Thomas F. (hardtack) -
While this is another page-turner from "Todd," and the writing is excellent, I do agree it was drawn out. And sometimes I get a bit irritated with authors who suddenly identify the real killer as someone they seldom referred to in the book. It seems every mystery I've read recently did this. Oh, did I just give something away?
Really enjoyed this Bess Crawford book.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
I believe this is the lowest rating I've given to a Charles Todd book (including the Ins. Rutledge series.) While the writing is still pleasant I thought the plot was way too drawn out, and Bess certainly made a pest of herself and stuck her nose in where it didn't belong. I finally gave up about 2/3rds of the way through, skimming the last 75 pages to see what the fuss was all about. Disappointing.
In the heart of the battle, an exhausted, severely injured British soldier ends up at the same aid station where Bess Crawford is serving. He is treated and sent on to the rear battle line. When she reports the soldier to her superior, mentioning that the soldier was actually French but seemed to speak fluent German. She is told that most likely, the man is simply from an area that has gone back and forth between France and Germany throughout history. Bess considers that, until his sudden disappearance in Paris makes her question where his loyalties lie. After being injured by a sniper's bullet, Bess herself ends up in Paris and is and begins to search for the missing soldier. She quickly discovers that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye and it may require paying the ultimate price in order to solve it.
The Shattered Tree by mother and son writing team Charles Todd, is the 8th entry in the well-received Bess Crawford series. Set in the early part of the 20th Century, Bess Crawford is an English, mystery-solving nurse. In contrast to Todd's Ian Rutledge series or other British sleuths, the Crawford novels tend to be less graphic, more of a âcozyâ variety. Don't let that drive you away, though. Crawford is a determined character and certainly holds her own among the distinguished family tree that makes up British sleuths. If you are somewhat burned out on the more hard-core authors, I would encourage you to give Bess Crawford a try. This novel gets 4/5 stars.
**A copy of this book is the only consideration I received from BestsellersWorld.com in exchange for this review.
The Shattered Tree by mother and son writing team Charles Todd, is the 8th entry in the well-received Bess Crawford series. Set in the early part of the 20th Century, Bess Crawford is an English, mystery-solving nurse. In contrast to Todd's Ian Rutledge series or other British sleuths, the Crawford novels tend to be less graphic, more of a âcozyâ variety. Don't let that drive you away, though. Crawford is a determined character and certainly holds her own among the distinguished family tree that makes up British sleuths. If you are somewhat burned out on the more hard-core authors, I would encourage you to give Bess Crawford a try. This novel gets 4/5 stars.
**A copy of this book is the only consideration I received from BestsellersWorld.com in exchange for this review.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
This eighth book in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series puts her in some new situations, which aids her in her investigation into the mysterious German-speaking French officer. We also learn that wartime shortages affected everyone in every walk of life in France and England, and some of the shortages can be surprising. The disputed Alsace-Lorraine area plays a large role in the plot, with its old murders, old border disputes, new wars, new demands, and new spies.
For me, The Shattered Tree is not one of the best books in this series that I enjoy so much, mainly because the pace is really bogged down by an extremely convoluted plot. But as the war draws closer and closer to an end, I'm looking forward to learning what's in store for my favorite battlefield nurse.
For me, The Shattered Tree is not one of the best books in this series that I enjoy so much, mainly because the pace is really bogged down by an extremely convoluted plot. But as the war draws closer and closer to an end, I'm looking forward to learning what's in store for my favorite battlefield nurse.
