A Pattern of Lies audiobook

I hoped I would like this book, I had no idea how much I would come to love it. It's not always easy to start a series with the latest book instead of with the first, but this one was easy to get into.Bess Crawford is a nurse during WW1 and she spends a lot of time in France tending to the wounded soldiers and that is how she got to know Mark Ashton. Now, later on, she runs into him again, this time in England where he is visiting his family before getting back to France. She learns that his family is having a troublesome time. Some time before the Ashton Gunpowder Mill in Kent exploded and killed over a hundred men and even though it was judged to be a tragedy are there a lot of rumors in the village that Mark's father Philip is behind the explosion. Someone is feeding the people in the village with wicked rumors and Bess witness herself how the people treat the Ashton. Who is behind the rumors and why is the person hell-bent on ruining the Ashton?It didn't take me long to get swept into the story in this book. Then again a well written historical fiction is something I always love to read, especially one with a mystery involved. Bess (Not Mary, for some reason I try to write Mary Crawford, but I think that's because she reminds me of Mary Russell from the Laurie R. King series) Crawford is not an amateur sleuth, she is a nurse, home on a leave and soon back to France and that is why she gets involved with Ashton case, partly because she saw how the Ashton was treated and her witness Philip Ashton getting arrested, but also because the only witness is in France fighting and she is the one that can try to get to him to get Philip Ashton free. But nothing is that easy and trusts me sometimes the book is really nerve-racking to read. One thing I truly enjoyed reading this book was that there was no romance between Mary Bess and any of the male characters. That was refreshing, sometimes I feel that romance takes up a too large role in books and it sometimes gets in the way of the story or it gets too cheesy. But I do admit that even though there is no romance have I started to ship her with Sergeant Lassiter, the wonderful Aussie she turns to in France for help to finding the witness. He is flirtatious and I have completely lost my heart to him (Just think Hugh Jackman in a WW1 uniform) and I hope to God if in the future Bess do find a sweetheart it will be him.I recommend this book warmly to anyone that wants to read a really good historical fiction; you can read this book without having read any book before. I received this copy from William Morrow through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!

complex plotting, abrupt endI really like the way the Chas. Todd team writes, though I do feel the Bess Crawford mysteries is weaker generally than their original series. In particular, in the last few books, there's been an explosive denoument and then a very weak "ending" that really isn't. When you, the authors, have the reader's adrenaline all riled up, you've got to do something with it. You can't just offer an almost inconsequential exchange between Simon and Bess - even if it is about the war's ending - then leave without saying goodbye, even. I turned the page expecting there'd be Something more...but no, that was it, just run the credits and turn off the lights.... You've got to start wrapping things up better. What about Mrs. Ashton? She was a strong interesting character that we'd spent a lot of time with, but once the mystery was solved, you abandoned her completely. What about Clara and Mark? Were they just puppets that you got tired of? It begins to feel like you don't care about any of your characters but Bess and Simon... Anyway, please think about it from our point of view, hm?

I won this Book through Goodreads First-Reads. Thanks Goodreads. The setting is WWI in France and England. Nurse Bess Crawford is a very caring nurse that is always looking for the truth. After an Ammunitions Powder Mill blows up and kills many workers. The owner is in prison awaiting trial. She helps the authorities and military find the person responsible.

I don't know what the draw if for mystery's and perhaps it is that we love to feel like we are contributing to solving the unknown. Set against the backdrop of WWI, as readers immerse themselves into the nursing duties of Bess Crawford. It is a time where nursing was just beginning to grow their grassroots and it wasn't a pretty way to get involved for women to help in the war effort. It is a time of unsanitary conditions, amid the begins of medical procedures while bombs and shells are going off all around. Where sleep and a good meal are the blessings one can hope for. An explosion at the Ashton Powder Mill in Kent has claimed the lives of a hundred men, and like everyone involved they want answers to what happened. As time presses on, this is written off as simply an accident from war efforts and soon it is swept under the rug. But rumors don't like to lie in the dark, and soon hints at murder rock the Ashton family and it seems the only one who can help provide the answers has been dispatched to the frontlines. Will Bess be able to help unravel the pattern of lies to help end the persecution of the Ashton family or will she become the next target of the killer at large? I received Pattern of Lies by Charles Todd compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. Aside from a complimentary copy of the novel, I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions found here are strictly my own. I am a huge fan of anything pertaining to WWI and love that once again readers find themselves back in the thick of things with Nurse Bess Crawford. I love her character because besides being a strong female nurse, she is not afraid to shatter the stereotypes we might have as a heroine solving mysteries while the war rages around her. It isn't easy being sleep deprived and moving from place to place where she is needed the most and always has her allies watching her back when it counts. I can't wait for more future novels from Charles Todd because it is such a breath of fresh air to see strong willed female characters that stand firm in the face of adversity and thus the reason for my 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is the 7th novel in the Bess Crawford Mystery series.

Seventh in the Bess Crawford historical mystery series set during World War I with this story in the autumn of 1918 near the end of the war and revolving around Sister Crawford. The action takes place between the frontlines in France and around Canterbury in Kent.My TakeTodd had my heart rate going on this one. I could not see how they would ever be able to figure out what was going on. And what is with that police station?? Were they that unsupervised at the time? Were they that autonomous?? Surely the Colonel Sahib had a bigger network he could have tapped to push someone of a higher rank in the police into taking a peek? At least he did have Simon to send off on those errands. Why would a powder mill foreman have matches at work? Why wasn't Bess trying to find out more about Collier? He had been one of the principals at the time, and she's certainly spent a lot of effort to find others involved.Then again, people were much more insular at that time, ignorant of people's rights, and it was too easy to toss justice aside. Throw in loved ones who were grieving or dead, and it's a recipe for disaster. That insularity certainly didn't help when it came to that bloody family lawyer. What were they thinking keeping him on for that long?What really ticked me off, though, was what it all came down to in the end. That was the best Todd could do? All that for just that?? It does take all kinds, but…oh, boy…that ending simply didn't ring true for me. The guy must have been bloody stupid, in which case, how did he ever get assigned that job?While the ending was annoying, I do generally adore Todd's stories. Not only does Todd provide a more direct look at war from a field hospital's perspective, but Todd is so true to the time period. The clothing, the manners, the expected mores, the style of life for both classes. It pulls me into the period. Then there's Bess, Simon, and the Colonel. I do adore them. They want the best for everyone and will do whatever it takes. They're honorable people…and surprisingly forward in their thinking in "allowing" Bess to pursue her interests. Considering how women were treated at the time, it's quite progressive.I'm with Philip Ashton in some respects. People must know something of the man, of his care for the people who work for him, the mill's past record, and they should all have weighed in on his side. Especially his friends!?! I could wish Todd would write a follow-up some time in an upcoming story to reveal what happens later on.It's all so insidious. Hateful. What's worse is everyone around the Ashtons is lying.It's the cops' behavior, their attitudes, that explain why people don't trust them. It's that attitude that makes me adore cops like Eve Dallas and Lucas Davenport.There's an interesting paragraph in which Bess thinks of all the innovations that have come to the battlefield with this war. It was a War to End All Wars in so many ways technologically, socially, economically, psychologically, and mortally.Oh, lord, Lassiter gets in trouble with his commanding officer, and it sounds so like him, lol! I do love his character."He told his commanding officer that three men just reduced in rank for insubordination were actually trying to keep Captain Maxwell from looking like a fool. And he added that it had been all but an impossible task from the start."It's weird how Britton keeps changing rank from private to corporal and back again.And the Allies are thrilled that the Americans have come to help.The StoryA two-year-old tragedy is still stirring emotions in Cranbourne, the home of the former Ashton Gunpowder Mill. The explosion and fire were ruled an accident until suspicion and rumor begins to swirl around the village.It's pure chance that finds Bess Crawford visiting the Ashton family and experiencing the venomous show of hostility that is aimed at anyone associated with the Ashtons.The persecution vented upon the Ashtons raises Bess' ire, and she'll risk her own life to find the truth.The CharactersSister Bess Crawford is a nurse with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service who works at various field hospitals on the frontlines in France. Her father, Colonel "Sahib" Crawford, may be retired, but he's hip-deep in the background along with his former batman, Sergeant-Major Simon Brandon. Her mother works tirelessly on the homefront with her charities and being a comfort to the wives and families left behind. Melinda Crawford is a cousin who lives in Kent.Mrs. Hennessey is Bess' London landlady. Mary and Diana are her flatmates.Captain, or rather, Major Mark Ashton was once one of Sister Crawford's wounded. Eloise had been the major's fiancée. Mrs. Helen Ashton is his very brave and determined mother. Mr. Philip Ashton is the very reserved father. Nan is Mr. Ashton's liver-and-white spaniel. Clara is the cousin in love with Mark. Their family home, an old abbey guesthouse, is in Cranbourne near the family's powder mill that blew up, killing over a hundred. Mrs. Byers is the housekeeper. Baxter seems to be a groundskeeper? Mrs. Lacey is the cook. Betty Perkins was one of the maids they had to let go.Mr. Groves is the ineffective family solicitor. Lucius Worley is a barrister. Florence Benning is the new witness who suddenly came forward after two years; her sister is George Tate's widow. Doctor Scott tried hard to treat Mr. Ashton but the police wouldn't allow it. Theodore Heatherton-Scott and his valet, Henry, arrive. He had a son, Lieutenant Scott, who had served under Colonel Crawford in India.Lieutenant Wilmont, Captain Hunt, and Sergeant "Granddad" Edgar have all written the major with news of his unit.CranbourneConstable Hood could care less what happens to the Ashtons. Captain Collier had been the government's man overseeing work at the mill. Alex Craig had been a boatbuilder before the war and a pilot during the war until he was wounded and invalided out. Seems he was also interested in Eloise. Sergeant Rollins was a fisherman at the time; now he's a highly valued tank commander. Agatha Rollins is his despised sister with whom he has to share the family cottage. Mrs. Branch claims Nan killed three of her chickens. On the afternoon Bess had Nan on a leash while she was visiting Betty and Agatha. The ineffective Mr. Gardener is the vicar at the Church of St. Anne.Canterbury Police StationInspector Brothers lost some people in the explosion and isn't interested in justice. Mr. Parry is a vicar and witness whom Brothers is doubting along with others.At the frontSergeant Lassiter is a very resourceful Australian who's taken a liking to Bess and can accomplish anything. Captain Maxwell is a young, green commander. Corporal Eustace never did send the papers in on the incident.Soldiers who have helped Bess include Sergeant Wills, Corporal Denton, Lieutenant Jamison, Lieutenant Harcourt, and Corporal Miller. Sergeant Hull was the recruiting officer in Devon. Major Atkins will take statements.The wounded include Lieutenant Harriman, Sergeant Overton is a tankman, Corporal Haines survived while his crew didn't, and Private/Corporal Charley Britton was in for trench foot and went sleepwalking. Lieutenant Henley visited Britton in hospital. Captain Thomas is running a fever while Captain Taylor died.Bess is toing and froing to England and back and always posted somewhere new. The people she works with include Sisters Herries, Hancock, Morris whom someone tries to suffocate, Anderson, and Cameron while the doctors mentioned are Lytton and Browning.The Cover and TitleThe cover is a golden afternoon in a wide open field, a line of trees running diagonally at the back. It's Bess in a pale gray cloche with an almost black ribband atop her done-up hair and a bloused deeper, gray dress with the smocking at collar and shoulders gathering the fabric in thin vertical gathers. It's a thoughtful pose, as Bess looks out over the fields, her arms crossed in front of her.The title is what this story is all about, A Pattern of Lies that everyone is too quick to believe.

It amazes me that a mother and son who live in different states can consistently deliver these historically correct books that hold the reader's attention to the final denouement. I especially enjoyed A Pattern of Lies because the action takes place during a period I am interested in, World War I. The book is a continuation of the Bess Crawford Mystery series and relates the story when an explosion at Ashton Powder Mill in 1916 killed more than a hundred men. Two years later, the tragic event is under investigation for murder even though it had originally been ruled an accident.Bess Crawford, a friend of the Ashton family, arrives in Kent for a visit not realizing what is happening. She meets Mark, son of the Ashtons, and notices that the villagers are shunning them. One goes as far as to throw an egg at their car window. Much description is given here of the swale that the town was built around and the importance of the Canterbury Cathedral. She describes the beauty of the colored glass window that I have seen for myself. This familiarity of the area added immensely to the interest in the story. While staying at the manor house, she discovers a pillow that had been stuffed behind a chair and notices that the stitches seem to be ragged. Taking a pair of nail scissors, she unpicked the stitching and saw a picture of the white cliffs of Dover and written beneath: INVICTA, an ancient motto of Kent. She believes the Ashtons may be related to the royal family of Henry Eighth.Bess is a nurse working in a hospital in London and goes back to care for injured men. She is assigned a room, but when she goes there, another girl is asleep in the bed. Bess goes to another room and learns later that someone had tried to kill the girl. She gets a message that Mr. Ashton has been arrested and tried to commit suicide in his cell. She asks for leave and returns to Cranbourne to check on Mr. Aston. She claims to be his cousin so the locals won't make more assumptions. She is shocked at the animosity directed at the family. One day while walking Nan , the family dog, a local woman accuses the dog of killing her chickens and files a complaint. The townspeople leave threatening notes and tried to start a fire at the house. Bess realizes she must find someone to help her clear their name. She learns the name of a man who used to work at the mill named Rollins and tries to locate him.She finds the man and asks him to go back and tell his story to the authorities, but the man who had caused the fire tries to kill him and Bess inside the Canterbury Cathedral. He uses a silk scarf to choke her like the one he had used on the girl who had taken her room. She finally manages to wrest it away from him and hits him repeatedly over the head. with her umbrella. Thank goodness it rains a lot in England.Mr. Ashton's name is cleared and all ends well. This is the best Charles Todd book I have read and I give it a sound five stars.

Charles Todd returns with the latest (#7) in the Bess Crawford series - A Pattern of Lies.Bess is a Sister with England's Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. She has served her country since the beginning of the war in both France and England. It's 1918 and the hope is that the War will soon be over.A chance encounter on a leave plunges Bess into another mystery. (For in addition to being a stellar nurse, she's just as adept at solving mysteries) Mark Ashton, an officer and former patient invites Bess to his family home to visit with his mother. The family owns the Ashton Powder Mill in Kent - the scene of a horrific tragedy that killed over a hundred men. Ruled an accident by the Army, the villagers think differently. Bess is stunned by the hostility shown to the family. As the rancor - and the danger - rises, Bess agrees to see if she can help. There's a possible witness to the event that can clear patriarch Phillip Ashton's name - he's a tankman in France.Oh, I just love this series! I think it's the slow, meticulous building of clues, the measured connecting together of pieces of information, observations and snippets of conversation. It's such a change from my usual fast paced murder and mayhem mysteries. The thoughtful, careful pacing of the book lets the reader settle in to relax, enjoy and travel back in time. Todd does a fantastic job of bringing the war and the time period to life. Descriptions of time and place generate vivid mental images. I really enjoy the glimpses into the war nurses' everyday lives. A sense of honour, duty, and loyalty is infused in the character and the plot, again underscoring the time period. I like Bess - she's strong minded, strong willed, clever, caring and tenacious. Familiar supporting characters return - Bess's father, Colonel Sahib (I have such a strong mental image of this British officer who served in India with the Gurkha's), Simon and Sergeant Lassiter, a cheeky Australian officer who seems quite fond of Bess. There is attraction between Bess and the two men - I often speculate which one will be her choice. (The Aussie would be mine!)As the war is drawing to an end, I wonder where Todd will take this series in peacetime. This reader will be eagerly awaiting the next book! Read an excerpt of A Pattern of Lies. Fans of Maisie Dobbs would absolutely enjoy this series as well.

I only read this series occasionally, and while I always enjoy the first person perspective--and a woman's point of view--on war front and home front, this one seems lesser. Plot not as intricate or frankly as engaging. Landor's narration makes the best of the story. She captures characters and their emotions and shows tiny nuances--frustration, fear. Excellently read and careful management of pace and tone. It's a thoughtful story, as usual. Honestly, I think the only humor comes from Bess's Australian swain and frequent source of info about the soldiers she seeks. Gritty, strong sense of the times, series characters, and unhurried pace.

The seventh book in the Bess Crawford series and it doesn't disappoint. Bess, a Nursing Sister with the British in World War I, is asked to solve the mystery of what happened to cause an explosion and fire in a factory that killed over a hundred men. Her investigation takes her from the scene of the explosion in Kent to the Front Lines in France.

"I whirled in time, the can still in my free hand, and lifted it high...He saw it coming, and tried to deflect it with one arm, thinking I was aiming for his head, but before he could react, I swung the cane like a cricket bat. It caught him across the throat and chest just beneath his raised hands.He went down, and a little to one side, and this time I felt no mercy toward him. As his right hand touched the cold stone of the pavement, I lifted the cane again and cracked him across the head with it."

A historical World War One Novel. The background is set in Kent, England and aid stations and hospitals in France. The trains are delayed in Kent and Bess Crawford meets up with Mark Ashton whom she nurse in France. He invites to spend the night with the family. She learns that the gunpowder factory nearby had exploded and killed 100 men and many businesses and homes were damaged in the explosion. Almost every resident has lost a love one in the disaster. Two years LIES are being circulated about Mark's father, Philip Aston. The only person who witnessed is fighting in France and refused to testified to what that morning. Bess tried to find the witness in France. Is she successful?

I can never seem to rush through one of these books, but the slow savoring of each is satisfying.

Title: A Pattern of Lies (Bess Crawford #7)Author: Charles ToddPages: 336Year: 2015Publisher: William MorrowBess Crawford finds herself still serving as a nurse during World War I with rumors of the war soon being over heard more and more often. She has a few days leave and plans to spend it with her parents. Her train is delayed at the station and she runs into a former patient, Mark Ashton, who lives nearby. He is a soldier still on medical leave from his injuries. While recuperating, his family becomes pariahs in their small town. He invites Bess to stay overnight until her train arrives. Bess finds herself the subject of the same persecution as Mark’s family.Bess sets out to find out what is at the root of the mean treatment this family is receiving. She asks questions, but no one knows who started the rumors. The villagers turn against the family readily enough with no proof and Bess wonders how this happened. The one man who can perhaps help the Ashtons’ cause is fighting in France. Bess manages to find him, but he refuses to ask for leave to come home to straighten things out. The rumors turn even the local law enforcement against Mark’s father, the former owner of a gunpowder factory that experienced a tragedy two years prior. Many think Mark’s father involved in the explosion that destroyed the factory and killed 100 men. He is arrested and set to stand trial. Can Bess figure out who is fanning the flames of injustice before it is too late?I had a difficult time getting into this story, but I knew that if I kept reading the story would improve and draw me in, which it did. This isn’t the best story in the Bess Crawford mystery series, but still worth reading as the main character’s history and personality continue to develop. There was not enough action in the story for me, and the plot seemed to drag slowly to a conclusion. It seemed Bess was poking her nose into something that really wasn’t her business. Hopefully, her next mystery will feature more action.My rating is 4 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”