Description

In the latest mystery from New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd, World War I nurse and amateur sleuth Bess Crawford investigates an old murder that occurred during her childhood in India, and begins a search for the truth that will transform her and leave her pondering a troubling question: How can facts lie?

In 1908, when a young Bess Crawford lived in India, an unforgettable incident darkened the otherwise happy time. Her father's regiment discovered it had a murderer in its ranks, an officer who killed five people yet was never brought to trial.

A decade later, tending to the wounded on the battlefields of France during World War I, Bess learns from a dying man that the alleged murderer, Lieutenant Wade, is alive and serving at the Front. According to reliable reports, he'd died years before, so how did Wade escape India? What drove a good man to murder in cold blood? Bess uses her leave to investigate. But when she stumbles on the horrific truth, she is shaken to her very core. The facts reveal a reality that could have been her own fate.

About the author(s)

Charles Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries, the Bess Crawford mysteries, and two stand-alone novels. A mother-and-son writing team, Caroline passed away in August 2021 and Charles lives in Florida.

Reviews

“You’re going to love Todd.” - Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly

“Waiting for PBS’s Downton Abbey to resume or pining for the pleasure of a new Todd mystery? This World War I story, with a pleasant nod to the Christmas season, will give longtime fans a reason to rejoice and will surely attract new fans lucky enough to receive a gift copy. ” - Library Journal

“Readers who can’t get enough of Maisie Dobbs, the intrepid World War I battlefield nurse in Jacqueline Winspear’s novels, or Hester Latterly, who saw action in the Crimean War in a series of novels by Anne Perry, are bound to be caught up in the adventures of Bess Crawford.” - New York Times Book Review on A Bitter Truth

“Outstanding” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Highly recommended—well-rounded, believable characters, a multi-layered plot solidly based on human nature, all authentically set in the England of 1917, make A Bitter Truth an outstanding and riveting read.” - Stephanie Laurens, New York Times bestselling author on A Bitter Truth

“A gripping whodunit haunted by the brutal realities of war and graced with the selfless determination of Bess to uncover the truth.” - Richmond Times-Dispatch on A QUESTION OF HONOR

More from series Bess Crawford Mysteries

More by Charles Todd

More Historical

More Mystery & Detective

More Women Sleuths

More Suspense

More Thrillers

More War & Military

More Fiction

More Holidays

More Traditional

More Amateur Sleuth

More Historical

More Crime

More Military