{"product_id":"the-murder-stone-a-novel-of-suspense-paperback","title":"The Murder Stone: A Novel of Suspense - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCharles Todd\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A stunner, exquisitely plotted and characterized, with Todd's trademark meticulous backdrop of World War I-era England.\"--\u003ci\u003eStrand\u003c\/i\u003e Magazine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Murder Stone\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Todd's mysteries are among the most intelligent and affecting being written these days.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eWashington Post Book World \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Seamless . . . a compelling insight into the home front during 1916.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eChicago Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A gripping novel of family secrets set against the tragedy of World War I.\"\u003cb\u003e--Mystery Lovers Bookshop News\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Many twists and turns, angst-ridden characters, and an evocative historical setting. A gripping read.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles Todd's critically acclaimed novels featuring Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge have been hailed by The Washington Post Book World as \"one of the best historical series being written today.\" The New York Times Book Review calls Todd's mysteries \"meticulously wrought...harrowing psychological drama.\" Now he stakes out new territory in this mesmerizing stand-alone novel of one woman's dark journey through family obsession, wartime secrets, and a chilling legacy.... \u003cbr\u003eThe Murder Stone \u003cbr\u003eThe Great War is still raging in the autumn of 1916, when Francesca Hatton's beloved grandfather dies on the family estate in \u003cbr\u003eEngland's isolated Exe Valley. Grieving for the man who raised her, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter among his effects, cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Now a stranger has shown up on her doorstep, accusing her grandfather of being a murderer. \u003cbr\u003eEx-soldier Richard Leighton blames Francis Hatton for the death of his mother, who vanished nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Her body was never found, only a shawl stained with her blood. And Leighton is not the only one with a claim on Francesca's grandfather. On the day of his funeral, unexpected visitors arrive with the mourners, and Francesca is besieged by charges of Hatton's vicious dealings. Yet there is also a shy young woman who praises his secret generosity. \u003cbr\u003eAt the center of the intrigue is an unusual white stone that lies hidden in a secluded garden where Francesca once played with her five male cousins, all of them dead now on the battlefields of France. According to the terms of Hatton's will, the Murder Stone must be dug up and transported to Scotland, where it is to beburied forever. But before Francesca can begin the journey, a series of ominous \"accidents\" occur, culminating in the discovery of a bleeding body on the Murder Stone itself. \u003cbr\u003eWas Hatton the loving, caring protector his granddaughter always believed him to be? \u003cbr\u003eOr a vindictive, secretive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? Francesca sets out in pursuit of the truth--and into the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge long overdue. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"From the Hardcover edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHARLES TODD is the author of \u003ci\u003eA Fearsome Doubt\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWatchers of Time\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLegacy of the Dead\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eA Test of Wills\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWings of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eSearch the Dark\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives on the East Coast, where he is at work on the next novel in the Inspector Ian Rutledge series, \u003ci\u003eA Cold Treachery\u003c\/i\u003e, which Bantam will publish in spring 2005.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 418\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 6.9 x 4.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 31, 2004\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51750824116512,"sku":"9780553586602","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/1d1495da97abb03cc145eb2684f1cc36.webp?v=1779958638","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-murder-stone-a-novel-of-suspense-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}