Murder Once Removed

Sometimes I get so busy that I don’t catch all the books flying at me for giveaways, ARCs, or blog tours. Other times, I’m lucky to have friends who know me incredibly well. Nina (@TheCozyPages) privately messaged me to ensure I saw this book was available for a blog tour. I hadn’t caught it, but then I immediately signed up for a read and review. I have limited time while I’m writing my own books to allow me to take on anything more than a regular read / review, but this was one blog tour I didn’t want to miss. My post isn’t for another 7 days, but I’m writing the review now while it’s fresh in my mind! Then I’ll add in all the graphics and other content to lure the readers in! What a funtastic read… I’m glad and grateful for the opportunity. Where to start?

A genealogical mystery? Hmm… three of my favorite things include genealogy, mysteries, and book series. It’s a setup, I was bound to love it. S.C. Perkins’ debut in the ‘Ancestry Detective’ cozy series, Murder Once Removed, is a strong lead in for the future. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading it. For instance, would the murder occur in history or in something more current? Would it potentially contain murders in both as well as flip between time periods so we know what happened years ago? Possibly… I can’t give away all the secrets, now can I? Ultimately, I was quite happy with the structure, story, and approach.

Lucy Lancaster, a ~30ish genealogist in Texas, is hired to trace the family tree for a wealthy family whose son is running for office. It seems the opponent is someone who has it in for the family, too. When the patriarch also asks the protagonist to prove someone murdered a relative in the mid/late 19th century, Lucy digs up photographic evidence that it wasn’t just an accident. But when she traces a long-lost journal that identifies the initials and a few facial features of the killer, it can only be referring to a handful of people from that period. And one of them is related to the opponent. How deadly will this secret be to keep? Quite deadly if you don’t watch you back. Someone wants Lucy to stop her research, but she’s passionate about solving her cases.

What a different way to tell the story! From reading land records to tracing family trees, the various suspects are revealed along with the usual motive, opportunity, and means thrown in by the pesky police. Yes, if you’re not a fan of genealogy, you might not love the frequent references to “third cousin once removed” versus “great great great this or that…” but for me, it was a thrilling ride. I love this type of stuff and truly connected with the characters and the investigation. A few folks might notice some minor liberties with what documentation or artifacts were available specific to that region or time period, but ultimately, this is fiction… and it will always have some level of exaggeration to fit the plot. I read a book for the story and the beauty in how it comes together, not to find an exact perfect replica of reality. I already have that am trying to escape it! 🙂

I will definitely continue with this series and can’t wait for the next one!

For mystery lovers of any generation, S.C. Perkins has penned a captivating new series that is equal parts dangerous and delightful, witty and well-plotted. Murder Once Removed has it all: a plucky heroine, effortless prose, and a healthy dose of Southern Charm, along with fascinating genealogical details, wonderful characters, and a multi-generational crime to solve. This is cozy crime fiction at its finest.

MURDER ONCE REMOVED by S.C. Perkins is the first book in the Ancestry Detective series. It’s the story of Lucy Lancaster who owns Ancestry Investigations. She’s a sweet southern gal who is not only very smart but definitely packs a lot of spunk for her petite size. Lucy shares her office space with Josephine Haroldson and Serena Vogel, each with their own companies and her best friends.

The story opens with Lucy thinking she is at the end of her assignment of trying to help Gus Halloran trace his family ancestors. In doing so, checking out any records she can find, DNA and official documents, she was to try to figure out if his distant relative, Seth, had indeed been murdered as his wife claimed and if so were any clues to be found as to who did the deed. She presents her finding to Gus showing his family linage and telling him that Seth had been murdered. She also tells him that she has proof thanks to Jeb Inscore who left not only journals behind detailing the murder, but also photographic proof.

Lucy is intrigued by information she’s found, but it lead to a possibility of two suspects with the initials C.A. When Gus takes it upon himself to make this information public accusing his son’s political rival as THE C. A., troubles begin and danger lurks.

When Dr. Winnie Dell, curator of the Hamilton American History Center at the University of Texas at Austin, and dear friend to Lucy, is murdered after agreeing to help Lucy continue the research to figure out which C. A. really was guilty of murder, Lucy takes the news hard and is more than determined to finish her research and aid in figuring out who murdered her friend.

S. C. Perkins, takes us on an exciting roller coaster ride that will have you turning pages and shaking your head. There are clues being uncovered on the murder from 1849 that tie into the murder of Dr. Dell in the present day. We see the showing of supportive friends from Flaco of Big Flaco’s Tacos, who considers Lucy like another daughter (who happens to have a past and evidently enough pull in the present to pull strings) and her roomies who finally find history research fun who are always in Lucy’s corner, to even a feline determined to help the one that feeds him (now known as NPH – Neil Patrick HEROcat). These make the story believable, make your mouth water and even chuckle here and there. There are dangerous attempts to life and limb that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat hoping that the sometimes irritating but rather handsome Special Agent Benton A. Turner (aka Ben or BAT in the Bureau) will show up to save the day. All the while being informative and showing us how to trace a family tree and explaining how clues can be followed up on. There is even a genealogy relationship table in the front of the book that helps explain family linage.

I highly recommend MURDER ONCE REMOVED to anyone that loves a great cozy mystery, shaking family trees finding out that all that falls out isn’t always pleasant but still forms who we are, or if you just love a well written, exciting story. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out to see what adventures Lucy Lancaster will take us on. It will be exciting to see if there is a future together for Lucy and Ben.

Murder Once Removed is unique for cozy mysteries. Our main character, Lucy Lancaster is a genealogist who runs a company called Ancestry Investigations. She can uncover your ancestors, provide a family tree, obtain photographs, and so much more (I had no idea). Lucy can provide a beautifully bound book and a website for her clients is they desire. She uses land records, census records, journals, photographs and numerous other resources (there is a veritable font of information available if you know where to look). I would have liked more information on Lucy and for her to come across as a more mature main character (not the best idea to get blotto in front of a client). Though I do find it appealing that she is a Downton Abbey fan. There are two intertwined mysteries in Murder Once Removed. The death of Seth Halloran from 1849 and the current murder of Winnie Dell. I like how the two mysteries relate to each other and that they were wrapped up at the end of the book. There is action as Lucy evades the killer. She asks questions and does research to solve the two crimes. I do wish that the modern mystery had been laid out differently. It is the type that plays out with little opportunity for the reader to solve (which is my favorite part). There is interesting genealogical information and history included in the story (though I am still baffled by the once removed—there is a handy chart included). Special Agent Ben Turner was an interesting, handsome and charming character. His history background gives him plenty in common with Lucy who finds him attractive. There were sparks flying between the pair. I liked the humorous dialogue between them at the end (made me laugh). Murder Once Removed is an enticing new cozy mystery that will appeal to the history and genealogy enthusiasts.

I loved the inclusion of Geneological terminology in this book. The author did a fabulous job and the mystery was totally believable.

I only read the first chapter. The writing was a little clunky for me and I had so many other books waiting I put it down.

S.c. Perkins is a new author for me but the subject sounded interesting so i decided to give her first book a try. Let me tell you I really enjoyed it it was different but kept me interested to the end I will get more of her.

Having lived in the Texas hill country for 20 years and carrying a proud Texas name, I was really delighted with the premise. Any genealogy buff will be too. Not to mention that it’s a rootin’ tootin’ exciting story!! Completely plausible for Austin too

This was a really interesting book. Lucy is a genealogist and has been working with a wealthy client. When she comes across proof showing that the man’s ancestor had actually been murdered in the 1800s, it causes a chain of unfortunate events. A break in where historical journals were stolen at the home of the ancestor of the witness to the murder, the present day murder of Lucy’s friend, Winnie, who is killed trying to protect the photo evidence of the murder, a break in at Lucy’s office, and an attack on her with the killer demanding she give them the missing journal page. Add in FBI agent Ben and Lucy’s life becomes intriguing and interesting. I found this book fascinating and it made me want to look more into my family history. I am looking forward to reading more of this series and hope to see a relationship develop between Ben and Lucy!

This book has an interesting main character. Lucy Lancaster is a genealogist and is researching the family history of a prominent Texas family. While doing her research Lucy comes across some interesting information about one of the great, great grandfathers of Gus, the man that hired her. The history and genealogy that is revealed in this book is very interesting and it leads to a present day murder. How could something that happened over 160 years ago have such an impact on current events? While Lucy tries to figure that out, the local police, an FBI officer, a senator and Lucy’s friends are all drawn into it. I liked Lucy and Serena and Josephine, her two best friends, and look forward to learning more about them in future books.