Proof of Guilt: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery (Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries, 15) Paperback – December 17, 2013

It's always disappointing to reach the end of one of Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge mysteries because it means I have to wait for the next one to come out (in a year!). This outing was every bit as enjoyable as the previous books in the series. Rutledge seemed less tormented this time around, which was good. The poor man needs a break from his demons! The mystery was good, as much a puzzle of how to prove guilt (hence the title) as to figure out who was guilty. An interesting new character was introduced and I have to wonder if we'll see more of him in future outings. I hope that we will; he was a help this time around but I could easily see him making an interesting adversary if at some future date one of Rutledge's investigations threatened his interests. All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, as expected!

This mother/son team that call themselves Charles Todd are superb reads! Rutledge is my favorite series and this did not let me down. I love the way the fabric unravels over time even when I get impatient. I was a tad bit disappointed in the wrap up. After searching the entire story for some answers, one of them came in an oblique and rather curious way. That said, I like hunt and the doggedness of one of my favorite inspectors. Hard to put down once you've read page one.I'm hoping that the writers will see fit to allow Rutledge to shed his nemesis and actually have a romance. After all, it didn't ruin Perry's Monk's popularity when he healed and got married. (less)

What can I say, I have not said before. All of Charles Todd's books are GREAT. We have read nearly all of them and we enjoy all of them. The Scotsman in Ian's mind keeps the stories moving along. I think if it were not for that the books would lose some of their glamor. We are now waiting for the next new book about Ian Rutledge. I know Charles Todd writes about more than one character, but so far we have liked the stories about the Inspector and his Scotsman much better, this is only a personal view. I would imagine anyone hooked on These books will be the first ones to say the same. So, I say to those who would like to try these books, go for it. We think these books are super. I don't give away the story in my reviews. Read the synopsis and find out for yourselves.

When a new Charles Todd novel is released, I eagerly set aside about 2 days in which to devour the story. I love all the leg work involved in solving the crime, in a time where there are no forensic labs, DNA, or even telephones! Rutledge is a haunted character, to be sure, with Hamish the voice of reason and clarity in his mind. The last few books, however, seem to steamroll along to a point, then crash. I reread the ending four times, but still was confused about what happened. It's as if the authors realize they have a certain page limit for the book, and have to cram in the conclusion within that space. Rutledge's attraction to one of the female leads could have been exploited here (after all, it's been how many books. Give him a love affair already). I will still eagerly await the next book in the series, but Rutledge's character needs to move on.

The Inspector Ian Rutledge series has easily become my favorite murder mystery series. They are so well written and the characters are so well developed, it leaves no room for improvements. All of the mysteries, including Proof of Guilt, are smart, well thought out plots and keep you guessing until the very end.As anyone who has read my book reviews can tell, I am very, very picky with my books and rarely give a book five stars. I have read various criticisms of one or another of the books in these series and I just don't understand them. I can honestly say that I can't think of a single criticism for this book or any of the other books in this entire series.The plot has been summarized by others so I won't summarize it again. But if you're a mystery fan and an anglophile as I am, this book and this series is not to be missed!

The book got off to an engaging start. I was hooked. Two things interrupted this pleasure. One occurred when Rutledge began to make trip after trip between London to Dedham to St Hilary. Round and round, back and forth he went day and night between them. He’d leave London to ask questions. But the questions asked often had no depth, superfluous. Some of the questions had already been asked. Next, Of all the books in the series this is the first time I felt Mr Todd made Rutledge seem like he has a mental health issue with Hamish speaking In his head. In real life, yes having another person’s voice speak to you in your head, is a mental illness. In the book series, Todd has been able to handle this in a way that gives you an understanding of why Hamish is there. This voice/personality never takes Rutledge over. The voice is helpful at times, irritating and overwhelming at times. You never get the sense Rutledge is mentally ill by being a “split personality “. In my opinion i get the sense it is used to illustrate PTSD, and the sense of guilt he feels for surviving when Hamish had to be shot, and many of his men didn’t survive to come home. Survivors guilt. In this book I had to read the passages multiple times that illicited the sense Rutledge was mentally ill. When actually up to that point Hamish was not really involved in the book. It was Rutledge working on his own. Made no sense to me to bring the mental state up at that point. It brought to question, is Rutledge mentally ill. If the broad cast of characters would discover the Hamish character, Rutledge would no longer be an inspector. He’d be institutionalized. So I don’t understand the intention the author has. That point has always been made clear when he slips and answers Hamish out loud. He he always corrects himself. Todd’s use of Rutledge having a second voice, not of his own, is a tricky device for Todd to pull off in a long book series. I think he stumbled with it in this book. I’ve been comfortable with it from the beginning. Todd’s stumble makes me uncomfortable now. I don’t want to read Rutledge as having a multiple personality, or being schizoid, and needs institutionalization. It only works if Rutledge works through severe PRSD, and he does work hard at it.

The kindle version was incomplete. It stopped at 93% and a new book started. So it is NOT possible to know the ending of this mystery.

Excellent. Lives up to other Charles Todd books especially Bess Crawford mysteries

This book is very good, interesting story and a long series of events and intrigues. The language is quite simple (also for who is not native english) and the author also adopts descriptions and explanations. No problem for who as me had not read any other previous stories of the serie. However, I did not like too much the end of the book, a smooth final, not extremely exciting and for same cases without the final solutions, probably to be found in the next book of the serie. Overall, a good book, attractive.

Die originelle und sympathische Figur des Inspektors mit WK I-Kriegstrauma trägt den Roman, auch wenn Todds Plots gerade in den jüngeren Folgen etwas konstruiert und allzu unwahrscheinlich wirken. Das Zeitkolorit und die Sprache passen, alles in allem also gute Unterhaltungslektüre.

This was an addition to my library of Charles Todd novels. As with the many others that I own, it was a great a read as others in my library!