A Christmas Witness

Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries

De: Charles Todd

Narrado por: Steven Crossley

Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates a possible attempted murder in this seasonal mystery novella from New York Times bestseller Charles Todd.

December 1921: Being single and a new Chief, Inspector Rutledge of Scotland Yard gets the short straw at Christmastime and is called upon by Chief Superintendent Markum to go to the Kentish home of a lord recovering from an attempt on his life. In bed with a concussion, the man is convinced someone is trying to kill him after he claims he was struck by the hoof of a running horse whose rider never stopped to check on him.

Struggling with his own demons from the war and misgivings about helping a man who, as a colonel, oversaw the suffering of those on the frontlines from afar, Rutledge undertakes an uneasy investigation. And as the winter holiday approaches, he becomes increasingly convinced that nothing is as it seems....

©2025 Charles Todd (P)2025 Highbridge Audio

A good attempt to understand the guilt and indecision of the officers in charge

The narrator , didn’t suit Rutledge’s personality at all
All I could think of,throughout the book was Mathew Shardlake and that is not flattering

This narrator gives Rutledge a panzy sound.

I love all the Rutledge books. This new narrator changes the temperature of the story. I would like the book well enough if I had not heard the books done by better narrator.

The wrong voice for Ian

I was thrilled to listen to a new novella in the Ian Rutledge series. However, Steven Crossley is not the right voice for Ian. Ian is a man haunted by the past. He is a serious policeman. His voice should reflect that.

Whew!!! Some Critical Listeners Out There!!

Whatever happened to loyalty from readers or listeners?? I don’t know when I have seen such a negative response to a novella by a renowned author in a series that clearly has gotten high marks. My question is: If you had just lost your mother, closest friend, and writing partner, what kind of story would you have turned out?? Common sense would dictate that this author needs time to develop as a solitary author, not as a co-author. So, on that score alone, why not give the author and the story a break? True, the story wasn’t rocket science, but it was an interesting glimpse into the feelings of those whose lives were altered by great tragedy and how they did or did not cope with it. And it showed a little softer side to Rutledge which was refreshing.

Now… to the narration. I agree that I did not personally think this was a good choice for the narrator. But Steven Crossley has over 300 books under his belt, and if this was the first book you had ever listened to about Ian Rutledge, his performance would have been top notch. Do you remember the narrator of the first couple Ian Rutledge books? Do you remember when and who replaced him? And later still, who replaced him? All three of those narrators did a superb job, but in my opinion, Simon Prebble was the quintessential Ian Rutledge voice. But.. now that he has retired, Simon Vance is, according to Mr. Todd, now working on “A Day of Judgment” to be released in the Spring. He will no doubt do a fantastic job. He just won’t be Simon Prebble.

So why can’t we be kinder and give Mr. Todd.. AND.. Mr. Crossley a break and just enjoy having another small look into the “life”of Ian Rutledge.. and Hamish?!

uplifting

Enjoyed this little novella! It was good to see my old friend Ian Rutledge again. Told in third person, the plot is set in 1921 in Kent at Christmastime. This is the first book that portrays Ian as a chief inspector. Markham is still an ass. Ghosts of the Great War are still very much a part of Ian, but there are also other hauntings and “hauntees” in this book. This story is more uplifting than most books in the series. The characters are kinder and more capable. The main tension for me was the concern that Rutledge's first case after his promotion would end in his own shaming or disgrace. A good read! It’s a bit gentler than expected, and not to be taken too seriously — like figgy pudding, its’s a seasonal treat!

One aspect of the writing bothered me: The author used the name Rutledge too often — every other sentence in many cases. We all know it is Rutledge doing things and thinking things, as the whole story is focused around him, so it would be fine to just use the pronoun he and his first name, Ian.

Also, another thing that seemed odd : at the end of Game of Fear, readers were left with the clear impression that Ian’s promotion was not due to Mrs Crawford’s machinations or interferences but rather to Ian’s successful investigations, duly noted by others in power. Yet in this book we are told the opposite. I hope this was a mistake in my own reading comprehension, as it diminishes them both, Ian and Melinda.

So nice to have our friend back

A very nice read, good to hang around Ian again. He has such wisdom. Thank you!

Rutledge does Dickens

Perhaps it was the narrator who made this feel less than the serious Ian we have come to expect. Even Hamish seemed light at heart. I see the book on preorder has one of the previous narrators so it should be bettor. If you are a fan it is worth a credit.

Short story but they killed you with way too much detail

The performance by Steven Crossley was just bad. I wish Samuel Gillies was the narrator. He did a stellar job, on the previous books, you felt you were part of the story

Not the same

I miss Caroline Todd and her input to the books.
This is not the right narrator for any Ian Rutledge book-what were they thinking?

So dissapointed

I have always enjoyed Charles Todds books, especially this series. However, this was a complete waste of time and I would love to have sent it back, Very weak plot and ending. The reader almost sent me to sleep (it could have just been the book!)