For Readers--A Fine Historical Mystery Series

 























I like good mysteries and historical fiction, and when I find s series that encompasses both genres, I'm very pleased. Recently I discovered a series of mysteries featuring a Scotland Yard Inspector, Ian Rutledge. Set in England in the early years after WWI, Ian tries to resurrect his position at Scotland Yard, even though he came home 'shell-shocked',' the term used to describe what we now call PTSD.

Inspector Rutledge had to execute a young Scots soldier named Hamish who had been under his command during the war. Getting beyond it has been impossible, so Hamish lives in Rutledge's mind and speaks to him as he investigates murders.

The first of this series that I read was The Black Ascot. I enjoyed it so much that, when the newest one was published, I put A Divided Loyalty on reserve at my library. It did not disappoint. The stories are page-turners and done well enough to keep the reader guessing the outcome.

What I found unusual about the author is that Charles Todd is actually a pen name for a  mother and son duo---she being named Caroline Todd and he, Charles--who has produced a large number of books in this series, and also a series featuring an English nurse serving in WWI, named Bess Crawford.

They live in two different states in the eastern part of the United States, North Carolina and Delaware. I have always found it difficult to understand how two people author one book, let alone when they live in separate states. Then, add the fact that they are mother and son, and I am having a difficult time understanding how they write a book together and do it so well! Does Mother ever pull rank with an I'm the mother attitude? Does the son ever play the I'll whine so she gives in trick? Since the series has been so popular, I'm guessing that they have learned to work together quite well.

Rather than give you a summary of the two books I have read, let me just say that the author(s) have a nice way of writing. A great deal takes place in small villages outside of London. While not losing anything of the story itself, the reader sees the villages and the people who live there quite well, not with long descriptions but with bits and pieces using sensory details and fine prose. If you've ever visited England, you'll be transported back while reading these books. There are also scenes in London and inside Scotland Yard that give the reader a good image of both.

The reader learns something of Inspector Rutledge's personal life, never enough to overpower the mystery story itself. I found myself wanting to know more, wanting to cheer Ian on in so many places within the story, fearing for him in others.

To read a summary of The Black Ascot, go here. For a summary of A Divided Loyalty go here. These are books 21 and 22 in the series. I am definitely going to look for the earlier books and will also check out the Bess Crawford series.