A chance sighting while in Waterloo Station leads Bess Crawford into a long investigation. She recognizes a woman, crying as a Captain leaves to catch a train to the front during World War I. The woman, the wife of one of Bess’ patients, whose picture was pinned to his tunic, enabled Bess to recognize her. Later that day, the woman is found murdered, floating in the Thames.
In between her duties on the French front and occasional furloughs, Bess becomes obsessed over the murder, as well as a subsequent stabbing of a friend. Scotland Yard arrests one person, who pleads guilty in open court to the first murder. Not convinced of his guilt, Bess continues in her dogged manner to gather “facts” to undo his death sentence.
The mother-son writing team that gives us Charles Todd has created a worthy second addition to the series, with a moving plot and well-drawn characterizations. The mystery is developed slowly, so the reader progresses with just enough momentum to reach a very satisfying conclusion. Recommended.
Gloria
