A Fine Summer's Day, Todd - B

                                               In this almost twenty-year old series, the author decided to try a prequel. It is the summer of 1914 and Ian Rutledge is arduously pursuing a very challenging case in the face of a total lack of support, if not hostility, from his immediate superior. I thought the book two years ago was not up to par. And I find that this one is not as strong as one would hope. The case is complex and intriguing. The problem is that Jean, the woman Ian proposes to, is a vacuous airhead. She is the daughter of a retired general who is called back to duty in light of what transpires on the continent. She encourages Ian to enlist so that he may see glory as an officer.  The last chapter is set on Boxing Day, 1914, after Ian has finished his training. It is certainly apparent that there is no glory to be had in this war. The fickle Jean articulates her change of heart.  The greatness of this series is the despair of post-war England in the aftermath of the slaughter in the trenches. I view this prequel as just a filler and one that doesn't shed much light on Rutledge's development.