Book Review of
The Walnut Tree
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.
Lynn's Review
The Walnut Tree is the first book by Charles Todd that I have read. I kept hearing that it was a good book for fans of Downton Abbey. After reading it, I agree. It is a good book for those that love Downton Abbey or books set during WWI. The fact that it was set in WWI is what finally got me to read it. I have read a lot of books set during or about WWII but have read very few about WWI.
I enjoyed this book but did find it a bit unrealistic in places. When I read historical fiction, I like to feel like the story could have actually happened. I like to think it could be a real story about real people. Although I liked this book, it didn’t feel that way to me. Too many things in the book were things that just didn’t seem like they would actually happen in real life. I did like the overall style of Charles Todd’s writing, so I plan to try a few more books by him.
If you love historical fiction, you will probably enjoy this one.