A Fatal Lie

A Novel

De: Charles Todd

Narrado por: Simon Vance

“If there’s ever been a more complex and compelling hero in crime fiction than Inspector Rutledge, I can’t think of one.” (Jeffery Deaver)

In one of his most puzzling cases, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge must delve deep into a dead man’s life and his past to find a killer determined to keep dark secrets buried.

A peaceful Welsh village is thrown into turmoil when a terrified boy stumbles on a body in a nearby river. The man appears to have fallen from the canal aqueduct spanning the valley. But there is no identification on the body, he isn’t a local, and no one will admit to having seen him before. With little to go on, the village police turn to Scotland Yard for help.

When Inspector Ian Rutledge is sent from London to find answers, he is given few clues - a faded military tattoo on the victim’s arm and an unusual label in the collar of his shirt. They eventually lead him to the victim’s identity: Sam Milford. By all accounts, he was a good man and well-respected. Then, why is his death so mysterious? Looking for the truth, Rutledge uncovers a web of lies swirling around a suicidal woman, a child’s tragic fate, another woman bent on protecting her past. But where among all the lies is the motive for murder?

To track a killer, Rutledge must retrace Milford’s last journey. Yet death seems to stalk his every move, and the truth seems to shift at every turn. Man or woman, this murderer stays in the shadows, and it will take desperate measures to lure him - or her - into the light.

©2021 Charles Todd (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent Story.

If you like Mysteries that take almost the whole book to figure out then you’ll love this one. It’s like a puzzle all the pieces are there but the why, how and who need to be put together. I am a fan of English mysteries and this is one of the most interesting ones I’ve read.

Excellent Listen

The narrator was fantastic. He really brought the characters to life.
The ending was grand.

Fantastic Narrator

Great story, perfect narration. I am going to search for his books from now on!

One of Todd's Best

The turns in this story keep you riveted to the story. Bravo! I like that Hamish is present a lot in this book. It is not the same without him.

Very good but not great.

Worthwhile reading but not as absorbing as the previous books in the series. The earlier books are outstanding.

I didn't care as much about the characters this time around. It seemed that there may be less depth to the Rutledge character also. The earlier books were infused with an energy that seems to have diminished this time around. Almost everyone in this story is tired, depleted, or hiding something.

EXCELLENT

This story was just asbengaging as previous ones. Inspector Rutledge is as endearing and entertaining as ever.

One of his Todd's best works

This book keeps you guessing until the end and is so full of moving parts that you have to keep yourself fully alert and calculating to follow all of them to the book's conclusion. I suppose this is the nature of lies and deceit. They mask the truth very well.

A Good Novel Wasted On Pitiful Narration

Wonderful story, as always, from Charles Todd!! Brilliant. Dreadful narration. I realise the great narrators like Simon Prebble and Sean Barratt are getting on in age......but why not start again with a decent narrator and actor like Samuel West??? Someone who isn't looking to outshine the author with his stupid way of narrating. It takes away from the story, rather than delve you right into the story and take you out of the room. Hopeless!! Simon Vance goes up and down in speed every few sentences and it puts a calm person on edge. For anyone suffering anxiety - this is not a book you will want to listen to! I messaged Charles Todd on Facebook and unfortunately he said he will keep using Simon Vance. Why would he do that when there are far better narrators out there??? It lets his whole story down. Other narrators don't make you think you're on a ship in a storm....up and down, fast here.......slow down......ooohhh here we go up fast again.....and down.... motion sickness and triggers the anxiety even in calm people. Not a peaceful enjoyable listen AT ALL!!

Engrossing!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the narrator was excellent! The story draws you in, excellent details. Mr. Todd's description of the dead man as he was first seen gave me the willies! I look forward to the next book with great anticipation. Thank you, Mr. Todd, for sharing your gift of writing with us!

Ian Rutledge is a joy of my life.

I finish one and can't wait for the next one. A Fatal Lie doesn't disappoint. I don't know how the writing team Charles Todd continues to produce these beautiful works. And if you want an amazing thriller, read their The Murder Stone. Delicious! I've read only one of the Bess Crawford books; it wasn't as compelling as Ian and Hamish. I'm tapping my foot waiting for the next one!