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    A Divided Loyalty: A Novel
    A Divided Loyalty: A Novel
    A Divided Loyalty: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    A Divided Loyalty: A Novel

    Written by Charles Todd

    Narrated by Simon Prebble

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge is assigned one of the most baffling investigations of his career—a cold murder case with an unidentified victim and a cold trail with few clues to follow.

    Chief Inspector Brian Leslie, a respected colleague of Ian Rutledge’s, is sent to Avebury, a village set inside a great prehistoric stone circle not far from Stonehenge. 

    A young woman has been murdered next to a mysterious, hooded, figure-like stone, but no one recognizes her—or admits to it.  And how did she get there? Despite a thorough investigation, it appears that her killer has simply vanished.

    Rutledge, returning from the conclusion of a case involving another apparently unknown woman, is asked to take a second look at Leslie’s inquiry, to see if he can identify this victim. But Rutledge is convinced Chief Superintendent Jameson only hopes to tarnish his earlier success once he also fails.

    Where to begin? He too finds very little to go on in Avebury, slowly widening his search beyond the village—only to discover that unlikely—possibly even unreliable—clues are pointing him toward an impossible solution, one that will draw the wrath of the Yard down on him, and very likely see him dismissed if he pursues it. But what about the victim—what does he owe this tragic woman? Where must his loyalty lie?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 4, 2020
    ISBN9780062984852
    Author

    Charles Todd

    Charles Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries, the Bess Crawford mysteries, and two stand-alone novels. A mother-and-son writing team, Caroline passed away in August 2021 and Charles lives in Florida.

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    Reviews for A Divided Loyalty

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    • 5/5
      Title: A Divided Loyalty (Inspector Ian Rutledge #22)Author: Charles ToddPages: 336Year: 2020Publisher: William MorrowMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.The 22nd book in this series has Inspector Ian Rutledge arriving at Scotland Yard from one case and immediately sent out to solve another. A woman has been murdered and no one can identify her. Ian sets about asking questions and fairly soon has discovered her identity and her killer. He reports back to The Yard only to be handed another case. This one, however, has already been investigated by a friend and fellow inspector without identifying the victim or the killer. Since Ian did so well on the last case, his boss, who hates Ian, hopes this case will remain unsolved and Ian will be seen as a failure.Ian sets off for the murder site, meets the local law enforcement and reviews the thin file. He begins his questioning and travels from place to place, following the remotest idea or tidbit of information, hoping it will give him a solid lead. He covers a lot of the same ground as his predecessor, but stumbles upon one clue that will cause him to doubt where his conclusion leads him. As always his ever-present companion, Hamish, adds his observations to the case.This is a great British mystery that takes place in 1921, beginning in London. Any of these 22 novels can be read alone, but they do progress through time, so the first novel begins shortly after the war ends. I would recommend reading them in order to gain a better understanding of Ian and Hamish, their history, the prior relationships between Ian and various recurring characters and the personal struggles he has encountered and endured. These stories are rich with details of post WWI life, how it changed life for everyone, not just the men and women who served, and is still at the forefront of how many people live their lives. Ian faces the added challenge of possible succeeding where a friend and colleague failed, or alternatively failing and being put out of The Yard for good. His job is his life. What will he do if he can’t solve this case?Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      Riveting to the end, a well written story great plot.
    • 4/5
      Another interesting story involving Ian Rutledge. His superior gives him cases that are unsolved (Ian believes he would like to find an excuse to fire him) but manages to solve the first one of the a murdered woman so he’s given another difficult case. Has Ian starts investigating the murder of the unidentified woman, he starts a step-by-step process on how did she get to this stone circle, where did she come from, who was she meeting. As he builds a case and finally discovers who the woman was and wrestles with who the suspected murderer is, his voice in his head, Hamish, a dead soldier from WWI, helps him reason out the case.
    • 5/5
      This was definitely my favorite in the Ian Rutledge series. The setting is primarily a dark, gloomy place with stone figures in a field and it's raining most of the time. However, I felt a lifting of Ian's own mood and confidence out of his shell-shocked state following WWI. He investigates the murder of an Armenian refugee found near the stones and traces it to a most unlikely killer. There are background information on several characters and many historical details that added to my enjoyment.
    • 5/5
      This is the first book I've read in the Ian Rutledge series though I have read some of the Bess Crawford series. They are both excellent historical mystery series.In this case, Ian is returned from WWI with a severe case of PTSD (he hears the voice of Hamish, a man he killed) and is working again for Scotland Yard. After a successful result for a woman's murder, he is sent to Avesbury to double-check the results of one of his colleagues who didn't solve a similar murder.I love the historical details that are interposed throughout the book. The authors do a wonderful job of detailing the period and laying out the clues. There are some great twists and I devoured the story, wanting to know how it was going to end. Ian is a good protagonist, conflicted and honorable. I missed some of his backstory because I hadn't read earlier books, but it wasn't much of a bother to this story. I'll definitely be grabbing more of Charles Todd's works.
    • 4/5
      In which Ian Rutledge continues to battle his inner demons, Crime and his superiors at Scotland Yard. The writing team called Charles Todd has done it again - this series never fails to please. This is one of the best.
    • 5/5
      One of the Todds' best, filled with angst, anxiety, and retribution; Rutledge may never escape all the clouds of guilt that bedevil him. This one is close to home and involves senior Yard personnel still beset with WW1 burdens up close and personal. Lots of patience and much perseverance are required as the Inspector must connect many tiny dots past and current to bring this unlikely murderer to bay.
    • 4/5
      I always enjoy Inspector Rutledge mysteries
    • 5/5
      First book read in the Todd series. Enjoyed immensely, many twists and turns. I would rate Todd novels with Perry books. Will definitely enjoy more Todd novels in the future.
    • 2/5
      Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard inspector, returned from the trenches of WWI a damaged man. In this, the 22nd novel in this series, he is tasked with solving two murders. In both instances a woman was murdered in a rural town where nobody knew her and her reason for traveling to the area is unknown. Rutledge quickly solves the first murder, but the chief inspector assigned to the second murder is forced to conclude that the murderer is a person or persons unknown. Chief Superintendent Markham, who is holding Rutledge’s unopened letter of resignation, orders him to take a second look. Rutledge suspects Markham is establishing a basis for accepting his resignation.The premise of “A Divided Loyalty” is intriguing, but the book is disappointing. The story moves forward at a plodding pace that fails to build tension or suspense. Rutledge mostly drives back and forth from one location to another without a clear rhyme or reason, giving the search for evidence an aimless quality. Sometimes he drives back by his apartment in London to spend the night, but seldom does anything related to the case while there. Other times he travels to a distant location, engages in a brief activity, and spends the night elsewhere. His motivation is seldom clear. The story became so tedious I set it aside with 40 pages remaining to go do something else for a while.The final conclusion is disappointing, as are all stories in which the author cheats. Good mysteries provide clues along the way that allow attentive, clever readers to solve the mystery just before the author’s reveal. In this case, the murderer appeared only tangentially in one scene before the climax. It could hardly have been worse if Todd had not included the guilty party in the book at all. Readers typically question whether a later book in an established series can be enjoyed without reading the earlier offerings. Lack of familiarity with the backstory definitely lessened my enjoyment in this instance. The book frequently introduces or mentions characters introduced in earlier stories. Examples include Kate Gordon, who is attracted to Rutledge; he is hesitant to reciprocate because of “what happened in Cornwall.” Jean, Kate’s cousin, who broke off her engagement to Ian when he returned from France as “a shattered man.” Haldane, a mysterious figure, provides information that is unavailable to a Scotland Yard investigator. Frequent references also allude to “the shame” in Rutledge’s past, the suspicion that he is shell-shocked, and a “moral coward” who “might blacken a fellow officer’s good name” to win favor.” The repeated appearance of Hamish is succinctly explained in a single paragraph, so Todd clearly knows how to fill in the backstory. Yet he consistently omits the clarifying paragraph that would greatly enhance reader enjoyment. This is the first Ian Rutledge novel I have read; I do not plan to read another. The mystery genre is blessed with many superior authors.
    • 5/5
      Title: A Divided Loyalty (Inspector Ian Rutledge #22)Author: Charles ToddPages: 336Year: 2020Publisher: William MorrowMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.The 22nd book in this series has Inspector Ian Rutledge arriving at Scotland Yard from one case and immediately sent out to solve another. A woman has been murdered and no one can identify her. Ian sets about asking questions and fairly soon has discovered her identity and her killer. He reports back to The Yard only to be handed another case. This one, however, has already been investigated by a friend and fellow inspector without identifying the victim or the killer. Since Ian did so well on the last case, his boss, who hates Ian, hopes this case will remain unsolved and Ian will be seen as a failure.Ian sets off for the murder site, meets the local law enforcement and reviews the thin file. He begins his questioning and travels from place to place, following the remotest idea or tidbit of information, hoping it will give him a solid lead. He covers a lot of the same ground as his predecessor, but stumbles upon one clue that will cause him to doubt where his conclusion leads him. As always his ever-present companion, Hamish, adds his observations to the case.This is a great British mystery that takes place in 1921, beginning in London. Any of these 22 novels can be read alone, but they do progress through time, so the first novel begins shortly after the war ends. I would recommend reading them in order to gain a better understanding of Ian and Hamish, their history, the prior relationships between Ian and various recurring characters and the personal struggles he has encountered and endured. These stories are rich with details of post WWI life, how it changed life for everyone, not just the men and women who served, and is still at the forefront of how many people live their lives. Ian faces the added challenge of possible succeeding where a friend and colleague failed, or alternatively failing and being put out of The Yard for good. His job is his life. What will he do if he can’t solve this case?Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 4/5
      3.5 Another long running series of mine, this one historical. A slower paced book, since it's set shortly after WWI, and all detective work needs to be done by interviewing and traveling place to place. Ian Rutledge is the main character, a detective who carries with him, quite literally, the effects of the war. As with many long running series, some have been better than others. In this one I felt the author is back on track, and I enjoyed the two different cases Rutledge must solve. Two young women murdered, in two separate locations, one easier and less costly to solve than the other. The second case presents a more difficult resolution, one that hits close to home. Atmospheric, a mystery that can't be hurried through, rather one to emesh oneself in during long evenings.ARC from Edelweiss.
    • 2/5
      An okay book and a good break from the normal murder and mayhem I normally read. Due to his success to a similar case, Rutledge is asked to take a second look at another detectives case of the murder of an unknown woman. The clues Rutledge uncovers don't add up. Can he solve yet another case of on unidentified murder?
    • 3/5
      This 22nd entry in Charles Todd’s Ian Rutledge series was a little slow to start but it turned into an entertaining read. I figured out who did it by the time I was mid-way through which I rarely do. But I did want to know the how and the why so I happily kept reading to see if I was right. I was, but I still have unanswered questions. I didn’t feel hampered by the 12 book gap between this book and the last in the series I read so not reading all 21 previous books wasn’t a problem. Overall, a fairly good historical mystery that was well written with engaging characters. I loved learning a bit about England and Avebury’s stone circle.
    • 4/5
      It takes some effort to keep the main detective in an ongoing mystery series interesting, believable, and capable of solving intriguing and comples mysteries. Some authors rely on the same setting but, I mean how many murders can occur in one small village in Quebec? The body count is horrifying and should be the subject on a national inquiry. Some successful authors rely on insuring their detectives can survive the most impossible and death-defying circumstances while travelling around the world and keep the US safe from foreign and domestic threats. And Charles Todd (a mother-son writing team) does so by creating a unique man, Ian Rutledge recently returned from the horrors of WWI, suffering from shell shock and determined to make his way up the ladder in Scotland Yard, keeping his anxieties and the sometimes-voice of a dead comrade to himself. Todd also does so by utilizing the vase urban labyrinth of London, its palaces and churches, its dead-end backwaters, its individuals at the pinnacles of power and those who sleep in hovels or under bridges. But, Todd also takes Rutledge out of London to rural England, in the case of his most recent novel, “A Divided Loyalty”. The novel starts with a cold case, the murder of a young woman near a small village, that was unable to be solved by local authorities, nor Scotland Yard. This leads to an assignment to solve another cold case, a similar murder of woman who was found in a ditch outside Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury is a village surrounded by a large stone ring, similar (and near) to Stonehenge, itself a setting of mystery. What a joy to accompany Rutledge as he relentlessly tracks the smallest clues, interviews and re-interviews locals, out-thinks folks who are not willing to help him, and of course, thankfully, prevails in his quest. The division of loyalties hinted at in the title turns out to be both plausible and compelling. How to bring the murderer to justice when to do so will do so much damage? My reading of Todd has always been out of sequence, usually when I came across a title and just plunged in, never to be disappointed. This time I was fortunate to score a reviewer copy from Library Thing, and found it to be the best so far. I have decided to go back and start at the beginning of this series, now at #22 with this book, so I enjoy the development of Ian Rutledge’s character from the beginning and learn how his skills are tested and developed. I urge you to read this new novel right away, but then treat yourself to more of Charles Todd in the future. It will be a wonderful relationship.
    • 4/5
      Series: Inspector Ian Rutledge #22Publication Date: 2/4/2020Number of Pages: 336Betrayal, shock, dismay, regret, and sadness are all felt by Ian Rutledge as he solves his latest case. As always, the story is well-written and excellently plotted with twists and turns throughout. While this is the twenty-second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone – but since it is a great series, I’m sure you’ll want to run right out and get some of the earlier books. Ian is one of those characters that you really come to like and wish the best for him – all the while knowing how he suffers from the war. Not all wounds can be seen on the outside.It is February of 1921 and Ian Rutledge, along with most of England, is still trying to put the war behind him. Although the war ended in November of 1918, Ian is still suffering greatly from shell shock. Balancing his duties as a Scotland Yard inspector and managing his symptoms is definitely not for the faint of heart. After his last big case, The Black Ascot, he is still in disfavor with his superiors and he knows he has to walk on eggshells for a while. After all, the Chief Superintendent still has his letter of resignation in his desk drawer and has let Ian know that he’ll pull it out and accept it at the slightest misstep.After wrapping up a case in Shropshire, Ian was called into Chief Superintendent Markham’s office. Ian’s new assignment was to take a second look at a case that Chief Inspector Brian Leslie hadn’t been able to solve. Leslie was an excellent investigator as well as a friend and colleague, so Ian was sure that nothing had been missed in the investigation and was a little resentful to have been given the assignment. However, it was his assignment now so he’d best be off to Avebury.Avebury is a bit of an eerie place as it is built in the center of an ancient stone circle. The body of the murdered woman was found at the foot of one of those stones. Ian retraces the steps taken by Leslie and discovers he is finding the same things as Leslie did. However, Ian is like a dog with a bone – he just doesn’t turn loose. As he stretches his imagination to picture how the murder could occur, how the murderer got the victim to where she was murdered without being seen and a myriad of other things – the clues just don’t add up. He slowly begins to suspect the unthinkable – yet there is no way to prove any of it.Ian is drawn to the lovely young woman who was murdered. It pains him, and the rest of Avebury, to know that this young woman doesn’t even have a name on her gravestone because they can’t identify her. Ian is determined to identify her, to learn her story and to find justice for her.In this taut, gripping tale you’ll cry for this young woman and root for Ian to identify her and bring her murderer to justice. Then, just when you think you have it all figured out, the author plagues you with doubt. You can’t be sure of what happened until the very end.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      Very well written mystery. I liked it very much
    • 4/5
      The mother and son team of Charles Todd continue to write a well-balanced mystery. In this novel, Ian Rutledge must reinvestigate a murder in which Chief Inspector Brian Leslie could not find the killer. Rutledge feels that Chief Superintendent Markham has set him up to fail and to lose his job. Charles Todd paints beautiful and chilling scenes of an area close to Stonehenge, where the villagers stumble in this mystic area. Rutledge’s past life enters into many scenes and seems to hinder his investigation, but he continues to pursue the killer even when he discovers who the killer could be. I am reminded of the writing of Elizabeth George minus the psychological wanderings.
    • 4/5
      This is a historical mystery as it takes place in post-WWI England and was the first of the Inspector Ian Rutledge books I have read, and consequently, there were some moments of confusion whenever some of his back story cropped up, especially the voice in his head, one Hamish, a Scotsman. However, the authors did a pretty good job of explaining those things, it just requires the reader to forego asking questions and waiting for the light to be shone upon those little back story quirks.The wait was worth it. It takes a while to get to the main murder case, as we first follow Inspector Rutledge as he solves a puzzling murder involving an unidentified victim, a young lady. The reason for following him on this case becomes clear when his boss assigns him to another case involving another unidentified woman because he did so well on the first one. But was that the real reason, or was it because he hoped that Rutledge would fail, because the second case had already been investigated by another Scotland Yard who came a-cropper and failed to identify either the victim or the murder. It seems that Chief Superintendent Markham has it in for Rutledge, for reasons which are not fully explained here but have been in previous volumes of this series. I guess we can call that another mystery.Rutledge spends a goodly share of his time sleuthing about in Avebury, where the murder victim was found, and the surrounding area. Having been to Wiltshire, and Avebury in particular, this location came alive for me, especially the time spent inside and around the West Kennet Long Barrow. As we are privy to Inspector Rutledge’s though processess—including interjections from his other personality, Hamish—it is very interesting to see how he puts ideas and clues together.As he begins to realize that the previous investigator was involved in the murder and was likely the perpetrator himself, the problems that this brings to the Inspector are complicated by the negative attitude towards him shown by the Chief Superintendent. Still, he perseveres to the end, and although there is a twist at the end that he failed to see, his position at the Yard remains secure.This was a sufficiently engaging mystery that I find I would like to read previous volumes, especially as it will fill in the gaps in Inspector Rutledge’s back story that perforce exist by jumping in so late in the series, this being the 22nd in the lot. While not the finest mystery ever written, it is a good read and worth your time.
    • 3/5
      A Divided Loyalty is the latest in a long series of early 20th Century police procedurals featuring Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge. It’s the first I’ve read, but a few unexplained references can be ignored and Rutledge’s testy relationship with his management at the Yard can be attributed to an unknown history. Author Charles Todd sets his scene in post-WW I England realistically, although the ease with which Rutledge flits all about England in his motorcar would be challenging on today’s motorways, much less the dirt tracks of 1921. While the book is a pleasant read, I had a couple criticisms:The first fifth of the book is a completely separate crime and solution, with no particular relationship to the rest of the book, other than Rutledge’s involvement. It seemed as though the author had a plot that turned out to be too slight to stand on its own, and so threw it into this book.Secondly, when a twist at the conclusion reveals the murderer, there’s no tie-back to the crime to show how the perpetrator might have accomplished it. The loose ends leave the reader wondering.
    • 3/5
      This is the 22nd book in a series. It is the first in the series that I've read and that caused me not to enjoy the book as much as I might have. The device of Hamish annoyed me. I would have preferred just to have Rutledge's own thoughts. Also, unfortunately, the parts that were supposed to develop the character did not add to the story for me.The overall plot was reasonably well written for today's lighter fare. The narrative flowed well expect for what I've previously noted. I much prefer the works of Christie and Conan-Doyle.
    • 4/5
      I received this book as an LTER. This is the 21st in the Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery series, but this is the first book in this series that I have read. I hate starting a series out of order, let alone at the end, but I loved this book. I will read the other 20 (in fact I already purchased two).Inspection Ian Rutledge with Scotland Yard is sent to investigate a murder of a young woman, who is unidentified. After quickly solving that case, he is sent to Avebury to investigate a murder that took place months ago, that a colleague was unable to solve.This murder is similar in that this is also a young woman who is unidentified. Inspector Brian Leslie, the original investigator, was unable to identify the woman, or have any leads. But Rutledge's tenacity opens up more questions and provides answers. This book is set in England in 1921. Both Inspectors were former officers in The Great War. Rutledge is haunted by the memory of his superior officer, Hamish. Hamish is a voice in Rutledge's head that doesn't hinder or help the investigation. He is really just a sounding board. The appearance of Hamish is not something that I would classify as 'supernatural'.Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was set in England, written by American authors and set in a time when the world was changing.
    • 5/5
      I have previously read only a few of the books in the Ian Rutledge series, and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed them before … the books, the post World War One timeframe in which they are set, and the wonderful characters -- especially Ian himself.In this book, I particularly enjoyed the sense of place. I have visited Avebury only once in years gone by, however I love southwest England and it was lovely to “return” there for an enjoyable armchair journey via this book.I found A Divided Loyalty to be a thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining and suspenseful mystery in an archeological setting – and now that I have read it, I plan to get back to reading more books in this series.
    • 4/5
      The titles of Charles Todd novels usually strike me as bland and easily forgotten. I can never remember which of these books I have read and which I haven't. These qualities may also be true of “A Divided Loyalty,” the latest Inspector Ian Rutledge novel, yet still I find it a solid title for it describes not just the inspector's dilemma, but also that of his chief suspect and even that of his superior back at the Scotland Yard. Nobody, it seems, knows exactly which side he should be on.Rutledge is assigned to investigate the murder of an unidentified woman in rural England, while another man from the Yard, Chief Inspector Brian Leslie, is assigned a similar case in another rural province. Rutledge quickly gets his man, but when Leslie comes up empty, Rutledge is dispatched to see if he can do better.Evidence is scant and the dead woman proves difficult to identify, but Rutledge is shaken when he discovers that what little he knows points to Leslie himself as the killer. Rutledge's job is already in jeopardy with a boss who wants to get rid of him because of the lingering effects of shellshock from the Great War (this is 1921), so how does he convince Chief Superintendent Markham that one of his own officers may be a murderer?This may be one of the best of the Rutledge novels, and there are now more than a score of them. Suspense builds at a steady pace, and just when the reader begins to relax, it builds some more.
    • 4/5
      The twenty-first volume in the Inspector Rutledge series. Rutledge is assigned to re-examine a case left unsolved by a higher ranked officer. He suspects that his superior is looking for him to fail. But the case, the body of a woman stabbed to death and dumped in an area in which she is a stranger, resembles one he has recently completed. He takes the assignment and begins to retrace Chief Inspector Leslie's steps. The body was found in the village of Avebury, murdered at the foot of one of the mysterious stones and dragged into the surrounding ditch. The village is shocked at the sudden violence in their midst but no one has any idea of the victim's name or of how she came to their area. Solid police work on Rutledge's part begins to turn up clues, but he is reluctant to believe his results. Many twists and turns of plot follow, accompanied by Rutledge's struggles with his own emotions as a man still tortured by the events of the war which have left him "haunted" by the voice of a man he executed. While I do tire of the overused trope of the able detective with an antagonistic superior this was an excellently crafted mystery.
    • 4/5
      This is the first book that I’ve read in the Ian Rutledge series, but it won’t be my last. This is an historical mystery set in the years following WWI, and the detective, Rutledge, is a veteran still haunted by his experiences in the war. A woman is found dead, and one of his colleagues comes under suspicion. Todd does a great job with setting, characterization, and dialogue. I enjoy a book that tells a story without getting bogged down with lots of superfluous descriptions and dialogue, and Todd moves the story right along. I will be reading other books in the series.
    • 4/5
      Excellent addition to the Ian Rutledge series. The Rutledge books get better and better. New plots with authentic locations rich in the history and daily life of the post WWI era. Always a learning experience and a travelogue of sorts.Rutledge has been assigned to investigate the murder of a young woman in Avebury. A fellow Yard officer already completed this investigation but Rutledge is sent for a redo. Being the kind of man Rutledge is, he is doggedly thorough and in time finds leads that make him doubt the integrity of that previous investigation.The stone circles surrounding Avebury and the Long Barrow provide the backdrop for the book. Rutledge drives around southwest England back and forth to London and it truly feels like we the readers are along for the ride. Authentic, atmospheric and a tangled twisted plot line that does not unwind until the very end. Read as an Arc from LibraryThing.
    • 5/5
      I've read most of the Ian Rutledge series and I approach each new one with the dread that the series may have worn out, and with each one I am amazed at the freshness. Rutledge remains a compelling character. The ending was not a surprise for me, but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of the book. I'll just say that Rutledge is not the only character who finds the demands on his loyalty divisive.
    • 5/5
      I generally do not read historical fiction but am delighted to have received and read Charles Todd's A Divided Loyalty. The plot is well thought out, Inspector Rutledge is a tenacious investigator who doesn't give up, and the post WW1 British atmosphere is a crucial part of the narrative. Rutledge has returned from the war with shell shock along with a voice in his head, Hamish, a fellow soldier who died on the battlefield next to Rutledge, who provides guidance and counsel at crucial times during investigations. It is 1921 and Chief Inspector Brian Leslie of Scotland Yard, hoping for a couple of days of R&R, is instead sent to Avebury--as Rutledge is busy testifying in court--a small village near historic Stonehenge to investigate a murder. The body of a young woman was found near a village stone circle. No one seems to recognize her or know how she could have got there but Leslie's reaction to the body suggests he knows more than he lets on. Despite all of his by the book efforts, Leslie closes the case as unsolved and returns to London.Inspector Rutledge, having just solved a similar case of a nameless woman in the small village of Shropshire, is sent to see if he can pick up where Leslie left off. Rutledge knows this is a no-win for him. Chief Superintendent Markham, who has Rutledge's written resignation in his desk, is hoping he'll fail and, thus, tarnish his reputation and be fired if he chooses not to quit. If he somehow solves the case, it will look bad not only on Leslie who is liked and respected but it could also reflect badly on the Yard itself.Rutledge retraces Leslie's footsteps and begins to suspect that the killer is someone very close to the case with knowledge of the dead woman. But who? After another body is found near the stones, Rutledge knows the murderer will do anything to stop him from finding out what really happened--including an attempt on his life. Undeterred Rutledge continues to follow slim clues that eventually provide him with the answer.Charles has found a new fan. I just finished the entire Inspector Banks series and have been looking for a new long running British series to begin. I am excited to know I have 21 earlier Inspector Rutledge mysteries to enjoy.
    • 5/5
      Inspector Rutledge is sent to review a senior colleague's unsolved case in Avebury. An unidentified young woman's body is found in a ditch surrounding a prehistoric circle. His slow, but steady review of the evidence leads him through a complex series of discoveries. There are two attempts on his life, one of which leaves an innocent woman dead, followed by a second body in the general area of the first. Rutledge's investigation leads him to suspect the original investigator, a well respected senior colleague.One of the author's best!