The Agatha Christie Reading Group discussion
2014 Books
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October 2014 (Additional): A Duty to the Dead (by Charles Todd)
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Thank you, Lauren! The only aspect of it that I thought could have been better was that when Bess was being held against her will or friends or family threatened- I didnt believe she was afraid. I do believe that she believed that she should be- I just dont think the fear was written well. But this was my only complaint and I bet the writing is even better in book 2. I cant wait to read it!
Youre right about the tough position- they were very young boys who only want to please their mothers. Then they get older and and I think they still worry about her but also begin worrying about themselves, maybe a good person worries about the ethics of what theyve done...That is a good question about parentage. I dont think the one you mention above would have mattered. They grew up and were raised with him and taught to trest him like a brother. As for Peregrine, everyone ostracised him, including their mother. What a cruel woman! (I csnt feel sorry for Robert because he only spoke up when he was dying, in the law last statements are sometimes called "dying declarations" and are excluded from being hearsay because a dying person will suffer no consequences. Robert has no reason to lie anymore except to protect his mother, but apparently he had been more worried about himself.
I found a new series that I look forward to reading with this book. I also bought book one of his other more popular Ian Rutledge series to try. I loved how (as you can tell from description above) it was not your typical formulaic plot. Yay, something different. Also, I felt as though I was walking alongside Bess during most of the book; the word that kept coming to mind was "atmospheric ". There is one flaw that really stood out for me, but it is a spoiler and I'll wait until later in the month to discuss it. Happy readings!