A Duty to the Dead: A Bess Crawford Mystery
5 journalers for this copy...
This is the first book in this series by Charles Todd that I have read and I found it a very enjoyable light read. The authors set their mysteries in WW1 England and in the years following the war. Most of their books feature a shell shocked war vet who is now a detective with the London Metropolitan Police, but this one has a nurse as the main character and an unusual mystery to solve.
This book is travelling to England as part of a summer surprise parcel.
I'd heard about this book which sounds right up my street.
I found this a compelling story - to the extent that I found myself trying to read it as a passenger in a moving car despite knowing perfectly well that this is a recipe for travel sickness.
We follow Bess Crawford as her involvement in seeing through a promise made to a dying man becomes steadily more and more urgent moving from a long delay in doing anything at all to being determined to find out what really happened at whatever cost to her fondly held images.
I would have liked more characterisation of the dead Arthur's brothers Jonathan - the soldier with the ugly facial wound, and Timothy, unable to enlist due to a birth deformity some called ugly.
There were a whole set of complex motivations which I felt enhanced rather than detracted from the main story - the village doctor and vicar, the mother-in-law of the shell-shocked soldier. It was also interesting to see how Bess's nursing skills allowed her access to more information and perspectives.
We follow Bess Crawford as her involvement in seeing through a promise made to a dying man becomes steadily more and more urgent moving from a long delay in doing anything at all to being determined to find out what really happened at whatever cost to her fondly held images.
I would have liked more characterisation of the dead Arthur's brothers Jonathan - the soldier with the ugly facial wound, and Timothy, unable to enlist due to a birth deformity some called ugly.
There were a whole set of complex motivations which I felt enhanced rather than detracted from the main story - the village doctor and vicar, the mother-in-law of the shell-shocked soldier. It was also interesting to see how Bess's nursing skills allowed her access to more information and perspectives.
Journal Entry 5 by dirtmother at Green Way Cafe OBCZ in Matlock, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (5/8/2013 UTC) at Green Way Cafe OBCZ in Matlock, Derbyshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
In case Villette doesn't make it here herself
Found in the Green Way Cafe, Matlock. Waiting on my pile of books waiting to be read.
Journal Entry 7 by whyvon at Derbion Basement in Derby, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (7/29/2014 UTC) at Derbion Basement in Derby, Derbyshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Twist to the tale.
Can't really add anything to the above comments.
Left on the Book Crossing shelves at the taxi waiting area, Westfield shopping centre, Derby.
Can't really add anything to the above comments.
Left on the Book Crossing shelves at the taxi waiting area, Westfield shopping centre, Derby.
Delighted to find a well travelled book in Derby today. Looks a great read and I will start it soon.
Journal Entry 9 by countofmonte at Heanor, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Sad to say I found this book a little dull :(
However I will now save it for the convention in Oxford next year.
However I will now save it for the convention in Oxford next year.
Journal Entry 10 by countofmonte at Bookcrossing Convention 2015 in Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 11, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (4/11/2015 UTC) at Bookcrossing Convention 2015 in Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Released at the convention 2015.
Picked up from the book buffet. Thanks Count of Monte, have to say I'm surprised I picked up 3 books you brought considering they seem vary varied. We obviously have overlapping taste!