Bess Crawford must keep a deadly pattern of lies from destroying an innocent family in this compelling and atmospheric mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Question of Honor and An Unwilling Accomplice
In 1916, at the height of the war, an explosion and fire at an armament factory in Kent killed more than a hundred men. With Ashton Powder Mill situated so close to the … Mill situated so close to the coast—within reach of German saboteurs—the Army investigated, eventually ruling the event an appalling tragedy. Now, two years later, suspicion, gossip, and rumor have raised the specter of murder—and fingers point to the owner, Philip Ashton, whose son is battlefield nurse Bess Crawford’s friend and former patient.
While visiting the Ashtons, Bess finds herself caught up in a venomous show of hostility that doesn’t stop with Philip Ashton’s arrest. Indeed, someone is out for blood, and the household is all but under siege. The police are hostile—the Inspector’s brother died in the mill explosion—and refuse to consult either the Army or Scotland Yard. Why, after two years, has the village turned against Ashton?
In France, Bess searches for the only known witness to the explosion, now serving at the Front, and tries to convince him to give evidence about that terrible Sunday morning, only to find herself and the witness hunted by someone intent on preventing anyone from discovering what—or who—is behind this web of vicious lies. Uncertain whom to trust, she can rely only on her own wits and courage, but how can she stop a killer whose face she has never seen?
Philip Ashton is urged to throw himself on the mercy of the court—where he will surely find none. Time is running out. And Bess, at the point of a gun, has only one choice left: to risk her life to save the Ashtons.
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Bess Crawford books give a realistic view of WWI from the fascinating standpoint of a nurse. Sometimes the mystery plots aeem strained and overlong. Not this one, which is absorbing.
Bess Crawford’s experiences as a nurse/sister with unique access to grittiest facts of a war are gripping. Her desire to pursue truth and justice makes a great story and refreshes my world view.
CharlesTodd is the Author
The Bess Crawford books are great. I wish there were more. Extremely interesting from a historical standpoint with a mystery intertwined.
I love the Todds’ books. They are not only well written and thought-out mysteries, but also truthful depictions of the lasting scars, physical and mental, war leaves with those who participate in it In any way. I hope this mother and son duo continue to produce their Bess Crawford and Ian Rutledge series for years to come.
Kent in the English countryside during WWI experiences a tragic explosion of a munitions factory. A hundred lives are lost. Two years after the event whispers and innuendo suggest it wasn’t an accident. Bess Crawford finds herself in the middle of a tangled web of lies and misdirection as she seeks to unravel the motive and the culprit behind this witch hunt.
This book is like “Downton Abbey” with an added murder mystery. It takes you to England and France during WWI with interesting characters and insights about the period.
Excellent
I have enjoyed all of the Todd books that feature Bess Crawford. Wonderful historical settings and characters.
I love Charles Todd books about Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford and the history packed inside.
It was nice to get back to Bess’ world. Not the war, of course, but to the spunky and canny heroine and those she loves. Another good story (based loosely on a true event) but not many appearances from her ensemble cast. And I must say I miss them when they’re not around. Only two to go before I’m caught up! 4/5
Reading about the era & the great war was informative yet entertaining.
I enjoy all of Charles Todd books and this holds up the standard!!
I enjoy both of Charles Todd’s detectives, Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford. (Pattern of Lies is a Bess Crawford story.) Both series are set in or just after World War I, and along with the always enticing mystery, the details of life at that time draw me in. I have yet to be disappointed in any of Todd’s books!
Love this series You really get invested in all the characters esp Bess and Simon
Cant wait for the next book. Read this series in order if you can. Great research on the war
The writing team of Charles Todd has produced another winner. I like the Bess Crawford series a little bit better than the Ian Rutledge series; Bess and her story somehow seem more realistic (and more fun) than Inspector Rutledge.
Love, love, love Charles Todd and both seriries–Bess Crawford and Ian Rutledge. The books are well crafted, with complex characters. There also historically accurate and steep you in the WWI and post-WEI periods.
I stopped listening to it after a few hours. I didn’t like the narrator and the story was slow and boring.
A superb series, rich in detail for the WWI period from the perspective of an English nurse. Absolutely fascinating, and you will love Bess Crawford. This series is realistic, not romantic, and extremely well written. Start with the first one, as each gets deeper and richer. Very rewarding!
These writers never cease to amaze me. The quality is always top notch, characters believable, and story line excellent. I love period pieces and they always build great scenes and the discriptive narrativesthst put the reader right in the story.
I have read many of their books and they are all fabulous. Thanks for the hours of quality entertainment.