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A Habit Of Dying
The compelling story of Lydia Silverstream and her attempts to reunite a family heirloom with its rightful owner. Amongst the box of old photo albums she discovers a sinister journal, both the key to one puzzle and an enigma in itself.
Lydia’s enquiries take her from her home in Oxford to Cockermouth and the Lake District, to Cambridge, Essex and the Sussex coast. Along the way she meets Stephen, who becomes the sounding-board for her theories. As the original purpose of her quest is fulfilled, the potentially homicidal secrets of the journal emerge. Lydia’s worst suspicions appear to be confirmed when she uncovers the circumstances of the journal writer’s death.
Lydia’s enquiries take her from her home in Oxford to Cockermouth and the Lake District, to Cambridge, Essex and the Sussex coast. Along the way she meets Stephen, who becomes the sounding-board for her theories. As the original purpose of her quest is fulfilled, the potentially homicidal secrets of the journal emerge. Lydia’s worst suspicions appear to be confirmed when she uncovers the circumstances of the journal writer’s death.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 7, 2014
This is an unusual book and therefore hard to cateogrise. Lydia a divorced woman in her 40's has a passion for family history, not her own, instead she sets herself a puzzle by bidding for a lot of albums at an auction. Once she has taken the box she finds photo albums, postcards and ledgers filled with notes and sets about finding someone to inherit these items and along with all the facts she finds out along the way.
Following Lydia's trail as someone interested in family history was a joy, for me it is the stories behind the names that tantalise me, and this book drip feeds the information in a way that truly imitates the sudden falling into place when the right pieces of the puzzle fit together, along with the stubborn brick walls when there seems no way to go any further.
The writing in the ledger was appears only to have come from experience so painfully and honestly did the writer illustrate their despair, a talented piece of writing indeed.
The book slowly builds up the picture of the people pictured at Lowlands, the writing in the ledger is a little more ambiguous and difficult to solve, like real life, sometimes it depends on your viewpoint to what the truth behind the lives really were. In modern day life Lydia makes some friends, some perhaps who will become more than friends and begins to live life in the present as well as the past.
Following Lydia's trail as someone interested in family history was a joy, for me it is the stories behind the names that tantalise me, and this book drip feeds the information in a way that truly imitates the sudden falling into place when the right pieces of the puzzle fit together, along with the stubborn brick walls when there seems no way to go any further.
The writing in the ledger was appears only to have come from experience so painfully and honestly did the writer illustrate their despair, a talented piece of writing indeed.
The book slowly builds up the picture of the people pictured at Lowlands, the writing in the ledger is a little more ambiguous and difficult to solve, like real life, sometimes it depends on your viewpoint to what the truth behind the lives really were. In modern day life Lydia makes some friends, some perhaps who will become more than friends and begins to live life in the present as well as the past.
January 28, 2020
I looked forward to reading this book as I'm a keen family historian. I was a little disappointed. There was so much detail about the research than anyone not experienced would find it boring. THe number of names is confusing. There's no need to give details of the streets characters drive or walk down as this means nothing to people who don't know the towns involved.
I did get into the story and was interested to finish it.
I did get into the story and was interested to finish it.
July 27, 2011
I had the pleasure of reading the beginning chapters of A Habit of Dying when the author D.J. Wiseman was still in the polishing stages at the writer critique site YouWriteOn. At the time I remember thinking the plot an intriguing idea. I very much wanted to read the rest and was not to be disappointed when I finally got my chance. All families have skeletons in the closet and the family Lydia Silverstream begins to study after she finds an old box of photo albums is no different. Like any buried secrets however, these try to stay hidden in the dark. Lydia must all but become a real life detective to force them into giving up their secrets. The journal she finds and begins to transcribe from almost eligible handwriting brings to life in vivid detail a tortured soul in the past. Not only could I visualize this man in my mind, I found myself feeling for him as he most assuredly had a mental breakdown.
The writing is fantastic, painting a full 3D picture as the author weaves his magic and pulls the reader alongside a very believable character in Lydia Silverstream. Read along and find out how the past can sometimes mirror what is taking place in the present. I became so thoroughly engrossed in the story—the journal, pictures, and where it would all lead—that I couldn’t put it down until I turned the very last page. Ah, but then this sets Lydia up for another fantastical journey, one I’ll be sure to be watching out for as she starts another investigation into the past.
The writing is fantastic, painting a full 3D picture as the author weaves his magic and pulls the reader alongside a very believable character in Lydia Silverstream. Read along and find out how the past can sometimes mirror what is taking place in the present. I became so thoroughly engrossed in the story—the journal, pictures, and where it would all lead—that I couldn’t put it down until I turned the very last page. Ah, but then this sets Lydia up for another fantastical journey, one I’ll be sure to be watching out for as she starts another investigation into the past.
May 30, 2022
This book has been popping up on my kindle recommendations for a while, willing me to read it but I read others. This week I gave in and thought I'd give it a go. Why or why did I wait so long? I have a keen interest in family history, not always my own, I thought Lydia Silverstream very much me. A person who searches until answers are found. Her find in a auction house of photo albums and a journal led her to search news paper archives, websites and visiting the places mentioned to put together peices of the puzzle to find a family member so that she can return the albums. The mystery is a journal, the conclusion intriguing and also sad.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 23, 2023
Overall, far too much detail and all the different names got confusing. The journal was very odd and I skipped over most of that as I found it depressing.
Having said all that I will still give the next one in the series a try.
Having said all that I will still give the next one in the series a try.
February 7, 2020
Far to much unnecessary information !
July 29, 2013
The premise is very good--that Lydia went to an estate sale and picked up a box full of albums. Then she very painstakingly teased out the details to put the story of the family together. Her purpose was to locate a living descendant to whom she could give the family history along with the albums. As an amateur genealogist myself, it sounds like fun thing to try sometime, possibly.
I read this book on my kindle. I thought it would have been really nice to see a family tree of the subject family or photos that were discussed, if they exist. There is a statement at the beginning that led me to believe that most of this story was true. I thought the story became bogged down at times with entirely too much detail on how the research was done--as if the author was teaching genealogy methods. There was too much on where the various members of the family fit on the tree. So without a tree to look at, I was unable to follow it. Perhaps the hardcopy of the book shows such a tree.
Be forewarned that there is not a lot of closure to the ending.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down while it was flowing. I would read other books by this author.
I read this book on my kindle. I thought it would have been really nice to see a family tree of the subject family or photos that were discussed, if they exist. There is a statement at the beginning that led me to believe that most of this story was true. I thought the story became bogged down at times with entirely too much detail on how the research was done--as if the author was teaching genealogy methods. There was too much on where the various members of the family fit on the tree. So without a tree to look at, I was unable to follow it. Perhaps the hardcopy of the book shows such a tree.
Be forewarned that there is not a lot of closure to the ending.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down while it was flowing. I would read other books by this author.
December 10, 2010
A fantastic novel about family history and intrigue set in Oxford, England....but then I would say that - the author is my father!
Transparency rules.
Here is the official bumf:
From her home in Oxford, Lydia’s travels take her to the Lake District, Cambridge, Essex and Sussex. Along the way she meets Stephen, who becomes the sounding-board for her theories. She also meets Dorothy, a descendant of the long lost family. As the original purpose of her quest is fulfilled, the potentially deadly secrets of the journal emerge. Lydia’s worst suspicions appear to be confirmed when she uncovers the circumstances of the journal writer’s death. But even then the truth remains elusive.
The author has drawn on a wide range of experience and enthusiasms to create a compelling novel that will attract puzzle solvers and family historians alike. Combined with a strong sense of time and place, A Habit of Dying will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.
Transparency rules.
Here is the official bumf:
From her home in Oxford, Lydia’s travels take her to the Lake District, Cambridge, Essex and Sussex. Along the way she meets Stephen, who becomes the sounding-board for her theories. She also meets Dorothy, a descendant of the long lost family. As the original purpose of her quest is fulfilled, the potentially deadly secrets of the journal emerge. Lydia’s worst suspicions appear to be confirmed when she uncovers the circumstances of the journal writer’s death. But even then the truth remains elusive.
The author has drawn on a wide range of experience and enthusiasms to create a compelling novel that will attract puzzle solvers and family historians alike. Combined with a strong sense of time and place, A Habit of Dying will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.
August 11, 2011
I thought A Habit of Dying was a cracking good read. It uses the rather original device of hanging a mystery and several very human storylines on the process of genealogical research. Clearly an experienced genealogist Mr Wiseman creates an intriguing mystery which is by no means a dry description of a research project. The characters were very well drawn and I found myself very involved with both the living and the dead. And I learned something about the business of genealogy.
Can't wait for Mr Wiseman's next novel!
Can't wait for Mr Wiseman's next novel!
October 30, 2016
Lydia, a rather frumpy and insecure 40-ish divorcee, has an unusual approach to family history. She acquires a collection of old photo albums at an auction and tries to find find a present day family who are descended from those pictured in the album, eventually tracking down an elderly lady. What she doesn't tell the recipient however, is a disturbing find amongst the holiday snaps - a narrative that appears to be a plan to commit a murder....
August 10, 2011
Great to see a novel about genealogy - an unexpectedly gentle story (makes a change from drama for the sake of it), nicely told, but for me it didn't really take me anywhere I haven't already been. Those relatively new to genealogy should definitely look out for this book as I think they would find it very interesting.
July 16, 2016
The story is interesting in terms of sleuthing the people and family relationships as well as what happened to all of them. But the somewhat long sections of reading about a person reading a journal can be tedious. And the story in a story is somewhat depressing in places. That is balanced by the comparisons of people and perspectives with varying lifestyles.
February 12, 2011
This book will dispel any myths that family history is boring! The story unfolds like a detective story and at times I simply couldn't put it down as I was propelled into Lydia's tale and intrigued as to what the next twist would be. I wish there was a sequel.
Read
July 24, 2011This is a fabulous book. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to be in it and would love to look into my own family history now. A must for anyone who has ever thought of tracing their family, if not still a fab read.
Read
January 25, 2016Whilst the basic plot was a good one I got hopelessly confused with all the various threads of the family being researched so I skipped large chunks of it. I stuck at it because I wanted to see what the outcome was but as it was unresolved I felt I had rather wasted 8 days of my life!
November 26, 2016
Gets you in
Loved it...but...incomplete....the Will or research of it never for mentioned again!!!! Why. There was a load of info more to be gained. I hope the love story continued as well.
Loved it...but...incomplete....the Will or research of it never for mentioned again!!!! Why. There was a load of info more to be gained. I hope the love story continued as well.
April 13, 2015
An enjoyable read although I would have liked a more conclusive ending to the story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews