The Murder Stone: A Novel of Suspense

By Charles Todd

Book Overview

"A stunner, exquisitely plotted and characterized, with Todd's trademark meticulous backdrop of World War I-era England."-- Strand Magazine The Great War is still raging when Francesca Hatton's adored grandfather dies on the family estate in England's isolated Exe Valley. Among his effects, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Then a stranger appears, accusing her grandfather of murder. Was the loving protector Francesca remembers really a vindictive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? At the center of the intrigue is an unusual white stone hidden in a garden where Francesca once played with her five male cousins--all dead now on France's battlefields. According to Hatton's will, the Murder Stone must be dug up, transported to Scotland, and buried forever. But before Francesca can begin the journey, a series of ominous "accidents" occur. As Francesca sets out to pursue the truth, she also sets herself in the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge too long overdue. Praise for The Murder Stone "Todd's mysteries are among the most intelligent and affecting being written these days." -- Washington Post Book World "Seamless . . . a compelling insight into the home front during 1916." -- Chicago Tribune "A gripping novel of family secrets set against the tragedy of World War I." --Mystery Lovers Bookshop News "Many twists and turns, angst-ridden characters, and an evocative historical setting. A gripping read." -- Library Journal

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553586602
• ISBN13: 9780553586602
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.3" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Best of Todd's works

Todd does much better without Rutledge's self-pity cluttering up the scene. This is a beautiful war-time mystery, with lively characters, all very well-realized, much better than can be done with their detective poking his nose in and relating it all to his trauma.

A fabulous Gothic

If you're expecting a book in the same style as Todd's Inspector Ian Rutledge series, you will be disappointed. However, if you love Gothics, as do I having started Victoria Holt and the early books of Mary Stewart, you will be delighted. There is that underlying air of tension from the first page and twists aplenty along the way to a dramatic conclusion and classic epilogue. I am always looking for a new, good suspenseful Gothic. And this is it.

Splendid Gothic!

Todd's novels are always excellent reading, and this departure from the Inspector Rutledge series delivers a highly enjoyable story in the best traditions of the old-fashioned gothic. It's got all the elements: the beleaguered heroine suddenly all alone in the world, the creepy old mansion, fog, an elderly dog whining at his dead master's door in the middle of the night, possible ghosts, fog, a brooding and enigmatic hero, fog, a curse -- what more could you ask for? Served up in Todd's exquisite style, this book unfolds at a gothic, not thriller, pace with very much the transitional, unsettled feel of the Edwardian period. The story takes a few creative risks that are most enjoyable. And who cares if suspicious characters tend to come and go at contrived moments? Francesca Hatton is a gutsy, marvelous heroine, very sympathetic, and never better than at the very end of the book.

Can't Put It Down

Charles Todd's novel is not his usual detective story, but a mystery nonetheless. The themes are the impact on innocent people of one man's hatred of another, and how little we might really know the people we love. Set in World War 1, the story concerns a young lady whose grandfather died of a broken heart after his third grandson was killed in the war. A mysterious man shows up and accuses her grandfather of terrible things. The book relates how she pieces together her grandfather's true story and resolves the unfinished business of his life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could not put it down. Believe me, that is not typical. Usually I read the first 30 pages and the last 10. If I can easily tell how the author got from one point to the other I will stop reading. This book passed that test, and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it.

Powerful gothic suspense

Although her parents were killed in a traffic accident when she was still a baby Francesca Hatton had a very happy childhood growing up in the River's End estate in the isolated Exe Valley in England. Her five male cousins also lost their parents at a very early age and grew up at River's End where Frances Hatton raised all six grandchildren as one big happy family.That happiness dissipated as one by one the men were called up to fight for their country. During WWI by 1916, all five Hatton males of Francesca's generation were killed by the Germans in France. Francis is dying and Francesca nursed him during his last tormented days. It is only after his death does she learn that her grandfather had very many secrets including the fact that some prominent people think he is a murderer.This is Charles Todd's first stand alone book and it is one of the best works of gothic suspense that this reviewer has read this year. As Francesca learns what her grandfather is hiding, strangers besiege her demanding something from her and threatening her when she fails to deliver. Some readers will not like the ending because it is not black and white but the questions left dangling add to the thrills that this book delivers. THE MURDER STONE is an unforgettable reading experience.Harriet Klausner