It’s a beautiful autumn day in the year 1920, and the location is just outside of Padstow, Cornwall, UK. Four young women mount their bicycles and take their rowboat onto the lake for a leisurely cruise. While there, they come across another boat occupied by a young man they know by the name of Harry Saunders. 

Saunders, apparently in distress, waves to the ladies who row over to assist. Little do they know that this innocent act will be twisted into something ugly. An eyewitness on shore claims that the injury Saunders sustained during his rescue was no accident but actually an act of attempted murder. The women are subsequently detained by local authorities, and down the rabbit hole we go.

NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE is the latest title in the terrific post-World War I-era mystery series featuring Inspector Ian Rutledge. The mother-and-son writing team known as Charles Todd have almost effortlessly put together a series that continues to engage while producing quality, complex whodunit mysteries set in a tumultuous time.

"NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE has a little of everything for mystery readers who enjoy their stories filled with complex plotlines and characters, and a load of surprises that keep the action moving forward."

The previous installment, A FINE SUMMER'S DAY, was a prequel to this long-running serial. Although that was an eye-opening story, it is refreshing to return to the continuing adventures of Ian Rutledge. The above-referenced “crime” is forwarded to Scotland Yard for investigation as the situation is so bizarre and deeply affecting many families in the small, close-knit community where it occurred.

So we have our hero called into action. The case, though apparently a simple situation of an eyewitness testimony versus the word of four credible suspects, turns out to be far more sinister. To make matters worse, Rutledge is following on the heels of a previous Inspector named Barrington who died during the investigation. With just a meager file to go on, Rutledge steps into what may be the most bizarre case he has ever been a part of.

To make matters worse, Saunders succumbs to his injuries and dies. His father is now crying for the four women to be hung as murderers. The eyewitness, a farmer named Brad Trevose, stands by his testimony that he clearly saw them strike Saunders with their oars and that this was the deadly blow that eventually cost him his life.

As Rutledge begins to dig, he finds some details that further illuminate the relationship between Saunders and the women. We also learn more about the eyewitness in the process. With all of the parents involved bearing down on Rutledge to see that justice is done, the entire community becomes a bonfire about to rage out of control. When more victims start to pile up, it becomes evident that the incident on the lake was no coincidence and something much deeper is at play. With only his own instincts and the wise hand of his spirit guide, Hamish MacLeod, Rutledge must determine what is really going on before he ends up silenced like his predecessor.

NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE has a little of everything for mystery readers who enjoy their stories filled with complex plotlines and characters, and a load of surprises that keep the action moving forward.