From New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly, Abby Kimball returns with stunning discoveries about her unusual ability to see the dead . . .Still undecided about a return to her teaching career, Abby Kimball has thrown herself into restoring the grand Victorian she shares with her boyfriend, Ned. She’s happy to put thoughts of her strange ability to see the dead on the back burner for a … on the back burner for a while, but she realizes that won’t be so easy when she’s faced with two new compelling encounters.
First, a plumber she’s hired has a shocking experience with an old tool they find buried in the house’s walls, and then the interior life of an autistic boy streams through her mind as if he were speaking. Intrigued by the possibility that those who share her ability are more numerous and considerably more varied than she ever imagined, Abby’s forced to reconsider everything she thought she knew about her extraordinary gift.
Inspired to learn more about autism and also the family history of her new plumber, Abby begins to dig deep on both topics and will discover a shocking connection that makes it clear that deeds from the past are reverberating still in the present . . .
About the Author:
Sheila Connolly is an Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated author who writes four bestselling cozy mystery series: the Museum Mysteries, the Orchard Mysteries, the County Cork Mysteries, and the Relatively Dead Mysteries. In addition, she has published Once She Knew, a romantic suspense; Reunion with Death, a traditional mystery set in Tuscany; and a number of short stories. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three cats and travels to Ireland as often as possible.
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Abigail (Abby) Kimball, has a unique gift in that she can commune with the dead. Ned Newhall, is Abby’s significant other, who also shares this gift and happens to be a distant relative of Abby’s. Abby watches Ned’s daughter, Ellie, on occasion, who also shares this unique gift. Ellie informs Abby about the new kid in school, Danny. Danny is autistic and Abby suspects he is psychic.
The story surrounds Abby and Ned trying to find others similar to themselves. Abby feels something is missing from her life, and is looking for ways to spend her time. She is a former teacher, and due in part of meeting Danny, decides to find out if her gift can help reach children who are autistic. Abby considers opening a school or after school program.
I loved how the author brought the topic of autism into the story, and thought it was interesting that an autistic child could be reached using a special gift. Abby’s interaction with a student, who never spoke was intriguing. I, also enjoyed the encounters with the dead, and the effects on the those who touched objects.
However, there seemed to be a lot of repetitive dialog, that got annoying. There was repeated sentences how Ned was Ellie’s father, and he passed his psychic trait onto Ellie. Abby’s relationship with Leslie, Ellie’s mother, was repetitively stated. Also, mentioned more than necessary was eating where each chapter included Abby and Ned trying to figure out breakfast, lunch or dinner and whose turn it was to cook. Then there was Abby’s wishy-washy attitude about starting a program for special needs children with psychic abilities. The repeating, seemed to be more of a filler, and not really contributing anything more to the story.
This book, had some interesting aspects that I enjoyed. I would’ve liked to have read more of a storyline around communing with the dead and special needs children.
I received an ARC from NetGalley by Beyond The Page Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.
Revealing the Dead by Sheila Connolly is the sixth installment in Relatively Dead Mysteries. Abby Kimball is still contemplating what she wants to do career wise. In the meantime, she is going to work on renovating the Victorian home she shares with New Newhall. Abby decides to start with the tiny half bath on the first floor and contacts Maguire Plumbing. After agreeing to do away with the unusable little room, Jack Maguire starts dismantling it. Inside the back wall he finds an old wrench that belonged to his father. Abby can tell that Jack got a psychic shock when he touched the tool, but he takes off before Abby can talk to him. She wonders how the tool got left inside the wall and wonders if Jack Maguire has similar special abilities. Through Ellie Walker, Abby is introduced to her new classmate, Danny Allen. Ellie believes that the young autistic boy has abilities similar to her own and they can communicate in a special way. When Abby gets an opportunity to meet Danny, she is surprised by the colorful visions she receives from him. Abby begins by researching the Maguire family tree and then learns more about autism. Abby soon learns that an incident from the past has startling implications for those in the present day. Join Abby on her journey in Revealing the Dead.
Revealing the Dead is not a standalone novel. Each book in the Relatively Dead Mysteries builds upon the previous one as Abby and Ned learn more about their special abilities. It was nice to catch up with Abby and Ned in Lexington. However, I am not thrilled with the direction the series has taken (too much science). I find myself frustrated with Abby. She has such a wonderful gift and she has failed to fully explore it. Abby spent a significant amount of time researching in this story which slowed down the pace of the book plus there was a lack of action. I thought the writing was stilted which is unusual for this author and there was too much repetition. I felt that Revealing the Dead could have used polishing. My favorite character is Ellie Walker. She is a smart young lady who is open and accepting of her gift. I like her inquisitive nature and her acceptance of others. It was wonderful the way she stood up for Danny against bullies (it was handled very well). I believe it is past time for her mother, Leslie to step up. She needs to work on her relationship with Ned and Abby for Ellie’s sake. The ending felt incomplete. We are not told what decision Abby made regarding the Birch School. I am hoping to see Abby’s character grow in the next book. She has yet to complete anything since the beginning of the series. It would be nice if there was less science and more paranormal. I am rating Revealing the Dead 3 out of 5 stars.