Bravo, Sarah Shaber. The opening of the Simon Shaw series is a welcome addition to a growing sub genre. Genealogical mysteries are growing in populariBravo, Sarah Shaber. The opening of the Simon Shaw series is a welcome addition to a growing sub genre. Genealogical mysteries are growing in popularity and this particular story offered readers a glimpse into Genealogical Forensics.
The author deftly wove the past and the present together to give readers a unique mystery to solve. Clues and misdirections abound as Simon struggles to stay alive.
Juggling his job and his personal life, Simon begins to wonder if he hasn't taken on more than he can handle. But there is a murder to solve and Simon isn't going to go down without a fight.
Shaber does an excellent job of using the charm of the old south as a secondary character.
I look forward to the rest of this series, and I hope it is a long one!...more
Norma E. Rawlings has a knack for storytelling. I was extremely intrigued by the premise of the story. The author did a pretty good job with the pacinNorma E. Rawlings has a knack for storytelling. I was extremely intrigued by the premise of the story. The author did a pretty good job with the pacing and the development of the plot. She kept it interesting and added the right amount of twists and curves to keep me reading.
That said, were it not for the story, I would have stopped reading a few pages in. The author's style of writing is quite unsophisticated. There is a lot of room for improvement with regard to the quality of the writing. I meant it quite literally when I said the author was a storyteller. I want to become a part of the story as I am reading and that was not possible with this book. It was 80% plus told from the narrative point of view. When she did go into the characters point of view they shifted so frequently I could barely keep track of who was talking. It made for very difficult reading and many times I wanted to stop. But the resolution of the story beckoned me and I had to keep going.
The clever use of genealogy as a secondary character worked well and the author did a very good job of using the techniques of the trade to bring the mystery full circle.
I do recommend this book to anyone interested in genealogical mysteries, and I will read more in the series....more
I have been on a reading bender lately and genealogical mysteries is my new thing. "Hiding the Past" is a good read. Not stellar, but enjoyable enoughI have been on a reading bender lately and genealogical mysteries is my new thing. "Hiding the Past" is a good read. Not stellar, but enjoyable enough.
The characters are not as well-developed as I would like, but they are likeable and true to the story.
When a man who has no idea who he is reaches out, it is his biggest mistake. Morton Farrier, a forensic genealogist, is supposed to find the answers, but as smart as he is, even he has no idea what he is up against.
But more than anything, the new case is making Morton face his own demons....more
This is my first time reading Scott William Carter and I am quite impressed. This story borders on being typical for the genre, but Carter offers a neThis is my first time reading Scott William Carter and I am quite impressed. This story borders on being typical for the genre, but Carter offers a new perspective from the main character. They all come with baggage, but Garrison Gage is a man who isn't all that sure he wants to be damaged.
Barnacle Bluffs is an interesting little town on the Oregon coast with lots of potential. This story was a strong opening for a series that readers will certainly appreciate.
This is a new author for me and I am pleased with the result. Being a mystery fan who reads quite quickly, I am always on the lookout for ways to occuThis is a new author for me and I am pleased with the result. Being a mystery fan who reads quite quickly, I am always on the lookout for ways to occupy my time and Ms. Venkataraman gave me just the thing I needed for a rainy afternoon. The characters are realistic and likeable and the issues they face are timely and important. Add the mystery elements and it is a pretty darn good read. It is also well-written. Almost no distractions from the flow of the story and that is a rare treat indeed.
With a few unique aspects, this story takes the reader one step further than the typical mystery.
I will be reading more from this author and you should too....more
There was no way I was going to enjoy this book. When I began reading it, all I could focus on were the excessive number of adjectives that jumped offThere was no way I was going to enjoy this book. When I began reading it, all I could focus on were the excessive number of adjectives that jumped off the page at me. I found myself reading them out loud to my husband and laughing. I had almost decided to give up on it after the first chapter. But I read. I read anything, and everything, so I pushed on. I am very glad I did.
Jimmy Fox has created a character who is just like you and me. He has issues and he lives on. The genealogy aspect is handled very well and I found the whole premise to be believable and entertaining. A little bit of mystery, a little more mayhem, and people you really like and dislike.
The beginning of the book is a tough read, but after a chapter or two, Fox finds his stride and gives readers a book that is quite good. In fact, I ended up enjoying it so much I had to force myself not to dive right into the next book. I have already purchased it, but I try not to read two books by the same author right in a row, Funny how writers never write fast enough for readers.
Thank you Jimmy Fox for making me glad I invested the time. Well done....more
This is the kind of book that anyone and everyone can read, appreciate, and relate to. We all have a little part of us that thinks we can do anything,This is the kind of book that anyone and everyone can read, appreciate, and relate to. We all have a little part of us that thinks we can do anything, but Bernie, actually can. It's one of the perks of being a god.
Steve LeBel has done a wonderful job of bringing together a cast of characters who not only compliment each other, but bring out the reality and life of one another. With a clever writing style and a fascinating story, LeBel offers readers an incredible journey into a universe of originality and intrigue.
This book has everything to please readers of nearly every genre: family, romance, mystery, suspense, humor,fantasy and so much more. You won't want to miss this one and once you read it and love it, make sure you tell all your friends. I know I will....more
Falling to Pieces is the first "Amish" book I've read and I am very glad I started with it. Vanetta Chapman has a wonderful way with characters and deFalling to Pieces is the first "Amish" book I've read and I am very glad I started with it. Vanetta Chapman has a wonderful way with characters and developing setting. I am impressed that she could make the setting such an integral part of the emotional balance. Callie, Deborah, and all the other characters are so well blended.
Chapman does a wonderful job with the suspenseful theme of the story. There were a few times I wondered if there was room for one more man to come into Callie's life, but they are all important players who have their own roles. I really enjoyed this book and the author's style and will definitely read more....more
I wasn't sure what to think when I decided to read this book. I have been tracing my roots for a very long time and I don't seem to be learning anythiI wasn't sure what to think when I decided to read this book. I have been tracing my roots for a very long time and I don't seem to be learning anything. At least I wasn't. I was also frustrated with books claiming to be help guides, but only touch on the most basic things and mostly irrelevant.
Since buying this book I have added an entire branch to my tree that had previously been tormenting me with its elusiveness.
Ms. Collins opened up doors for me regarding things I should have known, but didn't. Her down to earth style of writing is more like having a pleasant conversation with her than reading a book. She gives you the facts, then backs it up with practical experience. She explains important things in a manner that any beginning tree climber can understand and offers useful information for people who have been at it for a while but need more guidance.
I didn't find any slow spots and I even figured out how to highlight and bookmark on my Kindle so I could refer back to things. I think the best thing about this book is that it made learning fun and it had earned its retail price before I even got half way through.
I strongly encourage newbies and even others like me who have some skill under their belt, but need to fine tune it, to add this book to their library. I have read several other books on this subject that were so dry I could not even finish them. But this is going in my book log of favorites right along with my W. Daniel Quillen titles.
Thank you, Ms. Collins for a delightfully educational guidebook. ...more
One never knows what to expect when diving into a business/reference book, but this one pleasantly surprised me.
With clear examples of what to do and One never knows what to expect when diving into a business/reference book, but this one pleasantly surprised me.
With clear examples of what to do and not to and WHY, this one offers a lot of information that should be common sense, but seems to be consistently ignored. I own a business and I wish I had known then what I learned from this book. I would have done things a LOT differently. As it is, I have learned some things that I will be putting into play now, to make my business work better.
Terry Oliver Lee has a quick wit and keeps the information from being stale and repetitive by using personal examples. This isn't your typical dry business book. If you are considering a business or even already have one. I encourage you to give this book a try. ...more
I finished this eBook the other day. What a fun read. The characters are downright funny and the plot is solid. When Roxanne Wilder ends up back at hoI finished this eBook the other day. What a fun read. The characters are downright funny and the plot is solid. When Roxanne Wilder ends up back at home, she discovers that even if can go back, no one in their right mind would want to.
Jacqueline Vick has created some seriously memorable characters and put them into hilarious and oddly realistic situations. Nobody wants to deal with murder and mayhem, but Roxanne doesn't seem to have a choice.
Even with the holiday theme, this cute little mystery is worth an afternoon in the comfy chair with a cup of hot chocolate.
Reviewers note: I really enjoyed this book, but readers should know going in that there are some editorial issues.
I received this book as a gift from the author, but I received no monetary or other compensation for my brutal honesty. It's what I do. ...more
How sad. I am deeply rooted in tracing my family history and I ran across this book on Amazon.com. I was very excited as my grandfather was a Baar.
I iHow sad. I am deeply rooted in tracing my family history and I ran across this book on Amazon.com. I was very excited as my grandfather was a Baar.
I immediately purchased this book, thinking I might find out more about the name in general and perhaps find a nugget of something. What I found was a ridiculously in adequate book that had almost nothing to do with the Baar name.
What I found were a few pages with statistics that told me how many Baar families lived in Minnesota in the 1800s and how 48% of Baar women were homemakers.
I read about Daniel Boone, Albert Einstein, the Von Trapp family, and all manner of famous people, including the Queen of England. Page after page of inane statistics that proved to have no actual basis in fact, especially considering that Ancestry.com claims don't even indicate the immigration of Baars from the Netherlands which is where my family sailed from.
There were all kinds of pictures, with other family names under them, and it goes on and on like this.
I don't think I have ever been so disappointed in a book in my life. Ever. Ancestry has doe a terrible disservice to my family and many other Baar families. Shame on them!
And before anyone chastises me for thinking I would find my entire family history in this book, I knew going in that this would not be the case. I did however expect to find the bulk of the text to be about people whose were named Baar and not the showcase of famous people throughout history who were not even remotely relevant....more
This is another Facebook find for me. Did Anyone Die? is a charming little read. With a clever mystery and quaint characters, this Little Wychwell MysThis is another Facebook find for me. Did Anyone Die? is a charming little read. With a clever mystery and quaint characters, this Little Wychwell Mystery is a fun book that takes the reader into a fictional village that has more than its fair share of drama.
This time around, there may, or may not have been a murder. There may, or may not be one too many secrets in the village, and Priscilla may or may not survive when she is bamboozled into caring for her dear friend, Elodea's perky little pup. That one little favor drops Priscilla into the middle of a mystery that could cost her life, not to mention her sanity.
I enjoyed this story very much, but I will admit that I was more bothered than usual by the number of mistakes in the book. I think this author could build a tremendous following of devoted readers if she took the time to put a little more work into the book, so it matches up with the quality of the story.
If you enjoy a quaint story, you should definitely give this a try....more
I simply love these books. I slammed through the first one and had to force myself to not read the 2nd one immediately. When I finally did allow myselI simply love these books. I slammed through the first one and had to force myself to not read the 2nd one immediately. When I finally did allow myself the pleasure, I had just as much fun with #2 as I did with #1.
The Liturgical Mysteries are just downright silly in the best kind of way. This story proves once again that things aren't always what they seem. The entire premise of the story had me giggling the entire time I read.
I will admit to being a little distracted by the number of errors, but this in no way made me sorry I bought the book, or the next two in the series. I might have said this before, but these books are a must read for anyone who loves to laugh and even be surprised....more
I knew going in that this was a short story/novella, but I was really peeved when I ran out of story to read. Lindsay Buroker really set the pages on I knew going in that this was a short story/novella, but I was really peeved when I ran out of story to read. Lindsay Buroker really set the pages on fire (okay, the Kindle screen) with her edgy steampunk tale. With a rip-roaring female lead and a somewhat questionable and more than a little intriguing supporting male, this story has got a little bit of everything.
This gal can write some action scenes and her plot just kept on going, kinda like that dogless sled she wrote about. Every word serves a purpose and that is a rare treat in a book. I've already bought the second story in the series and am quite looking fo5rward to the further adventures of this duo.
I just wish these stories were a lot longer...we readers have huge appetites....more
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