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| Plot Summary of A Test of Wills |
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"Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge, has returned to the force at the end of the First World War. In 1919 England was thankful for the end of war, the return of their men and was beginning to rebuild the society that had been interrupted. But as Rutledge well knows, nothing will be the same and there is a sense of loss in England.
Rutledge has returned from the war shell-shocked, numb and with the ever present voice of Hamish MacLeod whispering in his ear. Rutledge is in a daily battle to stay sane and he knows it. Hamish was a young Scot Rutledge was forced to execute for refusing to fight and now is a constant companion inhabiting his subconcious.
The village of Warwickshire asks for the help of Scotland Yard when Colonel Harris, from one its oldest families, is brutally murdered and found in a field. The local authorities back away from the case when it appears Captain Wilton, fiance of Harris' ward, war hero and friend of the royal family may be involved.
When Rutledge begins his investigation, he finds more than one person with a motive and the opportunity to kill the colonel. The very complex story and the way Rutledge unravels the mystery is a riveting read. Todd tells a story of post war England that is masterful in the description of the locations themselves, but more so the fragile emotions of a whole generation that felt themselves lost and unsure."
readurr, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of A Test of Wills |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
- 1900-1920's
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
Special suspect?
- chronically deranged person
Murder of certain profession?
- the rich!
Misc. Murder Plotlets
- local police w/ IQ of a houseplant
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, British
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings of fear/loss/inadequacy
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric/Mental:
Yes
Eccentric:
- emotionally unstable
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- farmer
Eccentric:
Yes
- mentally ill
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- revenge
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Small town?
Yes
Misc setting
- fancy mansion
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths?
- 2
Unusual form of death?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Click here for more information about this book
Charles Todd Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 readurr
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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