Arnold Kanarek
asked
Charles Todd:
I just finished Cliff's Edge, and I enjoyed it very much. Following Bess after the war is different than all the previous war stories. It is somewhat obvious from the ending that you already have thought about the next book since you have hinted at a continuation of the Bess and Simon saga. The Cliff's Edge is a cliffhanger. How come Ian didn't come from the Yard to save the family?
Charles Todd
Dear Arnold:
Bess and Ian Mysteries have a different timelines and it is difficult to include Ian and Bess is a story together. Honestly, Bess is able to get out of scrapes, either on her own or with Simon . We created Bess to be her own person who is capable and compitent. The good news is that in December, I signed a four book contract with Mysterious
Press. This fall a special Christmas Novella titled A Christmas Witness featuring Ian Rutledge will go on sale. In the Spring of 2026 a full Rutledge Mystery will be on sale followed with a Bess Mysteryl. The Rutledge Novel is complete and sent to the editor in chief at Mysterious Press. I am about half way through the Bess Mystery and it will be complete to meed the sales deadline. I hope this gives you some insight and a view of the future for Bess and Ian.
All the Very Best,
Charles
Bess and Ian Mysteries have a different timelines and it is difficult to include Ian and Bess is a story together. Honestly, Bess is able to get out of scrapes, either on her own or with Simon . We created Bess to be her own person who is capable and compitent. The good news is that in December, I signed a four book contract with Mysterious
Press. This fall a special Christmas Novella titled A Christmas Witness featuring Ian Rutledge will go on sale. In the Spring of 2026 a full Rutledge Mystery will be on sale followed with a Bess Mysteryl. The Rutledge Novel is complete and sent to the editor in chief at Mysterious Press. I am about half way through the Bess Mystery and it will be complete to meed the sales deadline. I hope this gives you some insight and a view of the future for Bess and Ian.
All the Very Best,
Charles
More Answered Questions
Heather Shaw
asked
Charles Todd:
Hi there, Shell shock plays a HUGE role in the Ian Rutledge series and the last Bess Crawford book showed early signs as well. Will Bess also experience her version of shell shock? Will you explore her struggles of adapting to life after the war? (coming to grips with not being on a battlefield, grieving the loss of friends, experiencing the changes in the role of women following the war, etc.)
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