Wings Of Fire (Hardcover)

In this second installment in the series, Rutledge is called upon to investigate a trio of deaths in the English countryside. One of the dead is a poet who's currently pretty popular, though no one knew she was the poet until she died, and the family's very well-connected also. So Rutledge goes and investigates, but there doesn't seem to be any crime, and though the family's been beset by tragedy repeatedly, everyone seems to think he should go home. He is, however, determined to find out why the poet killed herself, in part because he was attached to her poetry while he was serving in the trenches. There is, however, no apparent crime and worse, if there was a crime, most of the potential suspects are already dead.

This makes for a strange, moody, slow-moving mystery, full of atmosphere and dialog, but not much action. I did enjoy it, though, and I would recommend it, especially to mystery fans.

Todd's series involving an English detective after World War I are unique. Many people write period mysteries, few pull it off. It's difficult to draw a picture of that time period in so few words that will not clash or take away from the mystery. Todd manages to do that. When the reader becomes involved in thes story, it's almost as if someone reaches above the reader's head and manages to dim the light. Todd draws graphics with words, giving the reader a sense of stepping back into another world...time slows down, the bustle we are used to in this day and age disappear, the difference of how people treated one another, the destitution left by a war and the 1918 outbreak of influenza on not only material goods but on the people in England...all of this and more is conveyed by Todd's writing.

I really enjoyed this mystery. It moves at a pace in keeping with the time period. Rutledge's problem with his 'inner voice,' Hamish (a Scot who was a member of Rutledge's troop who died) is less obvious in this book. I did not find Hamish's presence to be a bother...actually, knowing what I do from medical school about acute traumatic events on the brain, it actually makes sense. Even though Hamish is still present, he seems to be losing his control over Rutledge's mind. Or rather Rutledge seems to be gaining more control over his own thoughts, which you would expect to happen. The story about a deeply troubled family is very convoluted, but for all that it makes for enjoyable reading...

Karen Sadler
University of Pittsburgh