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Legacy of the Dead: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,313 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The weathered remains of Eleanor Gray are found on a Scottish mountainside, and her mother, the domineering Lady Maude Gray, requires delicate treatment. This is a case that will lead Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard to Scotland, where his harrowing journey to find the truth will drag him back through thefires of his past into secrets that still have the power to kill.
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"Set in Scotland and rich in the atmospherics that Todd writes so well, this book reiterates the psychological and plot complexities that make this team of authors a phenomenon among mystery writers. The complexities of the small town minds ARE the complexities of plot in many cases, but in ways we are only privileged to see their point as Inspector Rutlege works them out. I learned much about Scotland in this book, taking time out as I did to read Sir Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake" midway through the book as it was cited as the best description of an area through which Rutlege was driving. As always, characterization is believable and top-notch, and the plot spirals twist one into circles of happy incredulity! My recommendation must seem to be rote by now, but it is sincere and fervid: read this series!!"
— Lynne-marie (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Eloquent…rich.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Tightly worked, poignant…a most moving story.”
— Booknews from The Poisoned Pen -
“A rich, complex novel intelligently written and very affecting.”
— Purloined Letter -
“The muddy, bloody horrors of WWI continue to haunt Inspector Ian Rutledge, back at work at Scotland Yard, but just barely…Readers will continue to be captivated by Todd’s portrait of the dangerously unraveling detective and his equally incisive evocation of the grieving postwar world.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“A sensitive approach, literate prose, and provocative situations mark Todd’s latest addition to his Ian Rutledge series…Very forceful emotional scenes ensue as Ian ferrets out the truth. A special treat for series and historical fans.”
— Library Journal -
“Readers who have yet to meet Rutledge are in for a surprise: his sidekick, MacLeod, was a corporal in World War I; during the Battle of the Somme, Rutledge was forced to have MacLeod executed for cowardice. MacLeod exists now only as a voice in Rutledge’s head—not a ghost but more than a fantasy figure. MacLeod is as real as any flesh-and-blood man, at least to Rutledge, whose inner turmoil, whose haunting (if you will), is what makes this series so immensely intriguing. This is a fine, unique, and moving mystery that will appeal to readers looking for something a little out of the ordinary.”
— Booklist -
“Deep-voiced Samuel Gillies gives Rutledge the English voice one expects, yet he narrates with a hint of a Scots accent. Unexpected, but it works, as does his fine creation of Hamish’s rhythmic brogue and the many other voices and personalities in the book, both men and women.”
— AudioFile -
“A compelling story that truly gets under the skin. The mystery is superb but it is Rutledge’s inner agonies that claim our interest and hold us fast until the last, chilling page.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)
Awards
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Finalist for the Anthony Award for Best Novel
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A New York Times Notable Book of the Year
Legacy of the Dead Listener Reviews
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Joan, 6/8/2022
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michelle, 10/20/2015
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" Fourth book in the Ian Rutledge series. I don't think I like these quite as much as the Bess Crawford ones--the central conceit of Hamish doesn't work for me--but this is still a pretty strong mystery novel. As with Todd's other books, the whole is better than the sum of the parts; there's enough historical detail and interesting characterization to make up for some transparencies and conveniences in the actual mystery. That said, I found the whole "innocent person insisting they are guilty" bit to be a bit tired so soon after reading An Impartial Witness. Perhaps it was my bad luck to pick up the two books where Todd repeats themselves in such quick succession. "
— Joy, 2/18/2014 -
" So good...as are they all. Rutledge goes into the belly of the beast when he travels to Scotland to the place where Hamish lived and loved. He even meets and attempts to save Fiona, Hamish's fiance. Gripping and ripping!!!! "
— Beth, 2/13/2014 -
" I keep waiting for one of the series to disappoint me, but each one has its own story with interest and new aspects to Rutledge as well as to the people who come into his life. The time in England after WWI is very interesting. Such pain and suffering spread so far across the nation. Every little town has its war legacy. The legacy enters into people's daily lives in unexpected ways. "
— Betsy, 2/9/2014 -
" charles Todd(mother 7 son living in US have mastered the telling of effects of WWI through a scottish ghost of all who have died "
— Linda, 1/30/2014 -
" Third in the series of Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge, a former soldier still fragile and recuperating from the trenches of WWI. His constant companion is the voice of the Highlander Hamish, who Rutledge had reluctantly put before a firing squae for refusing to follow orders. In this book, Rutledge investigates the charge of murder against Hamish's fiancee and is forced to confront his demons in Scotland. "
— Donalee, 1/13/2014 -
" This is by far the best of all of Todd's. "
— Emily, 1/11/2014 -
" This is my first Ian Rutledge novel. Again, I didn't realize there were previous books in the series so am off to read #1. "
— Sarah, 1/11/2014 -
" Wonderful read! I'd have given it five stars if the ending hadn't been such a cheat. "
— Gaynel, 1/5/2014 -
" This one really got me hooked on Ian Rutledge - being in Hamish's home turf really opened up the depth of his character. Looking forward to reading more of Ian's story. "
— Evie53, 1/1/2014 -
" I really liked the way the author did this mystery series. You are in the head of someone who is having a mental struggle at the same time as he is solving an outward struggle. "
— Pam, 12/25/2013 -
" I accidentally read the fifth book in this series before this one (number four), and the carry over in the fifth book was so excellent that I had really high expectations for this book. I think that is why I only gave it three stars. "
— Ann, 12/7/2013 -
" Complicated and surprising story. "
— Sara, 10/28/2013 -
" Typical great story and somewhat surprise ending "
— Noel, 10/5/2013 -
" I am enjoying this mystery series set in England - and this time partly in Scotland - just after the end of WWI. Good plot, wonderful descriptions of the setting. "
— Darla, 9/25/2013 -
" This series gets better and better. Ian Rutledge is sent against his will to Scotland to investigate whether a missing person is a murder victim. He is led to Hamish's former fiance and to the small villages where they lived. Will Ian's inner turmoil break him? I couldn't put this one down! "
— Deb, 9/1/2013 -
" Best book of the series thus far. Bring on the next one! "
— Janet, 8/8/2013 -
" WOW - so many rollercoaster rides - mentally and emotionally in this story. Kept me gripped in tight right until the end. "
— Annette, 7/23/2013 -
" The best mystery is the one I can't figure out. I had no idea what happened until the very end. Wonderful series!! "
— Ti-Leigh, 5/30/2013 -
" I have loved everyone of the Inpector Rutledge series so far. Gripping, surprising, and surprisingly poignant at times. "
— Gwennie, 4/23/2013 -
" I do like this series. I think the coincidences in this one were a bit much. What is the likelihood that Rutledge would run into Hamish's love? In all of Scotland.... That said, there was the expected fine plotting and reasoning. "
— Lynn, 4/16/2013 -
" Grab the book when you see it is simply smashing. It has suspense, romance, twists and turns leading to an anti climax ending. Simply cannot put down till I come to the last page. Ian Rutledge at his best! "
— Iynee, 12/28/2012 -
" A really good entry in a series I was already enjoying. Good characters and good twists and turns. A few interesting bits of Scottish history. The ending is very abrupt and leaves a lot open for future plotlines. Ran, did not walk, to get Book 5. "
— Amy, 11/2/2012
About Charles Todd
Charles Todd is a pen name used by the American authors Caroline (1934-2021) and Charles Todd, a mother-and-son writing team who write the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries and the Bess Crawford mysteries, as well as stand-alone novels. Their novel Proof of Guilt was a New York Times bestseller, and A Test of Wills was named one of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association’s 100 favorite mysteries of the 20th Century and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year selection. Their novels have won the Agatha Award, the Barry Award, and the Anthony Award, as well as being finalists for several other awards. Charles is continuing the series.
About Samuel Gillies
Sam Gillies is an experienced audiobook narrator whose titles include A Fearsome Doubt, Legacy of the Dead, Let It Bleed, Wings of Fire, and others.