An Irish Hostage audiobook

I’m a Bess Crawford fangirl, and #12 in the hf series is my fav yet! Bess, a nurse who served for the Brits in WWI France, goes to Ireland for a friend’s wedding and finds herself in a rat’s nest. With the Irish suspicious of any Brit, Beth is in danger as she susses out the bridegroom’s disappearance and unravels intrigues and murder. She’s a wonder! Charles Todd’s novels make history a joy, and here we learn about the Irish Troubles and the tense relationship with England. But what I love most is how much Bess has grown. FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY she realizes her feelings for family friend Simon. So many readers have BEGGED for them to marry. Will they? That’s the magnetic pull that hooks me most. Book #13 can’t come soon enough! 5 of 5 StarsPub Date 06 Jul 2021#AnIrishHostage #NetGalleyGrateful to Charles Todd, William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

How many checkmarks did I make on this book and now have to clean up on goodreads. Annoying. OK, we get Bess in many dangerous situations throughout the series written by this mother/son duo, but now we have to move forward in time, past WWI to the fractious era of Ireland's strife postwar when England has not lived up to promises of Home Rule to those Irish who served and believed. That sets the stage for a more than dramatic outing for Bess to fly to the west coast of Ireland for a wedding. Those of us who have read the series from the beginning wonder how she got this past her father...but then Simon the protector shows up in the guise of a Traveler, parrot and all. And Simon is definitely needed. It is the beginning of something new, perhaps, or the end of something good coming shortly. Time will tell, but Bess is called on to use her nursing skills quite a bit in this action-filled tale as well as her pistol. Looking forward to the next installment!

I've stayed away from the Bess Crawford series by Charles Todd for the last several books for various reasons but the title of this one intrigued me so I decided I wanted to read it. This plot has Bess staying in one place for the entire story and I liked that much better. If you have been a fan of this series you will likely remember the sinking of the Britannic as it was taking wounded soldiers from the battlefield to England and the other nurses who were on board. This story takes us to the wedding of one of those nurses who has asked Bess to be her wedding attendant in the tiny village of Killeighbeg in Ireland. Bess is on leave from her nursing duties since the end of the war and at a loose end but her parents are concerned about her traveling all that way alone in the political unrest evident in Ireland. It is 1919 but the unease from the Easter Rising in 1916 is making travel to Ireland by any British subjects a dangerous undertaking. Then Bess comes up with a solution for how she can travel to Ireland and back safely so it is agreed that she can go.This is my favorite Bess Crawford book in the series thus far. The dangerous political atmosphere is very well written and it brought home how insecure the lives of the Irish were during this time of unrest. Bess had to trust her instincts when it came to who she could trust and those relationships played out in a very convincing way. The question I've had throughout these books comes very close to being answered but right at the end it skittered off the page with no resolution. Maybe in the next book? I hope so.Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for an e-galley of this novel.

If loyal readers of Charles Todd had any concerns that there would be a lack of story ideas with the Bess Crawford series moving beyond World War I, let me set your minds at ease. AN IRISH HOSTAGE, the 12th and latest installment, tackles some serious historical and political concerns of that time period, and the plot has such an astute social conscience that I almost felt like I was reading an Anne Perry novel.Eileen Flynn, an Irish nurse with whom Bess worked during the Great War, is getting married and has asked Bess to be her maid of honor. Of course this will require the very British Bess to travel to Ireland during a period of deep unrest. While Great Britain was fighting the war and spending a lot of time in other parts of Europe, a civil war of sorts erupted within the UK. During the infamous Easter Rising in 1916, approximately 400 Irish citizens took on British forces in Dublin. The Irish, who were spirited by the likes of Michael Sullivan, were swiftly and violently quashed by the Brits, and this would be just the start of more than a century of conflict.The Crawfords are not thrilled about Bess going to Ireland when British citizens might have a target on their backs. They eventually relent but will not let her travel on her own. So Captain Arthur Jackson, an American flyer, is tasked with getting Bess to her destination. He continues to fly by during her stay and utilize a code system with flags to signify if she is safe or is in any danger. Bess feels confident that nothing will happen, but her short-sightedness will be quickly exposed to the reality of the situation once she hits the Emerald Isle.It turns out that Eileen is nowhere to be found, and Bess learns that a group has gone out in search of her fiancé, Michael, who has been abducted. He fought with the British Army during the war, which has now put him in peril during his wedding weekend. Michael’s best man, Major Ellis Dawson, and Eileen’s cousin, Irish soldier Terrence Flynn, try to put everyone’s minds at ease. But Bess does not know yet who she can trust, and there are even those within Eileen’s family who are not happy about her marrying a Brit.Miraculously, Michael is freed from his captors and returns to Eileen’s homestead looking like a bloody scarecrow. He has no idea who abducted him and needs Bess’ nursing skills as he is in such bad shape. Bess is able to get word to her family about what has been taking place in Ireland, and they send her father’s right-hand man, Simon Brandon, to look after her. There is plenty of sexual tension between them as burgeoning feelings have grown with each successive entry in the series.It isn’t long before more chaos ensues as Ellis is abducted, most likely by the same group that took Michael. To make matters even worse, a dead body is found nearby; at one point, Bess is apprehended by the constable and briefly thrown in prison as a suspect. This situation may end up being more dangerous and life-threatening than anything she ever faced on the frontlines.So much happens within this complex plot, and there is a level of suspense throughout the book that readers of the previous 11 novels haven’t experienced. Those who are aware of the historical events that drive this story will find themselves torn between the sentiments of the British and Irish characters. AN IRISH HOSTAGE is yet another triumph for Charles Todd and one of the most memorable additions to the series.Reviewed by Ray Palen

I've enjoyed all the Bess Crawford novels and Book 12 did not disappoint. The story is set in the summer of 1919, after World War I, and finds Bess at loose ends. Her work as a battlefield nurse has ended and she's not quite sure where life should take her next. When her friend Eileen invites her to be her attendant at her Irish wedding, it's a welcome distraction for Bess, but her parents and her friend Simon are afraid Ireland is too unsettled and dangerous. The Easter Rising of 1916 is still fresh in everyone's mind and her father says travel through the country by an unaccompanied English female is impossible. Bess wins them over by arranging a direct flight with her American pilot friend (from book 11). Like all Todd's historical novels, meticulously researched details bring time and place alive for the reader.

Good read. Good characters.

I couldn’t wait to read this ARC edition of the Bess Crawford Mystery, An Irish Hostage. I’m a huge fan and have read all the novels and short stories. They are engaging, fast-paced mysteries, with just enough grit to keep them from being “cozy.” The depictions of WWI and its after-effects are well-researched and educational without being too bogged down with information. What sets them apart from other war-time mysteries is their constant shifts between the main character’s life on the battlefield and the homefront.AIH takes place just after war’s end and strong-willed nursing sister, Bess, is struggling with the decision of what to do with her future. (We fans who have similar opinions as to what Beth should do with her future, may be pleasantly surprised by some of the developments). She is invited to be the wedding attendant of another nursing sister in an Irish village still seething from the outcome of The Rising. Why Bess is so determined to go into such danger for a woman more selfish than smart is the real mystery to me. The bride, who seems little more than a co-worker, alternates between whiny and hostile, but Bess refuses to abandon her. The groom, an Irishman who is viewed as a traitor because of his enlistment in the British army, is missing. His groomsman, a British officer who has the bad sense to go out walking by himself in a village full of murderous Rebels, is abducted. One unfortunate witness is murdered, and Bess, with the help of her ever-loyal Simon (sadly missed in the last book), brings everything to a satisfying conclusion.Bess’s character can be annoying at times—stubborn, sometimes willfully-blind, and loyal to a fault. She becomes too emotionally involved with the problems of strangers, often at the expense of her loved ones. I would dearly love to see someone say “no” to her once in a while, but then we probably wouldn’t have our mystery. Still, she’s quick-witted, warm-hearted, and brave, and one can’t help but love her.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.I can't believe we're at #12 in this series! I swore I wrote a review as soon as I finished this but I must have composed it in my head. Our intrepid heroine is in Ireland this time, to stand in a wedding for a fellow nurse. Bess is English and immediately realizes this could not only be a disadvantage but a danger. As Bess arrives by plane in a tiny village, she is horrified to discover that the groom has gone missing-has he run off? Been captured by the English or the Irish? Tensions are at a breaking point in the village as the Rising is still a sore wound for everyone. People are either convinced other folks didn't do enough, or others did too much. Will the groom return in time for the wedding? As always, this novel is a tightly constructed web full of history, drama, tension, and this time: the War is over. What will Bess do (if she survives Ireland) now that she won't have soldiers to nurse? How will Simon play into all of this?!About 3/4 of the way through the book I started quietly cursing out the author because I realized that something I've been wondering about, for the last 11 books, was actually being brought into the story. Of course, this being a series, there is no nice neat bow on the topic. In fact, I sat, staring at the last page as I finished, with my jaw hanging open. I suspect this series is maybe winding down, since the driving force behind it (WWI) is now over, but if it doesn't neatly answer several lingering questions I'll riot. Overall, a well done book and I'm already clamoring for #13 because I NEED ANSWERS PEOPLE.

The twelfth book in the Bess Crawford series and I've read them all! This was one of my favorites. The war is over and Bess is at a standstill waiting to see what her next nursing assignment will be. A good friend of hers, Eileen Flynn is getting married in Ireland and wants her to be her attendant, but tensions are taunt in that country. She is determined to go but her parents are against it. Bess has made her own decisions for the past four years and is finally able to persuade them she will be safe if she goes. When she arrives, she discovers the groom is missing and the family is in turmoil. Both Eileen and her fiancee served with the British in the army and some Irish believe they are traitors. Even though there is a search, there is no trace of Michael but Eileen is determined to go through with all the preparations hoping he will show up at the church. Meanwhile Eileen's grandmother, a cranky old woman makes it plain that she doesn't like any Englishmen/women in the house and that includes Bess and the Best man, another British soldier. Eileen's cousin, Terrance promises to protect Bess while she is staying at their house but he has a price on his head because of his past actions with the Rising. Bess has to figure out who she can trust and how she can possibly help Eileen and those of her family escape this latest escapade she finds herself in. She also needs to figure out what her future holds if she decides to leave nursing. Looking forward to the next instalment in this series!

I have read all of the Bess Crawford Mysteries. This one is excellent. The war with Britain, and Germany has ended. World War One has come to an end yet, Bess is at a loss as to wear to go next. She has not been assigned to a hospital, or any type of clinic for the severely wounded. Four years spent at the front has changed her in many ways. She accepts an invitation to stand up with her flatmate. As she is married. Bess had saved her life, and legs. The problem is that it is in Ireland, where an uprising has just ended leaving men killed, and feelings toward the British even more hateful. There are two other soldiers there, plus the family promised her protection. That is a tall order, and soon the groom to be is kidnapped, and no matter what she tries to work out things go from one tangle to another. It gave us an inside view of the heavy hand Ireland was ruled by, and with little help as in the potato famine. There are many factions, all with different intentions, and ideas about killing. Simon comes to her rescue, and she begins to see the man, and not just her friend. I wish they would talk it out. They already are involved in many mysteries together, and I know as one of the fans of this series it feels time to give Bess a life. One not filled with danger, sacrifice, and little time for happiness. The book was brilliant as always, but Simon has proved his worth to her family, and to Bess. It is time to move them at least to the talking, and kissing stage. Your killing us here. Five stars, great mystery, characters, and ending. Now roll up your sleeves and work on the two characters you have used as the main characters with only a hint of possible romance.

I'm trying to read my gift books when they arrive rather than let them become part of my huge TBR pile, so I got to this Mother's Day pre-order soon after it's release & arrival at my house. Because I love a new Charles Todd! Bess is trying to figure out her post-war life & has a detour to be the bridesmaid for a fellow nurse's wedding in Ireland. But there is lots of tension there from the 1916 Easter uprising & an English nurse isn't a welcome sight. She unwittingly steps into a quagmire of conspiracy & emotion that she is unprepared to handle & doesn't really understand. But her plucky courage & the appearance of Simon Brandon to assist tilt the odds in her favor. It was a fascinating look into Irish politics during this period & also the personal emotions surrounding the politics. Now that she's not a war nurse, the series is slowly turning a corner, although her experience is highly useful here. The slow simmering between her & Simon is frustratingly glacial, but I'm hopeful poor Simon will see some progress soon as she finally makes a small decision about her future at the end.