Set in 1918 in the last throes of WWI, Bess Crawford, a nursing sister, overhears a wounded French soldier make an outburst in perfect German. When Bess questions this, it is suggested that the soldier may have been raised in Alsace Lorraine, annexed by the Germans in 1870, which would mean that speaking German would have become a necessity.
When Bess is injured by a sniper, she is sent to Paris to convalesce and coincidentally catches a glimpse of the soldier dressed in an American uniform. Her curiosity is again aroused, and she decides to investigate. What is the man's story? Is he a German spy--the one all of Paris has been searching for?
Hampered by her injury and a lack of her usual resources, Bess nevertheless proceeds in her own investigation (with quite a few subplots). Sort of hampered. Bess sure gets around after being shot, treated, then operated on for an infection caused by a portion of a button that was not removed during the first treatment. Tougher than many of the injured soldiers, our Bess.
The Todds write two series that have their beginnings in WWI, the original series features Inspector Ian Rutledge; later they added the Bess Crawford series.
The content and style of the two series differ, and I've always preferred the original series, which is darker and more psychological. DI Ian Rutledge is a victim of shell-shock and must struggle with his hallucinations of Hamish, who functions as a kind of Greek chorus. The earlier novels in the series deal with some of the most detrimental effects of WWI on both soldiers and society at large. The Inspector Rutledge novels are complex and intricately plotted--well-rounded characters and atmospheric settings.
The Bess Crawford series is more mystery and less psychological with more complicated, but less complex plots. They come across as intense cozy mysteries--still dealing with the casualties of war, but as sidelines to the mystery plots.
Library copy.
Historic Mystery. 2016. 304 pages.
The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner is yet another woman with amnesia story, but a rather predictable one that doesn't feel realistic. While it does begin with interest, the middle and the conclusion lose the sense of genuine suspense. Wrapped up nicely and tied with a bow.The premise is interesting, if difficult to believe, but the characters had no real depth.
The novel was readable, but the comparison to Sharon Bolton is far-fetched. This is just my personal view of the book. There are many positive reviews.
NetGalley/Touchstone
Mystery. Dec. 27, 2016. Print length: 304 pages.
Have not heard any of these books but they sure pique my interest. The two series by Charles Todd sound very interesting!
ReplyDeleteBoth series by Charles Todd are popular; I prefer the Ian Rutledge series, but it is a series that needs to begin with the first book to get an idea of his struggles with shell shock. For some reason shell shock (which is a form PTSD) had some unusual effects in WWI. Ian Rutledge doesn't have some of the worse symptoms, but does have hallucinations.
DeleteI have to figure out where I am in the Bess Crawford series... I am so bad with series. I always fall behind!
ReplyDeleteI've read 4 of the Bess Crawford series, so there four that I'm missing. Usually, I only get a Bess Crawford if it is offered on NetGalley, but I saw this one on the new book shelf at the library and picked it up.
DeleteI think I've had enough of so-so amnesia stories, but I like Todd's Bess Crawford series. Of course, I'm a couple books behind in it. But I like knowing they're there, waiting for me...kind of like having money in the bank. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a list of amnesia stories and need to add this one. Some are good, but most, as you mention, are so-so. :)
DeleteI've only read one book in the Inspector Rutledge series and have been meaning to read another. I really liked it. So is that series over? The other series sounds good too though!
ReplyDeleteNo, the Rutledge series isn't over, but it is changing and Hamish appears less in later books. If you read this series, Iliana, start at the beginning with A Test of Wills to see the effect of WWI on Rutledge and how difficult it is to do his job with survivor's guilt.
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