The Murder Stone

By: Charles Todd

Narrated by: Imogen Church

Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"A stunner, exquisitely plotted and characterized, with Todd’s trademark meticulous backdrop of World War I-era England.” (Strand Magazine)

The Great War is still raging when Francesca Hatton’s adored grandfather dies on his estate in England’s isolated Exe Valley. She is his sole heir, for her five cousins are dead now on the battlefields of France. Among his effects, Francesca is stunned to find a letter cursing the Hattons. And at the funeral, a stranger publicly accuses Hatton of murder. Who was her grandfather? The kind man who raised her - or a secretive killer? For in the back garden where she and her cousins once played, there is a white stone they always called the Murder Stone.

Alone, with no one to help her, Francesca is determined to clear Hatton’s good name. But when a series of ominous “accidents” occur, she realizes that in her pursuit of the truth, she has crossed the path of someone who won’t be satisfied until all the Hattons are dead.

Praise for The Murder Stone

“Seamless...a compelling insight into the home front during 1916.” (Chicago Tribune)

“A gripping novel of family secrets set against the tragedy of World War I.” (Mystery Lovers Bookshop News)

“Many twists and turns, angst-ridden characters, and an evocative historical setting. A gripping read.” (Library Journal)

©2003 Charles Todd (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved it

l have enjoyed all of Charles Todd's works but this is my favorite so far. Enough twists and turns to keep one guessing and interesting and likeable characters. The narrator Emogen Church is extremely talented with a gift for voices. A must listen.

Good, but too much inner thought

I enjoyed the story and the plot, which had many twists and turns. There was too much anguished introspection, which I found repetitive and irritating. It also caused the story to lag and the introspection frequently interrupted the action.

Compelling Mystery

I lack the words to properly review this. Haunting and sad in some ways, filled with the hardships of WWI. Examples of the goodness of some and the truly evil of others. The narration was perfect, so emotion filled at times without being theatrical as so many seem to be. I simply could not stop listening and lost a bit of sleep listening to the stories of the cousins, the mystery. Who was Grandfather, the man? I found it touching and believable … many have family secrets held for years. This book is full of them.

Good story

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this author. It kept my interest throughout. I might check out other books in the future. The narrator was easy to listen to for the most part, except for some hysterical parts.

Not Charles Todd’s best

Although I stuck it out to the end, I cannot recommend this title. It was not up to the standard of a usual Charles Todd story.

Another Winner

Loved it, great story and another surprise ending. Love all of Charles Todd's books, excellent.

Intriguing Suspense

Todd writes a cozy mystery that at times is anything but cozy: suspenseful, unpredictable and entirely believable.

Decent. Was not bad

Imogen’s performance is always flawless!!! Decent book but not a favorite. A bit basic, not sure I would ever read it again.

Unfaithful Narrator?

First, I want to say that I thoroughly enjoy all novels by Charles Todd and this was no exception. The location and era were brilliantly rendered and the characters are masterfully brought to life. The story is not the usual mystery however. It is a psychological thriller and we are guided, more or less, by the protagonists who plays the role of an unreliable narrator. This is not unusual for this type of story and the authors have done a fanstatic job weaving current and past events.

Where i feel a bit let down is during the epilogue, in which we learn that during the climatic scene, the unreliable narrator became a dishonest narrator. Of course you only realize this once you complete the book, but afterwards, there is a since of betrayal because until that point, the reader really feels they shared the adventure and then learn they were betrayed and the real motivations were hidden as a way to maintain suspense.

Okay, maybe I am being unfair. I have seen this in other stories, just not from Charles Todd. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the pacing was well executed. A+

Not Bad, not bad at all.

The reason I bought this book is because I love the narrator her voice is not annoying. But actually the book was bad, the main character was a little whiny a times a little too helpless female but overall I'd say it's good read.