Sometimes in any criminal case it often appears open and shut. Meaning all the clues point to all the right people and it's simply a matter of connecting the proverbial dots to solidify the case. However in some, no matter how simply it looks to solve, but burden of proof may often times prove difficult or in some cases completely misleading. If you love a great mystery with a bit of twist to it and not too easy to solve, than I might suggest Charles Todd's latest novel, Proof of Guilt. This is the 15th book in his Inspector Ian Rutledge series and regardless of where you pick up in this series, they can all be read as a stand alone.
Ian Rutledge works for Scotland Yard in the 1920's and once again finds himself with a body without any identification. A proper gentlemen's clothing attires the body along with a gold pocket watch. The body appears to have been the unfortunate victim of a car accident, as the body appears to have been dragged to the location is now has been found in. Simple open and shut case right? Or does it merely appear that this is what the murderer wants the body of the man to look like. What is really going on? Who is this well dressed man? Why has his body been found in the street with no apparent markings around him that would show he has been dragged by a car? If he was the victim of a robbery, why does he still carry a gold pocket watch but missing his identification? Why hasn't anyone reported this man missing?
Ian Rutledge is a bit like your traditional Sherlock Holmes but with a modern flair. He finds himself bucking against the politics of Scotland Yard and his current supervisor while trying to solve this murder. The clues will lead our Inspector into a vast enterprise that begins just as the World War 1 is ending and businesses are still struggling to find a way to make money. It seems some of the wealthy business merchants would like to see this case simply go away and offer very little in the way of help for Inspector Rutledge. But just like Sherlock Holmes, he will not rest until he solves this crime. It truly is another page turner from beginning to end. Go ahead and try to solve this one before the end. Be warned however the evidence doesn't always point to the murderer.
I received Proof of Guilt by Charles Todd compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins for my honest review. This is my third Inspector Rutledge novel and was super excited to once again lose myself in a mystery and ride along as Dr. Watson, trying to solve the case. In every single instance, you are completely caught off guard by the end, and realize that sometimes that path of clues you think are linked are merely clues to keep you guessing til the end. Another award winning novel in my opinion and a must read for fans of historical murder/mysteryies! I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next one to hit the presses.
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- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (January 29, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0062015680
- ISBN-13: 978-0062015686
- Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
