The Confession: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery

By: Charles Todd

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Scotland Yard’s best detective, Inspector Ian Rutledge, must solve a dangerous case that reaches far into the past in this superb mystery in the acclaimed series.

Declaring he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin five years earlier during the Great War. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man evades his questions, revealing only that he hails from a village east of London. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own.

Less than two weeks later, the alleged killer’s body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet in the back of his head. Searching for answers, Rutledge discovers that the dead man was not who he claimed to be. What was his real name - and who put a bullet in his head? Were the “confession” and his own death related? Or was there something else in the victim’s past that led to his murder?

The inspector’s only clue is a gold locket, found around the dead man’s neck, that leads back to Essex and an insular village whose occupants will do anything to protect themselves from notoriety. For notoriety brings the curious, and with the curious come change and an unwelcome spotlight on a centuries-old act of evil that even now can damn them all.

©2012 Charles Todd (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

good but lacks coherence

I really like this style of mystery - police procedural, interesting protagonist detective, set between the wars in England. I thought the main character was really quite well drawn. However, I found the story somewhat confusing and the mystery itself implausible and almost irrelevant. I liked all the ingredients, but for me the story itself was not interesting. Also, all of these characters who take on each others' identity. That whole thing didn't work for me, and didn't seem to have any point or plausibility.
The main character is very interesting and likeable. I was hoping for more involvement with his sister, who only appears in one scene but is also engaging. I might try number 2 in the series, eventually. An okay listen, but not as good as i had hoped. Nicely narrated, though, except for the terrible attempt at a scottish accent Xb

10 hours seemed more like 20

The Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries are certainly that- mysterious. They are dark, plodding, gloomy, and at times tedious. I love an intricate plot, and these books do have very entangled plots. But sometimes it seems the Charles Todd makes the story so complex and entangled that it strains credulity... and not in a good way. The police procedural details that I usually enjoy following are slow, slow and slow. And did I say slow? I wanted to stop listening several times, but stuck with it just out of curiosity as to just which unlikely character would turn out being the murderer. Simon Prebble does a good job with his narration, and much of the descriptive writing is quite good. The whole post WW1 historical background is also interesting. But I can't either read or listen to another one of these books. Whew!

Another Great Story

Rutledge is truly one of the best characters in any book I've read. This is another well written and narrated book on a wonderful series. It is one of my favorites so far!

Attention to details

This writing them is able to craft an intricate story that has unexpected twists but remains plausible.

Good Escape

Great narration and interesting story line. If you love British mysteries, this is a good one.

A "Stiff" Upper Lip

This British detective procedural is fair. I enjoy a bit more of a pace in my mysteries.
I just could not get pulled into this novel. Too much talk and little else.

The best in the series (so far)

I am a fan of this series, and this book is maybe the best of them yet. The plotting is tight, the outcome is not predictable and Ian and Hamish are in good form.

Good Story

This book is well written, good story line. As always, Simon Prebble is a wonderful narrator bringing the story to life.

Interesting but not captivating

Interesting but not captivating. I did find it interesting enough to keep listening, but didn't find it compelling. I enjoyed the period details. I don't think the plot was complex enough to fully hold my interest.

A Great Who Did Story

What did you love best about The Confession?

I liked the way the book wove the characters together. Making you really think about who did it.

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

to me it wasn't an on the edge book, but a good tale that kept you coming back to hear more.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

Ruledge & his dead mate giving his opinion was excellent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No