A Duty to the Dead Audiobook By Charles Todd cover art

A Duty to the Dead

A Bess Crawford Mystery

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A Duty to the Dead

By: Charles Todd
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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About this listen

The daughter of a distinguished soldier, Bess Crawford follows in his patriotic footsteps, volunteering to serve her country as a nurse during the Great War. In 1916 she promises Lieutenant Arthur Graham that she will carry his dying request to a brother.

When Bess arrives at the Graham house in Kent, Jonathan Graham listens to his brother's last wishes with surprising indifference. Neither his mother nor his brother Timothy seems to think it has any significance. Unsettled by this, Bess is about to take her leave when sudden tragedy envelops her.

She quickly discovers that fulfilling this duty to the dead has thrust her into a maelstrom of intrigue and murder that will endanger her own life and test her courage as not even war has.

©2009 Charles Todd (P)2009 BBC Audio
Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Solider War Exciting Historical Mystery Thriller
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Critic reviews

"Todd employs all the elements of a satisfying cozy mystery, with an absorbing plot and a charismatic heroine that will leave the reader wanting more." ( Library Journal)
Engaging Mystery • Historical Authenticity • Excellent Narration • Strong Heroine • Compelling Protagonist
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because you become engaged with the story from the beginning.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

As the plot thickened it was suspenseful.

Which scene was your favorite?

I had several scenes that I liked.

A Duty to the Dead

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The narrator's voice was the same for each male character and for each older woman character. There were times when it was difficult to tell when the main character was thinking and when she was speaking.

Overall, the first half of the novel was irritatingly slow and repetitive, while the second have made leaps in logic--or illogic- and actions that I would not an educated, well-bred young woman to do.

I finished the book because it wasn't horrible and because it was a free download which I played on my long commute.

pedantic

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An excellent mystery I really enjoyed this book a historical mystery set during WW1 most enjoyable

missing

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I am stingy with my stars so you know this was some good storytelling. Great heroine, lively supporting characters, good intrigue, and no romance mucking it all up! Wonderful narrator too.

A ripping yarn!

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Mystery, intrigue, laughter, tears, love, hate, the Great War; a top rated historical mystery! And a happy ending!

A Well Rounded Historical Mystery

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The performance made the story come to life better than any I’ve listened to so far!

Very chilling with a dash of elegance

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Not my normal mystery choice (period/era/war) but somehow acquired (don't remember purchasing). I decided to go ahead and listen and was taken in immediately. The books started with a shipping disaster but seques (verey well done) to Bess traveling to bring a message to honor a soldier in her care only to uncover a mystery/situation she was not expecting. Tnhe story is a real journey with twists and turns and twice I was wrong figuring out the bad guy/killer and got it right just before the big reveal (made it lots of fun). Bess is a decent person with a good family, friends, not cocky, attitude appropriate for the period, smart and thoughtful. Can't wait for the next installment.

10 Starts - so good

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This first book in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series is not as well plotted as the author's Ian Rutledge series, but it is still an enjoyable listen. The narrator is excellent.

Plot lacks something

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Everything about this title is mediocre. The narration is fair but male voices are significantly lacking. The storyline is good enough but has so many "Really?" type moments that is just isn't credible. It never appears as if the heroine is in danger, but the storyline just wouldn't' go that way! The characters were likable but still middle-of-road. I just wouldn't bother with title.

Not Bad But Not Real Good

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This is a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery, a spunky heroine and/or historical fiction about England during WWI.

Loved it!

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