Review by Booklist Review
In researching the Halloran family for Gus, the current billionaire patriarch, Austin, Texas, genealogist Lucy Lancaster finds proof that Seth Halloran, Gus' great-great-grandfather, was murdered in 1849 and limits the possible suspects who arranged the hit to two prominent Texans of the time. Gus immediately calls a press conference to accuse a sitting senator's ancestor of being the perpetrator. After Lucy's friend Winnie Dell is murdered protecting the historic evidence, Lucy is determined to solve the mystery surrounding Seth's murder and to identify Winnie's killer. FBI agent Ben Turner demands she quit sleuthing before she gets hurt, but Lucy perseveres with both the current investigation and research into what happened back in 1849, ultimately connecting the two murders. An engaging protagonist, richly drawn secondary characters, plenty of plot twists, and the detail-rich genealogy frame will have readers eagerly awaiting a sequel. Winner of the 2017 Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Award.--Sue O'Brien Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Professional genealogist Lucy Lancaster, the heroine of Perkins's fun debut, is hired by Gus, the patriarch of Texas's Halloran clan, to delve into his family history, but what she finds is proof that Gus's great-great-grandfather's death in 1849 was no accident. The incriminating evidence points to someone only identified as C.A., whom Lucy has narrowed down to two suspects, one of whom is the great-great-great-grandfather of present-day Senator Daniel Applewhite, who happens to be running for reelection against Gus's son, Pearce. For all her hard work, Gus treats Lucy to a sumptuous meal where Lucy over-imbibes and, combined with her antihistamine, ends up completely blotto. Gus drags her into an impromptu press announcement, prematurely naming Applewhite's ancestor as a murderer. This unlocks a chain of events that endangers Lucy, involves the Feds, and leads to a murder. Lucy's officemates and other quirky friends add spice to this delightful cozy. Readers will look forward to Lucy's further adventures. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
When genealogist Lucy Lancaster digs into the story behind a murder, she endangers herself and others who have clues to the death, which took place in 1849. Billionaire Gus Halloran, patriarch of an influential Texas family, hires Lucy to trace his family lineage. She finds a photograph of Seth Halloran's body, and the photographer's confession that he lied to hide the murder on behalf of another powerful family. Gus announces at a press conference that an ancestor of a Texas senator killed Seth and draws the wrong attention to Lucy's findings. Lucy feels guilty for the break-ins that follow, but it's the murder of her mentor and the dismissive attitude of an FBI agent that cause her to turn amateur sleuth. VERDICT The winner of Minotaur's Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel competition, this debut features an intelligent genealogist detective, a strong supporting cast, some romantic tension, and information about Texas history that should appeal to readers of Rett MacPherson's genealogy mysteries as well as cozy lovers who prefer a dash of history in their mysteries. [See Prepub Alert, 9/10/18.]-Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Texas genealogist's search for the truth of an old murder precipitates a present-day killing.Austin-based Lucy Lancaster is doing research for Texas legend Gus Halloran, who's convinced that his great-great grandfather Seth was murdered despite the 1849 newspaper stories that say he was trampled by a horse. The sole witness was photographer Jeb Inscore, and Lucy hits the jackpot when she visits his great-granddaughter Betty-Anne Inscore-Cooper, whose boxes of daguerreotypes include one that depicts Seth lying dead in a bloodstained shirt. Inscore's journals reveal that someone with the initials C.A. paid to have Seth murdered; the multiple hoof marks on his body were intended to hide a knife wound. The most likely candidates are Cantwell Ayers and Caleb Applewhite, whose descendant is running for the Senate against Halloran's son. Soon after a tipsy Lucy tells reporters at a news conference how she found the evidence of the old murder, she's visited by FBI Special Agent Ben Turner, who has a lot of annoying questions about her work for Halloran and her amateur investigation, as boxes of daguerreotypes have been stolen from Betty-Anne. Fortunately, Lucy's turned over the other daguerreotypes and journals to her friend Winnie Dell, the curator for a history center at the University of Texas at Austin. Unfortunately, Winnie is murdered and the daguerreotype of Seth stolen. Lucy's officemates, Serena and Josephine, are constantly trying to get their gal pal back in the dating game after a bad breakup. They consider Ben a good bet even though the pair constantly wrangle over Lucy's sleuthing. In the end, Lucy's hot-and-cold relationship with Ben helps to turn up more clues about the old murder that's caused her friend's death.A delightful debut spiced with a tempestuous romance and certain to appeal to fans of genealogical research and history. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
