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Inspector Ian Rutledge #0.5
Cold Comfort
It’s 1915, and the Great War is barely six months old. Lieutenant Ian Rutledge has left behind his career at Scotland Yard and is now serving in France. He’s temporarily with the sappers—men digging underground tunnels toward the German lines to set off explosions under the enemy trenches. In his sector, Rutledge and his men set their charges and get out of the tunnel as fast as possible. But the charges don’t go off. It’s madness to go back down and find out why, but Rutledge and Private Williams volunteer. They barely make it back before the tunnel blows up. Rutledge suspects that two Welsh miners cut the fuse too long, even though they deny it.
Then Williams confides to Rutledge that these same men, half brothers Taffy Jones and Aaron Lloyd, have tried before this to kill him. And they’re determined enough to risk other men’s lives as well. Rutledge discovers in the midst of a raging battle that murder has made its way to France, and he must find a way to prove it.
(This novella can also be found in the anthology Tales: Short Stories Featuring Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford.)
Then Williams confides to Rutledge that these same men, half brothers Taffy Jones and Aaron Lloyd, have tried before this to kill him. And they’re determined enough to risk other men’s lives as well. Rutledge discovers in the midst of a raging battle that murder has made its way to France, and he must find a way to prove it.
(This novella can also be found in the anthology Tales: Short Stories Featuring Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford.)
100 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 19, 2013
About the author
Charles Todd
103 books3,575 followersCharles Todd was the pen name used by the mother-and-son writing team, Caroline Todd and Charles Todd. Now, Charles writes the Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford Series. Charles Todd ha spublished three standalone mystery novels and many short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
March 2, 2022
An Ian Rutledge series short story.
Ian Rutledge, Hamish McLeod, and Williams find themselves racing the clock and the Germans digging competing tunnels under No Man’s Land and into their enemies’ trenches. The Germans are afraid that a captured soldier has told the Brits of their plan to set charges to explode on the Brit side enabling them to breach the British trenches. Everyone is on tenterhooks!
Ian Rutledge, Hamish McLeod, and Williams find themselves racing the clock and the Germans digging competing tunnels under No Man’s Land and into their enemies’ trenches. The Germans are afraid that a captured soldier has told the Brits of their plan to set charges to explode on the Brit side enabling them to breach the British trenches. Everyone is on tenterhooks!
November 4, 2013
After reading this series for many years and hearing Hamish as a spectral presence often whispering in Rutledge's ear "Ware.", it actually gave me the shivers when in this novella, the reader meets a very alive Hamish. That itself was priceless, but the story was good as well.
March 10, 2022
Unusual look at Ian and Hamish in the trenches. The tunneling, the work of the sappers. Incredible.
December 6, 2013
Cold Comfort is an Inspector Rutledge novella written by Charles Todd. This is a Harper Collins Publication and part of Witness Impulse imprint. This book is scheduled for a November 2013 release.
This book is a short story/novella with an excerpt from Hunting Shadows.
Set in 1915 in France, Lieutenant Rutledge is the officer in charge. Germans are were moving through tunnels toward the British lines. When a duo of Welch descent make an error and many good men lose their lives, Rutledge thinks something doesn't quite add up. Using his instincts as an Inspector, he learns of a personal vendetta against one man. But, why is this man being singled out for murder? Will Rutledge be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before this man is murdered?
If you like detective stories, even in an odd situation like this one, where solving a murder plot would be difficult to say the least, then you will enjoy this brief, but solid story.
I enjoy history and detectives, so this type of book really appeals to me. My only complaint was it's brevity. The excerpt was nearly as long as the story. Other than that this is a good mystery packed into a small space. This would make an excellent break or lunch time escape.
Overall this one gets a B+
This book is a short story/novella with an excerpt from Hunting Shadows.
Set in 1915 in France, Lieutenant Rutledge is the officer in charge. Germans are were moving through tunnels toward the British lines. When a duo of Welch descent make an error and many good men lose their lives, Rutledge thinks something doesn't quite add up. Using his instincts as an Inspector, he learns of a personal vendetta against one man. But, why is this man being singled out for murder? Will Rutledge be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before this man is murdered?
If you like detective stories, even in an odd situation like this one, where solving a murder plot would be difficult to say the least, then you will enjoy this brief, but solid story.
I enjoy history and detectives, so this type of book really appeals to me. My only complaint was it's brevity. The excerpt was nearly as long as the story. Other than that this is a good mystery packed into a small space. This would make an excellent break or lunch time escape.
Overall this one gets a B+
January 1, 2020
A brief introduction to this series which starts in WW I in England.
May 2, 2015
The story was fine, but it was nothing like the 100 pages it claims to be. It's more of a short story length; it took me about ten minutes to read.
November 12, 2022
A quick read with big impact! This novella provided insight into Rutledge’s horror of being buried alive. It also gave the reader a chance to “see” Hamish as an active soldier & friend.
November 6, 2015
Charles Todd books are all page turners but this one is a particularly good story. Don't start it unless you have time to finish it.
March 8, 2022
Very Short Story!
This is a 20-page short story that is set at the Front in France in early 1915 during World War I. Rutledge is a lieutenant serving with a unit of "sappers" who are tunneling under German lines in order to plant explosives the Germans are simultaneously doing the same thing to the British. Three Welshmen are involved as part of the crew working under Rutledge's command. Two of them, half-brothers, are from Southern Wales, while the third is from Northern Wales. His name is Williams. When the explosives do not detonate when they were expected to, it is the Northerner and Rutledge who return to the tunnel to find out why. They barely escape with their lives when Rutledge determines that the fuse is still burning.
Rutledge becomes suspicious over something he has heard, but he has no solid evidence. Later, Williams is shot in the back, ostensibly by a German sniper. Other soldiers in the same part of the trenches tell Rutledge that there had been no sniper activity in that sector. Later, Rutledge, himself, becomes injured and makes it to the same field hospital where Williams has been sent. He tries to get Williams transferred to a different hospital, or to be sent back to England, but to no avail. The other two Welshmen are supposed to have been sent to the same hospital, but nobody has seen them. Then, all hell breaks loose and Rutledge must take matters into his own hands in order to save Williams from being murdered by the other two Welshmen.
The story is well-written and is probably historically accurate. Unfortunately, it is only 20-pages long. I did, however, like it, and it is a quick, easy read.
This is a 20-page short story that is set at the Front in France in early 1915 during World War I. Rutledge is a lieutenant serving with a unit of "sappers" who are tunneling under German lines in order to plant explosives the Germans are simultaneously doing the same thing to the British. Three Welshmen are involved as part of the crew working under Rutledge's command. Two of them, half-brothers, are from Southern Wales, while the third is from Northern Wales. His name is Williams. When the explosives do not detonate when they were expected to, it is the Northerner and Rutledge who return to the tunnel to find out why. They barely escape with their lives when Rutledge determines that the fuse is still burning.
Rutledge becomes suspicious over something he has heard, but he has no solid evidence. Later, Williams is shot in the back, ostensibly by a German sniper. Other soldiers in the same part of the trenches tell Rutledge that there had been no sniper activity in that sector. Later, Rutledge, himself, becomes injured and makes it to the same field hospital where Williams has been sent. He tries to get Williams transferred to a different hospital, or to be sent back to England, but to no avail. The other two Welshmen are supposed to have been sent to the same hospital, but nobody has seen them. Then, all hell breaks loose and Rutledge must take matters into his own hands in order to save Williams from being murdered by the other two Welshmen.
The story is well-written and is probably historically accurate. Unfortunately, it is only 20-pages long. I did, however, like it, and it is a quick, easy read.
June 24, 2023
A novella, or perhaps a short story (not sure of the division point) about World War I and some soldiers in France that are fighting the Germans. They and the Germans have similar plans to blow up charges catching each other's man. Ian Rutledge, formerly with Scotland Yard, is in charge of the men setting the charges.
It turns out that there is a delayed explosion which results in several people getting killed or injured. It appears this may have been at least partly due to a pre-war grudge between two different groups of Welshman from before the war. Rutledge has to discover who is involved and get to the bottom of and at the same time, try to save the life of one of his men, a Mr Williams.
Interestingly, this story works pretty well, and also equally interestingly is an example of two people working together to write a story....a man and his mother.
It turns out that there is a delayed explosion which results in several people getting killed or injured. It appears this may have been at least partly due to a pre-war grudge between two different groups of Welshman from before the war. Rutledge has to discover who is involved and get to the bottom of and at the same time, try to save the life of one of his men, a Mr Williams.
Interestingly, this story works pretty well, and also equally interestingly is an example of two people working together to write a story....a man and his mother.
May 25, 2024
Cold Comfort by Charles Todd (mother and son writing team) is an early story (book #0.5) in the Ian Rutledge mystery series, set in early 1915 at the Great War Western Front in France. Lieutenant Rutledge, Corporal Macleod and his men are fighting in far-reaching tunnels; setting explosive charges to blow up the opposing troops in their trenches. Meanwhile the Germans are also burrowing in tunnels, setting charges and blowing up the British trenches.
Extreme care must be taken not to reveal their location in a tunnel. Charges must be set properly, and must go off when expected - or the soldiers must risk their lives to investigate why not. A delayed charge incident turns out to be attempted murder; Ian Rutledge (formerly of Scotland Yard) is determined to investigate and prove it.
Extreme care must be taken not to reveal their location in a tunnel. Charges must be set properly, and must go off when expected - or the soldiers must risk their lives to investigate why not. A delayed charge incident turns out to be attempted murder; Ian Rutledge (formerly of Scotland Yard) is determined to investigate and prove it.
March 20, 2020
Although this is a fairly recent short piece, it's listed as Inspector Ian Rutledge 0.5 because, unlike the majority of the series, it's set during the Great War. Rutledge and Hamish MacLeod are both still serving in the trenches and they wind up with a mystery to solve when two Welsh coal miners are suspected of trying to kill a Welsh slate miner. All three are working as tunnelers and explosives experts, dangerous work, so that there is some question. The descriptions of trench life are excellent and the length of the piece is just right for the rather dark but somewhat simple story. Recommended.
December 27, 2017
A Fine Introduction To Ian Rutledge
I’m currently reading Watchers Of Time, an Ian Rutledge story. But it got me interested in the series, so I decided to read this novella, which is considered Ian Rutledge 0.5. I’m glad I did. Its a fine story and in it Hamish Macleod is a living, breathing person, not just a voice living in Ian’s mind. This is a good introduction to the series.
I’m currently reading Watchers Of Time, an Ian Rutledge story. But it got me interested in the series, so I decided to read this novella, which is considered Ian Rutledge 0.5. I’m glad I did. Its a fine story and in it Hamish Macleod is a living, breathing person, not just a voice living in Ian’s mind. This is a good introduction to the series.
April 12, 2020
When I heard that this was meant to take place during the war years I thought, "Oh great, we'll get to see Hamish alive rather than a personification of Rutledge's guilt." Not quite so, as we only see him in brief--this is a short story, after all. It's a bit slapdash with a lot dependent on Rutledge's intuition. It might have made an interesting longer story, especially as the ending was a bit Agatha Christie-like with the motives tossed at us quickly at the end. Still a fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
Having read all of the Inspector Rutledge mysteries, I've known and loved these main characters. To get a glimpse of them before the tragedy that befell them in the war is a treat.
But as a stand-alone story this works just as well--a short World War I story, that gives us a glimpse into the horrors within the horrors of that bloody conflict which essentially gave birth to the modern horror genre.
But as a stand-alone story this works just as well--a short World War I story, that gives us a glimpse into the horrors within the horrors of that bloody conflict which essentially gave birth to the modern horror genre.
May 20, 2020
I love any story by Charles Todd and this was no exception. While fighting in the war Rutledge realizes someone is attempting to murder one of his men. He must rush to find the person and save this man from being murdered. Charles Todd is a master of mystery but my only negative is the book was too short.
July 23, 2025
A Back Story From the Great War
Ian Rutledge, shell-shocked veteran of the.trenches of WW1, and Scotland Yard inspector, has been a favorite of mine since I first encountered him many years ago. This novella tells of one of the events from the war where he used his skills from his prewar work with the Yard to save one of the men under hid command.
Ian Rutledge, shell-shocked veteran of the.trenches of WW1, and Scotland Yard inspector, has been a favorite of mine since I first encountered him many years ago. This novella tells of one of the events from the war where he used his skills from his prewar work with the Yard to save one of the men under hid command.
July 30, 2018
90. Cold Comfort by Charles Todd; (5*); kindle; library book; bk 1; short; FICTION; (JULY, 2018)
Cold Comfort was a great, taut, Great War (in the trenches) drama. I appreciated Todd's characterizations and his writing kept me right in the story. Great short!
Cold Comfort was a great, taut, Great War (in the trenches) drama. I appreciated Todd's characterizations and his writing kept me right in the story. Great short!
January 17, 2020
Tunneling to blow up enemy lines was a tactic used in trench warfare and who best to be sappers than Welsh Miners. But when two half brothers appear to have it in for another miner Inspector Rutledge turned British Officer is on the case.
March 21, 2020
This tale actually predates the Ian Rutledge series. By the time the mystery books begin, he is at home and attempting to recover from WWII Shell Shock. Here he is in the trenches and attempting to determine why two soldiers wish to kill a comrade. Recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
April 10, 2021
future Inspector Ian Rutledge on the front line of WWI - in the trenches... digging tunnels under enemy lines... solving / saving a man on his side, set up by one brother to take fall as that brother's wife's lover (when in fact it is the other brother)... instincts in place...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2022
This was my first Charles Todd read. This short story is packed with danger and suspense. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Recommend to readers who are mystery fans.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. I've expressed my honest view.
Recommend to readers who are mystery fans.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. I've expressed my honest view.
November 1, 2022
A decent enough short story. I'm not sure if it would be better or worse if i didn't know the character so well. I do think it would work better in an anthology of vignettes in the life of the Inspector.
September 6, 2023
EB: Cold Comfort by Charles Todd—A short story set back when Rutledge was a LT in WWI France. Quick read to set the hook for you to read an excerpt of a coming book. Worth the hour or so I took to read it but nowhere near as good as his full length novels.
June 2, 2017
Quick interesting read to start the series. Recommended
June 24, 2017
Short and snappy
This was a fun one that's a quick read. I enjoyed it even if it also was a little contrived.
This was a fun one that's a quick read. I enjoyed it even if it also was a little contrived.
June 24, 2017
Like series, even this backwards look into heroes past. WWI mystery, holds interest and well narrated and recommended for mystery and history buffs.
November 23, 2017
It's amazing how Charles Todd puts you right in the trenches with his men. Loved this little short story.
November 26, 2017
Connie
There is not much satisfaction for me in a novella. However this on is original in the concept of murder while service g in a war!!!!
There is not much satisfaction for me in a novella. However this on is original in the concept of murder while service g in a war!!!!
December 3, 2017
I came across this author and decided to start at the beginning with this novella. It was a good short story set in the trenches of World War I aka The Great War. I am on to the next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews