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    The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale
    The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale
    The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale
    Audiobook6 hours

    The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale

    Written by Charles Todd

    Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    You’re going to love Todd.”
    —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly

    The critically acclaimed creator of the Inspector Ian Rutledge and battlefield nurse Bess Crawford mystery series, Charles Todd now offers readers a bittersweet love story and romantic mystery that unfolds at Christmas during the dangerous opening days of World War I.  The Walnut Tree is an unforgettable story of a woman who puts herself in the line of fire for the sake of wounded soldiers and falls deeply in love with a man who may be forbidden to her.  For anyone who has fallen under the spell of Downton Abbey, and for all the fans of the British-set mysteries of Elizabeth George, Anne Perry, Ruth Rendell, Martha Grimes, and Jacqueline Winspear, The Walnut Tree is essential reading.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateOct 30, 2012
    ISBN9780062246264
    The Walnut Tree: A Holiday Tale
    Author

    Charles Todd

    Charles Todd is the New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries, the Bess Crawford mysteries, and two stand-alone novels. A mother-and-son writing team, Caroline passed away in August 2021 and Charles lives in Florida.

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    Reviews for The Walnut Tree

    4/5

    52 ratings18 reviews

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    • 4/5
      2012, Harper Audio, Read by Fiona HardinghamPublisher’s Summary: adapted from Audible.comIn 1914, while visiting her friend Madeleine, Lady Elspeth Douglas's life is thrown into chaos when war breaks out and the Germans quickly overrun Belgium, threatening France. Having just agreed to marry Alain, Madeleine's dashing brother, Lady Elspeth watches him leave to join his unit, and then she sets out for England, only to find herself trapped on the French coast. To her rescue comes Captain Peter Gilchrist, who pulls her away from the battle and leads her to safety. But before they can properly say good-bye, Elspeth and Peter are separated.Haunted by the horrors she witnessed in France, Elspeth enrolls in a nursing course, where she meets a fellow nurse in training, Bess Crawford. It is a daring move, made without the consent of her guardian, her cousin Kenneth. Yet Elspeth Douglas is a woman with a mind of her own, which – as she herself says – is a blessing and a curse. She is determined to return to the battlefields of France to do her part, and to find the man she has no right to love, no matter how far Kenneth may go to stop her. But before she can set things right with Alain, he goes missing and then Peter is gravely wounded. My Review:Todd does a fine job of illustrating how restrictive the contemporary world of The Walnut Tree was for women. Privileged and sheltered Elspeth battles not only her gender, but also her social position and title, in her quest to contribute to the war effort. She longs for her life to have some meaning – longs for something to do which is more important than what dress to wear to the next party. Her guardian, Kenneth, aptly represents social thinking of the time – a high-handed man with rigid notions of class and femininity.Todd’s motives in creating the love triangle between Elspeth, Alain, and Peter are not entirely clear to me, but the situation does create personal and moral tension, which of course needs to be resolved by Elspeth.I thoroughly enjoy when characters cross into other novels, and loved that Elspeth encountered Bess Crawford in nurses’ training. Too, The Walnut Tree is holiday tale, and reading it at Christmas was well-timed. Fiona Hardingham does a fine job of narration. Recommended!
    • 5/5
      Very different from other Charles Todd novels, but same high quality. EXCELLENT narrator!!!
    • 2/5
      I am a fan of Charles Todd. I have read all of their books. This one, set during WW I , showcases the nurses who performed so heroically during that war. In fact there are cameo roles from Bess Crawford and her flat mates. I liked the Scot plot line and the history that went with it.
      But, overall, I did not think this love story was up to the standards of their previous books. I hope this was just a one time, buy this book by excellent authors, for a Christmas present addition.
    • 4/5
      This was quick stand alone holiday romance set in England and France during WWI. This is the first book I read by this writing duet and found it to be quite a treat. I enjoyed the characters, as well as the setting. I found it to be beautifully well written. It captures love, hope, despair and sacrifice. I rate it 3.5 stars!
    • 3/5
      An easy to read and easier to forget book about a young lady who seems to be in love with whatever man is standing in front of her at any given time. (Have you ever watched The Bachelor?) The backdrop of the story is France and England during the time period of World War One. It seems all the men that Elspeth care about are fighting in the war and when she is not helping out as a military nurse she is pining away for them and their well being as they risk life and limb. Everything is wrapped up neatly and conveniently in the end leaving me dashing to the bookshelf to tried something to read with more meat to it.
    • 3/5
      Although Charles Todd is one of my favorite authors, I have to admit to being a bit disappointed by this book.I was expecting somethong along the lines of a British cozy, and that's what I got, but I think calling it a holiday tale is a bit of a stretch. There is one beutiful moment that occurs on Christmas, but it's hardly an apex of the story. The characters are well developed and it was interesting to read about the Scottish perspective of serving in the British army of World War I. Again, it wasn't an unenjoyable read, but felt rushed to me. It was a neat glimpse of Bess Crawford prior to her series, however.
    • 4/5
      I quite enjoyed this small novel taking place at the beginning of WW I, first in Paris, and then in Great Britain. This is a departure from the murder mysteries usually written by this mother and son duo, but the writing is excellent as usual, and the characters and their dilemmas ring true. Elspeth is a privileged young Scottish woman who finds herself caught up in the beginning of the war, and witnessing its horrors and wanting to help. She becomes a nursing sister by hiding her title, and performs well. But she finds herself falling in love with one man while almost promised to another, and not knowing what to do. Both men are injured in the war, and I kept turning the pages to find out what happened in the end with these sympathetic characters.
    • 4/5
      I picked this up while waiting for the new Bess Crawford novel to come out. It was a pleasant enough read. It tells the story of Lady Elspeth and how she became a nursing sister and roommate to Bess Crawford. She is pursued by two suitors, one she has a relationship with prior to the war and one she meets once the war has started. The dilemma of who to pick encompasses the main plot of the book. This little novel really showcased how important the nurses were during the war. I can't imagine what it must have been like to enter a war zone with little medical training. These brave ladies literally had to learn on the job. I enjoyed finding out more about one of Bess Crawford's flat mates. This was interesting side diversion to the main novels in the series.
    • 4/5
      A really good read, although I can't fathom it being classified as a holiday tale or Christmas story.
    • 4/5
      The Walnut Tree is simply expressed but enjoyable, written at a bias so you know which man you want to win Elspeth’s heart and hand, though you wonder how this will be accomplished when both are immensely appealing. The novel also briefly features Bess Crawford, a nurse who often finds herself investigating crimes in Todd’s Bess Crawford mysteries. There aren’t any surprises here, but The Walnut Tree is a heart-warming romance, and a fun and entertaining way to snatch a few hours pleasure reading this holiday season. Recommended.
    • 2/5
      I found the romantic aspect of this tale unrealistically syrupy, while the reader's slow and measured voice added a melancholy that made the story seem to drag. I've thoroughly enjoyed Todd's Rutledge stories, and so was unexpectedly disappointed with this story. If you like some steel, intrigue, and complexity from your reads, I suggest sticking to Todd's crime genre.
    • 4/5
      Nicely told story about the incredible brutality of war and its effects on people of every rank. The Todd's can really tell a tale.
    • 4/5
      This is a light and very enjoyable read from the mother and son writing team responsible for two excellent historical mystery series featuring Inspector Ian Rutledge and nurse Bess Crawford. In The Walnut Tree, Charles Todd takes one of the nurses Bess Crawford rooms with in London, gives her a privileged background, breathes life into her, and then sets her on her own adventure. Yes, Lady Elspeth Douglas has ties to the Bess Crawford mysteries, but this book is not part of the series-- although the authors couldn't resist adding a very light (and fun) subplot involving art theft into the narrative.One of the things I liked the most about the character of Elspeth was her Scots heritage. She speaks the Gaelic and on more than one occasion is able to help soldiers in the Scots regiments in ways that highlight the power of clan ties and obligations. She is strong and intelligent, capable and loyal, and I was caught in her dilemma as she struggled to do what was right without hurting either of the men she loved.This book is called a holiday tale, but it is not set solely during the Christmas season. However, it does underscore several holiday themes-- love, faith, peace, service, and even tiny bits of magic and miracles, too. If you like a lot of romance in your love stories, you might find this one a little too light for your taste. For those like myself who are not fans of the romance genre, the love story should be just about perfect. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, or if you enjoy the Maisie Dobbs and Bess Crawford mysteries, I think you'll enjoy reading The Walnut Tree.
    • 4/5
      Fans of the mother/son writing team known as Charles Todd will want to add this 'holiday tale' to their Christmas reading list.I have only recently discovered Todd's WWI novels featuring Bess Crawford - a British World War I army nurse - but quickly became a fan of the series. Todd again explores WWI with a new character.Lady Elspeth Douglas of Scotland is in France, visiting her fiancee, when war breaks out in 1914. She finds herself stranded, but decides to make herself useful, helping out with the wounded. It is on the battlefield that she comes across old friend Captain Peter Gilchrist. Lady Douglas decides to do her part for the war effort and become a nursing sister - known only as Elspeth Douglas. (Bess makes a cameo as a flatmate.)Todd weaves a wonderfully rich, atmospheric story of love lost and found, duty, honour, loyalty, and the mores of the time period.I chose to listen to The Walnut Tree and really enjoyed the reader - Fiona Hardingham. She employs a very proper British accent to narrate that conjures up the time period perfectly. Her Scottish accent for Elspeth was excellent and never faltered. I had a quite definite picture of Elspeth painted in my mind, much of it gleaned from Hardingham's interpretation. Other characters were easily differentiated as she has a quite a versatile voice.Those looking for a mystery similar to Bess's books won't find it here. (But Elspeth is just as strong minded as Bess!) Instead it's a lovely little historical (and romantic) holiday tale, perfect for a night's read by the tree. Fans of Anne Perry's Christmas tales will enjoy The Walnut Tree.
    • 2/5
      This is a very nice little love story set at the beginning of WWI. Blueblood lady engaged to dashing Frenchman defies her guardian and goes into nursing. She meets an old friend on the battlefield and begins to have mixed feelings about fiancé.
    • 3/5
      At the request of her school friend Madeleine, Lady Elspeth Douglas travels to France in the summer of 1914 to await the birth of Madeleine's first child. War breaks out while she is there. Before he leaves for his service, Madeleine's brother, Alain, declares his intention to ask Elspeth's guardian for her hand in marriage at the conclusion of the war. As Elspeth makes her way back to England, she runs into an old acquaintance, Captain Peter Gilchrist. Elspeth fights her growing love for Peter since she feels herself promised to Alain. Without the knowledge of her guardian, Elspeth trains for nursing service. By nursing in France, Elspeth will be closer to both the man she loves and the man to whom she is promised.Readers who can suspend disbelief in the coincidences that drive much of the plot will enjoy this war-themed holiday novella. Mother/son writing duo “Charles Todd” is known more for mystery than for romance. Elspeth does help to solve a mystery in this story, but it's so slight and underdeveloped that the story would have been better off without it. Bess Crawford makes a few brief appearances as one of Elspeth's London flatmates. This story will appeal to fans of Anne Perry's Christmas novellas as well as to fans of Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series.
    • 3/5
      I enjoy reading a mystery by the mother and son team of Charles Todd, but the Ian Rutledge series are my favorite. This is a short, Christmas novella, just the recipe for the winter season. This is a part of the Bess Crawford series that writes of the nursing women during WWI. This book features a fellow worker of Bess Crawford, a Lady Elspeth Douglas, a Scotland aristocrat. The story is endearing with Elspeth's dilemma of loving two men.
    • 3/5


      I haven't read any other books by this (these) author(s) but I enjoyed this story. I agree with previous comments that it was a bit slight. This really could have been much richer and more epic in scope. However, I will read more set during WW1 and about Bess Crawford.