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Read advance reader review of An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd, page 3 of 4

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An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd

An Unmarked Grave

A Bess Crawford Mystery

by Charles Todd

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Published:
  • Jun 2012, 352 pages
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There are currently 23 member reviews
for An Unmarked Grave
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  • Lorraine R. (southampton, NY)
    War and mayhem
    Another Charles Todd success! I thoroughly enjoy reading their little mysteries set during WWI. Nurse Crawford's voice puzzles over the increasing facts and events leading from a murder on the fields of war. She is as tenacious as a bull dog, not willing to give up until she gets to the very bottom of the mystery. I have enjoyed all of the Todd mysteries and recommend them to others who like light, entertaining mystery reading.
  • Joyce W. (Rochester, MN)
    An enjoyable period mystery
    The author vividly describes the battlefront aid stations in France during WW I. While nursing soldiers, Bess tries to find a killer, without turning into one of his victims. Bess is a gutsy, moral,caring heroine. Interesting characters fill this book, and will create a strong series following. For those who enjoy English mysteries, this is a good read.
  • Gwen C. (Clearfield, PA)
    An Unmarked Grave
    Instantly gripping! Initially set in a World War I battlefield hospital, the reader is immediately plunged into the Spanish Influenza and war wounds as seen through a nurse's (Sister Bess Crawford) eyes, then quickly led into murder.

    As I was unfamiliar with this series, I was a bit confused at first that Colonel Sahib and Colonel Crawford were one and the same. I also wished for more descriptions of physical appearances of main characters. No doubt all that was well established in earlier books.

    An Unmarked Grave has a fast moving plot. The final resolution is unexpected but satisfying. The book is well researched and really lets you feel the frustrations with communication and transportation that were a part of World War I. I intend to read the first four in the series...and future Bess Crawford mysteries, too.
  • Katherine T. (Atlanta, Georgia)
    Unmarked grave
    I had a hard time getting through Charles Todds new mystery series an Unmarked Grave. I always find it tough to be interested in one death in a situation where thousands are dead as Charles Todd asks us to do. One murder victim surrounded by thousands of victims of WWI and the spanish flu. I would have also liked a bit more background of his female sleuth, Bess Crawford. Almost felt as if I was missing the first book in the series. I did enjoy the character of the American Captain Barclay.
  • Carolyn D. (Chico, CA)
    An unremarkable grave
    This book was my first Charles Todd read. The characters are appealing and the setting is well done but it never got off the ground It was a little flat; there was a lot of activity (to France and back) but not much action or forward progress. The resolution of the mystery came out of left field -- if there were clues to assist the reader in solving the puzzle, I missed them. It made for a pleasant afternoon, but I don't think I will go back to the beginning of the series. May give Ian Rutledge a try.
  • Amy L. (Tucson, AZ)
    Not The Best Charles Todd I've Ever Read
    Charles Todd books are favorites of mine, particularly the Inspector Rutledge series. I am having trouble getting interested in their new Bess Crawford series, which follows a British army nurse in France during World War I. As opposed to Rutledge, there is simply not much depth to this character. Moreover, Jacqueline Winspear covers this topic so much better in her Maisie Dodds series.
  • Laureen S. (Aurora, IL)
    Good "Vacation Read"
    I had not read any of the prior books in this series, so that may have affected my view of this book. Even though the historical descriptions of the WWI settings in France and England were very detailed, the characters could have been developed a little more.

    This being said, it is still an average historical mystery with a couple of twists and some suspense. So if you are looking for an quick and easy, as I call them, "vacation read" (one that doesn't make me think too hard), An Unmarked Grave would be a good choice.

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