Charles Todd
Dear Reyna:
Thank you so much for writing! There is no follow up. Rutledge says he believes Louis French was buried in the new rose garden. And he is seldom wrong. After all, the garden is being renovated and is a ready-made grave, as well as a rather macabre choice! But the more important next move is to find the killer and prove his guilt. The garden will be dug up later to confirm this murder, and add to charges. Stopping the killer comes first. The title says it all—Rutledge needs proof of guilt in order to make his arrest. And French’s body doesn’t provide proof, it just adds to the body count. We played fair and told our readers where French was. We just didn’t show that Rutledge was right, because it would have been after the arrest, would have taken a court order, etc. Really an anticlimax, since the answer is already there. Sometimes the story leaves a little to your imagination, but gives you the clues to go with that.
All the Best,
Charles
Thank you so much for writing! There is no follow up. Rutledge says he believes Louis French was buried in the new rose garden. And he is seldom wrong. After all, the garden is being renovated and is a ready-made grave, as well as a rather macabre choice! But the more important next move is to find the killer and prove his guilt. The garden will be dug up later to confirm this murder, and add to charges. Stopping the killer comes first. The title says it all—Rutledge needs proof of guilt in order to make his arrest. And French’s body doesn’t provide proof, it just adds to the body count. We played fair and told our readers where French was. We just didn’t show that Rutledge was right, because it would have been after the arrest, would have taken a court order, etc. Really an anticlimax, since the answer is already there. Sometimes the story leaves a little to your imagination, but gives you the clues to go with that.
All the Best,
Charles
More Answered Questions
Betsy
asked
Charles Todd:
I love your series, particularly since I am very interested in WWI. I hope you won't be in a hurry to find a wife for Ian. As you said, his PTSD is not something that is going to miraculously go away. Is there any chance you might give us some more information on his war service, besides the tragedy involving Hamish? Those four years had to have a profound effect on anyone who served.
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