Bess Crawford returns for her second case as she inadvertently witnesses something innocuous but still relevant at the train station while on leave after transporting wounded soldiers back to England.
One of her charges is young Meriwether Evanson, whose misery from his terrible facial and extremity wounds is lifted only by his steadfast faith in his wife, Marjorie, and his anticipated reunion with her. After Marjorie’s body turns up, Bess realizes that she must tell Scotland Yard what she has seen while also conducting her own investigation to find the killer.
Woven in between Bess’ nursing duties in France and occasional leave in England, Bess tracks down friends and family of the unfortunate Evansons, making new friends in the process. One of these new friends, Michael Hart, has a secret which convolutes the case while also potentially giving Bess the clue that she needs.
A Duty for the Dead
In A Duty for the Dead, Bess’ close call on a sinking transport ship added little-remembered details to flesh out the inherent dangers of European warfare while An Impartial Witness highlights the deprivation and relentless worry suffered by those who waited for information in England.
This is no age of instant information, but is one of aviation’s early years and lays down the foundation for global warfare during the twentieth century. In both cases, Bess feels that she must speak for the dead because there is no one else to do it.
While Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series covers some of the same issues of the period with a damaged former World War I nurse as the protagonist, Bess Crawford is still deeply immersed in 1917 while the war’s end remains out of sight. With well-detailed shortages and understated British adaptation, Bess’ realm of characters quickly became believable and full of possibility.
In particular, her father’s well-regarded position in India resulted in Bess’ ability to view things with greater perspective and with a helpful self-assurance. Family friend Simon Baker continues to offer hints into both Bess’ childhood while serving as Bess’ right-hand man on her adventures.
Charles Todd
Although Charles Todd has gained a following from the brooding Ian Rutledge series, the Bess Crawford series offers a deeply felt perspective of a young World War I nurse whose self-confidence and resolute determination lead her to solve cases in between caring for the wounded.
The mother-son writing team of Caroline and Charles Todd show special depth in writing from a woman’s point-of-view, resulting in a series that combines history, pluck and mystery with grace.
Publishing Information
Todd, Charles. An Impartial Witness. New York, NY: William Morris, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-06-179178-9.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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