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A Bitter Truth: A Bess Crawford Mystery Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,319 listener ratings
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“Highly recommended—well-rounded, believable characters, a multi-layered plot solidly based on human nature, all authentically set in the England of 1917…an outstanding and riveting read.”
—New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens
“Bess Crawford is a strong and likable character.”
—Washington Times
Already deservedly lauded for the superb historical crime novels featuring shell-shocked Scotland Yard inspector Ian Rutledge (A Lonely Death, A Pale Horse et al), acclaimed author Charles Todd upped the ante by introducing readers to a wonderful new series protagonist, World War One battlefield nurse Bess Crawford. Featured for a third time in A Bitter Truth, Bess reaches out to help an abused and frightened young woman, only to discover that no good deed ever goes unpunished when the good Samaritan nurse finds herself falsely accused of murder. A terrific follow up to Todd’s A Duty to the Dead and An Impartial Witness, A Bitter Truth is another thrilling and evocative mystery from “one of the most respected writers in the genre” (Denver Post) and a treat for fans of Elizabeth George, Anne Perry, Martha Grimes, and Jacqueline Winspear.
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"The Charles Todd team has written another absorbing Bess Crawford story. The small village, manor house, and brooding countryside are very atmospheric and unsettling. There is no shortage of possible killers, and Bess struggles to sort out the various motives and opportunities. The weather and the conditions of the roads are so important as to almost be characters in themselves. The Aussie sergeant is a fun character in the story and I hope he returns in future Bess adventures."
— RuthG (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Makes fine work of the brooding atmosphere.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Highly recommended—well-rounded, believable characters, a multi-layered plot solidly based on human nature, all authentically set in the England of 1917, make A Bitter Truth an outstanding and riveting read.”
— Stephanie Laurens, New York Times bestselling author -
“Charles Todd has developed believable characters that carry along this story with lightning speed from the first page to the last.”
— New York Journal of Books -
“When a murder occurs, the local police suspect Bess is involved. The Todds (a mother-son writing team) plausibly insert their heroine yet again into a criminal investigation, besides providing their usual depth of characterization.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Bess is a very strong series lead, the historical setting is as well developed here as it is in the Rutledge books, and the mysteries are just as elegantly constructed. Readers who have yet to sample the Crawford series should be strongly encouraged to do so.”
— Booklist -
“A thoughtful mystery with an excellent plot, well-drawn characters and wonderful atmosphere.”
— Associated Press
A Bitter Truth Listener Reviews
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" If you like the Maisie Dobbs series then you'd like this series also. Unfortunately, if you read both at the same time, you get the young women confused because they are so close in character and circumstance. Bess, in this series, has no great powers of deduction like Maisie, but her nursing profession seems to get her included in a lot of unfortunate events. "
— Susan, 2/7/2014 -
" I surrendered on page 257. "
— Mary, 2/4/2014 -
" I think I picked this up expecting Maisie Dobbs. Nursing Sister Bess Crawford is no less intrepid, especially when she finds a bruised and shivering woman on her doorstep when she comes home from France for Christmas leave. As Bess gets more and more involved with Lydia there are murders, lots of theorizing and quite a bit of motoring about. (I kept wondering about gasoline rationing, but evidently that was a WWII phenomena, not WWI). I found the plot more annoying than compelling though to be fair I was engaged enough to finish the final third in one go. Pleasant enough. "
— Chapple, 1/31/2014 -
" The newest Bess Crawford novel did not disappoint! It left me wanting more. "
— Beatriz, 1/30/2014 -
" I liked much of the story line and sort of mystery within a mystery aspect, but the final solution seemed to easy and out of left field and not up to the previous books in the series. "
— Barbara, 1/27/2014 -
" I really liked this series. I liked the characters and they drew me into the story. I would definitely read another Bess Crawford mystery. In fact, I look forward to the one coming out later this year. "
— Clarissa, 1/16/2014 -
" I love the Ian Rutledge series, but Bess has really hit her stride for me with this book! Took me a while, but I am so glad I stuck with the character and the series. Very well crafted! Cannot wait for the new book! "
— Chris, 1/11/2014 -
" This book did not disappoint, again another great Bess book. "
— Wendy, 12/16/2013 -
" As always, the Todd team doesn't disappoint. A well crafted mystery with my favorite Todd character, Bess. "
— Ginger, 12/6/2013 -
" Bess Crawford becomes involved in a murder investigation when she finds a woman on her doorstep. Interesting, but the plot doesn't gel for me and the ending is too pat. The lead up to who the murderer does work for me. "
— Paula, 12/5/2013 -
" Good characters, ho hum mystery. Bess Crawford, Maisie Dobbs... my WWI era plucky nursing sister/sleuths are running together a bit. And how did these women in their mid-20's get to be so wise? "
— Kirsten, 10/27/2013 -
" This is the third book about Bess Crawford, a nursing sister during WWI. Each book can be read as a stand-alone novel. "
— Justaskmom, 4/12/2013 -
" Another good installment of the Bess Crawford series. This is a character driven book with a mystery to solve. I definitely enjoy the characters and the mystery keeps me interested. Look forward to the next one in the series. "
— Dee, 4/3/2013 -
" It is starting off well. And it ended well enough. Not the best, mostly because it really had two parts that weren't well meshed together. "
— Theresa, 3/8/2012 -
" Prefer Maisie Dobbs (Winspear), but scratches a historical mystery itch "
— Kelly, 1/30/2012 -
" Bess is the daughter of a retired British officer. She is a nurse in WWI. there is a mystery involving a patient and she becomes involved. Complicated characters in complicated times and situations. Not amusing but gives one a real sense of the temper of that time period. "
— Michele, 11/5/2011 -
" Another great installment in the Bess Crawford series. With each book the main characters are developing. I like what I'm seeing with her relationship with Simon and now the new Aussie Larimer is a nice possibility. "
— Barbara, 11/2/2011 -
" I am not a huge fan of historical murder mysteries, but I make an exception for this one, with Bess Crawford, a WWI nurse who is brave and interesting and heroic. Recommended "
— Catherine, 10/16/2011 -
" Absolutely loved it! I cannot wait until the next episode for Nurse Bess Crawford! "
— Annette, 10/14/2011 -
" Bess Crawford is a British nurse working in France during WWI. In this next installment, Bess becomes involved in a murder in the British countryside, and must find the true murderer before she's next. I enjoy all the Charles Todd books. "
— Guna, 10/11/2011 -
" good plotting; like the protagonist. of course, these are much lighter than the Ian Rutledge series. "
— Leslie, 9/30/2011 -
" I'm hooked on both their characters now! Can't wait for the next installments! "
— Denise, 9/26/2011 -
" Ag ood book and a good series. However: not a great series like theri other series. "
— Tom, 4/28/2011
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.