Rating: 
Summary: I enjoyed this series immensely
Review: "Charles Todd" (a mother/son writing team) has/have created a memorable inspector and a haunting sidekick in this series. I particularly liked the war flashbacks, which sometimes were important for solving the mystery. Sometimes the situations were improbable, but...it's mystery fiction, where improbability is typical. All I can recommend to the authors is that they tie up the loose ends with a bit more tidiness and detail more of Rutledge's logic in solving the mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: An unusual plot for an unusual man...
Review: I discovered Todd's books through recommendations from Amazon.com, and for that I thank them. Todd writes about a world that disappeared almost a century ago. It is due to his writing abilities that that world is recreated again for his readers. I pick up one of his books, and immediately my mind settles into a simpler, but dark time of history after WWI. Rutledge is a different protagonist, who brings with him into his cases both the knowledge of human goodness and the inhumanity of man that he learned from his war experience.Rutledge keeps quiet concerning his shadow presence, Hamish. The world was a lot less forgiving of mental illness back in those decades then it is even now. Hamish's presence in these books apparently bothers some readers, yet it is partly his presence which differentiates these books from others of this genre. Those who have studied psychiatry and neuroscience are aware of the different coping mechanisms used by those exposed to massive trauma, and few wars have dealt out the type of trauma the young men from England were exposed to during WWI. The plot of this book is another ripple effect of the war. Those who made it back alive, not always made it back whole...even if their bodies appeared unscathed. And the impact of the war touched all of those families and towns, including the women. Many families, mothers and wives who expected a return to normality, were asked to deal with sons and husbands who returned with massive psychological problems. Many of them had to deal with these problems on their own without professional help, and also find a way to provide for their families. Todd does an excellent job of writing. This particular book moved slowly, but then that world did move slower than the world we live in now, with its technological marvels and information glut. He writes with intelligence and with respect for the readers, expecting us to show a modicum of interest in Rutledge's life experience and in our own history. As an American, I am pleased to see that at least one of our own native writers can write as well as many British writers do.
Karen Sadler
University of Pittsburgh
Rating: 
Summary: Thank You
Review: I greatly appreciate the many fans of my books. It is a personal honour that so many enjoy my efforts!
Rating: 
Summary: Search The Dark
Review: I had a really tough time with this book. Initially, I found it very slow moving, but I stuck with it. For me, it still didn't really pick up until towards the end when Rutledge starting piecing things together, but I'm glad I saw it through. The ending totally caught me by surprise. I never saw it coming.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow moving, but worth the while.
Review: I had a really tough time with this book. Initially, I found it very slow moving, but I stuck with it. For me, it still didn't really pick up until towards the end when Rutledge starting piecing things together, but I'm glad I saw it through. The ending totally caught me by surprise. I never saw it coming.
Rating:
Summary: Sum Total of Charles Todd
Review: I loved Search the Dark, but even more, I love the long-term relationship that Charles Todd is building with his readers. I see that others are getting weary of the disembodied (literally) voice of Hamish. Not I. I think he is one of the most original inventions in recent literature and after the first few incredulous chapters, I began to accept him and wove him right into my sense of reality. Charles Todd has chosen a very dark and difficult time in world history, World War I, which is more romanticized but much less understood than the wars since. I appreciate his attention to detail and look forward very much to the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Sum Total of Charles Todd
Review: I loved Search the Dark, but even more, I love the long-term relationship that Charles Todd is building with his readers. I see that others are getting weary of the disembodied (literally) voice of Hamish. Not I. I think he is one of the most original inventions in recent literature and after the first few incredulous chapters, I began to accept him and wove him right into my sense of reality. Charles Todd has chosen a very dark and difficult time in world history, World War I, which is more romanticized but much less understood than the wars since. I appreciate his attention to detail and look forward very much to the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Search the Dark
Review: I very much enjoy the Charles Todd mysteries. This particular book was especially good. I must admit though that the voice of the dead comrade is beginning to annoy me. I think the mysteries stand without that added twist. I think that perhaps a book that finally frees Inspector Rutledge from this particular demon is due. Otherwise, this was an excellent book with real characters and well thought out plot. I hate the cliche but it was a real "page turner" throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Search the Dark
Review: I very much enjoy the Charles Todd mysteries. This particular book was especially good. I must admit though that the voice of the dead comrade is beginning to annoy me. I think the mysteries stand without that added twist. I think that perhaps a book that finally frees Inspector Rutledge from this particular demon is due. Otherwise, this was an excellent book with real characters and well thought out plot. I hate the cliche but it was a real "page turner" throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Search The Dark
Review: I was introduced to the this book by accident. While on vacation I picked up a book to read and it was this one. I can tell you that now on hooked on all of Charles Todd's Inspector Ian Rutledge novels! Once you start reading, you can't put the books down. I've read all in the series and I'm anxiously his latest novel.
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