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A review by laurenjodi
A Duty To The Dead by Charles Todd
4.0
A Duty to the Dead
4 Stars
On leave after being injured during the sinking of the hospital ship Britannic, nurse Bess Crawford takes the opportunity to fulfill the dying wish of a young soldier under her care. Traveling to Kent, she encounters the Graham family and their many secrets including the existence of unwanted sibling incarcerated in a lunatic asylum. As Bess delves deeper into the meaning of Arthur Graham’s message, she uncovers an horrific crime and a travesty of justice that may have far reaching consequences for her personally.
Compelling characters and an interesting mystery albeit a little drawn out at the end.
The setting of Britain during the Great War is absorbing, especially the descriptions of English “stiff upper lip” and the varied reactions to the traumas suffered by the returning soldiers whether physical or mental. There are moments where it is necessary to remember the time period and not judge people’s harshness and cruelty according to 21st century moral and social principles.
The mystery builds slowly but surely as Bess uncovers one clue after another. While the evidence of is glaringly obvious, the identity of the villain remains in question almost till the end. The climax is exciting although the resolution could have been written more compactly. Moreover, it is disappointing that .
Bess is a spirited and engaging heroine. The only questionable aspect of her personality is her intense affection for Arthur Graham, which has little if any basis in reality, and tends to skew her judgement.
All in all, an entertaining listen and my first book narrated by Rosalyn Landor whose performance was excellent.
4 Stars
On leave after being injured during the sinking of the hospital ship Britannic, nurse Bess Crawford takes the opportunity to fulfill the dying wish of a young soldier under her care. Traveling to Kent, she encounters the Graham family and their many secrets including the existence of unwanted sibling incarcerated in a lunatic asylum. As Bess delves deeper into the meaning of Arthur Graham’s message, she uncovers an horrific crime and a travesty of justice that may have far reaching consequences for her personally.
Compelling characters and an interesting mystery albeit a little drawn out at the end.
The setting of Britain during the Great War is absorbing, especially the descriptions of English “stiff upper lip” and the varied reactions to the traumas suffered by the returning soldiers whether physical or mental. There are moments where it is necessary to remember the time period and not judge people’s harshness and cruelty according to 21st century moral and social principles.
The mystery builds slowly but surely as Bess uncovers one clue after another. While the evidence of
Spoiler
Peregrine’s innocence and his stepmother’s appalling mistreatment of himSpoiler
Timothy escapes the justice he so richly deserves by committing suicideBess is a spirited and engaging heroine. The only questionable aspect of her personality is her intense affection for Arthur Graham, which has little if any basis in reality, and tends to skew her judgement.
All in all, an entertaining listen and my first book narrated by Rosalyn Landor whose performance was excellent.