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A Test of Wills

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A Test of Wills

Written by: Charles Todd
Narrated by: Samuel Giles
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About this listen

Ian Rutledge returns to his career at Scotland Yard after years fighting in the First World War. Unknown to his colleagues he is still suffering from shell shock, and is burdened with the guilt of having had executed a young soldier on the battlefield for refusing to fight. A jealous colleague has learned of his secret and has managed to have Rutledge assigned to a difficult case which could spell disaster for Rutledge whatever the outcome.

A retired officer has been murdered, and Rutledge, fighting the torment of his illness, goes to investigate. As he digs into the lives of the villagers, the witness who disturbs him most is a war-ravaged ex-soldier who chills Rutledge with the realization that he could become like this man.

©1996 Charles Todd (P)1999 W.F. Howes Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Detective Emotionally Gripping Solider
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Kept me guessing - I found it hard to get used to the narrator but once I did, I enjoyed the story and it did keep me guessing 

Kept me guessing

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I love these books by Charles Todd and I have read them all, but this one ended in what seemed to be before the story was finished.

It ended too soon... What happened to Fiona and young Ian?

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I love Charles Todd's writings! Love the style of the Old English detectives. Love there's no sex and foul language. He's a good writer, keeps you interested all through the book, Lots of twists and turns . Wonderful narrator too!

"Clean" Detective stories!

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Charles Todd (with contributions from wife Caroline) introduces Scotland Yard Inspector 'Ian Rutledge' - fresh from World War I - investigating the murder of an unpopular military officer.. presumably by a War Hero friend of the King. The investigation is understandably dated (incorporating zero forensics, for example), but plotted nicely and populated with interesting characters with interesting motivations. Unfortunately, the book is uncaptivating. Todd struggles with pacing and his dialogue is undistinguished. I found my mind wandering annoyingly frequently.

As to presentation: Reader Samuel Giles turns in a largely commendable performance.. but presents an irritating conundrum that I have not encountered before. Giles reads too slowly, but increasing the playback speed renders his accents hard to understand. This recording is hence a frustrating listen.

Altogether, 'A Test Of Wills' merits 6 stars out of 10. It was a little bit too vanilla for my tastes (a solidly PG-13 story), but was a serviceable character-driven mystery (concentrating more on intuition and personality exposition than procedure/evidence).
The audiobook was a reasonable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons overall.. but when it leaves the 'Plus' menu, spend your Credit elsewhere.

"Decent" Old-School Mystery

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