A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd
A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd
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A Duty to the Dead

Author: Charles Todd

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Unabridged: 9 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/01/2009

Synopsis

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 the hospital ship is sunk by a mine and she is sent home to England to recover from her wounds, Bess is determined to fulfill her promise at last. There the enigmatic message is treated with skepticism. Then the family’s safe world is turned upside down when another brother comes home, dying of pneumonia. Knowing what it cost the young officer to rely on a stranger to speak for him, Bess takes upon herself this duty to the dead, so that Arthur can rest in peace. But it isn’t as straightforward as she expects, when she hears the whispers in the village of Owlhurst—and in the end, the price of uncovering the truth will mean putting her own life at risk for Arthur’s sake.

About Charles Todd

Charles Todd is a pen name used by the American authors Caroline (1934-2021) and Charles Todd, a mother-and-son writing team who write the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries and the Bess Crawford mysteries, as well as stand-alone novels. Their novel Proof of Guilt was a New York Times bestseller, and A Test of Wills was named one of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association’s 100 favorite mysteries of the 20th Century and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year selection. Their novels have won the Agatha Award, the Barry Award, and the Anthony Award, as well as being finalists for several other awards. Charles is continuing the series.

About Rosalyn Landor

Rosalyn Landor is an English-born television, theater, and multiple-award-winning audiobook narrator. Her television credits include Love in a Cold Climate, Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has won numerous Audie awards and AudioFile magazine Earphones awards.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carol on November 12, 2024

As I get older I often find that what matters most to me about a book is not whether the plot is air tight and the mystery totally plausible, but whether or not the author creates characters you can admire and care about. On that level, A DUTY TO THE DEAD is a classic. Bess Crawford is a beautiful,......more

Goodreads review by Lewis on December 01, 2015

I have long been a fan of Charles Todd's "Inspector Ian Rutledge" series. This is the first of a new "Bess Crawford" series and it is a delight. Bess is a WWI army nurse, in this case home on leave bringing an enigmatic message to the family of a man she was with when he died. She delivers the messa......more

Goodreads review by Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede on March 24, 2018

I have previously read book seven in the series; A Pattern of Lies a little while ago and I just absolutely loved that book. And, of course, I wanted to read the series from the beginning and lucky me; I own the first book as an eBook. Bess Crawford works as a nurse during WW1 and is home now after b......more

Quotes

“Rosalyn Landor achieves the perfect timbre for Bess’ firm yet feminine introspection. Voices of men are remarkably strong and forthright, and Landor even sparkles with crisp accents from other parts of the British Isles.” AudioFile

“Fans of independent women sleuths like Maisie Dobbs will welcome this new addition to their ranks.” Publishers Weekly

“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. Highly recommended.” Library Journal

“Will readers miss Inspector Rutledge? You bet. But anyone who cares to loll in early-twentieth century English villages and mores and follow a plucky heroine as she confronts the stupidity of war will find solace in this old-fashioned mystery.” Kirkus Reviews

“The first novel in what looks to be a terrific new series…Full of rich historical details, this novel contrasts the beauty of the English countryside with the horrors of a war that devastated families. Family secrets and a tragic ending round out this absorbing mystery.” RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

Awards

  • Indie Next List
  • Macavity Award
  • USA Today bestseller
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