Blood-Tied

by Wendy Percival

A desperate crime, kept secret for 60 years... but time has a way of exposing the truth... Esme Quentin is devastated when her sister Elizabeth is beaten unconscious, miles from her home. Two days later Esme discovers that Elizabeth has a secret past. Desperate for answers which the comatose Elizabeth cannot give, Esme enlists the help of her friend Lucy to search for the truth, unaware of the dangerous path she is treading. Together they unravel a tangle of bitterness, blackmail and dubious inheritance, and as the harrowing story is finally revealed, Esme stumbles upon evidence of a pitiful crime. Realising too late the menace she has unwittingly unleashed, Esme is caught up in a terrifying ordeal. One that will not only test her courage and sanity but force her to confront her perception of birth and family.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller

246 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Wendy Percival comes from the UK and lives in South West England.

The time honoured 'box of old documents in the attic' stirred her interest in Family History and it was while researching her Shropshire roots she got the idea for the first Esme Quentin mystery, BLOOD-TIED.

She continues to be intrigued by genealogy, its mysteries and 'skeletons in cupboards' and writes on the subject in her family history blog http://familyhistorysecrets.blogspot.com

In between times she shares her thoughts on surprising family history discoveries, on books and on writing in her "Bite-size Blog" https://www.wendypercival.co.uk/blog

Reviews

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many Indie published books that for one reason or another need that little bit extra polishing to turn it from an 'it's OK' book into a good book - this isn't one of them. Blood-tied is already a good book!
The plot has a good pace, the writing style is professional, the research is thorough, the characters are believable and the production quality is first class.
It is an intriguing book with some carefully and cleverly crafted twists.
Highly recommended.

(I know the author as I am published with the same publishing house - SilverWood Books Ltd, however this is a genuine review submitted in good faith as a review of an enjoyable novel)

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"I am happy to recommend this to those who like a gentle mystery but, more specifically, to those who have themselves wandered into the labyrinth of genealogy. I am also of the opinion that this would make an enjoyable mini-series on the small screen."

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of Wendy Percival’s Esme Quentin genealogical tales. I read the second one recently which stands alone very well but I thought it would make sense to read the first now. It’s a mystery, has touches of thriller but mainly it explores what it is to be ‘family’. Esme’s sister Liz is in hospital, in a coma. It could be because of an accident but it’s possibly as a result of an attack as she was seen arguing with someone shortly beforehand. Her niece, Gemma, is not particularly pleased when Esme starts to investigate.

I enjoyed the characters in this story and began to care about them. Without giving the story away, I especially like Polly, the elderly lady who seemed careless of her own assets and happy to see them disposed of at a snip of a price. Esme wants to help her but finds out far more about her own and Polly’s families as she does so. It’s a great story, well researched and it never dragged for a moment.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a murder being committed in the first few pages, this debut novel had me gripped from the start. I've read quite a few books of this genre and what pleased me most about this one was that, unlike others, it didn't rely upon coincidence - there was a tangible plot. I've already downloaded the next Esme book to read!

[Lucienne Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read with an engaging heroine in Esme Quentin, who has what sounds like a dream job - doing historical research all day! She also finds herself attempting to untangle a geneological mystery in her own family's past which turns into something altogether darker...good mystery, great character, fun read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Wendy contacted me to ask if I would like to review her book, I didn’t need any persuading. The storyline sounded just my cup of tea and I’m very pleased to say I haven’t been disappointed.

The story starts with a death – apparently caused deliberately. We don’t know why or even who the victim is but it sets the tone for a story of family secrets, blackmail and murder.

When Esme Quentin’s sister Elizabeth is fighting for her life in hospital after being found unconscious in a park, it is unclear whether she has been attacked or if she simply fell. In the meantime, whilst Esme and Elizabeth’s daughter Gemma are at Elizabeth’s cottage they discover a family secret which forces Esme to question everything she thought she knew about her sister. Although Gemma doesn’t approve of Esme digging into her mother’s affairs, Esme feels compelled to find out more and her experience as a journalist and lately a history researcher stand her in good stead for the intrigue that she is about to uncover. However, she can have no idea of the consequences of opening Pandora’s Box nor of the danger she could be facing.

Using her knowledge of genealogy and research, the author has written a very clever mystery. The characterisations are excellent; Esme was a great lead character and I really enjoyed spending time with her. The tragedy and sadness of her past has made her a tenacious character - she is determined to search for the truth and will not be frightened off. All through the book there are twists and turns to keep the suspense going and these certainly made me want to keep turning the pages.

This was a very enjoyable read and one that I would definitely recommend. I understand that the author’s next book also features Esme – one I will definitely look out for.

[E.L. Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood-Tied is a gentle mystery that intrigued me from the very first page. The novel opens with a prologue in which a murder is committed, ensuring that the reader’s interest is hooked. The story then slows down as we are introduced to Esme Quentin, a researcher with a troubled past, whose sister is in hospital after being found unconscious. It soon becomes clear to the reader that the mystery surrounding what happened to Esme’s sister is somehow connected to the opening murder. The painstaking resolution that comes about through Esme’s research reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle, where each piece of new information represents a small clue. I really like the fact that Esme and her friend Lucy, who works in the records’ office and assists Esme with her research, are very ordinary women with no particular skills when it comes to crime fighting. Rather they use their tenacious love of research to get to the bottom of the situation, which felt like a bit of a victory for those of us who are library geeks. I loved the relationship between the two women as it felt like a real friendship. Wendy Percival gives us a well written, engaging story with a very satisfying conclusion.

[Tracey Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cracking mystery story that I quickly became entangled in and didn't come close to solving.
"Esme Quentin is devastated when her sister Elizabeth is beaten unconscious, miles from her home. Two days later Esme discovers that Elizabeth has a secret past. Desperate for answers which the comatose Elizabeth cannot give, Esme enlists the help of her friend Lucy to search for the truth, unaware of the dangerous path she is treading. Together they unravel a tangle of bitterness, blackmail and dubious inheritance, and as the harrowing story is finally revealed, Esme stumbles upon evidence of a pitiful crime."
I loved the character of Esme and will definitely be putting her next adventure on my wishlist. Genealogy is an intriguing subject in itself and with the added elements in this story it made for a very satisfying read.
At times I got a bit lost as to how all the characters fitted in, but otherwise I found Blood-tied highly enjoyable. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good mystery that presents you with a challenging puzzle.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of the book.

[Georgia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page in this fast flowing story of family history and intrigue. Esme Quentin starts to investigate when her sister is attacked and hospitalised and the plot becomes complicated from there with many twists and surprises along the route, none of which I want to reveal. Percival keeps the writing tight and I found the pages turned easily, so keen was I to find out the answers in this gripping mystery.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme Quentin doesn’t let life pass her by. This curious widow spends her days researching genealogy for clients but in “Blood-Tied,” she is shocked to discover an unexpected secret in her own family history. After her sister, Elizabeth, is discovered unconscious in a park and a sinister black Audi appears more than once, Esme decides she must investigate Elizabeth’s unexplained relationship with Mrs Roberts, an old lady residing in Wisteria House.

Despite an ongoing police investigation and the resistance of Elizabeth’s daughter Gemma, Esme is drawn ever deeper into secrets and intrigue which endanger her and her family. The story is compelling and impossible to predict and will appeal to those who enjoy mysteries or those interested in genealogy.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this tale of family intrigue with enough twists to not want to put it down!

[L MCLEOD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about a new character and the links between her research and solving mysteries. Esme is a sympathetic lead character who I think I will enjoy getting to know over the series of books.

[Marlee (Loganalogy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good Genealogical mystery! Lots of twists and turns. Well done!

[Lesley Lambourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and attention-holding plot, which warranted four stars. However, the 'over-detail' of some of the domestuc passages (I particularly remember a piece about making tea in the kitchen) can be quite annoying...I also found I wanted to know more about Tim's accident and how Esme became scarred; both have obviously contributed to Esme as portrayed here. Perhaps a back story novel?
I will read more from this author.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Good Reads.

Brilliant, outstanding.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is extremely well written & keeps you guessing from beginning to end.

I started delving into my family tree a few years ago & know that a snippet of information, can lead to all sorts of places & knowledge.

This is what this book does, keeping you guessing from beginning to end. The snippets of information lead to lots of clues & drive Esme on to discovering more & more, until the puzzle is finally solved.

I read the prologue & nearly forgot about it as I was tied up in all the different characters & what the added to the story.
Family history, family drama, mystery - I could not put it down.

[Angela Sciurca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the books I won on goodreads. It was very timely because I am currently in the process of searching my own lineage. It was interesting because we also have some adoptions in our family and to this date I don't know if one of them knows he was adopted 50 years ago. I enjoy British authors and this was a very easy read. I pass my books on to friends and family who are readers, so we all get to enjoy this one. Thanks again for the lovely story.

[Kathy Shuker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. It's an engaging mystery in which a suspicious accident and the discovery of a long-standing family secret set off a search for more information and a chain of events with dangerous consequences. The genealogy background to the story is fascinating and clearly well-researched. I believe this is the first book in a series with the same appealing central character and I look forward to reading the next.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps a little slow to start with, as the mystery unfolds, but well written and researched with good family history content. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The Indelible Stain.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. When her sister Elizabeth is injured, Esme is surprised to discover that Elizabeth was adopted. Since Elizabeth is in a coma, and despite the objections of Elizabeth's daughter, Gemma, Esme is determined to learn more. Although it was a fascinating story, at times it seemed like there may have been search techniques that she did not pursue. Enjoyable, quick read. Recommended.

[Xondra Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Copy via Goodreads First Reads *

I'm not going to get into spoilers, but I will say that I was pleasantly surprised reading this book. It was a good read filled with mystery and suspense. Many thanks to the author for offering the copies up on Goodreads First Reads.

[Cornelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most enjoyable, well written novel. Lead character has a lot of "substance" and the plot is intrigueing from the start.Well researched giving the story plenty of body and stops it being a bare bones tale.
I look forward to reading more from this author - I see a new Esme novel is imminent!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Blood-tied #NetGalley

A well written historical novel. The mystery and the narrations are deep and bold. A good novel for intrigue lovers.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read all books in the series and I can highly recommend these stories !

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme's sister Elizabeth is attacked and left in a coma. As Esme seeks to find out why she unearths a decades old mystery.

I enjoyed this book & found its story telling perfectly adequate though not special. It is an ideal light read verging on a cozy crime style book.

The characters were not as well developed as I felt they could have been. We do get dribs and drabs of Esme's past but I never felt that any of this developed her into a rounded character that I could understand. I found some of her behaviour at odds with other actions. Her niece, Gemma, was even more strange. Why would anyone not move heaven & earth to discover what had happened to their Mother? Why would you totally disengage from your only family support whilst your Mother is in a coma?As the older person why did Esme not try to find common ground & not leave it so she didn't connect or support her niece for days on end?

There were some occasions where I felt the conclusions reached by Esme & her friend Lucy were a little unlikely & the connection quite tenuous. On other occasions she was definitely quite dense! However, this is fiction & as a reader I am happy to allow some leeway despite it grating slightly.

This is a debut book which was a good enough read. Perhaps the author's future books will settle a bit & she will get into her stride. I will certainly be prepared to give another one a try.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley

[Ann taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure at first as I'm an avid fan of Nathan Dylan Goodwin and similar, it was hard going for a while then as the story unfolded I really got into Esme whose not a professional Genealogist but she is good at following her nose to uncover what she shouldn't really be getting involved in. She's a women after my own heart of determination, strength and character. In the end I have come to really like Esme and have read Book2. New authors sometimes take a bit of time to develop characters and Esme is beginning to definitely develop.
Not going to give any spoilers just because of the character development, she grew on me and even more in book2 , looking forward to book3

[Sandra Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Genealogical Puzzle

After researching my family for many years, I find genealogical mysteries enjoyable. Of the authors I have found in this genre, the most interesting have been in Great Britain. Based on this introduction to Esme Quentin, I found her to be more of an historical researcher than a genealogist. While family tree data plays a role in the story, numerous other factors form the plot. So far, I don’t find the primary characters compelling, but that could evolve as I explore more books in the series.

[Judi K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plodding. I found the story so slow and got fed up with Esme's constant questions to herself. The reader doesn't need to know every single thought that comes into her head. That, and the unnecessary detail of trivial things such as: washing a dish after her muesli and putting it on the rack; explaining why she turned up her collar while walking under a dripping branch; detailing the calling of a lift and pressing the button of the relevant floor. Just too much triviality in boring detail. The story itself was unconvincing and I just didn't care.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using genealogy to solve a mystery

Professional genealogists uses her skills to solve mystery involving her own family. I enjoyed following the process and was often amused at the main character's nosiness but also frustrated when she failed to make what I thought were obvious connections.

[Pilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like genealogical mysteries, Esme Quentin mysteries should be up your alley. Set in England, in modern times. Esme is quite clever, but also quite tied up by fear of upsetting someone. If she would be more forthcoming, solutions would come more easily!

[Ajoyful1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

my first read by Wendy Percival but not my last

I love genealogical fiction. From the first page of this book I was hooked. There was history, and mystery too! Great combination and really enjoyable story. On to my next from Wendy P!

[Katie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly well written and a really good mystery

I cared so much about the characters that I could barely wait to get to the end. The author kept her cards close to her chest and for once I was completely surprised but satisfied by the ending. Highly recommended.