series

When "Torie" is not pointing out the fine craftmanship of an antique writing desk to tourists or sandbagging around her home to keep the mighty Mississippi from sweeping her life away, she freelances in genealogical research. Local antique shop owner Norah Zumwaldt employs Torie to track the whereabouts of the father she never knew, believed KIA during World War II. Torie accepts the challenge; she is intrigued by the mystery of the project, but finds herself embroiled in a bigger mystery when Nora is murdered. Clearly for Torie it's one more death year to add to the tree and her family hopes she will leave it at that. If she did, though, there wouldn't be a story.

The search for Norah's killer encompasses Torie's expertise in research, as it appears some "family skeletons" just won't stay in the closet, not to mention some long-lost relatives and a slew of unsolved murders from the past that may be linked to Norah's. Bolstered by Torie's witty yet sometimes exhausted point-of-view (what mother of two small children with a full-time doesn't get tired sometimes?), Family Skeletons is a light, cozy read one can finish rather quickly.

Be warned, however, of a brief continuity error that may leave you scratching your head more so than the actual mystery: early on in the story Torie is talking to a contact and mentions that the last time she saw him was at his mother's funeral. A few sentences later she is threatening the fellow with telling his mother about a past affair of his unless he delivers some important information. I admit I had to read the passage a few times to get that straight. I'm sure it is just an oversight that didn't get corrected in the final editing (unless I read it wrong). It shouldn't, however, divert you from the main mystery.

So many "new" authors, so little time to read. This was an excellent page turner. Genealogy can reveal many interesting secrets. "Torie" O'Shea and her family are a good new entry into the mystery field. Enough suspense to keep you guessing and enough clues to help you figure out the crime. This is the second author I've taken to recently from this group. Laurell K Hamilton also writes an excellent story. Keep up the good work.

I read "Family Skeletons" in one sitting and loved every word of it. My mother read it and enjoyed. Also, my local public librarian requested it on loan from another library and enjoyed it as well. It is a wonderful synopsis of the life of a genealogist. Very well thought out and well written. A must read for any mystery/genealogy reader. I can't wait for the next one.