A Christmas Witness

Todd’s latest whodunit featuring Scotland Yarder Ian Rutledge (after A Game of Fear) finds the long-running series in top form. In 1921, WWI veteran Rutledge is still plagued by shell shock and haunted by the voice of Cpl. Hamish MacLeod, whom he executed for refusing to follow an order that both knew would result in senseless bloodshed. Rutledge’s plans to spend Christmas with his sister are disrupted when his boss, Chief Superintendent Markum, directs him to Kent, where well-connected ex-colonel Lord Braxton claims an unidentified horseman tried to run him down, badly battering him before escaping. Braxton is sure it was a targeted attack and fears the assailant will strike again, so Rutledge puts aside his Christmas plans to investigate. Though he’s determined to tackle the inquiry with his typical diligence (and help from the voice in his head), Rutledge struggles with moral ambivalence about aiding a former military man. Todd keeps readers off-balance throughout and poignantly explores his lead’s emotional struggles as he interviews the people of Kent and comes to suspect that Braxton isn’t telling the whole story. Inspector Rutledge shows no sign he’s running out of steam. Agent: Lisa Gallagher, DeFiore & Co. (Oct.)