• A Duty to the Dead

  • A Bess Crawford Mystery
  • By: Charles Todd
  • Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
  • Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,866 ratings)

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A Duty to the Dead  By  cover art

A Duty to the Dead

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

The daughter of a distinguished soldier, Bess Crawford follows in his patriotic footsteps, volunteering to serve her country as a nurse during the Great War. In 1916 she promises Lieutenant Arthur Graham that she will carry his dying request to a brother.

When Bess arrives at the Graham house in Kent, Jonathan Graham listens to his brother's last wishes with surprising indifference. Neither his mother nor his brother Timothy seems to think it has any significance. Unsettled by this, Bess is about to take her leave when sudden tragedy envelops her.

She quickly discovers that fulfilling this duty to the dead has thrust her into a maelstrom of intrigue and murder that will endanger her own life and test her courage as not even war has.

©2009 Charles Todd (P)2009 BBC Audio

Critic reviews

"Todd employs all the elements of a satisfying cozy mystery, with an absorbing plot and a charismatic heroine that will leave the reader wanting more." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about A Duty to the Dead

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Great story

I wasn't sure about this book after reading some of the reviews but I am out of Agatha Raisin and Daisy Dalrymple books so I gave it a try. I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed it. It was fast-paced and interesting and not too gory or dark. Just what I needed.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Convoluted

it started off well and i thoight it was going to be a very good mystery with an appealing heroine. Toward the end it got confusing and convoluted, with the solution depending on confessions by people who lied instead of determining the solution through evidence.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Win!

Niles IS Win
This is just a great book and series!
I love how Mr Corbin writes.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow

I was anxious to see how this new series would be. If book one is any indication I cannot wait to here more! I could not wait to see what happened but also did not want it to win.

Narration was perfect and cannot wait for more to come

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engaging plot and writing

...and skilled narration, voice acting, and character individuation. I am looking forward to subsequent books in the series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic!!!

Almost as good as Ian Rutledge. Had listened to it a number of years ago but still just as riveting.

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A Duty to the Dead

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because you become engaged with the story from the beginning.

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

As the plot thickened it was suspenseful.

Which scene was your favorite?

I had several scenes that I liked.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • jb
  • 05-19-21

pedantic

The narrator's voice was the same for each male character and for each older woman character. There were times when it was difficult to tell when the main character was thinking and when she was speaking.

Overall, the first half of the novel was irritatingly slow and repetitive, while the second have made leaps in logic--or illogic- and actions that I would not an educated, well-bred young woman to do.

I finished the book because it wasn't horrible and because it was a free download which I played on my long commute.

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  • Overall
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missing

An excellent mystery I really enjoyed this book a historical mystery set during WW1 most enjoyable

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A ripping yarn!

I am stingy with my stars so you know this was some good storytelling. Great heroine, lively supporting characters, good intrigue, and no romance mucking it all up! Wonderful narrator too.

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