Bess Crawford: Book 13
Publication Date: February 14, 2023
In the aftermath of World War I, nurse Bess Crawford is caught in a deadly feud between two families in this thirteenth book in the beloved mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd.
Restless and uncertain of her future in the wake of World War I, former battlefield nurse Bess Crawford agrees to travel to Yorkshire to help a friend of her cousin Melinda through surgery. But circumstances change suddenly when news of a terrible accident reaches them. Bess agrees to go to isolated Scarfdale and the Neville family, where one man has been killed and another gravely injured. The police are asking questions, and Bess is quickly drawn into the fray as two once close families take sides, even as they are forced to remain in the same house until the inquest is completed.
When another tragedy strikes, the police are ready to make an arrest. Bess struggles to keep order as tensions rise and shots are fired. What dark truth is behind these deaths? And what about the tale of an older murder—one that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the Nevilles? Bess is unaware that when she passes the story on to Cousin Melinda, she will set in motion a revelation with the potential to change the lives of those she loves most—her parents, and her dearest friend, Simon Brandon…
Tensions rise as the rival of a love interest dies in a suspicious fall. Bess is wrangled into coming to the family’s rescue and assists in discovering the killer in The Cliff’s Edge by New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd in the 13 book in the Bess Crawford Mysteries Series.Â
Bess finds herself restless as she is used to running around like a chicken with her head cut off as a field nurse in WWI. When her cousin, Melinda, writes to ask a favor of Bess to visit the indomitable Lady Beatrice, who needs gall bladder surgery and a live-in nurse while she recovers.
During this convalescent period, Lady Beatrice receives a telegraph requesting she go to her godson’s immediately. Having just had surgery, she couldn’t go but asked her companion, Lillian, and Bess, to go in her stead.
What they find when they go to isolated Scarfdale—sheep country—is a home in disarray. Gordon, the godson, is injured and suspected of murder, Frederick, the friend of Gordon, is dead, and in Bess’s mind, obviously murdered. Frederick’s wife, Grace, is infuriated with Gordon and convinced he killed her husband, and then Mark, Frederick’s brother, shows up. He’s an absolutely miserable, horrible human being, accusing Gordon of murdering Frederick and wanting to exact his revenge, justice, or both on him.Â
The magistrate has a massive chip on his shoulder and would like nothing more than to stick it to the man—justice is just a bonus.Â
Through more murders and twists and turns you don’t expect, Bess and her ever-present tenacity solves the murders bringing justice to Scarfdale.
The Cliff’s Edge is another impeccable historical mystery by the incomparable Charles Todd. The clues unfold a little at a time, and the characters are well-rounded and multi-faceted. The mystery is complex and involved, and I loved it from the first page to the last. Now can we please get Bess and Simon together once and for all?
Charles Todd is a pen name for Charles and Caroline Todd, a mother and son writing team. Caroline received a BA in English literature and history and a Masters in international relations. Charles received a BA in communication studies with an emphasis on business management, and a culinary arts degree. They have written numerous novels including Bess Crawford Mystery series and the Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery series.
