A couple of years ago, when we got a ''Kindle,' we embarked on a mystery series by "Charles Todd", an American mother and son storytelling team. Their novels are set during the post World War I period in Britain.
Following treatment for 'shell shock' (what we today call PTSD) after the Armistice, he returns to hs pre-war job at Scotland Yard, under his nemesis, Chief Superintendent Bowles.
Although Rutledge is based at headquarters in London, he is sent by Bowles on a succession of tough rural cases, mostly to keep him out of the way.
Most detectives, although they work alone, usually have a partner, with whom they can go over case clues and share their thoughts.
In a curious and cruel twist, Rutledge's partner is a sullen, talkative Scottish -- ghost, Hamish, who resides in his mind. As commanding officer of his army unit, Rutledge was forced to have Hamish, one of his sergeants, executed by firing squad (as well as personally administer the "coup de grace") at the third Battle of the Somme.
The young Sergeant had repeatedly refused a direct order to lead his men "over-the-top" during the third Battle of the Somme. Both men had realized the utter futility of carrying out such an order, but an order was an order, especially to ensure discipline in the trenches.
Rutledge is not able to ride public transport, because of claustrophobia.
He drives a motor car (and there are but a few, in 1919), so Hamish assumes his position in the backseat, behind the driver. He is always berating Rutledge for his methods, but will often warn him when there is a sudden threat of personal danger.
Rutledge cannot betray having to deal with the Hamish voice, either to his doctor, his boss, or even to his sister, Frances, for fear of losing his job and her respect. He often experiences brutal nightmares, where he relives the sights, sounds and smells of commanding his men in the trenches.
Rutledge approaches his cases by concentrating on the WHY of the crime, rather then the how and when.
He carries out lots of painstaking research, whether it be by interviewing witnesses and family members who are reluctant to give out much information, by visiting country churchyard cemeteries or consulting archival records at the Imperial War Office in London.
The solution and climax of each story force him to use skills deployed during the Great War, especially marksmanship or hand-to-hand combat.
(We're also reading another 'Charles Todd' series, featuring nurse-detective Bess Crawford, who has worked with the legendary Florence Nightinghale.)
These are all proving to be enjoyable mysteries, in the form of 'well-spun yarns.'
No comments:
Post a Comment