When the skeletal remains of a dismembered infant are found in an elderly couple’s garden, Quinn is called in to investigate the circumstances of the child’s death. As the case unfolds, she finds herself overwhelmed both by the tragedy she’s forced to witness and a devastating betrayal in her own life. Blindsided, Quinn must examine her own choices before she loses everything she holds dear.… dear.
1955. When Helen meets David, she thinks she’s finally met her soulmate, a man who not only loves her but understands her and shares her hopes for the future. When she stumbles onto a long-buried secret, she finds herself on a collision course with destiny and discovers that disaster can strike in unexpected ways.
more
In 2015 Dr. Quinn Allenby is called to inspect the skeletal remains of an infant for the hit TV show Echoes from the Past, a program that “solves” old murders and deaths from centuries ago. A mother herself, the work is especially difficult, as the remains have been tampered with and the skeleton is new enough that, for the first time, the family might be still alive. But with the help of a broach found with the baby, she’ll work to put a name to the remains.
In 1955 nurse Helen meets David, who sweeps her off her feet. At first, their courtship is secretive, as Helen’s mother despises the thought of her only child being whisked away. And once they’re allowed to wed, Helen believes herself to be the luckiest woman alive. But when a chance discovery in her mother’s bedroom threatens not only her marriage, but her immortal soul, Helen will have to decide if the truth is worth her happiness.
Through the decades, a secret has been kept, one buried in the garden of an unassuming London home.
As always, I was immediately drawn into the story in a way I’m normally not when it comes to most books. Falling back into Quinn’s complicated life with her messy, extended family is always fun, as is following her into the past to untangle the life of someone who’s only left bones behind. Her tale is one of back stabbing siblings, unreliable parents, and a marriage stronger than most I read about. She has to fight for the shreds of normalcy like packing her daughter Emma’s lunch for school and setting up coffee meetings with her boss in between fact checking her visions.
Since this is the last book in the series, I’ll miss it greatly. The way Shapiro is able to weave the past and present together to form a seamless story is something I’ll always admire. She ended the series in a strong, yet organic, way where most storylines are tied up, and while the future is uncertain for some of the cast, they’ve all more or less ended up just where they needed to be.
Overall, and as always, I recommend this book, and all of Echoes from the Past to all contemporary and historical fiction fans who are looking for their next 5 star read.
Having listened to all the books in this series I have to say this one started as the most macabre in the series. Will not enlighten you with more information (no spoilers).
It saddens me that this series is coming to an end, I will no longer get to visit with Quinn & Gabe, Alex & Emma.
If you haven’t started this this series go grab it now, it is well worth it.
Wendy again has done an excellent job narrating this story.
This is a fantastic series that I really enjoyed I love how the Author tided all the ends up. The Author has brought to fruition a fantastic series of stories in a very unique way that really kept me captivated. I could not put this listen down until I was done listening to it. The Author has done a fantastic job with this series and The Narrator has done a fantastic job with all the voices of the characters as well. I would love to see this series made into a series. But I definitely recommend this series the Author has a very creative mind and created a fantastic series. If I could give it more than 5 stars I definitely would.
Shauna Joesten