What a dreadful mess. I've liked the other Rutledge books, but not this one. I couldn't tell one character from another, and good luck trying to get thru all of the misrepresentations and nonsense. Plus, it's 1920, and while Todd tries to make much of the technology realistic (few telephones, candles and oil lamps, no electricity), Rutledge spent an awful lot of time driving around all over in what realistically would have taken much more time. And it was redundant, always getting into the car every few minutes. Not even sure why I read it all the way thru since other books that were this ridiculous I've put down without finishing.

Todd's books are becoming alike. Too bad, there was such promise.

Very good read.

Ian Rutledge investigates why a young man becomes an imposter and confesses a crime he didn?t commit. Ian?s reception in the isolated Essex fishing village is unaccountably cold and the prosperous family who inhabited the remote estate River?s Edge seem surrounded by tragedy.

It?s another of these fine mysteries by the Todd team. I didn?t see the resolution coming at all.

I just finished reading it, I thought I enjoyed it, but now I couldn't tell you what it was about. It's true that Todd's books are all becoming the same. A lot of Rutledge's interest for me, was Hamish and he played a much lesser role in this, almost as if Rutledge is getting better, but more likely because the writing's going downhill.

All the books are starting to seem the same with unbelievable characters. Takes forever to proceed anywhere.

Hm. Todd’s books have become hit-or-miss for me lately, and unfortunately this was one of the “misses.” It’s well-written, but the plot seems to drag a little bit and I lost track of most of the names about halfway through. Killer seemed rather obvious to me as well.

Essex

A real disappointment--lots of driving between London and Essex, contrived and convoluted plot with underdeveloped characters.

I probably will not continue reading this series.