Watchers of Time

“One of the best historical series being written today…in the grand tradition of English murder mysteries.” —Washington Post Book World

“Rutledge, much in the manner of P. D. James’ Adam Dalgliesh, uncovers layers of ambiguity beneath the surface of apparently simple lives. That his own life is the most ambiguous of all, his own closet the most overflowing with ghosts, only adds to the sense of complexity. The crime solution here may be a bit too tidy, but the story’s rich texture more than compensates.” —Booklist

“Rutledge is skeptical that Father James’ death is a simple case of robbery gone wrong. Was he murdered because of something he knew or had seen?…Rutledge must set aside his own problems to find out the truth. A gifted writer, Todd has once again created an intriguing mystery peopled with memorably unique characters. The depth of emotion that he expresses is truly remarkable. Highly recommended for all libraries.” —Library Journal

“Atmospheric…The book’s overall theme is a compelling one: questions of guilt and responsibility after the debacle that was WWI…Like previous entries in this series, this one is psychologically astute.” —Publishers Weekly

“Will please current fans and capture new ones…Todd deftly captures the dark atmosphere of despair and fragile hopes of post-World War I England, where no one has been untouched by the devastation. Teens will be intrigued by the combination of ghosts, the Titanic, battlefield flashbacks, and a traditional whodunit in which every character is suspect and there are no easy solutions.” —School Library Journal

“Describing this book as an English countryside murder mystery is factually correct but doesn’t do justice to its writing or narration. This is a multilayered, slowly unfolding work whose author has taken the time to create real people with real motivations. Even the main character, Ian Rutledge, makes very real mistakes. Narrator Samuel Gillies is more than up to the task. His pacing and diction are terrific, and he brings the characters to life with superb shifts of his voice. Gillies keeps the book on an even keel, never getting maudlin or excessively emotional as he nears the solution. Todd has written an intelligent book; Gillies’ narration reinforces its thoughtfulness.” —AudioFile