• A Pattern of Lies

  • A Bess Crawford Mystery, Book 7
  • By: Charles Todd
  • Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
  • Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (404 ratings)

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A Pattern of Lies  By  cover art

A Pattern of Lies

By: Charles Todd
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's summary

A horrific explosion at a gunpowder mill sends Bess Crawford to war-torn France to keep a deadly pattern of lies from leading to more deaths in this compelling and atmospheric mystery from the New York Times best-selling author of A Question of Honor and An Unwilling Accomplice.

An explosion and fire at the Ashton Gunpowder Mill in Kent has killed over a hundred men. It's called an appalling tragedy - until suspicion and rumor raise the specter of murder. While visiting the Ashton family, Bess Crawford finds herself caught up in a venomous show of hostility that doesn't stop with Philip Ashton's arrest. Indeed, someone is out for blood, and the household is all but under siege.

The only known witness to the tragedy is now at the Front in France. Bess is asked to find him. When she does, he refuses to tell her anything that will help the Ashtons. Realizing that he believes the tissue of lies that has nearly destroyed a family, Bess must convince him to tell her what really happened that terrible Sunday morning. But now someone else is also searching for this man.

To end the vicious persecution of the Ashtons, Bess must risk her own life to protect her reluctant witness from a clever killer intent on preventing either of them from ever reaching England.

©2015 Charles Todd (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about A Pattern of Lies

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I hate to admit that I was disappointed with this book. The first books in this series were fabulous. Can't stop reading kind of fabulous. Bess was smart and likeable and interesting. The attraction between Bess and Simon was fun to read.

This latest book, and frankly the one before it, is dull. There's no spark anywhere. I hope the Todds are able to capture the essence of the beginning of the Bess series and bring it to their next book - which I will listen to as soon as it's available, by the way.

The narration was excellent.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A bit disappointing

I love Charles Todd books and Bess Crawford is a good character, but there were a few too many lucky "coincidence " here. Bess seemed more like superwoman than a nurse, with Simon miraculously appearing when trouble threatened.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

anticlimactic ending

I loved every part of this story from the familiar voice of the narrator, to the familiar characters and their quirky ways. The story line was interesting and riveting at times keeping my interest all the way through. Until the end. What a thoroughly disappointing, ridiculous, petty, ending.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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The Formula No Longer Works for Me

I was an early fan of the Bess Crawford novels. But after a while, the formula isn't working for me anymore. I find her nosiness and that she inserts herself into situations where she's clearly unwelcome annoying.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great read

Love this series and the Inspector Rutledge series. Character development and story are great, twist at the end always fets me.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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LOVED IT

as always Bess Crawford and Simon Brandon leaves me wanting more
but I love them !!!!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great mysteries with a great narrator

Married or Rosalynn Landor is incredible; I don't think there's any voice that she cannot do! The author Charles Todd in beds his mysteries in a time period that is fascinating. As a nurse, I find a heroine irresistible

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great book.

so many questions over and over and over. i skipped about 6 chapters and still didn't miss anything...except the questions. truly, I love this series which is why I have a high review.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating end of WWI Story

If you could sum up A Pattern of Lies in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This isn't a traditional who-done-it really but more a story of intrigue and trying to get to the bottom of a baffling case of someone being wrongly accused of a crime.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is a wonderful reader. You honestly wouldn't know that there weren't men and women reading-- she takes on different genders adeptly.

Any additional comments?

Charles Todd books never disappoint.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow

As I go through this series I am always amazed at the story line and creativity of this author. I am anxious to find out what will happen but not want it to end. Narration amazing

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