To enter the giveaway of an advanced reader copy of Proof of Guilt, simply leave a comment below by August 20th. US and International entries welcome.
Giveaway winner is Carolyn Hill.
This review appeared previously in the May Issue 64 of the Historical Novels Review.
The fifteenth Inspector Rutledge mystery will not disappoint Todd fans and should encourage new readers. The plot, set between 1916-1920, takes us to Madeira and throughout England as Rutledge tries to identify a corpse, apparently dragged by a car. The only clue is a watch, owned by a wealthy wine merchant, but that revelation doesn’t get Rutledge far. As the case progresses, key persons turn up missing and presumed dead, but no solid proof of who the guilty party is. Acting Chief Inspector Markham, Rutledge’s new boss, is sure he’s identified the murderer and his accomplice, but Rutledge’s instincts and Hamish’s insistent warnings drive him on despite his boss’s opposition. Rutledge is a PTSD victim from WWI, and Hamish, part specter part mental delusion, has been his “companion” ever since. He’s one of many deeper characterizations that make this a worthwhile series. For all Rutledge’s inner turmoil, he trusts his sense of justice—enough to turn himself into bait to catch the murderer. He persuades himself it’s better to risk his life than send to jail an innocent woman. But perhaps it’s his heart speaking.
This book sounds great!
Sounds great…one of my favorite periods in history.
Sounds like an interesting plot. Hope it goes well.
Great giveaway! Thank you 😀
Thanks for inviting me, Judith. The book sounds interesting.
The literary devise of using a character who represents a part of the main character’s mind sounds intriguing. I would like to read this kind of a police novel
Thank you Judith for informing and inviting me to this giveaway. Hamish is a favorite
I’ve wanted to read a Charles Todd mystery for some time – sounds like this would be a great way to start. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book!
Thanks for the invitation Judith. I love this author.
I haven’t read this series before but it does sound fascinating!
Sounds lovely. Looking forward to reading it.
Looking forward to this as I just started exploring the world of mysteries. But what exactly is an event? Do I need to bring a covered dish? I make a great potatoe salad.
I’m intrigued, but also concerned about the use of the phrase “PTSD” in a pre-PTSD definition environment.
I’d love to give it a shot. 😉
Hi Judith Schara–We are friends on Goodreads so you got an invitation to this giveaway via their system. Goodreads calls virtually everything an “event” although clearly a Giveaway on my website definitely doesn’t constitute a true get together. No potato salad needed, much as I love it. Too bad you don’t live in Arizona, because we do have some great real face to face literary gatherings here under the aegis of the Historical Novel Society’s Arizona Chapter.
Hi Mike–oh don’t hold Todd (or his mother, who is his coauthor) responsible for the use of PTSD. That’s my use, not theirs. It doesn’t occur in the book. But the disease certainly occurs even though it didn’t have a proper name or diagnosis back then. Even in my ancient Greek period there are cases of what is clearly PTSD in the historical record without a name or much respect for the problem.
I’d love a chance for a copy. Charles Todd has been on my reading list for years and for some reason I haven’t gotten around to reading their work, which is surprising as they’re from my area. Thanks for the opportunity.
Judith, I was just being a little silly about the potatoe salad, but next time I am in Arizona I’ll (hopefully) attend a HNS meeting and bring my salad. I also noted with interest your mention of PTSD in the ancient Greek time. A terrible thing to have survived the centuries. One of my contemmporary characters suffers this and I fear we will be seeing more and more cases. Back to editing.
This is a series that I have wanted to start for a while.
Thanks for the invite.
The winner of the giveaway is Carolyn Hill. Congratulations!
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