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 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)

What listeners say about A Duty to the Dead

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A Duty to the Dead

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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pedantic

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.

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missing

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

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A ripping yarn!

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.

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A Well Rounded Historical Mystery

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

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Very chilling with a dash of elegance

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

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10 Starts - so good

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.

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Good Not Great

What made the experience of listening to A Duty to the Dead the most enjoyable?

The time period this story took place was very interesting to me.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was a good ending, but about 3/4 into the book I could see what was going to happen.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

Bess Crawford, I thought she was a very strong woman, especially for the time period she lived.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I found myself taking breaks.

Any additional comments?

I was excited to find a new series to read. This book was good, but not good enough to keep me wanting to purchase the rest of the series.

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Another Great Book from the Todds!

Loved it! Excellent narration. Couldn't stop listening to Bess Crawford. One must get this novel.

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Very talented narrator

Loved listening to this, great story, great narrator, I would like to listen to more like this.

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