Scan barcode
amanda_m_holland's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.0
valefimbres's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
One of two books by [a:Charles Todd|131|Charles Todd|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1251728768p2/131.jpg] nominated for the 2014 Agatha for Best Historical Fiction, I decided to read this one first as the Bess Crawford series is one of my favorites...and this book has been on my TBR list for far too long :) As was the case with the first five books in the series, this tale was complex and kept me guessing until the very end. Fans of Simon Brandon will be happy to see him play a prominent role in this offering as he works closely with Bess to solve the mystery. While she is back in London on leave, Bess receives a unusual request from the War Office. She is asked to accompany a severely wounded soldier who she has never met or nursed, to Buckingham Palace, where he is to be decorated for gallantry by the king himself. Of course, Bess agrees but her charge disappears and suspicions abound about the role Bess played in his disappearance. The Army and Nursing Service both blame her for losing the war hero and she is forbidden from returning to France as punishment. The missing Sergeant Jason Wilkins is considered a deserter by the Army, and, even more troubling, a possible murderer. Bess is questioned by Scotland Yard when Wilkins is suspected of killing a man in cold blood shortly after he disappears from London. Bess must clear her name by proving she was not Wilkins's accomplice, willing or otherwise. She teams up with Simon to track down the missing man and, of course, gets a critical assist from her father. Their mission takes them throughout numerous villages in the north where the locals seem reluctant to help these outsiders or reveal secrets that may help solve the mystery. It also highlights realistic war-time issues and explores what happens when soldiers bring their battlefield experiences home. I'm looking forward to the next book (due out this summer!) and plan to check out [b:Hunting Shadows|18090079|Hunting Shadows (Inspector Ian Rutledge, #16)|Charles Todd|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415393919s/18090079.jpg|25337665], the other 2014 Agatha nominee by Charles Todd, soon for comparison!
eveak's review against another edition
3.0
I really like this series and feel like this book started off with promise but got muddled at the end ... Leaving me disappointed as a reader. It was still well written, just not what I had hoped for.
ajs_reads_2's review against another edition
3.0
I was so excited to read the next Bess Crawford mystery. Unfortunately, this one was just blah for me. It felt repetitive with Simon and Bess driving around the same handful of little towns for most of the book. I found myself getting confused with all of the different characters as well. I still gave it 3 stars because I love Bess and Simon and I'll definitely continue the series. This just wasn't the best one.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
2.0
This Bess Crawford didn't seem to go anywhere. There was plenty of time for character development, but it felt like Bess and Simon were just driving back and forth all over the Dysoes: upper, middle and lower. Over and over and over again. For a moment I thought Simon might confess a bit of affection for Bess, but after a late night walk he had it under control again.
clittleford3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
elysahenegar's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining as always, but the plot felt a little less gripping in this one. Still, Bess Crawford is a great character and I enjoyed it!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
An Unwilling Accomplice
3 Stars
Bess Crawford is accused of negligence when the wounded soldier in her care disappears and is later suspected of committing a murder. To clear her name, Bess and the ever faithful Simon Brandon scour the Shropshire countryside for clues to the killer's whereabouts. Can they find him before he kills again?
Unfortunately, this is the weakest book in the series. Much of the plot revolves around Bess and Simon traipsing back and forth between various small villages sticking their noses into other people's business.
The mystery isn't all that interesting and even the so-called surprise twist is glaringly obvious to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention. It is also a pity that the Todds fail to seize this excellent opportunity to forward the romance between Bess and Simon. As it is, their is little to no progress on this front.
That said, Bess is an endearing heroine and her determination to uncover the truth is admirable. Moreover, the focus on the physical, mental and emotional traumas suffered by the soldiers and their loved ones as a result of the Great War is heartbreaking.
Finally, Rosalyn Landor's narration is excellent as always and she even manages to make the tedious repetition of village names sound entertaining.
Hopefully, the next installment will be better.
3 Stars
Bess Crawford is accused of negligence when the wounded soldier in her care disappears and is later suspected of committing a murder. To clear her name, Bess and the ever faithful Simon Brandon scour the Shropshire countryside for clues to the killer's whereabouts. Can they find him before he kills again?
Unfortunately, this is the weakest book in the series. Much of the plot revolves around Bess and Simon traipsing back and forth between various small villages sticking their noses into other people's business.
The mystery isn't all that interesting and even the so-called surprise twist is glaringly obvious to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention. It is also a pity that the Todds fail to seize this excellent opportunity to forward the romance between Bess and Simon. As it is, their is little to no progress on this front.
That said, Bess is an endearing heroine and her determination to uncover the truth is admirable. Moreover, the focus on the physical, mental and emotional traumas suffered by the soldiers and their loved ones as a result of the Great War is heartbreaking.
Finally, Rosalyn Landor's narration is excellent as always and she even manages to make the tedious repetition of village names sound entertaining.
Hopefully, the next installment will be better.
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
3.0
I will be so pleased when Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd get together and write a book in which Maisie Dobbs and Bess Crawford team up and solve a mystery. That is all.
...that *is* going to happen, right?
...that *is* going to happen, right?