Wings of Fire

Ian Rutledge, Book 2

De: Charles Todd

Narrado por: Samuel Gillies

When reclusive war poet Olivia Marlowe and her half-brother, Nicholas Cheney, die together in their ancestral home on the Cornish coast, it looks like suicide. The grieving relatives gather together to discuss the fate of Barcombe Hall, when another shocking death occurs. Inspector Rutledge, who is still shell-shocked from his experiences in the Great War, is sent from Scotland Yard to investigate. Rutledge is soon convinced that the answers to this baffling case lie within the family’s secret history.

©1998 Charles Todd (P)1999 W.F. Howes

Okay reading

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes The story was good but I would probably recommend in book format.

What did you like best about this story?

Main character. He is honest and caring. Truth is his main goal.

What didn’t you like about Samuel Gillies’s performance?

Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish which character is speaking. I didn't care for the voices he gave to certain characters while others had the same voice. Certain section I had to repeat a couple of times.

Do you think Wings of Fire needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, the story seemed complete except you were not sure if the bad guy carried out his threat. Perhaps that will be in the next novel. I liked the story.

He draws you gently but firmly in!

Character driven as the best British mysteries usually are, it still is a true mystery.
I thought at first I really didn’t care for this driven man, but boy did he win.

not the best Ian Rutledge

the basis of the story is a bit far fetched, but Ian Rutledge's writing makes it work somehow.

Another excellent book

I really enjoy the Ian Rutledge series. This book was complex and held my attention until the end. Narrator did an excellent job differentiating the voices.

Even better than the first

I mildly liked the first in the Rutlege series but since the author wrote with skill and the narrator was good, I decided to try book #2 which had a much better mystery. Because the first book laid a lot of groundwork on Rutledge, I was better prepared to accept and understand the Hamish situation. I figured out the bad guy, but with all the twists and turns, I doubted my choice and changed my mind only to find out I was correct (made the listen/red fun). I like that the story was tied up just enough for satisfaction but enough left unsaid for series to continue. Can't wait to read the next installment.

Both History and Mystery

Todd writes the tale of a detective, back from the First World War and struggling with his own demons. As a "Who Dun It", this book stands on its own. Without throwing out unnecessary Red Herrings, Todd keeps the question of the perpetrator (if there really is one) up in the air until very close to the end.

Even better, he paints a, presumably, accurate picture of rural English life between the wars. I've spent much time studying that period, but only as a historian. I, more or less, understand the economic forces that drove events. The personalities that dominated the country are part of my every day vocabulary. To read about the lives and attitudes of those who lived there and then, how they looked at those returning from the war, how they lived with a changing world and where they would look for leadership.

bad seed, indeed.

This really was the most wonderful, fantastic story. You think you know the culprit, but no..another death. Loved it.

a good story

An interesting yarn with the poetry from World war I and poets being woven into the story. once again is traditional in these novels there's a vast amount of characters that have to be differentiated by the audio performer and he does a good job. the overall story is very complex with a lot of intricate twists and turns.

Loved it!

I just discovered Inspector Rutledge and I’m in love! The narrator is awesome! I listened to the first book and started reading this one, but I missed the way he told the story so I switched to the audiobook. Already bought book 3!

Comfortable whodunit

What did you love best about Wings of Fire?

The people, side situations, and landscapes described are like visiting your great aunt in her small village. You are never touched by the environs, but are content to watch for hours.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for excitement, keep looking. But, if you are looking for soporific narration and a straightforward plot that tolerates lengthy naps, you have it.