Tuesday, June 05, 2012

An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd


First Line: I stopped just outside the ward and leaned my head against the cool wood of the doorframe.

It's the spring of 1918. Not only are Bess Crawford and all the other nurses and doctors having to contend with an unending stream of wounded men from the front lines in France, they have to battle another killer: the Spanish Influenza.

A trusted orderly takes Bess to the area in which the dead are kept before they taken out for burial, and he shows her that there is one more dead soldier than there should be. After checking the records and looking at the man's body, it becomes clear to Bess that this man (a friend of the family) has been murdered, but before she can tell the commanding officer of her suspicions, she falls victim to the flu and is taken to England to recuperate.

When she is strong enough to return to duty, she keeps her promise to the orderly and informs her father, the "Colonel Sahib," of what happened, but there's not much that can be done. The soldier's body has been buried, and the only other person who saw the body-- the orderly-- has hanged himself.

Bess knows that something's just not right, that someone believed "one unmarked grave more or less wouldn't be noticed," so she begins to piece together what little information and evidence she can. But when another nurse dies, and someone very nearly succeeds in killing Bess herself, she knows that she somehow has to stay safe from this very determined killer so justice can be done.

This series continues to get stronger-- especially when the books (like this one) have so many scenes in the war zone in France. Battle not only shows Bess at work, it heightens the feeling of danger. The writing duo of Caroline and Charles Todd ratchet up the danger and suspense even further with the killer who seems to see all, know all, and be everywhere at once. Bess isn't safe, and neither is anyone who tries to help her.

I came nowhere close to deducing the killer's identity, and I actually breathed a sigh of relief when the capture was signed, sealed and delivered. The series is also hinting rather strongly at possible romance in Bess's future. Possible, that is, if Bess ever realizes what's right under her nose!

If you have yet to read any of these Bess Crawford mysteries, give this one a try. It stands very well on its own, but don't be surprised if you want to go back and read the others once you've finished An Unmarked Grave. I also highly recommend this series for any readers who are fans of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series or Suzanne Arruda's Jade del Cameron books.

An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
ISBN: 9780062015723
William Morrow and Company   ©2012
Hardcover, 272 pages

Genre: Historical Mystery, #4 Bess Crawford mystery
Rating: A
Source: Amazon Vine

12 comments:

  1. Cathy - I'm very glad you liked this one. Of course, I admit I'm a sucker for a well-written historical novel. And this era is really fascinating. It doesn't always get the "press" that some other eras do, but I find it interesting. Folks, Cathy's right. Do try this series!

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    1. I've never really been able to understand why it doesn't get the press that some of the other eras do, Margot.

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  2. Ooh, this sounds so good! Must put it on my list - with a star so I'll know it's special.

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    1. Perfect for whenever you might have some extra time to read, Barbara....

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  3. Thank you for reviewing this book. I'll have to check out this series!

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy it, Lark!

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  4. I just finished this one and I loved it. I haven't read the rest of the series, but I do now know I want to read them.

    Bess reminded me of Maisie Dobbs a bit, but was so different at the same time. I'm not sure if it's because of the era that both series are written in or if I just think the two of them would be great friends.

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    1. I think you're right, Ryan-- the two of them would be very good friends.

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  5. Counting the days until I can get this one on my Nook, lol!

    Just finished the one previous to this a couple of weeks ago. Now you're making me wonder if there's a certain Australian in Bess's future. Sigh. Guess I'll have to wait to see if he's back...

    Speaking of getting back, must get back to writing...

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    1. I don't think it's an Aussie in her future, Pepper, but we'll see!

      Getting back to writing? Oooh, that sounds promising!

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    2. Hmm. Read it. I think I see what you mean, and I have wondered about that since the first book. There's more there than I think she's aware of.

      Too bad, though. I liked the Aussie.

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    3. This is something I've wondered about since the first book as well, and-- like you-- I have a fondness for the Aussie.

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