“As always, Todd’s intense feelings for the traumatized survivors of war make one mother’s son the broken hero of an entire generation of lost souls.” — The New York Times Book ReviewIn the aftermath of World War I, English nurse Bess Crawford attempts to save a troubled officer from a mysterious killer in this eleventh book in the acclaimed Bess Crawford mystery series.The Armistice of November … officer from a mysterious killer in this eleventh book in the acclaimed Bess Crawford mystery series.
The Armistice of November 1918 ended the fighting, but the Great War will not be over until a Peace Treaty is drawn up and signed by all parties involved. Representatives from the Allies are gathering in Paris, and already ominous signs of disagreement have appeared.
Sister Bess Crawford, who has been working with the severely wounded in England in the war’s wake, is asked to carry out a personal mission in Paris for a Matron at the London headquarters of The Queen Alexandra’s.
Bess is facing decisions about her own future, even as she searches for Lawrence Minton. When she finally locates him, instead of the intelligent, ambitious officer she expects, she finds a bitter and disturbed man who has abdicated his duties at the Peace Conference and is well on his way toward an addiction to opiates. Indeed, he tells her that he doesn’t care if he lives or dies, he only wants oblivion. But what has changed him? What is it that haunts him? It seems the truth is buried so deep in his mind that he can only relive it in wild nightmares. When Minton goes missing, bent on suicide, Bess must race to unlock his past before he succeeds.
Reluctant to trust an officer in Minton’s regiment, a man with secrets of his own, and uncertain of the loyalties of Matron’s friends in Paris, Bess must rely on her own instincts and experience—and sometimes in desperation on a stranger who claims he never met Minton.
Could whatever happened to Minton in Paris somehow be connected to his war? And why did he not kill Bess when he had the chance—then later, viciously attack her without warning? What is destroying Lieutenant Minton? Or is it who? And what horror will she have to confront, if she is to save him?
In this, the eleventh novel in the award-winning Bess Crawford series, New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd delivers a rich and atmospheric portrait that illuminates the cost of war on human lives—the lingering pain and horror that no peace, no matter how earned, can assuage.
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What the heck?? THIS was not a great read. I was so disappointed. I know times were different then, but I DO NOT have to sit through a book where people make excuses for abuse [and even encourage the abused to freaking apologize] and try and normalize it. SO NOT OKAY.
And let’s talk about how Bess is like a completely different person in this book; I know she has a heart to help, but considering she only gets limited leave, she absolutely would not have left her family hanging like that. I swear it was like someone else was writing this book. SO UGH.
like all his books
A good plot and a good description of the times following WWI. The characters were strong and well drawn. The plot moved along well and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As usual, Charles Todd has delivered a good story well told. I keep hoping he will come up with another Ian Rutledge episode.
Number 11 in the series, and while I enjoyed this one, it was not a favorite for me.
Bess, while contemplating what she will do with her life now that the war is over, travels to France as a favor to check on the well-being of a friend’s son. She finds a man wracked by guilt drowning his sorrows in laudanum. He had suffered a concussion in the war, losing some of his memory. What does eventually come back seems to indicate to him that he acted dishonorably. She must unravel the truth of his memories to save his soul as well as his life.
A good installment for a wonderful series.
CharlesTodd is the Author
Classic Charles Todd. Interesting details about 1920s England. The mystery kept me guessing, while giving me enough clues to think, “Is it A? No, it’s B.)
The Bess Crawford series is well worth reading.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways, I was not required to give a favorable review. This is another great book in this series and another great book from Charles, while you are reading you feel all the emotions of the characters but the description of the placs and people seen you are able to see them in your minds eye while reading.
Charles Todd’s (mother-son writing duo) have created two wonderful series of novels based during or immediately following WWl. In this story, Bess Crawford–still in Great Britain’s nursing service, travels to post-war France on a mission of mercy for the benefit of her boss. As usual, Bess is up to the challenge, and the story the unfolds is unique and engaging. Charles Todd stories are always great reads. Enjoy.
https://www.fictiondb.com/author/charles-todd~series~a-bess-crawford-mystery~14930.htm
I love this series (as well as the one featuring Ian Rutledge). This writing team does an excellent job bringing this historical period to life and coming up with original mysteries. I also appreciate the character ark of Bess over the series. I am truly invested in her trajectory and curious about where her path will lead her given the restraints of the times.
The results of the war last well past its technical end.
This continues to be an impressive series.
The characters are finely drawn and have developed well over the course of the stories.
Bess Crawford’s dedication and determination are admirable.
If only we could each have such a fine person looking after us!
Great read!!!