giving it 3 stars for the narration of Simon Prebble who does a good job.

This was a very clever mystery in which the reader is let in on information at the beginning that gives us an advantage over Inspector Rutledge and the others trying to figure out "who done it". Events of 20 years ago, thought to be secret have been discovered, resulting in consequences affecting people never directly involved. An abundance of possible suspects are reviewed, but Rutledge is never satisfied that he is getting the real story. I felt a sense of anticipation wondering what would bring him around to the right track, and that made it interesting to a point. But then it seemed to drag out just a bit beyond the the point of enjoyment and I began to get a little impatient for some forward movement. I'd like to give 5 stars, but the stalling of the pace makes it a 4. Once the story shifts out of second gear, the final hour takes off and (to quote another great detective) the game's afoot. Some details were predictable, but others were surprising.
I really like Ian Rutledge. He is intuitive, smart, traumatized, and determined. It's a little hard to get used to Hamish, but he serves as an interesting alter ego if not used too frequently. Simon Prebble carries the reading very well.