A Duty to the Dead: A Bess Crawford Mystery

by: Charles Todd

Published by: William Morrow

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid

Bess Crawford is a volunteer in the nursing corps of World War I. Bess has a mind of her own and she uses it. She is an independent woman who is not about to sit back and let other people do her thinking for her. Her father, who she refers to as Colonel Sahib, is in the military and Bess grew up in India.

Arthur Graham is a patient who confides in Bess in his final hours. Bess agrees to deliver a message to his family. This seems like a simple request but turns out to be anything but simple. When Bess returns to England, she travels to Arthur’s home to deliver the message in person. She immediately begins to sense that all is not as it should be in the Graham household. Arthur had talked with Bess about his brothers but she was unaware that one of his brothers, Peregrine Graham, is confined to a mental institution and has lived in the institution all of his adult life. Bess is told that Pergrine murdered a girl when he was a young boy.

Bess delivers Arthur’s message to Jonathan, Arthur’s brother, but she sees no indication that Jonathan is taking any kind of action regarding the message. Bess is soon drawn into the daily affairs of the Grahams and their community where she has occasion to put her nursing skills to good use.

After Bess leaves the Graham residence, she is still haunted by Arthur’s words. Bess receives a surprise visit that sends her on a quest for answers to what happened years ago in the Graham family that sent Peregrine to an institution and still haunts the family today.

A Duty To the Dead is an exciting beginning to a new series for the Charles Todd writing team. Bess Crawford is a strong character that will charm readers and have them asking for more of Bess.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.CharlesTodd.com