It’s bittersweet writing this review knowing that A GAME OF FEAR will be the last Ian Rutledge novel penned by the mother-son writing team known as “Charles Todd.” Sadly, Caroline Todd passed away in August 2021. Charles Todd pays tribute to his beloved mother at the start of the book, allowing readers to reminisce about Caroline and her love of mysteries and writing.

As the 24th installment of the series opens, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge meets up with an old friend, Melinda Crawford. We learn that a young Rutledge befriended the Crawfords when his parents died, and they have been a second family to him ever since. He has shared with Melinda some of the effects of his PTSD from serving in World War I, even though he has battled to keep Hamish at bay. Hamish is the ghost of a soldier who constantly follows him, acting as a sort of conscience and sounding board for him during tough moments and difficult cases.

"[A GAME OF FEAR] continues the adventures of one of the more complicated and unique protagonists in a series you will ever find, which makes for a rich blend of history and intrigue."

Rutledge is off to the small, sea-battered village of Walmer. An alleged murder has been reported there, but no body or killer has been found. Lady Benton swears she saw from her window a man being killed by someone, but she did not recognize the victim. The far bigger issue is that she claims Captain Nelson is the culprit. This would be impossible considering that Nelson, a local war hero, died during the war.

Is this a case of madness on the part of Lady Benton, or could something sinister have been going on? Rutledge begins delving into the recent history of both Captain Nelson and Walmer, and he appears to turn up astonishing pieces of information at every turn. At the same time, he seems to bring more tragedy with him almost as if he were a magnet for it. He learns that Captain Nelson’s death had never really been investigated fully. Plus, there were a handful of suspicious characters at the airfield from where he flew who may have had reason to want him dead.

During Rutledge's investigation, a woman is found in her shed, the victim of an apparent suicide. Then the most confounding mystery is waiting for him when he visits the nearby Abbey. There is something quite ominous about the place that just seems to speak of death, as well as secrets that are being kept hidden for many years. He has quite a puzzle box to figure out in this small town, and he had better do so quickly before he becomes the next victim.

Many of these Rutledge novels can get fairly dark. A GAME OF FEAR has such moments, but it plays out more like a true classic mystery. It continues the adventures of one of the more complicated and unique protagonists in a series you will ever find, which makes for a rich blend of history and intrigue.