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

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.

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.

King of Mystery

Any enormous roller coaster with ups and downs and twist and turns amid the sad background of war and loss. Todd doesn’t disappoint. Deede Blake, author of

Intriguing Suspense

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

Another Winner

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

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.

Great new character!

This book was wonderfully tense and the secrets were revealed at a perfect pace. Not all was resolved, which is the best!