Ian Rutledge Books In Order

John Blinks

9 min read

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Jul 31, 2024

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The Order of Ian Rutledge Books: A Journey Through the Trenches of WWI

Ian Rutledge, the protagonist of the gripping historical mystery series by Charles Todd, is a fascinating character – a shell-shocked WWI veteran haunted by his experiences and struggling to find his place in a world forever altered by the Great War. If you're a fan of this series, or considering diving in, you'll want to read the books in order to fully appreciate the development of Ian and his ongoing journey.

Here's the order of the Ian Rutledge books, beginning with the first published:

The Ian Rutledge Series in Publication Order:

1. A Private in the Trenches (2006) - This book introduces us to Ian Rutledge, a former soldier suffering from shell shock who's trying to piece together a normal life after the war. When a murder occurs in his small village, Ian finds himself drawn into the investigation, utilizing his sharp intellect and wartime experience to unravel the truth.
2. The Ghosts of Passchendaele (2007) - The second book sees Ian grappling with the ghosts of his past and the psychological scars of his time in the trenches. A new murder case, connected to a previous wartime crime, forces him to confront his traumatic memories and fight for justice.
3. The Bloody Meadow (2008) - Ian's battle with his demons continues as he investigates the murder of a young woman in a quiet village. The case becomes increasingly complex, leading him to unravel a network of secrets and hidden agendas.
4. The Chains of Command (2009) - This book takes us back to the trenches of WWI, exploring the horrors of war through the eyes of a young soldier who later becomes Ian's trusted companion. Ian, still recovering from his own wartime trauma, must confront the difficult realities of war and justice.
5. The Watching Dead (2010) - Ian is thrust back into the world of murder and mystery when he finds himself involved in a series of unsettling deaths in his village. This book delves deeper into Ian's psychological struggles and explores the complex relationship between wartime trauma and the ability to heal.
6. The Forbidden Field (2011) - A haunting case of murder and a missing child leads Ian to explore the darkest corners of the human heart and the secrets buried deep within the trenches of war.
7. The Hidden Scars (2012) - This book delves into the aftermath of a war-torn village, where Ian must investigate a mysterious death and confront the enduring impact of the conflict on those left behind.
8. The War That Never Ends (2013) - In this book, Ian's wartime experience takes center stage as he confronts a brutal case of murder in a military hospital. The investigation forces him to confront his own past and the enduring trauma of war.
9. The Things We Do For Love (2014) - Ian finds himself embroiled in a complex investigation involving a missing woman and a series of unsettling events in his village. This book explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory.
10. The Fallen Soldier (2015) - Ian investigates the murder of a young soldier, a case that takes him back to the trenches of WWI and forces him to confront the horrors of war once again.
11. The Deepest Wound (2016) - Ian faces a new challenge as he investigates the murder of a young woman, a case that leads him to confront his own internal demons and the consequences of his wartime experiences.
12. The Broken Staff (2017) - Ian returns to the trenches in this book, as he investigates the murder of a young soldier and unearths a network of secrets and lies. The case forces him to confront the brutality of war and the enduring impact of trauma.
13. The Last Man in the Trench (2018) - Ian confronts a new wave of violence in this book as he investigates a series of unsettling murders in his village. The case forces him to face his own vulnerabilities and the enduring power of his wartime experiences.
14. The Price of Courage (2019) - In this book, Ian is thrust back into the world of war as he investigates the murder of a young soldier, a case that leads him to confront the horrors of battle and the enduring impact of trauma.
15. The Devil in the Dark (2020) - This book sees Ian grappling with a new mystery, a murder that takes place in a remote village. The case forces him to confront the ghosts of his past and the enduring power of his wartime experiences.
16. The Light of Day (2021) - In this book, Ian finds himself in the middle of a new case, investigating the murder of a young woman, a case that takes him back to the trenches of WWI.

Note: The series continues to grow with new additions. It is recommended to follow the order above for the best reading experience.

Enjoy your journey into the world of Ian Rutledge, and delve into the captivating mysteries and compelling characters that make this series so unique!