From the brilliantly imaginative New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd comes an unforgettable new character in an exceptional new series
England, 1916. Independent-minded Bess Crawford’s upbringing is far different from that of the usual upper-middle-class British gentlewoman. Growing up in India, she learned the importance of responsibility, honor, and duty from her officer father. At … duty from her officer father. At the outbreak of World War I, she followed in his footsteps and volunteered for the nursing corps, serving from the battlefields of France to the doomed hospital ship Britannic.
On one voyage, Bess grows fond of the young, gravely wounded Lieutenant Arthur Graham. Something rests heavily on his conscience, and to give him a little peace as he dies, she promises to deliver a message to his brother. It is some months before she can carry out this duty, and when she’s next in England, she herself is recovering from a wound.
When Bess arrives at the Graham house in Kent, Jonathan Graham listens to his brother’s last wishes with surprising indifference. Neither his mother nor his brother Timothy seems to think it has any significance. Unsettled by this, Bess is about to take her leave when sudden tragedy envelops her. She quickly discovers that fulfilling this duty to the dead has thrust her into a maelstrom of intrigue and murder that will endanger her own life and test her courage as not even war has.
more
Great introduction to the Bess Crawford series. “Charles Todd” does an excellent job shedding light on a post WWI England. Intriguing and delicious!
Just finished up my first Bess Crawford book, and it definitely won’t be my last. I enjoyed this one! While it did have some slower spots, I loved the descriptiveness and rthe suspense of the mystery. And Bess, I loved her dedication to doing what is right (both in her nursing and in righting injustice). She’s spunky, independent and just an …
This is another great book from Charles Todd. The first in a series with the central character of World War I nurse Bess Crawford, I really appreciated how the author set the place, the tone and the feel of the times and what she faces. I couldn’t put this down (except to sleep!) and ended up reading this in a little over a day.
In this book, …
I like the story line, the time period and I like the way the author composes the book.
I truly enjoy reading all the books from this series by Charkes Todd. The tragic setting of WW I pervades every book, but the intrepid character of Bess Crawford manages every challenge as she searches for answers. Great characters and a compelling storyline made it hard to put down!
Beautifully written. Strong storyline.
Love this series!
Took you back in time and was historically correct.
“A Duty to the Dead” is the first book in the Bess Crawford series. There are now 11 books in this series and #12 comes out 7/6/21. Charles Todd is a mother and son writing team who are Brilliant. They can bring you into a story an make you live it. Bess Crawford is a nurse during WWI. She is often stationed just behind the front lines. You …
I appreciate the Todd’s and an intro to a past time.
CharlesTodd is the Author
Love this series. I read each one so quickly, then have to wait (impatiently) months for the next installment.
I have read all the Bess Crawford books by Charles Todd and have loved all of them.
I have read most of this author’s series about Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard. Set in the years immediately following WWI, Ian who fought in the trenches in France struggles to solve murders while fighting shell shock and the death of a Scot who served under him and whose spirit lives in Ian’s mind. If this new series is as good as the …
He creates great characters that are flawed but do the best that they can with the circumstances. I love mysteries, and history, and he brings the two together with great characters well.
interesting plot
This book has wonderful historical details. The characters are great and leave you wanting to know more about them, so read read every book available.
The first novel in the long-standing Bess Crawford Mystery series and such a discovery!
Bess is a battlefield nurse, daughter to a colonel of the English Army. She has a strong heart, as her’ army family’ requires, but also a very gentle soul, as her profession requires. I loved this mix of strong traits and gentle ones because I find they are …
I love all of Charles Todd’s book. They are all well written and page turners!
You can’t go wrong with Bess Crawford and Charles Todd!