South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Inspector Rutledge digs into secrets hidden by war
A major theme of Charles Todd’s emotionally involved and exquisitely plotted series about Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is how war affects each person differently. Taking place in the years immediately after World War I, the series shows how Ian still fights that war every day, its effect on him, and how each day spent as a detective is another battle won.
The secret that Ian cannot admit is that he suffers from shell shock — which today is recognized and treated. But in the years around World War I, shell shock, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was considered shameful and those who experienced it were labeled cowards no matter how highly decorated or experienced they were.
“The Black Ascot” begins in 1910 before the war when wealthy Alan Barrington was accused of the murder of Blanche Fletcher-Munro and the attempted murder of her husband, Harold. It was believed that Alan tampered with the Munro car because Harold had caused the bankruptcy of Blanche’s first husband, Mark Thorne, who was Alan’s best friend. Before he could be convicted, Alan escaped from custody.
It’s now 1921 and Rutledge hears a rumor that Alan may have returned to England. A decade ago, this was a high-profile case, but it took a back seat when WWI erupted. Rutledge is told to pursue the case but to be discreet because Scotland Yard doesn’t want a storm of bad publicity.
The case leads Rutledge to other sufferers of shell shock and a close look at
revenge, hate and secrets hidden by a war.
As usual, Todd’s meticulous research into post-war England is superlative in “The Black Ascot,” the 21st novel about Rutledge. Once again, Rutledge
proves himself to be an honorable man, compassionate and strong.
Charles Todd — a mother and son writing team — again explores the emotional wreckage war can leave, even when the war is fought between individuals, not nations.
Meet the author
Charles Todd will discuss “The Black Ascot” at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Murder on the Beach 273 Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach,
561-279-7790, murderonthebeach.com; and 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Books & Books,
265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408.
Todd also will appear at Sleuthfest, the writers’ conference, on March 14-17 at Embassy Suites in Boca Raton. Info: Sleuthfest .com.