• The Gate Keeper

  • An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery
  • By: Charles Todd
  • Narrated by: Simon Prebble
  • Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,209 ratings)

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The Gate Keeper  By  cover art

The Gate Keeper

By: Charles Todd
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Publisher's summary

On a deserted road, late at night, Scotland Yard's Ian Rutledge encounters a frightened woman standing over a body, launching an inquiry that leads him into the lair of a stealthy killer and the dangerous recesses of his own memories in this 20th installment of the acclaimed New York Times best-selling series.

Hours after his sister's wedding, a restless Ian Rutledge drives aimlessly, haunted by the past, and narrowly misses a motorcar stopped in the middle of a desolate road. Standing beside the vehicle is a woman with blood on her hands and a dead man at her feet.

She swears she didn't kill Stephen Wentworth. A stranger stepped out in front of their motorcar, and without warning, fired a single shot before vanishing into the night. But there is no trace of him. And the shaken woman insists it all happened so quickly, she never saw the man's face.

Although he is a witness after the fact, Rutledge persuades the Yard to give him the inquiry, since he's on the scene. But is he seeking justice - or fleeing painful memories in London?

Wentworth was well-liked, yet his bitter family paint a malevolent portrait, calling him a murderer. But who did Wentworth kill? Is his death retribution? Or has his companion lied? Wolf Pit, his village, has a notorious history: in medieval times, the last wolf in England was killed there. When a second suspicious death occurs, the evidence suggests that a dangerous predator is on the loose and that death is closer than Rutledge knows.

©2018 Charles Todd (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Narrator Simon Prebble has the perfect voice for this atmospheric mystery.... Prebble's accessible British accent and changes in pacing quickly pull listeners into this cleverly plotted mystery. Rutledge's well-crafted fictional world, as always, is rich in sensory stimulation and interesting characters." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Gate Keeper

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  • Overall
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The best yet!

The absolute best in the series so far. Ingenious plot, engaging characters, totally unexpected ending, skilled, engaging narrator. Hope there are many more books to come!

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21 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Charles Todd does it again!!

I have read all of the Ian Rutledge books. They are all so consistent in their faithfulness to Rutledge’s character and excellence of mystery. I can usually figure out “whodunnit” with a lot of books but I had to wait for Rutledge to tell me this time. Great!

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This series just gets better

I love the Inspector Rutledge books. I've listened to them all, and this one did not disappoint. The only problem is waiting for the next one, but the wait is always worth it.

I worry a bit about Ian - does he ever sleep eight hours straight?

In this installment, again, unable to sleep, Ian decides on the spur of the moment to get out of London, and stumbles upon a murder scene along the road. As both a witness and an Inspector, he has to stake his claim to the case with Scotland Yard in order to solve it. The Gatekeeper has many twists and turns, and keeps you guessing until almost the very end. As usual, Hamish is in the background, alternately warning Ian of danger, and then tormenting him psychologically.

Okay, so when is the next book coming out?

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Rutledge's Progress

Chief Inspector Ian Rutledge is a man trapped in time. He has, like many others, been unable to escape the memories and consequences of service in WWI.

He wants to leave behind the voices and images of war, and yet he fears that as well: would forgetting mean becoming desensitiized? Would it be disrespectful of those who perished or who still suffer greatly? Can he establish new relationships when his 'ghosts' could realistically destroy him and anyone for whom he might come to care?

The recent marriage of Ian's sister - a sympathetic confidant - has stirred up these issues again for our hero. He knows her life and priorities will rightly be changing, and, although he is happy for her, he is also a little jealous and unsettled. So, with a few days off, he heads in an unknown direction to mull it all over.

Of course, he runs right into a murder and a return to policing duties. The mystery he stumbles upon is a good one, with lots of interesting characters and several possible solutions - all keep the reader interested.

Through the people he meets and the secrets he uncovers, Ian finds that there are those who hold memories and secrets even more painful than his own. Some are stuck in relationships far more destructive and hopeless than his own. In fact, Ian can be grateful for what he has.

So, this book shows progress for Inspector Rutledge - and hope that, although his wounds will stay with him (in fact, will help him), the future may hold something good.

I look forward to the journey.

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10 people found this helpful

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Excellent Novel - Excellent Series

These books come out about once a year and they are always up to a high standard. If you've read all the others you won't need to be told anything. If this is your first you can enjoy it as a stand alone but I strongly recommend you start with the first one in the series instead, as the evolution of Rutledge's psychology adds much to the enjoyment. And that way you will have another 19 books to look forward to!

I have read all of these and don't get tired of them. In fact, I have listened to most of them more than once as I waited for the next one to come out. The mysteries are good and the World War I background gives an added element of interest.

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6 people found this helpful

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Another excellent book from the Charles Todd duo !

I keep waiting for a Charles Todd book that I would tire of listening to... It doesn't exit. The combined talents of the author and the outstanding narration of Simon Prebble made this one of the most memorable in the series. If you enjoy historical mysteries, start with the 1st book in the series. You will be hooked !

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4 people found this helpful

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well-written mystery!

Another great Inspector Rutledge story, with twists and turns till the very end. A very satisfying conclusion.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Charles Todd and Ian Rutledge does it again

Would you listen to The Gate Keeper again? Why?

Yes - any book that can be listened to again is a keeper and all of the Inspector Rutledge books are books to listen to again.

Charles Todd knows how to spin out a story without one getting bored and saying "move on"

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ian of course

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Continuity to the character and a real feel for who Ian Rutledge is

Any additional comments?

As usual, really didn't know til the very end who was guilty.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant as usual

A fantastic read/listen. Charles cleverly builds the story while giving us an insight on the treatment and prejudices of society to returning soldiers, their families and the families of those who where killed after the First World War.

I am looking forward to more Ian Rutledge mysteries and the personal torment he is learning to live with.

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Entertaining

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Would recommended this book to anyone who enjoys a good English mystery.

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2 people found this helpful