****
17.
- 427.) A False Mirror by Charles
Todd - Superintendent Bowles would like to be rid of Ian Rutledge but Rutledge
continues to be a good police officer. Stephen Mallory was a young officer
under Rutledge who cracked and was sent home. When Corporal Hamish McLeod cracked
he was executed. Mallory is suspected of attacking Matthew Hamilton, the
husband of the woman he left behind. When confronted Mallory panics and seeks
sanctuary with Felicity Hamilton. It becomes a form of hostage situation at her
suggestion. Mallory convinces local inspector, Bennett, that he will not
surrender Mrs. Hamilton and her maid unless Rutledge comes and finds the
evidence to demonstrate his innocence. Rutledge comes and investigates. Unlike
current hostage situations essentially one officer guards the house. There is
no tactical team planning an assault. People come and go from the house based
on their promises. It is a disjointed story with less convincing actions by the
characters. It is not credible that Mallory would not have been the leading
suspect and arrested when one of the hostages dies in the house. It did not
flow as well as the earlier mysteries. Hamish remains an intriguing spirit
commenting on events. There are more murders and a murky investigation. For the
first time I sensed the two authors were not fully connected. (Apr.
19/08)
****
Todd, Charles – (2000) - Legacy of the Dead; (2002) - Watchers of Time and Fearsome Doubt; (2005) - A Cold Treachery; (2006) - A Long Shadow; (2008) - A False Mirror; (2010) - A Duty to the Dead
The Charles Todd series are, in general, very good ones, Bill, in my opinion. It sounds as though this might not have been their best, though (This is one I admit I haven't read). Still, I do really the sense of time and place in these novels. I haven't read a Todd in a bit, myself; I probably ought to rectify that.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I really enjoyed the early books. I hope to read more in the next year.
DeleteI read a few Charles Todd books, but not, I think, this one - and maybe I should look for another if I am going to revisit this series.
ReplyDeleteMoira: Thanks for the comment. I would recommend another.
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