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File Under Fear
Anna Ames is not pleased to be asked by her boss to write a profile of a wealthy local family instead of continuing with her usual probate research but the conventional, dull-seeming Draycott family turn out to be seething with secrets. As she discovers more about each one she is at first amused and then alarmed and finally horrified and saddened as she realises the true nature of her task. But when her own family are drawn into a scenario of crime and violence that she had never suspected existed on the streets of Birmingham and the quiet fields and farms of Warwickshire she must dredge up every ounce of courage and resourcefulness that she possesses to expose the horror of what she finds and save the people she loves. At the same time she is fighting a different battle, one which she cannot tell anyone about, one she can barely admit to herself. As her beloved husband Harry fades deeper into his illness she struggles to control her growing passion for Steve. He is always in her life as a neighbour and a colleague but they can never speak or touch as they long to do. Throughout it all her family, quirky, argumentative and demanding as they can be, also give her the strength and determination to fight for what she loves and believes in.
- GenresFiction
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2014
19 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 13, 2019
Second in the series about probate researcher turned genealogy detective Anna Ames, ‘File Under Fear’ by Geraldine Wall takes off running from where the previous book left off. This is a well-written, page-turning series that combines family history, crime, family and secrets. But for me, the touchstone that makes it special is the sub-plot of Anna’s home life and her husband Harry’s dementia. If you haven’t read book one in the series, I suggest you start there to see the full emotional depth.
Anna’s new contract sounds boring: to write a business report on Draycotts, the company which makes Drakes lurid orange and green drink, analysing how the family members coordinate together to run a successful business. But there is a secret element to her contract, to locate a missing person for CEO Gerald Draycott. This case sees Anna physically and emotionally intimidated and encompasses bullying, illegal smuggling and rape. An intense story with red herrings and wrong assumptions made about family members, the actual crimes being committed and in which Anna questions who to trust. Backing her up are her very likeable family and the multi-talented more-than-workmate Steve. Some of the resolutions fall into place a little conveniently at the fast-paced ending, but this is a satisfying tale.
What makes this series so different, and adds the emotional depth in spades, is Harry’s illness and how the family and friends cope. Sometimes they struggle but ultimately they manage the reality of their life with compassion, humour and love. This series is maturing nicely.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Anna’s new contract sounds boring: to write a business report on Draycotts, the company which makes Drakes lurid orange and green drink, analysing how the family members coordinate together to run a successful business. But there is a secret element to her contract, to locate a missing person for CEO Gerald Draycott. This case sees Anna physically and emotionally intimidated and encompasses bullying, illegal smuggling and rape. An intense story with red herrings and wrong assumptions made about family members, the actual crimes being committed and in which Anna questions who to trust. Backing her up are her very likeable family and the multi-talented more-than-workmate Steve. Some of the resolutions fall into place a little conveniently at the fast-paced ending, but this is a satisfying tale.
What makes this series so different, and adds the emotional depth in spades, is Harry’s illness and how the family and friends cope. Sometimes they struggle but ultimately they manage the reality of their life with compassion, humour and love. This series is maturing nicely.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
June 19, 2019
Just love these books
These books are just excellent, poignant yet having a good story you really do feel for everyone coping with Harry's illness and yet having some humour left as well and the incredible love in the whole extended family and friends
These books are just excellent, poignant yet having a good story you really do feel for everyone coping with Harry's illness and yet having some humour left as well and the incredible love in the whole extended family and friends
October 10, 2020
Excellent read
October 28, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable!
Fast moving story clearly uncovering the author’s ability to depict the highly believable human emotions of a family under pressure, sometimes extreme.
Fast moving story clearly uncovering the author’s ability to depict the highly believable human emotions of a family under pressure, sometimes extreme.
September 2, 2016
Someone must have recommended this book to me and I have mixed feelings on what I think about it. When I first read that the main character Anna was a probate researcher and was writing a family profile on a local wealthy family I groaned.
I was however pleasantly surprised about how the book evolved and was soon hooked in. It was one of those books you can’t wait to get back to.
The story is set in the midlands and is full of crime, violence and a hint of romance. It’s busy and kept me guessing how it would end.
I liked the plot, my only misgiving was why would Anna, the main character put her self into so much danger time and time again. She has so many people dependent on her, including her husband who suffers from a form of dementia and is now fading away. The book has a lot of sub-plots and that makes it a bit unrealistic, yet I kept going back to it and reading far beyond my bedtime, so should I even worry about it and just say 'a really good read’.
I was however pleasantly surprised about how the book evolved and was soon hooked in. It was one of those books you can’t wait to get back to.
The story is set in the midlands and is full of crime, violence and a hint of romance. It’s busy and kept me guessing how it would end.
I liked the plot, my only misgiving was why would Anna, the main character put her self into so much danger time and time again. She has so many people dependent on her, including her husband who suffers from a form of dementia and is now fading away. The book has a lot of sub-plots and that makes it a bit unrealistic, yet I kept going back to it and reading far beyond my bedtime, so should I even worry about it and just say 'a really good read’.
July 1, 2015
The second book about probate genealogist Anna Ames is woven more around her own family and friends. Her despair at slowly losing her beloved husband Harry to early onset dementia, her pride in their children and her love and gratitude for the father who single-handedly raised her and who continues to help and support her.
Anna's current assignment, an unusual favour asked by her boss, is to write a story about a prominent local business family. Her interviews with each family member reveal hidden undercurrents and family secrets and skeletons.
During her research Anna uncovers a network of criminal activity which threatens her own safety and that of her family.
The third book in the Anna Ames trilogy is due to be released this year and I am really looking forward to it. Geraldine Wall has joined the ranks of one of my favourite authors.
Anna's current assignment, an unusual favour asked by her boss, is to write a story about a prominent local business family. Her interviews with each family member reveal hidden undercurrents and family secrets and skeletons.
During her research Anna uncovers a network of criminal activity which threatens her own safety and that of her family.
The third book in the Anna Ames trilogy is due to be released this year and I am really looking forward to it. Geraldine Wall has joined the ranks of one of my favourite authors.
June 8, 2016
One of a trio (so far, anyway) of novels centering on a probate researcher/genealogist in England. Anna Ames is also a mother, and a wife whose husband has early-onset Alzheimer's (or does he?) She couldn't cope without her widowed father's help and that of other friends. In this book, Anna is given a special assignment to write a family history for a wealthy but dysfunctional family. Mystery and danger ensue. I enjoyed this book -- a quick read that interested me for its focus on genealogical research.
June 16, 2015
Good follow on story from the first book, though I felt Anna went to a lot of trouble to interview her client's family members just to find one person who was in Canada, the story however mostly centred on Anna's family and there was a moment towards the end which brought a tear to my eye, look forward to reading the third book in the series.
May 26, 2016
A good read I recommend
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews