I was very apprehensive to read this after reading The Gatekeeper and finding it predictable. That was not the case here. I really had no idea who the murderer was until they revealed themselves.

LIKES:
1) Hamish- it was nice to get more of his backstory.
2) When the murderer was caught… the story wasn’t over. There was still about an hour of reading left
3) No amateur sleuths helping out, just detective work. But I guess Rutledge is the busy body since he’s from the Yard and most of these crimes happen in little towns
4) There isn’t much more I can say without spoilers but know that this is a very twisty tale and very easy to follow.

DISLIKES:
1) nothing really. I really enjoyed it!

This is the first book that I have read in this series by Charles Todd. Even though reading the earlier books would have given me more insight and background regarding the recurring characters, it was still an excellent stand alone story. The main character, Inspector Rutledge is likable and trustworthy and epitomizes the detective that one would want in his/her corner.. And this is true even given his own personal demons. The mystery is well thought out with many twists and turns. I look forward to reading further titles by this author.

Charles Tood doesn’t fail to satisfy. A dark complex mystery that all makes sense in the end. The descriptions of the bleak weather and the landscape add to the suspense. He describes his characters very well so that the reader cares for the “good,” but not the others. I highly recommend Charles Todd’s books.

I did not realize this was part of a series but it works well as a stand alone too. This was a very complex story to follow as Rutledge crossed the English countryside trying to figure out who the evil person behind the murders and attempted murders is. The author makes the time period come alive portraying the British experiences of WWI, of the strengths and prejudices of the times, and of the lives of people struggling to make a living in a small village on the coast. I absolutely love when a book is able to twist and turn the reader about the guilty party. I was so surprised when the solution was revealed. After finishing my first Charles Todd mystery it makes want to read the rest in the series.

As a fan of car racing and historical war stories, I thought this book would be an ideal match. I didn't realize it was part of a detective series. However, it seemed to be fine as a stand alone.

It starts during the dark days of World War I when seven officers from England are in a "bleak mood" chatting at a bar when they discover that they all love racing motorcars. They decide whoever survives the war will meet in Paris a year after it ends. They will race their cars from Paris to Nice with a bottle of champagne in hand for the one who arrives first.

Five of the seven officers make it to Paris in 1919 still "cursing the Germans." They owned or borrowed motorcars and started on their route through some twisty roads.. Two of the drivers were chased off the course and one ended up injured. They had no idea who did this.

A year later, in England a village priest was found dead from a borrowed car that had crashed in a rain storm. It was driven by one the officers the year before in the race. It was determined by the local law enforcers that it was a murder. Scotland Yard's Inspector Ian Rutledge was called in to solve this. Without the assistance of today's technology, he had the painstaking job of looking for clues everywhere and talked to lots of people including a young girl that was posing as a boy. The reader got a true sense of the town characters and the surrounding areas.

I enjoyed this mystery and will look forward to other in this series. My thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGallery for allowing me to read this copy.

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

An enjoyable installment in the Inspector Rutledge series. I liked the post WW1 setting. The author makes the time period come alive. I plan to read more of the series.

Wow, I just don't know where to begin to review this book. It was my very first Charles Todd book, but is one of a series of mysteries about Ian Rutledge. I found it fascinating, not only for the look at life in a small village during the early 1920's, but also for the glimpse into post WWI life for both those who served and those who stayed behind. And let's not forget the mystery. It was very satisfying. I DID guess "whodunnit", but it was very late in the book when I put the clues together. Highly recommded!

Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had no idea that this book was part of a large series, but coming in cold presented no problem to following the story. It easily stands on its own. It has also tempted me to seek out others in this series.

The book takes place shortly after the end of WWI, as men are coming to deal with the aftermath of what they saw in France during the war. When a suspicious motorcar accident occurs in the town of Burling Gap on the East Sussex coast, Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard is called in to assist the local constable. As Rutledge attempt to unravel what happened in Rector Nathaniel Wright’s last hours, he discovers a puzzle within a puzzle within a puzzle.

Assisted by a few helpful if reluctant locals and some old friends, Inspector Rutledge works to solve a case that might have been an accident or a murder. As he unfolds the details, he discovers a growing series of similar cases that acts to complicate his investigation.

Rutledge is a capable investigator. He’s thorough, but he’s also kind and caring, a good man who wants to see justice served. He’ll do what it takes to find the culprit, but he’ll be sympathetic and compassionate while he does, if he’s able.

This is an excellent British mystery, complete with dreary atmosphere, suspicious small-town residents, a beloved church rector, and a wealthy squire who might also be involved. There’s also a bumbling but capable second constable from a neighboring town.

This was a highly satisfying read. It’ll keep you guessing as it introduces you to a series of wonderful characters. The setting is interesting, and the book provides some informative information about the local geography.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley. I thank them for their generosity, but it had not effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

I received this free book from Netgalley to review. What a great book! it will keep you reading till you are done. Mystery or maybe a thriller in my mind.
If you enjoy books that keep you guessing, read this one!!
Thank you!!

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Racing the Devil is a slow burn mystery that takes place not long after the end of World War I. The story is well plotted, unraveling different pieces about why one murder, and then a second, has happened in small communities off the coast of England and connecting them to a pact made during the war itself. At times the book seems to move just a little bit too slowly, with Inspector Rutledge making trips back and forth, back and forth, as he slowly uncovers clues and connects the dots. It does also get a bit confusing to follow at times - it took me a little bit into the story to realize that Wright was the Rector, as he's referred to in both ways - and just the dizzying conclusion of what all the culprit did and could or could not be accountable for. The book does gradually increase in intensity, as a young child goes missing and Rutledge figures out who is behind all the murdering, attempted murders, and kidnapping, but it never quite reached page-turning status for me. This is a solid historical mystery, one that doesn't require previous books in the Rutledge series. It's a nice distraction from current events but probably won't compel you to stay up late because you couldn't put it down.

Ian is back and I couldn't be happier! This is the 19th in the series and I've loved every one. British soldiers agree to a care race if they survive the battle, driving from Paris to Nice. Wonderful descriptions of antique cars and driving habits. Wrll, some time later, and another rmushap happens and the mystery begins. Loved reading this.

This is the second book I have read in this series. I enjoyed it. Rutledge served in the 1st world war and is now back in England working for Scotland Yard. His current boss doesn't get along with him, so Rutledge is often sent off to investigate crimes. In this book a local rector is found dead near a crashed car. It could have been accidental or it could be murder, Rutledge is sent to investigate.

This is murder mystery that takes place in the 1930s. Very similar to Hercule Poirot. I really liked this author's way of writing. I could picture what was going on. Almost like watching a movie. I really got essence of the time. No phones, so you needed to walk. I would recommend this book

Though this is the 19th novel about Inspector Ian Rutledge, it is the first one I have read. The novel is a stand alone with only minor details not being explained about the Inspector that I suspect have been covered in previous books.

Two year after the end of World War I Inspector Rutledge is dispatched to South Downs to invertigate the death of a small parish priest. There are many questions and secret surrounding this particular death and soon there are other deaths and mishaps that lead the Inspector down a myriad of investigatory paths.

I found the Inspector to be a likeable character and he's obviously been well-developed by the author. The writer also does a beautiful job with scenery description.

All in all a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good murder mystery and this was a very good murder mystery. The authors, yes there are actually two writing under the name Charles Todd, pulled me into the story almost immediately. I just have to say that I am getting a bit tired of books that I have to read 100 pages before I get caught up in what’s happening but I had no problem this time.

This is a well written story with many twists and turns but Inspector Ian Rutledge never loses track of the ultimate goal of discovering the guilty and seeing them properly punished. I just love a good British mystery with an equally good but somewhat flawed investigator and multiple murders to be solved. Ian Rutledge has returned from World War I a somewhat damaged individual but he does not permit this to interfere with his job. His determination to solve this convoluted series of murders is only tempered by his understanding of the unseen damage that the War has wrought on men like himself.

This was my second Charles Todd book but the first in this series. Much to my delight the other series character. Bess Crawford, about whom I had previously read, was mentioned several times in this series. I just love symmetry.

Thank you to The Book Club Girls, NetGalley, William Morrow, HarperCollins Publishers and the authors Charles Todd for the ecopy of this book.

Interesting premise with the race to Nice in the beginning and then Ian Rutledge racing around Sussex 2 years later, trying to find the killer. Nice historical detail of the war and its effect on the men who served, including the Inspector. However, at times it felt as though there was too much going on with too many characters; this made for some confusion at times. I would have liked to have understood the backstories and motivations of some of the characters better but the book was still eminently readable.