Disappointed

Having read several mother/son team books authored as Charles Todd and enjoyed them, I was somewhat lost in this one. It seemed a stretch in both plot and characters.Perhaps I listened in too many short snatches of time. I wanted to like it!

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The end was entirely unsatisfactory. I couldn't believe it was over and so many loose ends. I listened to the last chapter twice to see if I was missing something.

Would you be willing to try another book from Charles Todd? Why or why not?

I love the Inspector Rutledge series and have read them all. Of course I will read the next one.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

His British accent is so authentic as are all of the voices he performs. He is the best!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

None

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Predictably excellent addition to Rutledge series

Would you listen to Proof of Guilt again? Why?

Maybe, but I don't usually re-read mysteries until I have forgotten the details. However, on the list of series I would read again, this would be high! I read most of the books in the Rutledge series before finding and listening to, the last couple on Audible.

If I were to listen to the ones I already read, it would be largely because of the excellence of Simon Prebble's narration! He is incredibly talented. Creates different voices for each character that are easily identifiable, and has good pacing and intonation for the reading, in general. Far better than many narrators.

What other book might you compare Proof of Guilt to and why?

Well, Rutledge, a Scotland Yard detective, falls into the category of loner detectives, who buck authority at times to find answers to the crimes. I really like the character as created and developed by Charles Todd (a mother and son writing duo). It brings in history, psychology and good mysteries in engaging plots that do not insult the reader through simplicity or dull passages.

Any additional comments?

Rutledge is a fascinating lead character. He has been through the horrors of WWI and has been wounded in body, mind and soul. Because of visible scars, he has lost his fiancée after his return from France. Due to a complicated situation of moral anguish, he is struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome that includes a rich, troubled inner relationship with a dead comrade who has become an internalized aspect of his own psyche. In a twist unlike any I can recall in mystery writing, the voice of this dead, internalized comrade (toward whom Rutledge feels a combination of love and guilt) becomes something akin to Rutledge's "sidekick"--someone who offers advice and warnings and has a kind of wisdom that often helps Rutledge stay alive and solve the crimes.

While reading the first book in the series, I was skeptical that this was a workable character presentation. But the consistency of how psychologically well thought out this is, has left me very impressed. Highly recommend both the writing of this series and the narration of Simon Prebble. There are always unexpected plot developments that surprise, and this book is no exception. Very satisfying book(s).

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Disappointed -- could have been better

I really appreciate Charles Todd, both his (their) Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford series. I get them as soon as they come out, without question. I am hoping that this book was an anomaly, and not a sign that the mother-son partnership is flagging or that the authors are becoming tired of Ian Rutledge.

First of all, this book was wonderfully complex, with lots of trails to follow, many characters who could be clues to unravelling the mysteries and possible suspects. This is as you are listening to it. I found myself having to concentrate very hard to keep everyone straight. Rutledge is driving from London to Sussex to Kent over and over. And I am thinking that Somerset might have been in there somewhere too.

The problem is that there is no wrap-up to speak of where the author traditionally continues the story to (basically) explain to those of us who haven't been able to figure out how the culprit was the culprit or managed to pull off exactly what they did. This area in the book generally explains all of those tiny details that you (at least this is what happens to ME) have been saying to yourself "But how did they manage to do that?" for some hours.

At the end of this one, however, there is almost no wrapup and the reader is not even told if one of the people who is talked about throughout the book is dead or alive or where he could possibly be! Very confusing and overall disappointing, because as I listened to it I thought the story had promise.

The background story of Rutledge and how the higher-ups at the Yard are faring does move a little bit and it sounds like the new boss may be worse than Old Bowles, if that is possible. Rutledge is finally taking Hamish more in stride. He no longer fears that he is in the back seat of his car and understands that he is in the back of his mind and is likely to stay there. I think that is progress.

I recently listened to the first of this series "Test of Wills" (it was totally out of print when I first started reading this series) and am really glad I did. If you want to read another Rutledge that may be new to you, you might try that one!

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Best of a great series. A more than once listen.

What made the experience of listening to Proof of Guilt the most enjoyable?

The usual pleasant flow of Rutledge's investigation is combined with a really baffling mystery.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the author Todd disguised the real perpetrators to every one except Rutledge (and finally the reader).

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Given a choice - Read the book or have Simon Prebble read it to you is a no-brainer.

I listened to Prebble read this book to me twice. It may have been better the second time.

Prebble is in a class with only one other narrator (in my opinion). That would be George Guidall. Since Rutledge is British, Prebble is the better of the two for narration of this series.The earlier books are narrated by Samuel Gillies and he does a good job, but he is no Prebble.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Rutledge suspected that the real perpetrators were not as his superior insisted, but he had no way to prove it and his only recourse was to put himself in real danger so the killer would reveal himself.

Any additional comments?

This is #15 in the series and it's the best one. But to really appreciate this series one should begin with the first in the series. They are all above average and the listener (reader) will have a good time by starting at #1 and going through the list. Unfortunately there is a gap (6,7,8 & 9) are not available from Audible.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A Disappointing Addition

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I have read or listened to many books by this author. This one was just sub-standard. It couldn't be a 4 or 5.

Has Proof of Guilt turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I really enjoy historical or period mysteries. I will continue to listen in the genre. But, I will be reluctant to listen to another book in this series.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Simon Prebble's narration is always terrific and it was in this performance. But, even great narration couldn't save the wandering plot and undeveloped characters.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Huh?! It stops mid thought

What would have made Proof of Guilt better?

I feel like the author just got bored writing and stopped. This is my first and now my last Charles Todd book. He's a good writer, but no one should end a book the way he did. It really felt like it ended mid-thought. I've never read a book that ended this way. I wouldn't suggest this, unless you love Charles Todd.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

Simon is a very good narrator.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

bafflement, and disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Not worth the time.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

an interesting story and good performance

another interesting story in the series this time we learn a little bit about Madeira wine and Portugal. never quite got the connection of the initial prequel to the rest of the story. as usual the authors wrote a complex weave of characters and maybe foreshadowing some future appearances of some other characters the infamous M I 5

New mystery

Different death. new climes. I thi k I just like hearing the narrator every day. mayne he should be my person al voice in all my AI. lol

Never resolved one of the central mysteries!

I listened to the last chapter twice just to be sure. I don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t say more, but this lack of resolution was extremely confusing and irritating.