A Man of His Word

Annie's Attic Mysteries #15

by Karen Kelly

For Annie Dawson, the discovery of an old Bible in the attic of her home is a link to family she really never knew. But the Bible of William Holden -- the uncle of Annie's grandfather Charles Holden and a Superior Court judge --harbors a dark secret, clues that lead Annie and her Hook and Needle Club friends back to a horrible crime. They also call into question Judge Holden's actions on the bench. What guilt did he apparently carry with him to the grave? Is there a way to reconcile the matter decades later? Or will the quest drive a permanent wedge between Annie and her family?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction

223 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Terri Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh goodness, not again. The Annie's Attic series of mysteries are written by different authors and I hate it when I get one and find that the author is a religious fanatic who shoves the bible and religion all around the book. This is one of those. Most of the books- fortunately- are not like that. Not recommended.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this is my first experience with the series, as this was the earliest volume in the series that I was able to find at a garage sale.

Now that I have that out of the way: The story was somewhat enjoyable, but a bit bland; maybe the other entries will be a bit more exciting.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a cozy Christian story that has a light mystery, this book is one you might enjoy.

The only problem I had was that this is volume 15 and there are LOTS of characters thrown in at the beginning. It would be beneficial to start at book one. Eventually I sorted the inhabitants of Stony Point, Maine and enjoyed their current mystery.

[Diane Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series that I am reading called Annies Attic... Annie has inherited her Grandmothers home in Stony Point, Maine. The treasures that she finds in the attic often have a mystery tied to them. This was one of my least favorites. Was a bit confusing and hard to follow. But I finished it and will go on to the next one soon.

[Josephine Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins at Thanksgiving. Annie Dawson is entertaining her daughter, son-in-law and twins, John and Joanna, who are visiting from Texas. They have been touring, but on the last day, before the visitors are due to leave it rains heavy, pelting rain. What to do? Explore the attic. There is so much up there. Betsy Holden never threw anything away. The attic is filled with treasures from so many.

Packed away, LeeAnn finds a very old Bible from back in time, over one hundred years ago. The Bible had belonged to Annie's grandfather's Uncle Will, a supreme court justice. Will and Ida never had children, but were involved with nieces and nephews. Annie felt Uncle Will had been the one who encouraged her grandfather to become a veterinarian, a good vet who loves animals.

Company goes back to Texas, Annie's days go back to normal. But loving mysteries and history, she begins to wonder about Uncle Will. What kind of man was he? A superior court judge of Maine.

Annie goes through his Bible, many notations and quotes from the Bible, many comments from this man. What could it all mean?

The long, cold, Maine winter arrives for Christmas. Annie draws in her friends from the Hook and Needle Club who also like mysteries and history. All become involved. Annie gets sick, a fever, her friends carry on plus Ian Butler, Stony Point's handsome mayor, a widower who likes Annie.

Annie, Alice, Peggy and Ian go to Portland, still looking for answers, to talk to people, to go back to a museum to look at historical papers to search for the character of William Frederick Holden. Who was this man?

There is much about food and craft work, of beautiful material and different articles made from all of the material. Very talented ladies.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story but it was slow moving. I liked the historical aspect to the story but also had questions. William, the judge, had made notations in his bible in Latin during a case long ago and when it was found in the attic Annie began trying to figure out what they meant. She discovered the link to the court case and with the help of some friends was able to find the meaning of the words and numbers. I just wonder what the purpose of those notes was. Did he make the notes with the hope that someone would figure them out or was he just making them for himself? What was the purpose of using Latin and Roman numerals? I don't think things are very cryptic and anyone could have looked up the meaning of them. Some of the details, like the identity of the woman on the receipts and who the wife of Ron really was, were not a surprise to me. I wish the ended had included some kind of official remedy to the situation to at least clear the family name. Maybe that was hinted at but it would have been better to include something like that than all the awkward stuff about having to show ID, fill out forms, and check purses at the Historical Research Center.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book fifteen of Annie's Attic series that takes place in Stony Point Maine. I like how this book gives you the comfortable at home feeling. This book starts at Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas eve. I like how this book is a nonmurder mystery. The mystery is a bible found with underlines, strange words, and notations. So Annie and friends have to figure out the mystery. This cozy has a cat named Boots. The characters are diverse and the pace is smooth. A keeper.

[Linda Klager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book # 15 in the Annie Attic's Mysteries has been read. I liked how all the friends of Annie's helped her recover from the flu. Each one made various soups or casseroles and also came to visit her. What a loving group of ladies there are in the Hook and Needle Club. I also liked how they hunted down clues for Annie while she was recovering from being sick.

[Deb Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. This one had a lot of Portland, Maine in it which is a very real city. Stony Point is of course fictitious town. The lead character Annie Dawson is written by each author in vivid detail and warmth. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting a good read and the full series each is equal in the story line being well plotted out.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

The mystery itself was pretty good (though ended a bit rushed), but I feel like the subplots about the club's Christmas project and the diner busboy got dropped pretty quickly.

[Wen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the entire series, with that said, I found many twists and turns throughout. I found the Bible entries were refreshing. It had an “old” feel to, just reminded me of old hymns. So far with having read 15 now, it wasn’t my favorite, but a refreshing change.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in the series takes a different approach as Annie is more of a secondary player to the story line. The location also shifts to Portland for most of the story. I do enjoy these ladies and their stories. This book was an enjoyable read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, it is just a fun read but interesting enough to keep you entertained.

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent mystery

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another very light Annie's Attic Mystery. Great for a snowy day of reading.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I liked that no one broke in her home this time. Good friends!

[Rita Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

History in the making and truth and justice prevail!!! Great mystery!

[Jeanette Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and new concept.

[Amanda Cornelissen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been a fun edition to the series, save for Annie’s man-cold and nonstop speak of religion.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoying the good little mysteries

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie’s attic mysteries and shirt, sweet and timeless…loved it

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Annie's Attic Mysteries. Annie's daughter finds an old family bible in Annie's attic while having an adventure with her twins & Annie. Annie notices some odd markings in the bible and after her family returns to Texas she and her friends set out to find the meaning of the markings. Annie gets sick so her friends pick up the slack until she's well enough to help them track down the answers. What happened surprised me and yet it didn't. Give these books a chance; they are all really good and you'll find each one has a subtle message woven throughout.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

#15 in the Annie's Attic Mysteries series. Annie discovers a Bible in the attic that belonged to her uncle who was a judge. It has some very curious notations in it. They point to a case he presided over and something he did as a result of the outcome. A very good story!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie finds an old bible in the attic of Grey Gables that she discovers belonged to a relative of hers who had served as a judge. The codes and clues he wrote in the margins of the bible lead Annie and her friends to the story of an historical event that occurred in Stony Point.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one as I have really liked this series of books. Some were complaining about the religious aspect to this one. No complaints from me. If more people were in Christ, it would be a good thing!

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery from Annie's attic! This time the clues are in an old Bible with underlining and added notes. Annie and friends had fun running down the clues and still had time for projects at the hook and needle club! Great fun!

[Ann Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mystery!! I couldn't put the book down!!

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy mystery to believe. No danger attached to it. Fun, easy summer book to read.

[Theresa Beauregard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to find out what the first book in this series is--the one where Annie inherits the house.