Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
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.
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.
This is a great story. I just discovered this author and have been racing through the books. A good, strong female character plus the backdrop of World War 1. Bess Crawford is a nurse and nursing is her first duty. But she is inquisitive and likes answers to questions. I like her and I recommend this book. Now I can plan to read the rest of the series.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Another nicely written story, although it meanders a little too much. We get a little more of Bess's time in France. But for such a smart character she makes some really silly choices. And as in a few other Todd books, there is a thunderous coincidence that ruined a lot of the plot line for me.
I can't say enough good things about Charles Todd. What a sweet reward to curl up for a few hours with one of his books. I always finish them with some regret, because it sets the bar so high for anything else! Bess Crawford is brave and true, and never backs down from a challenge. In the genre of Maisie Dobbs (WWI nurses), I highly recommend all Bess Crawford books.
Kristin D. (kdurham2813) reviewed An Unmarked Grave (Bess Crawford, Bk 4) on + 753 more book reviews
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A historical fiction that took place during World War I in France and London, which is not my usual time and place to read about, so a departure from my norm which was a welcome reprieve. A story that is part of a series that centers around a nurse who ends up in the middle of a murder mystery. I loved reading one of my favorite genres combined with the historical fiction aspect.
A historical fiction that took place during World War I in France and London, which is not my usual time and place to read about, so a departure from my norm which was a welcome reprieve. A story that is part of a series that centers around a nurse who ends up in the middle of a murder mystery. I loved reading one of my favorite genres combined with the historical fiction aspect.
This was an historical novel set in the Spring of 1918. There is a Spanish flu epidemic spreading killing millions across the globe. Bess Crawford is a nurse working on the French front who discovers the body of an officer who has been murdered concealed among the dead awaiting burial. Before she can do anything about this, she falls ill, the latest victim of the flu. By the time she recovers, the murdered officer has been buried and the only other person who saw the body has hanged himself. Or did he? Can she find enough evidence to unmask the elusive killer and see justice served? But she must be as vigilant as she is tenacious. With a determined killer on her heels, each move Bess makes could be her last.
could not get into it! and you know it's not good enough when you have read 2 books, while reading "an unmarked grave"! blah
This author knows how to handle words and characters to keep the reader moving through his books. I like the key character, Bess Crawford, WWI nurse, who investigates murders that occur around her. Descriptions of life behind the lines of battle in the emergency medical areas puts the reader are graphic and often detailed. The writer helps one understand Bess' compassion and competence as she works with injured and ill soldiers. It helps see the dedication of the medical staff and the soldiers who feel compelled to return to the line as soon as they can.
Traveling to and from England, becoming ill herself, and trying to unravel the mystery around the soldier from her father's regiment, Bess keeps returning to France. And, murders continue to occur with no seeming pattern. The read was quite good until one reaches the climax. At that point, this reader felt let down because the murder's motive seemed inappropriate for all the murders he committed. However, I like this author's work so much I will continue to search out his novels.
Traveling to and from England, becoming ill herself, and trying to unravel the mystery around the soldier from her father's regiment, Bess keeps returning to France. And, murders continue to occur with no seeming pattern. The read was quite good until one reaches the climax. At that point, this reader felt let down because the murder's motive seemed inappropriate for all the murders he committed. However, I like this author's work so much I will continue to search out his novels.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
This is one of the best "Bess Crawford" mysteries so far. I had to keep going back to the book to read more. Lots of red herrings in this one, so the murderer does come as a surprise.
As the author is really a mother and son team, I wonder whose idea it was.
As the author is really a mother and son team, I wonder whose idea it was.
