A Forgotten Place

A Bess Crawford Mystery

By: Charles Todd

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Though the Great War has ended, Bess Crawford finds herself caught in deadly circumstances on a remote Welsh headland in this 10th entry from the acclaimed New York Times best-selling author.

The fighting has ended, the Armistice signed, but the war has left wounds that are still agonizingly raw. Battlefield Nurse Bess Crawford has been assigned to a clinic for amputees, and the Welsh patients worry her. She does her best to help them, but it’s clear that they have nothing to go home to, in a valley where only the fit can work in the coal pits. When they are released, she fears that peace will do what war couldn’t - take their lives.

Their officer, Captain Williams, writes to describe their despair and his own at trying to save his men. Bess feels compelled to look into their situation, but the army and the clinic can do nothing. Requesting leave, she quietly travels to Wales and that bleak coal-mining village, but she is too late.

Captain Williams’ sister tells Bess he has left the valley. Bess is afraid he intends to kill himself. She follows him to an isolated, storm-battered peninsula - a harsh and forgotten place where secrets and death go hand in hand. Deserted by her frightened driver, Bess is stranded among strangers suspicious of outsiders. She quickly discovers these villagers are hiding something, and she’s learned too much to be allowed to leave. What’s more, no one in England knows where she is.

Why is there no constable out here? And who is the mysterious Ellen? Captain Williams and his brother’s widow are her only allies, and Bess must take care not to put them at risk as she tries to find answers. But there is a murderer here who is driven to kill again and again. And the next person in his sights is Simon Brandon, searching for Bess and unaware of his danger....

©2018 Charles Todd (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"This book's setting and narration provoke images of a PBS mystery series, with a bit of 'Downton Abbey' thrown in.... Narrator Rosalyn Landor gives Bess an upper-class accent and portrays her as unflappable, compassionate, and tough.... Both the writing and Landor's voice give wonderful animation to an admirable heroine." (AudioFile)

the story kept my attention. I really enjoy this series and the performance waz excellent. The end was a huge let down for me..

I did not agree with the ending.. i am very surprised at Bess and Simon 's silence.

A favorite

One of my favorite Bess Crawford didn’t figure the mystery until close to the end

Not my favorite

Slow to start and quite depressing at first but I suppose it was that way in reality. The second half was much better.

Great

Wonderful characters. A very unusual situation. Resilient mystery. Great addition to the series. Look forward to more of Bess’s adventures

Rip Roaring Good

I have read all the Bess Crawford mysteries and was afraid that as the authors drew the war to an end that they would end this series. I am much relieved to see that Bess will go on still dealing with the wounded men of the war.
While this book takes a bit to get off the ground, once it starts to roll it is unstoppable and a wonderful read. Don’t miss it!!

Great story with fun backdrop

I looked at the pictures of the real place and made the story even more fun to listen and imagine. Especially enjoyed the narration.

Another great read

Loved it....sure kept you guessing who the killer was...really love this and Ian Rutledge series.

Bess Crawford meets Daphne du Maurier.

This book is a little different than the others but very good. Hitchcock would’ve loved it. Highly recommended.

A tangled web

Bess as usual with her compassionate self, takes her off time to check on her Welsh patients. What she finds is secrets and murder.

Not the best Bess Crawford

Rosalyn Landon is the perfect Bess Crawford. The story certainly had its twist but took too long to get there. I was disappointed that Bess didn’t act in her usually intelligent manner by taking unnecessary and less than thoughtful chances.
Despite this , I will continue to follow this series. After all, even Mary Poppins was only “practically perfect “.