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valefimbres's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nicoleankenmann's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook: 10hr 01m
More, please.
I think these books are at their best when read in a cluster. Immersion into another time and place, with different global traumas and a different social landscape -- it's a therapy for the imagination. Take a break from this social-media plagued planet of pandemic-pandemonium and fill your lungs with the literary smoke of a coal-burning stove.
...It's better than it sounds.
More, please.
I think these books are at their best when read in a cluster. Immersion into another time and place, with different global traumas and a different social landscape -- it's a therapy for the imagination. Take a break from this social-media plagued planet of pandemic-pandemonium and fill your lungs with the literary smoke of a coal-burning stove.
...It's better than it sounds.
northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
A Cruel Deception
3 Stars
Bess is asked by Matron Minton to look into the disappearance of her son serving with the British peace delegation in Paris in the aftermath of WW1.
Unfortunately, this latest installment in the Bess Crawford mysteries simply did not resonate. The mystery surrounding Lawrence Minton's disappearance fails to fulfill its potential mainly due to the fact that Lawrence is a selfish, self-absorbed and ungrateful man and it is exceedingly difficult to sympathize with his plight.
Another problematic element is the pacing of the narrative, which plods along as Bess attempts to uncover the reasons for Lawrence's PTSD. Alongside the actual clues (which are few and far between), there is an excessive amount of internal musings about the countryside, the post-war shortages and the people Bess encounters.
The explanation for the attacks on Lawrence is disappointing as the culprit
Finally, the authors really need to get a move on with Bess's love life. It is obvious to everyone (except perhaps Bess and maybe Simon) that the two are meant for each other. Simon's absence from this installment was keenly felt.
The next installment has yet to be announced, but I look forward to listening to the excellent Rosalyn Landor when it is published.
3 Stars
Bess is asked by Matron Minton to look into the disappearance of her son serving with the British peace delegation in Paris in the aftermath of WW1.
Unfortunately, this latest installment in the Bess Crawford mysteries simply did not resonate. The mystery surrounding Lawrence Minton's disappearance fails to fulfill its potential mainly due to the fact that Lawrence is a selfish, self-absorbed and ungrateful man and it is exceedingly difficult to sympathize with his plight.
Another problematic element is the pacing of the narrative, which plods along as Bess attempts to uncover the reasons for Lawrence's PTSD. Alongside the actual clues (which are few and far between), there is an excessive amount of internal musings about the countryside, the post-war shortages and the people Bess encounters.
The explanation for the attacks on Lawrence is disappointing as the culprit
Spoiler
isn't actually a character in the story until the last couple of chapters, and the motive is rather far-fetched.Finally, the authors really need to get a move on with Bess's love life. It is obvious to everyone (except perhaps Bess and maybe Simon) that the two are meant for each other. Simon's absence from this installment was keenly felt.
The next installment has yet to be announced, but I look forward to listening to the excellent Rosalyn Landor when it is published.
sarahd3's review against another edition
3.0
I fine way to begin the new year. I've been reading the Bess Crawford mysteries since 2013 and have enjoyed every one. They are not quite a cozy but not a hard boiled mystery either. A nice respite for a lazy morning.
shellystilger's review against another edition
2.0
I really like Bess Crawford as a character and the books in this series. But this one fell flat.
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
2.0
Gah. I loved the first few books of this series and I'm perpetually waiting for it to get good again.
nursenell's review against another edition
3.0
The war is over and Bess is back in England, still with The Queen Alexandras, nursing wounded soldiers. She is sent by the Matron on a trip to Paris to check on the Matron’s soldier son who is attending the peace negotiations but hasn’t been heard from. I enjoyed the book because I like Bess and her no nonsense approach to life but there were parts of the story that were just too unbelievable. The probability that a French husband and father could find the one British officer whom he held responsible for his family’s death seems remote at best. And that Bess could find the same British officer, who was the Matron’s son, by wandering around Paris seems equally remote. And that the French father/husband would follow Bess around until he found the soldier, I don’t see that it could happen.
zombeesknees's review against another edition
4.0
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-cruel-deception-charles-todd/