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moviebuffkt's review
4.0
While it took a bit of time to get into the mystery of this, I really enjoyed it. I wish I had known about the Bess Crawford series when I was in peak Downton Abbey fandom, but I’m glad to have found them now.
wsk56's review
4.0
I loved the character of Bess Crawford, a nurse in WWI. She's a tough cookie, smart and brave. A dying soldier makes her promise to take a message to his brother. What she endures just getting back to England is amazing. Then, when she finally delivers the message, the brother reacts with seeming indifference. What follows is a brilliant mystery, with the backdrop of a small village in England during the war. The writing is lovely and the characters are well written. I look forward to reading other Bess Crawford mysteries.
thereclamationproject's review against another edition
3.0
The story really picked up once Bess left the Graham residence and began her 'investigation.' The only reason this didn't get 4 stars is because her investigation didn't begin until halfway through the book. It bumped along for a little too long.
annvsted87's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
jennchandler's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. This was good, and the mystery was most excellent, but for whatever reason, I found I didn’t particularly care about the characters.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Ten years is apparently enough time for me to know I've read a book before but cannot remember enough of the details that it feels like a new book.
I really liked this book in 2012 and I feel the same now. I enjoy mysteries of all styles, historical mysteries are especially nifty as I learn about the time that the mystery is set as much as I do about the characters and setting.
Bess Crawford is a nurse home recuperating from a broken arm and has been tasked with delivering a message for one of her patient's family members. It sends her down a rabbit hole of intrigue. I like Bess' intestinal fortitude and how she keeps moving forward. She was raised that way.
This is the beginning of what looks to be a fantastic series and I look forward to reading/listening to the rest of the series.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
I really liked this book in 2012 and I feel the same now. I enjoy mysteries of all styles, historical mysteries are especially nifty as I learn about the time that the mystery is set as much as I do about the characters and setting.
Bess Crawford is a nurse home recuperating from a broken arm and has been tasked with delivering a message for one of her patient's family members. It sends her down a rabbit hole of intrigue. I like Bess' intestinal fortitude and how she keeps moving forward. She was raised that way.
This is the beginning of what looks to be a fantastic series and I look forward to reading/listening to the rest of the series.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
diadandy's review against another edition
5.0
A riveting and convoluted mystery that kept me interested from the very beginning. Loved the fact that it took place during WWI as well. That is such a forgotten time.
blueshadow's review against another edition
4.0
The same excellent writing I enjoyed in the author's Rutledge series, but something actually HAPPENS in these books!
I liked Bess, although I do find her character extremely nosy, the way she feels obligated to keep poking into other people's business until it's finally obvious even to her that she is trying to solve a murder mystery.
I liked Bess, although I do find her character extremely nosy, the way she feels obligated to keep poking into other people's business until it's finally obvious even to her that she is trying to solve a murder mystery.
elysahenegar's review against another edition
4.0
So good! The cadence and diction of this book give it a Louisa May Alcott meets PBS Masterpiece Theater feel for me. Great story, endearing characters!
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
The first book in the Bess Crawford series introduces our capable heroine as she embarks on a series of adventures.
Set during WWI, the story starts in the hospital ship Britannic where our heroine sustains an injury that sends her home to recover. One of her patients has entrusted her with a posthumous message to his family and her dissatisfaction with their response leads her to ask some questions of her own.
Engaging characters and an interesting settings draw the reader along, though the classic who done it tale is sacrificed in exchange for some slightly melodramatic plot devices.
All in all - a good enough book to make me read the next one, though perhaps not with the sense of keen anticipation that other (better) series inspire.
Set during WWI, the story starts in the hospital ship Britannic where our heroine sustains an injury that sends her home to recover. One of her patients has entrusted her with a posthumous message to his family and her dissatisfaction with their response leads her to ask some questions of her own.
Engaging characters and an interesting settings draw the reader along, though the classic who done it tale is sacrificed in exchange for some slightly melodramatic plot devices.
All in all - a good enough book to make me read the next one, though perhaps not with the sense of keen anticipation that other (better) series inspire.