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Relatively Dead #2
Seeing the Dead
From New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly!
Ever since her first ghostly sighting, Abby Kimball has been trying to unravel the mystery of her newly discovered ability. So when she sees the apparition of a Revolutionary War soldier in the middle of the town green—just days before the annual Patriot’s Day celebration, no less—she’s determined to figure out her connection to the man.
The ethereal soldier is not the only mystery in Abby’s life. She’s also trying to sort out her connection to Ned Newhall, the man who shares her ability and is playing a more serious romantic role in her life every day. But with plans for the celebration ramping up and her job becoming more chaotic by the minute, Abby’s finding it hard to catch her breath, much less come to grips with all the new turns her life has taken.
And when another eerie episode is followed by the appearance of a very curious young girl who seems wise beyond her years, Abby discovers she and Ned may have only scratched the surface of their special ability, and that Ned may hold the biggest surprise yet.
About the
Sheila Connolly is an Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated author who writes three bestselling cozy mystery the Museum Mysteries, the Orchard Mysteries, and the County Cork Mysteries, including Buried in a Bog and Scandal in Skibbereen, both New York Times bestsellers. In addition, she has published Once She Knew, a romantic suspense; Reunion with Death, a traditional mystery set in Tuscany; and Relatively Dead, a paranormal romance and a New York Times bestseller, as well as a number of short stories. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three cats and travels to Ireland as often as possible.
Ever since her first ghostly sighting, Abby Kimball has been trying to unravel the mystery of her newly discovered ability. So when she sees the apparition of a Revolutionary War soldier in the middle of the town green—just days before the annual Patriot’s Day celebration, no less—she’s determined to figure out her connection to the man.
The ethereal soldier is not the only mystery in Abby’s life. She’s also trying to sort out her connection to Ned Newhall, the man who shares her ability and is playing a more serious romantic role in her life every day. But with plans for the celebration ramping up and her job becoming more chaotic by the minute, Abby’s finding it hard to catch her breath, much less come to grips with all the new turns her life has taken.
And when another eerie episode is followed by the appearance of a very curious young girl who seems wise beyond her years, Abby discovers she and Ned may have only scratched the surface of their special ability, and that Ned may hold the biggest surprise yet.
About the
Sheila Connolly is an Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated author who writes three bestselling cozy mystery the Museum Mysteries, the Orchard Mysteries, and the County Cork Mysteries, including Buried in a Bog and Scandal in Skibbereen, both New York Times bestsellers. In addition, she has published Once She Knew, a romantic suspense; Reunion with Death, a traditional mystery set in Tuscany; and Relatively Dead, a paranormal romance and a New York Times bestseller, as well as a number of short stories. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three cats and travels to Ireland as often as possible.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2014
170 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Connolly
65 books1,389 followersSheila Connolly taught art history, structured and marketed municipal bonds for major cities, worked as a staff member on two statewide political campaigns, and served as a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations. She also managed her own consulting company providing genealogical research services.
She was a member of Sisters in Crime-New England (president 2011), the national Sisters in Crime, and the fabulous on-line SinC chapter, the Guppies. She also belonged to Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.
Sheila was Regent of her local DAR chapter, and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was also the grandchild of Irish immigrants. In addition to genealogy, Sheila loved restoring old houses, visiting cemeteries, and traveling.
She was a member of Sisters in Crime-New England (president 2011), the national Sisters in Crime, and the fabulous on-line SinC chapter, the Guppies. She also belonged to Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.
Sheila was Regent of her local DAR chapter, and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was also the grandchild of Irish immigrants. In addition to genealogy, Sheila loved restoring old houses, visiting cemeteries, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 15, 2015
Of all of Connolly's series, this is my least favorite. My biggest pet peeve with this book is the wishy-washy nature of the main character. Abby is all over the place regarding her relationship. First she feels that Ned is not taking the whole seeing ghosts thing seriously. Then he is forgiven and they are happy again. Then she's mad that he hasn't shared his whole life with her (even though she really never gave him the opportunity to bring certain things up) and then everything's forgiven...... Abby really needs to decide what she wants in a relationship as she is rather melodramatic about the whole thing.
And yes, her whole emotional life does distract from the mystery itself.
And yes, her whole emotional life does distract from the mystery itself.
December 28, 2019
What is happening to the characters in this paranormal mystery? They are seeing DEAD PEOPLE at different times plus they don't all see the same person as they stand next to each other. The second book of this series continues the ghostly sightings on the battlefields Revolutionary War. Abby has a vision of a man holding a musket as Ned and she are near the bridge as the war began. Ned doesn't see him. Checking her family tree she finds that she related to a John Perry who caught in the war. Abby and Ned continued to look for answers. Ned has a couple of surprises for Abby. Looking for to reading the next book.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review. I want to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review. I want to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
October 7, 2014
4 STARS
Wow! All of a sudden seeing ghosts would be hard to handle, especially if you could not tell them apart. That is what Abby is dealing with the last six months, plus living in a new place, new job and even a new guy.
Lots of drama, new discoveries, history and love made it hard to put the book down. I learned a lot more of the history that I should have known in a interesting way. I had never heard of Patriot's Day before.
Abby Kimball has had to deal with a lot of changes in her life the past year. She is trying to figure out who the dead people she sees were. She is dating Ned. House sitting and works for a museum.
Ned Newhall has lots of secrets about him. He used to see a lot of the dead but till Abby he had thought it he grew out of it. Ned has never told anyone about the people he saw.
I was drawn into the drama right off from the beginning and want more of Abby and Ned.
The setting for this book is Concord, MASS.
This is a clean read.
I want to read more of Sheila Connolly's work. This is the first of her books I have read I think but not the last one.
I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Beyond the Page Publishing. In return I agreed to give honest review of Seeing the Dead.
October 27, 2014
If you are a fan of history/paranormal then this is a book series that will likely appeal to you on many levels. Once more, Sheila Connolly proves that she can take the ordinary world and create characters that make it seem extraordinary.
This was a fun book to read with a lot of historical accuracy and interesting plot twists for the main character to face. I didn't feel like the main character knew where she was headed relationship-wise throughout most of this though. Her intent with Ned was often confusing, although that may have been intentional on the part of the author.
I like that the author uses family lineage as the base of her story and connects her characters on so many levels. The setting is easy to visualise and feel part of.
This was a good book that I was able to read through quickly and get a lot of enjoyment from. If you are looking for some light reading that will make you smile and even laugh out loud, Sheila Connolly has a book for you.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun book to read with a lot of historical accuracy and interesting plot twists for the main character to face. I didn't feel like the main character knew where she was headed relationship-wise throughout most of this though. Her intent with Ned was often confusing, although that may have been intentional on the part of the author.
I like that the author uses family lineage as the base of her story and connects her characters on so many levels. The setting is easy to visualise and feel part of.
This was a good book that I was able to read through quickly and get a lot of enjoyment from. If you are looking for some light reading that will make you smile and even laugh out loud, Sheila Connolly has a book for you.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
November 21, 2016
I loved it. A great series.
April 28, 2021
The second book in this series and I found it very delightful. I love the setting and the history of the area around Concord and Lexington and especially the Cemeteries . Abby and Ned are finding out about their ancestors and how they are connected to their lives. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
September 24, 2014
Abby Kimball sees ghosts. She doesn't see all ghosts, only the ones she's somehow related to. And she doesn't communicate with them, she can see them as they were in their lives, but they cannot see her. It is as if she is watching an old movie. What she can see, however, has been amplified by her relationship with her boyfriend Ned, with whom she shares a distant connection. When the two of them hold hands, things become clearer and more visible to her. That being said...
She lives in Concord, Massachusetts and the town is getting ready to celebrate Patriots' Day. Abby works for a local museum and has recently discovered her 'ability.' She has also figured out that Ned amplifies that ability. While wanting to know more about her family tree, she is taking the opportunity to find out about a relative who participated in the Revolutionary War, Henry Perry. She enlists Ned's help to find out the deeper connection, and what this means to her, and to them collectively.
Then, when she discovers that her employer's daughter Ellie can also see ghosts, and knows Abby can, too, her new life, of which she has just begun to put together, is slowly starting to come unraveled, and Abby must decide what is important to her and what can be discarded.
I wasn't sure how to take this book at first. I was aware of the plot, but I thought the beginning moved a bit slow for me. For one thing, I'm not interested at all in the Revolutionary War. Which isn't to say I'm not interested in history, because I am deeply interested in the Civil War. I guess I just haven't decided to go that far back yet! At any rate, in the beginning there is a lot about Abby's ancestors and the revolutionary war, and I found myself becoming bored with it all, hence the four stars instead of five.
But in the second half of the book things began to pick up. So never give up - if you've started a book, most times it's well worth it to finish. I've read quite a few books that started slow and picked up toward the middle. Once Abby meets Ellie and things start get confusing to her, they also begin to start making sense. And when it leads Ned to make a couple of confessions, Abby reacts with disbelief and anger, that she will have to backpedal on later. I don't get why Abby is so stubborn when it comes to Ned: he's a nice guy who truly loves her, but she has this streak of not believing in herself - no self-confidence maybe, because she's always feeling the need to prove something to herself.
But the writing is good, the story does pick up, and I enjoyed the book. It is a quick read and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
She lives in Concord, Massachusetts and the town is getting ready to celebrate Patriots' Day. Abby works for a local museum and has recently discovered her 'ability.' She has also figured out that Ned amplifies that ability. While wanting to know more about her family tree, she is taking the opportunity to find out about a relative who participated in the Revolutionary War, Henry Perry. She enlists Ned's help to find out the deeper connection, and what this means to her, and to them collectively.
Then, when she discovers that her employer's daughter Ellie can also see ghosts, and knows Abby can, too, her new life, of which she has just begun to put together, is slowly starting to come unraveled, and Abby must decide what is important to her and what can be discarded.
I wasn't sure how to take this book at first. I was aware of the plot, but I thought the beginning moved a bit slow for me. For one thing, I'm not interested at all in the Revolutionary War. Which isn't to say I'm not interested in history, because I am deeply interested in the Civil War. I guess I just haven't decided to go that far back yet! At any rate, in the beginning there is a lot about Abby's ancestors and the revolutionary war, and I found myself becoming bored with it all, hence the four stars instead of five.
But in the second half of the book things began to pick up. So never give up - if you've started a book, most times it's well worth it to finish. I've read quite a few books that started slow and picked up toward the middle. Once Abby meets Ellie and things start get confusing to her, they also begin to start making sense. And when it leads Ned to make a couple of confessions, Abby reacts with disbelief and anger, that she will have to backpedal on later. I don't get why Abby is so stubborn when it comes to Ned: he's a nice guy who truly loves her, but she has this streak of not believing in herself - no self-confidence maybe, because she's always feeling the need to prove something to herself.
But the writing is good, the story does pick up, and I enjoyed the book. It is a quick read and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2014
Seeing The Dead by Sheila Connolly Is a cozy read with elements of paranormal. It also has a lot of historical facts and researching included.
Abby Kimball just started working at a museum and she has recently moved to Concord, Massachusetts. She has dumped her last boyfriend and she is now starting a new relationship with Ned Newhall. She has a lot of change and firsts in her life. The biggest change would be the fact that she can now see ghosts. It appears that the only ghosts she can see are somehow related to her but the whole ghost-seeing thing is new to her and she does not understand how it works. Lucky for her, Ned can also see ghosts, although a lot of the time they cannot see the same ghosts. When Abby and Ned attend a Revolutionary War re-enactment practice, she sees a Revolutionary War soldier and has no idea who he is. She decides that she needs to research and find out who he is, how he is related and why she can see him.
There is much information about the Revolutionary War contained in this book and also the steps taken to do this type of research. The author seems very knowledgeable on both the war and the research process and I found this impressive. History has never been my favorite subject so I found myself skimming quickly through sections of the book because I was not interested. This is in no way a reflection on the author’s writing ability because I think she presented the material very well. This is just a reflection of my interests.
I love reading cozy paranormals that have ghosts in them. This is one of my favorite genres to read. I was a little disappointed with that aspect of the book. I feel that there could have been more interaction between Abby and the ghost. I feel that a lot of the book took place in Abby’s head, where we could read her thoughts and her worries and her indecisions. I would have liked less of the book dealing with these things and more of the book dealing with the ghost. Again, this is only my opinion and thoughts on the book and you may not agree with it. For some readers, finding out her inner thoughts may be more appealing than watching more action.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history while reading a cozy. If you are interested in history, especially the Revolutionary War, then you should read this book. I thought it was a good book but, in my opinion, it could have been better. I have read other books by Sheila Connolly and I have enjoyed them.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a free copy. I would like to thank NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Abby Kimball just started working at a museum and she has recently moved to Concord, Massachusetts. She has dumped her last boyfriend and she is now starting a new relationship with Ned Newhall. She has a lot of change and firsts in her life. The biggest change would be the fact that she can now see ghosts. It appears that the only ghosts she can see are somehow related to her but the whole ghost-seeing thing is new to her and she does not understand how it works. Lucky for her, Ned can also see ghosts, although a lot of the time they cannot see the same ghosts. When Abby and Ned attend a Revolutionary War re-enactment practice, she sees a Revolutionary War soldier and has no idea who he is. She decides that she needs to research and find out who he is, how he is related and why she can see him.
There is much information about the Revolutionary War contained in this book and also the steps taken to do this type of research. The author seems very knowledgeable on both the war and the research process and I found this impressive. History has never been my favorite subject so I found myself skimming quickly through sections of the book because I was not interested. This is in no way a reflection on the author’s writing ability because I think she presented the material very well. This is just a reflection of my interests.
I love reading cozy paranormals that have ghosts in them. This is one of my favorite genres to read. I was a little disappointed with that aspect of the book. I feel that there could have been more interaction between Abby and the ghost. I feel that a lot of the book took place in Abby’s head, where we could read her thoughts and her worries and her indecisions. I would have liked less of the book dealing with these things and more of the book dealing with the ghost. Again, this is only my opinion and thoughts on the book and you may not agree with it. For some readers, finding out her inner thoughts may be more appealing than watching more action.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history while reading a cozy. If you are interested in history, especially the Revolutionary War, then you should read this book. I thought it was a good book but, in my opinion, it could have been better. I have read other books by Sheila Connolly and I have enjoyed them.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a free copy. I would like to thank NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 13, 2017
Seeing the Dead is the second book in this cozy mystery of a different kind because there isn't a murder, but there is a mystery. It's the mystery of the characters past. If you love books about looking up genealogy, etc, then you will enjoy this series.
This one picks up pretty much where the last one left off, Abby is overwhelmed about finding out she can see her dead ancestors. When she and Ned are together things are amplified because they share some of the same ancestors.
She loves her job, and things are going pretty good with her and Ned though she does have a few doubts at times. Then she meets her boss's daughter and has some strange encounters with her which throws her life for a bit of a loop. (can't say why :) )
Some of her investigations into her past lead her to an ancestor who was considered a witch back in Salem. Now she wonders if it was true or not, is that where this gift to see the dead comes from?
I really like Abby, she has taken her newly developed gift pretty good. Dumped her horrid boyfriend for the better one, Ned. Ned's a good character too but I don't blame Abby for getting mad at him a little cause he was keeping some secrets, though I can see how it would be hard to just bring into a conversation.
Like I said it's not a normal cozy type mystery, but at the same time, it's just so interesting. I just keep wanting to find out where this cool gift she has been given is going to go. The next book is going to be a lot about Salem witch trials and that ancestor so I can't wait to see what happens!
This one picks up pretty much where the last one left off, Abby is overwhelmed about finding out she can see her dead ancestors. When she and Ned are together things are amplified because they share some of the same ancestors.
She loves her job, and things are going pretty good with her and Ned though she does have a few doubts at times. Then she meets her boss's daughter and has some strange encounters with her which throws her life for a bit of a loop. (can't say why :) )
Some of her investigations into her past lead her to an ancestor who was considered a witch back in Salem. Now she wonders if it was true or not, is that where this gift to see the dead comes from?
I really like Abby, she has taken her newly developed gift pretty good. Dumped her horrid boyfriend for the better one, Ned. Ned's a good character too but I don't blame Abby for getting mad at him a little cause he was keeping some secrets, though I can see how it would be hard to just bring into a conversation.
Like I said it's not a normal cozy type mystery, but at the same time, it's just so interesting. I just keep wanting to find out where this cool gift she has been given is going to go. The next book is going to be a lot about Salem witch trials and that ancestor so I can't wait to see what happens!
October 3, 2014
This book was an interesting series that has to do with ghost sightings. Abby has been looking into her genealogy and trying to uncover information about ancestors when she sees a ghost during the Revolutionary War era. This is the first ghost she has encountered that her boyfriend Ned Newhall hasn't. Which leads Abby to want some down time from her boyfriend.
Add to the fact that Patriot's Day is fast approaching and the town is busy scheduling all sorts of activities which makes Abby's search harder as she is needed at the museum and takes away from her research into her family. When Abby is asked to watch Ellie her boss's daughter she finds out how intutive Ellie is and her and Ned try to reach out to Ellie's parents about the situation. Will it work out for Ellie or will she be like Ned and have to keep her ghost seeking to herself? Will Abby ever find out about her ancestors or is she searching dead ends?
What I liked about this book:
I liked the relationship between Sarah and Abby, for those that haven't read this series yet Sarah is Ned's mother and another ghost viewer who Ned inherited it from. I also enjoyed the relationship between Ellie and Abby and how Ellie seemed like an old sort of spirit who knew things she shouldn't like Abby's ability to view ghosts. I also enjoyed the whole research angle of finding out the history behind the ghosts that appear to Ned, Sarah, Abby and Ellie.
What I didn't like:
Which could just be me but Leslie, Ellie's mom her initial reaction to Ellie's situation I thought felt harsh, do I expect her to welcome this will open arms, no in a perfect world maybe but in this instance it seemed really harsh cause who really knows what kids see or don't see or their impressions.
Then again I also wasn't a huge fan of the whole situation between Ned and Leslie just seemed like trying to make a connection deeper that what I think they have. Who knows what anyone would do with a situation like theirs, which I know tells the blogger readers (you guys) not much on what the 'situation' is but I don't want to give it away, read the book and you'll get the big 'situation'.
I would definitely recommend this book for people who like ghost themed books, New England towns etc. I think you won't be disappointed.
Add to the fact that Patriot's Day is fast approaching and the town is busy scheduling all sorts of activities which makes Abby's search harder as she is needed at the museum and takes away from her research into her family. When Abby is asked to watch Ellie her boss's daughter she finds out how intutive Ellie is and her and Ned try to reach out to Ellie's parents about the situation. Will it work out for Ellie or will she be like Ned and have to keep her ghost seeking to herself? Will Abby ever find out about her ancestors or is she searching dead ends?
What I liked about this book:
I liked the relationship between Sarah and Abby, for those that haven't read this series yet Sarah is Ned's mother and another ghost viewer who Ned inherited it from. I also enjoyed the relationship between Ellie and Abby and how Ellie seemed like an old sort of spirit who knew things she shouldn't like Abby's ability to view ghosts. I also enjoyed the whole research angle of finding out the history behind the ghosts that appear to Ned, Sarah, Abby and Ellie.
What I didn't like:
Which could just be me but Leslie, Ellie's mom her initial reaction to Ellie's situation I thought felt harsh, do I expect her to welcome this will open arms, no in a perfect world maybe but in this instance it seemed really harsh cause who really knows what kids see or don't see or their impressions.
Then again I also wasn't a huge fan of the whole situation between Ned and Leslie just seemed like trying to make a connection deeper that what I think they have. Who knows what anyone would do with a situation like theirs, which I know tells the blogger readers (you guys) not much on what the 'situation' is but I don't want to give it away, read the book and you'll get the big 'situation'.
I would definitely recommend this book for people who like ghost themed books, New England towns etc. I think you won't be disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2015
I had not read the first book in the series, but had no problem picking up the story when Seeing the Dead starts. It is not what the blurb advertises or a mystery/thriller and romance as Netgalley indicated. There is no mystery any more than any of us have in our genealogy. Abby knows she is distantly related to Ned and the "appearance" of a young girl is hardly surprising and I saw what was coming up with that from the start.
We know that Abby had a mediocre previous relationship and she seems to have issues with her parents though neither relationship explains why she occasionally goes off on Ned. She's a bit b*tchy at times. Ned has the patience of a saint. There really is no romance, she and Ned are in a relationship and sleeping together. There's no build up or anything like that. It's very hum drum.
Abby and Ned can see ghosts, but the ghosts do not see them or interact with them in any way. It's a bit like watching a movie. You'd think they'd be more proactive about trying their abilities and expanding them, but Ned has no interest and Abby doesn't see to think of it. Despite Abby's abilities, all the ghosts do is give Abby a reason to continue looking up her ancestors. Definitely not what I consider a true mystery story line.
The story basically boils down to Abby researching her and Ned's (primarily hers) ancestry and how a soldier she "sees" is connected to her. The story ends incredibly abruptly. It just stops.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
We know that Abby had a mediocre previous relationship and she seems to have issues with her parents though neither relationship explains why she occasionally goes off on Ned. She's a bit b*tchy at times. Ned has the patience of a saint. There really is no romance, she and Ned are in a relationship and sleeping together. There's no build up or anything like that. It's very hum drum.
Abby and Ned can see ghosts, but the ghosts do not see them or interact with them in any way. It's a bit like watching a movie. You'd think they'd be more proactive about trying their abilities and expanding them, but Ned has no interest and Abby doesn't see to think of it. Despite Abby's abilities, all the ghosts do is give Abby a reason to continue looking up her ancestors. Definitely not what I consider a true mystery story line.
The story basically boils down to Abby researching her and Ned's (primarily hers) ancestry and how a soldier she "sees" is connected to her. The story ends incredibly abruptly. It just stops.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 8, 2014
I gave this book three stars because it wasn't what I expected from the blurb or the author, and definitely not what I would categorize as a mystery. Unless you consider looking into genealogy a mystery.
The book would be more accurately labeled as paranormal fiction, as the main plot line is about Abby's still expanding abilities to see her dead ancestors and her subsequent genealogical research. The book also included some historical information about Massachusetts.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
The book would be more accurately labeled as paranormal fiction, as the main plot line is about Abby's still expanding abilities to see her dead ancestors and her subsequent genealogical research. The book also included some historical information about Massachusetts.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
October 17, 2014
I really enjoyed Seeing the Dead. It is well-researched and well-written but not a typical cozy mystery, with a murder and/or crime to be solved. The mystery in this series relates to how and why Abby is seeing the dead and why the images are stronger when Ned is touching her. There is a minor romance Sub-plot.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Abby's family history through scenes of genealogical and archival searches and visits to cemeteries and historical sites such as Valley Forge. We also get to experience the chaos of the Patriot's Day celebration in Concord, MA which is a Public holiday in the New England area.
I really enjoyed this story and I would recommend it for readers who enjoy detailed descriptions of history and genealogical research. Not for action junkies :)
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Abby's family history through scenes of genealogical and archival searches and visits to cemeteries and historical sites such as Valley Forge. We also get to experience the chaos of the Patriot's Day celebration in Concord, MA which is a Public holiday in the New England area.
I really enjoyed this story and I would recommend it for readers who enjoy detailed descriptions of history and genealogical research. Not for action junkies :)
February 16, 2015
I like the premise of this series and like where the author is taking us as readers. I am interested in where the story is headed. However, Abby is really starting to get on my nerves. She's so back and forth with Ned that it's getting very redundant. Throwing him out of the house and not talking to him because she's mad he didn't tell her he has money is really a bit much. There's a lot of repeating of thoughts and feelings in the story also--could do with a bit less of that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2019
I had to go back and check to make sure this was labeled as a cozy. It's a totally different type, with no murder or other "mystery" to solve. The mystery is a personal and historical one, and I enjoyed that. In this book, it's more a matter of discovering how the "gift" works and where it ancestry lines go. It was an enjoyable read, although the MC and her wish-washiness drove me nuts. Not real sure why Ned puts up with her, but kudos to him for infinite patience.
October 16, 2014
I really liked this book. Ghosts are a favorite theme and this one gave some great insight to how psychics "see". Set in Concord, Massachusetts Abby and Ned discover they share this ability. A lot of historic facts about the American Revolution thrown in makes this an enjoyable read. Ms. Connolly writes some wonderful stories and I always pick up her new books.
October 6, 2014
I love Sheila Connolly books. This one is a bit slow in the beginning but makes up for it in the end. I'm glad that I didn't give up and you will be too. It's a great read and has plenty of ghosts to go around.
August 31, 2023
I can’t finish this book. The same conversations, the same descriptions of research, the same drivel chapter after chapter. Sorry Miss Connelly. This is a missed opportunity to add more suspense and stories of the ghosts. Shelved.
June 24, 2021
I was not impressed with the first book and willing to try Book #2. I could not engage in this book at all. So Lacking.
November 16, 2022
This series has me torn. I like it well enough that I want to keep going but I am not enthusiastic about it. If that makes sense. Abby is an alright protagonist although she irked me for a while in this story. Mainly because she can be wishy-washy and unreasonable about things. Like she was frustrated that she didn't know much about her boyfriend Ned but then did nothing about it. She didn't know where he worked or been to his house then would say she needed to ask (repeatedly) and then didn't for like chapters on end. Then to top it off when she finally asked towards the end of the book, she got mad about the answers she received. That frustrated me, but despite all that I still find myself fascinated by her and Ned's journey. Also, I am not sure what the goal of this series is because it isn't your typical cozy mystery series although the setting and the characters could easily be transplanted into one. Instead, it is about two people learning they can see people from the past and what that means for them. Just a heads up though nothing happens fast in this series it is a very long meandering journey. Having said all that, I still will probably read the next one.
January 13, 2019
There are several reasons why I did not like this book. I did not like the fact that she was always comparing her new boyfriend to her old boyfriend. She was kind of self-centered and then upset that the dude did not tell her anything about him. Then she was like "I don't need to work, I have a rich boyfriend." I thought it was a joke, but then there was no ha-ha or eye-roll or anything. Last, the one black person is a drunk slave, really dude? I thought she'd do something interesting since she brought up slavery in a book about a somewhat unstable white woman who is searching her ancestors, since there are records for white people's ancestors. I was disappointed that it was brought up just because a white little kid thought it was fun to see it. I will read the next book since I did enjoy the first one much more, but this was kind of a disappointing story since whatsherface was so self-absorbed. I was totally with Leslie on being pissed off, and I felt bad for Ned since (I really don't remember her name) was always being mean to him for no reason.
July 16, 2021
I found this novel a bit amateurish in the characterization of the heroine. She's not the unsure of herself in love but still confident & strong Maura of the County Cork series. She sometimes felt a little like a teenager. I'm going to regularly fall into bed with my new boyfriend but I need space 'cuz I'm unsure of my feelings so go away, but only for a couple days, now I feel bad, so let's spend the night again. Oh, you have a really good secret you've kept from me for good reasons but I'm mad so go away.....for a day, now let's get back together. She seemed rather shallow. The whole premise of the series, that they see dead people related to them so have to do family history & hang out in libraries & archives is really fun. But I'm getting a little tired of their unceasing conversations about their ability & why they have it & how it works. It's time for some answers, I think. This one ends with some good resolutions for moving forward so I'll probably listen to the next, but maybe after a break.
November 24, 2023
3.5
This is a very different kind of cozy mystery since it doesn't involve the usual murder and mayhem. It's more of a family history kind of mystery -- as well as exploring Abby's...unusual gifting. :-) I find genealogy fascinating but if you're not into that you might find parts of this read quite dry. And there's a lot of American history centred around Concord, Mass. which I'm not into but did find it interesting. So, an unusual cozy for history buffs (with a paranormal slant.)
I jumped into the series with this second book simply because that's what my library had available right away but I will get around to reading the first one when my hold comes in. The only thing I'm not keen on is the relationship waffling on Abby's part. Sometimes she was just mean to Ned or, at the very least, unconcerned about his point of view. And she's quick to judge him. So that's what brought my rating down. It's all resolved (hopefully for keeps) by the end though so I'll give book three a go and see what happens. I'm quite invested in Abby's family history search!
This is a very different kind of cozy mystery since it doesn't involve the usual murder and mayhem. It's more of a family history kind of mystery -- as well as exploring Abby's...unusual gifting. :-) I find genealogy fascinating but if you're not into that you might find parts of this read quite dry. And there's a lot of American history centred around Concord, Mass. which I'm not into but did find it interesting. So, an unusual cozy for history buffs (with a paranormal slant.)
I jumped into the series with this second book simply because that's what my library had available right away but I will get around to reading the first one when my hold comes in. The only thing I'm not keen on is the relationship waffling on Abby's part. Sometimes she was just mean to Ned or, at the very least, unconcerned about his point of view. And she's quick to judge him. So that's what brought my rating down. It's all resolved (hopefully for keeps) by the end though so I'll give book three a go and see what happens. I'm quite invested in Abby's family history search!
June 9, 2018
I am really enjoying this series. Abby is still trying to figure out how and why she can see dead people - but only those who are apparently related to her in some way. She sees a Revolutionary War soldier on the town green just before the Patriot's Day celebrations begin, and begins to try to find what relation he is to her. She still has the connection to Ned, too, and he is becoming more and more important to her. On top of all that, she also discovers a young girl who has the same ability when they both see a young girl in the cemetery. Knowing that the girl's parents will never understand, Abby decides to try to help her. However the girl's mother is not happy about the whole thing at all, and life becomes a bit difficult for Abby - good thing she has Ned to back her up.
March 30, 2018
For some there may seem to be a lot of history as well as how to start doing your family history. I am a lover of history, and I love doing family history (genealogy). For some this may not be their "cup of tea" but I enjoyed the story line, as well as all of the history about the United States Revolutionary War, especially since I have at least two fifth great grandfathers that fought for our independence from England.
July 15, 2018
I liked where I thought the first of the series was going, and overall I wasn't disappointed with this book. I have already procured the next two in the series.
The only thing that stands out is how annoying Abby is in her personal life. Hot and cold, cold, hot, cold. She overthinks and distances herself too often for this to be effective in the story. Once, maybe twice would have been okay, but her drama got tiresome and frustrating.
The only thing that stands out is how annoying Abby is in her personal life. Hot and cold, cold, hot, cold. She overthinks and distances herself too often for this to be effective in the story. Once, maybe twice would have been okay, but her drama got tiresome and frustrating.
May 7, 2021
Seeing dead relatives and genealogical research is interesting, finding kindred with the same capability is quite amazing. The bad thing is when points are belabored repeatedly - what do we call this capability, how do I handle it, should I do research, I'm not sure what do you want to do next - ad nauseam. It almost would have been refreshing to have Leslie related to one of the Salem Witch Trial prosecutors.
November 7, 2021
This series is fun and inventive, Abby has learned that she can see her relatives that died. Her boyfriend Ned can also see them also. They found out they are related many generations back. Abby works in a museum and her boss asked if Abby could watch her daughter, Ellie. Abby found out that Ellie can see spirits also. This a new creative series and I love learning about ancestors, so it is good fit. It is fun to see how the author portrayed characters and I think others will enjoy it too.
July 16, 2019
So, Ned is hiding a lot all the time from everyone. I really liked her boss and she seemed pretty cool in this novel. This is actually what I used to expect from a series; like, an actual continuous narrative with familiar characters and unexpected revelations.
TOW she keeps dumping him for no reason lol
TOW she keeps dumping him for no reason lol
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