If you, like me, are feeling a Downton Abbey let-down after the airing of the last episode in the second season, I might just have the cure that ails you (it might even cure the Spanish flu).
Further immerse yourself in WWI-era England with the Bess Crawford mysteries by Charles Todd by joining our “Book Time with Bess” Read Along!
The “Book Time with Bess Read Along” kicks off now and runs through the publication of the newest book in the series, An Unmarked Grave in June 2012.
About Bess Crawford, and A Duty to the Dead, the first book in the series:
So who is Bess Crawford? The creation of the mother and son writing team of Charles Todd – the team that brought us the acclaimed and bestselling Ian Rutledge series – Bess Crawford is a singular woman living in a time of great change in England. Independent-minded Bess Crawford’s upbringing was far different from that of the usual upper-middle-class British gentlewoman. Growing up in India, she learned the importance of responsibility, honor, and duty from her officer father. At the outbreak of World War I, she followed in his footsteps and volunteered for the nursing corps, serving from the battlefields of France to the doomed hospital ship Britannic.
On one voyage, Bess grows fond of the young, gravely wounded Lieutenant Arthur Graham. Something rests heavily on his conscience, and to give him a little peace as he dies, she promises to deliver a message to his brother. It is some months before she can carry out this duty, and when she’s next in England, she herself is recovering from a wound. When Bess arrives at the Graham house in Kent, Jonathan Graham listens to his brother’s last wishes with surprising indifference. Neither his mother nor his brother Timothy seems to think it has any significance. Unsettled by this, Bess is about to take her leave when sudden tragedy envelops her. She quickly discovers that fulfilling this duty to the dead has thrust her into a maelstrom of intrigue and murder that will endanger her own life and test her courage as not even war has.
As an added bonus to get you started, the e-book of A Duty to the Dead is just $1.99 for a limited time, so order up today and get reading!
The read-along officially kicks off today (but don’t worry, our first discussion won’t take place until March 26th) and it runs through the publication of the paperback of the most recent Bess Crawford novel, A Bitter Truth (on sale 5/1), as well as the new Bess Crawford hardcover, An Unmarked Grave (on sale 6/5). We'll end the read-along in June with a Book Club Girl on Air Show with the Charles Todd writing team to discuss all the books in the series.
Here's the schedule of when I'll post questions about each book for us to discuss:
March 26th - A Duty to the Dead discussion
April 30th - An Impartial Witness discussion
May 1st – A Bitter Truth paperback goes on sale
May 29th – A Bitter Truth discussion (May 28th is Memorial Day)
June 5th - An Unmarked Grave – the new hardcover goes on sale
June 25th – An Unmarked Grave discussion
June 28th – Book Club Girl on Air Show with Charles Todd to Discuss the Entire Series
Look for updates along the way here, on Twitter (#besscrawford), and on the Book Club Girl and Charles Todd Facebook pages.
The first 10 people to sign up will receive a free copy of the paperback of A Duty to the Dead (if you're taking advantage of the $1.99 ebook instead, let me know that and we can send you An Impartial Witness).
Write a post saying you're signing up and link back here, grab the tile ad above and then link to your post using the Mr. Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, announce it on your Facebook and link to your status update). Then tweet about your reading using the hashtag #besscrawford.
(email me if you are having trouble with the tile ad at bookclubgirl AT gmail DOT com).
Happy Reading!
Ugh, stupid Mr. Linky thing left the wrong description. My link is not to a post about The House at Tyneford, I swear! Although it's kind of appropriate because it's also one of those Downton withdrawal books.
Can't wait for this read along! I've been waiting for it ever since the idea started getting tossed around on Twitter.
Posted by: Farin | February 20, 2012 at 02:08 PM
I have been waiting for this! I have a copy of the Duty to the Dead all ready to go already!
Posted by: Penny | February 20, 2012 at 03:43 PM
Loved Maisie! Want to try Bess. Looking forward to this readalong. Bought Duty to the Dead on Kindle-Yeah deal!! Would love to start Impartial Witness. Thank you.
Posted by: Kathy | February 20, 2012 at 05:08 PM
I bought A Bitter Truth because I've wanted it forever but didn't have extra money to spend on books. I know, sad.
Thanks for letting me know about the ebook sale. I bought it this morning as soon as I saw your post on Facebook. So glad to join in this discussion!
Posted by: jenn aka the picky girl | February 20, 2012 at 09:05 PM
I bought the ebook of A Duty to the Dead - can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Mary | February 21, 2012 at 12:03 AM
Yay, I'm SO EXCITED for this read-along! I bought the DUTY TO THE DEAD ebook, can't wait to get started!
Posted by: Jen - Devourer of Books | February 21, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Hi! I am going to join in, too. First time I have been to your blog. I will have to look around a bit. :) I just went to buy DUTY TO THE DEAD and it is up to 2.99 from what I can tell. I have my copy, but FYI for anyone else looking to do it. :)
Posted by: Kailana | February 21, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I'm linking to facebook, but in the process of setting up book blog. It's there, just haven't used it yet.
I just bought the e-book but do not have An Impartial Witness yet. Very excited about being a part of this. Thank you.
Babs Green
Posted by: Babs Green | February 21, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Haven't watched Downton Abbey yet but these books sound like they are right up my alley. Am looking for the e-book on Nook as soon as this is posted. Looking forward to the read-along.
Posted by: Melissa-ForstRose | February 21, 2012 at 03:17 PM
Just signed up. Am really excited for the read along. Thanks!
Posted by: gaby @ Starting Fresh | February 21, 2012 at 03:43 PM
Excited about reading the Bess Crawford series, as I have already read almost all of the Ian Rutledge books!
Posted by: Patti Obrien | February 21, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Hurray, I love Bess, she's a worthy compatriot for Miss Maisie. I've been waiting for this read-along.
Posted by: Martha @ Hey, I want to read that | February 21, 2012 at 05:48 PM
I'm going to join in and listen to these on audio. I'll add it to my post on Sunday and then link back. These sound great!
Posted by: Darlene | February 21, 2012 at 08:17 PM
So excited for this!
Posted by: Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams | February 22, 2012 at 09:18 AM
I may or may not join the read-a-long if I can get the books at the library...but I've announced it on War Through the Generations.
Posted by: sagustocox | February 22, 2012 at 10:43 AM
I tried to sign up for the Read Along with Bess program, but since I don't have a blog, and I'm not on Facebook or Twitter, I wasn't able to sign up. Maybe I am not your target audience, hmmmm?
Posted by: Jane Fricker | February 23, 2012 at 11:20 AM
I should clarify - if you want to sign up but don't have a blog or Facebook, by all means do enter a comment here that you're joining us. It's ok if you can't add your name to the Mr. Linky itself. We want as many people as possible, not just bloggers and facebookers!
Posted by: Book Club Girl | February 23, 2012 at 02:11 PM
I just bought the ebook! Looking forward to reading it!
Posted by: trish | February 23, 2012 at 03:19 PM
I am looking forward to joining the discussion of the Bess Crawford series of books
Posted by: Jane Fricker | February 24, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Loved The Confession! Looking forward to these ones...
Posted by: Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm | February 26, 2012 at 02:29 PM