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The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale Audiobook
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(3.02) - 506 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
You’re going to love Todd.”
—Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly
The critically acclaimed creator of the Inspector Ian Rutledge and battlefield nurse Bess Crawford mystery series, Charles Todd now offers readers a bittersweet love story and romantic mystery that unfolds at Christmas during the dangerous opening days of World War I. The Walnut Tree is an unforgettable story of a woman who puts herself in the line of fire for the sake of wounded soldiers and falls deeply in love with a man who may be forbidden to her. For anyone who has fallen under the spell of Downton Abbey, and for all the fans of the British-set mysteries of Elizabeth George, Anne Perry, Ruth Rendell, Martha Grimes, and Jacqueline Winspear, The Walnut Tree is essential reading.
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"I enjoyed this book - I love historical fiction and this one was about WW I and the nurses' heroic work. The love interest was entertaining and the inclusion of Lady Elspeth getting involved in the war effort despite her wealthy background was gratifying. Being a nurse, I was again proud of my profession for the contributions they made under the worst conditions. This was a great, light read,"
— Barb (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Framed by the horrors of the battlefields of World War I, Scottish history, and details of the lives of the hardworking nurses and the deprivations of wartime England and France, this is the story of a strong-willed woman rejecting her privileged background to serve king and country.”
— Booklist -
“Charles Todd’s ability to portray the period of WWI is a triumph, and Fiona Hardingham’s quiet, emotionally charged performance brings every detail of this moving love story to life.”
— AudioFile
The Walnut Tree Listener Reviews
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" This story was a romance rather than a mystery although Bess Crawford does make a brief appearance. It was merely okay. "
— Vickie, 2/17/2014 -
" This was a very fast read. I was somewhat discouraged to see that it was marked "romance" at my library but I read it anyway. I won't give away any of the story but only the comment that our communications today have really changed the world and would have changed this and many other stories and books I have read. "
— Joanna, 1/24/2014 -
" I enjoy reading a mystery by the mother and son team of Charles Todd, but the Ian Rutledge series are my favorite. This is a short, Christmas novella, just the recipe for the winter season. This is a part of the Bess Crawford series that writes of the nursing women during WWI. This book features a fellow worker of Bess Crawford, a Lady Elspeth Douglas, a Scotland aristocrat. The story is endearing with Elspeth's dilemma of loving two men. "
— Debbie, 1/23/2014 -
" Sweet, a little slow paced... "
— Jan, 1/12/2014 -
" a simple, somewhat cliched and predictable story. "
— Leslie, 1/7/2014 -
" A nice Holiday Story based in France/England set during the time of WWI. Nice quick read. "
— Tinsun, 1/1/2014 -
" I decided to read this book because I always enjoy books by Charles Todd. This one is different though. Instead of being a mystery, it is a romance and much less intense than the Ian Rutledge series or even the Bess Crawford series. I did like it but it didn't actually seem like a Charles Todd book. "
— RuthG, 12/22/2013 -
" A sweet romance (or as sweet as a wartime novel can be) about Lady Elspeth Douglas and her love triangle. Not a mystery and Bess is a very minor character; sadly, Simon Brandon is only mentioned and never actually makes an appearance. "
— Karin, 11/16/2013 -
" A quick, enjoyable read...I loved the tie in with Bess Crawford, I am now more anxious for the next Bess book to be released. "
— Kathleen, 9/30/2013 -
" Cute holiday novel, easy read, enjoyable. It explored lightly the role of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service during WW I and the beginning of the end of the aristocracy of the time. "
— Sallie, 9/24/2013 -
" Read my review this week on bookreporter.com . "
— Ray, 7/19/2013 -
" Very enjoyable--nice to have included characters from the Bess Crawford series as well. "
— Deborah, 3/8/2013 -
" Don't usually read holiday books but, Always like reading WWI novels. Good easy read. "
— Barbara, 2/24/2013 -
" A little bit of mystery, a romantic dilemma, and a visit to the life and times of Bess Crawford marked this holiday tale. I think I was expecting a little more mystery, but it was the perfect book accompaniment for those inevitable wait times during day-before-Thanksgiving baking. "
— Marcia, 1/31/2013 -
" Loved it. Read it all in one day! I had to see what happened in the end. "
— Sue, 1/17/2013 -
" A sweet, light historical romance that touches on how war changes everything, breaking down class distinctions and rules for propriety. A bit contrived, but entertaining nonetheless. "
— Donna, 1/14/2013 -
" Okay. Not as good as Bess Crawford, not nearly as good as Ian Rutledge. "
— Kitty, 12/12/2012 -
" Less a mystery and more a love story. I could have done with a little more on the mystery side. I loved the characters and the description of war time France/ England. "
— Johanna, 12/9/2012
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 Fiona Hardingham
Fiona Hardingham is a British-born actress, singer, voice-over artist, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. On stage, she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival in her comedic one-woman show The Dark Show. She has also starred in the dark-comedy short film The Ballerino. She earned a BA honors degree in performing arts from Middlesex University, London, and also studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.