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Paradox Forged in Blood
From Mary Frances Fisher comes her debut novel, PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD, a compelling work of historical fiction based on true events and stories passed down from the author's family.
A murder on Millionaire’s Row.
A killer's chilling words, "Shh. I know where you live.”
A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past.
A historical murder mystery, PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O’Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions.
A murder on Millionaire’s Row.
A killer's chilling words, "Shh. I know where you live.”
A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past.
A historical murder mystery, PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O’Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2016
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 5, 2016
Paradox Forged in Blood takes place in two different times in a woman's life. Present at her 80th birthday and in the past when she was growing up and a nanny in a well to do household in Cleveland, Ohio in the late 30's.
Ellen Grace O'Malley was born in 1916, the oldest of a family of eight children. Patrick Michael O'Malley was just 18 months old when he was taken from his crib. Ellen was only six at the time but she had woken up and observed someone , she thought it was her father, standing over Patrick's crib. She realized her mistake when in the morning Patrick's disappearance was discovered. She realized her mistake in not telling her parents. In her defence, she had been told to not disturb her parents if the door was locked. Because of what she witnessed, the abductor could have been apprehended earlier or could he? She eventually told her parents what she had witnessed but Patrick was never found.
Ellen is offered a job as a nanny to the Sheridan family after Mrs.Sheridan observes how well Ellen controls her unruly siblings. She enjoys her job as a nanny and is happy to be contributing to the household's income as it is during a time when the Nazi party in Germany has just taken hold and has now crossed into America with it's nasty tentacles. The Sheridan's go out to an event one evening and come back to find a burglar robbing the place. Louis Sheridan is killed and his wife knocked unconscious. A description of the assailant is kind of vague but Ellen describes what she can. After this incident, Ellen observes a man watching her and he mimes that he knows where she lives. Scared to say anything to the police she keeps quiet.
The story also takes us into the lives of many other characters that all intertwine, including twins Gertl and Sadie, who's parents were killed in a motor vehicle accident. They end up being separate and spend most of their lives not knowing where the other is. They are Jewish and during this time it is not safe to be a Jew at all. We go through WWII and the atrocities that came out of it to arrive at the climax of the story on Ellen's 80th birthday.
This story is character driven with many people's lives intercept and weaves together to tell an interesting tale, during a time of fear, upheaval, and war the reader learns how each character impacts the lives of others. I enjoyed the story, the only thing I did not like was how it was formatted, I am sure this is because it is an ebook and not all books are not formatted correctly. I switched over to my iPad and it was easier to read.
Ellen Grace O'Malley was born in 1916, the oldest of a family of eight children. Patrick Michael O'Malley was just 18 months old when he was taken from his crib. Ellen was only six at the time but she had woken up and observed someone , she thought it was her father, standing over Patrick's crib. She realized her mistake when in the morning Patrick's disappearance was discovered. She realized her mistake in not telling her parents. In her defence, she had been told to not disturb her parents if the door was locked. Because of what she witnessed, the abductor could have been apprehended earlier or could he? She eventually told her parents what she had witnessed but Patrick was never found.
Ellen is offered a job as a nanny to the Sheridan family after Mrs.Sheridan observes how well Ellen controls her unruly siblings. She enjoys her job as a nanny and is happy to be contributing to the household's income as it is during a time when the Nazi party in Germany has just taken hold and has now crossed into America with it's nasty tentacles. The Sheridan's go out to an event one evening and come back to find a burglar robbing the place. Louis Sheridan is killed and his wife knocked unconscious. A description of the assailant is kind of vague but Ellen describes what she can. After this incident, Ellen observes a man watching her and he mimes that he knows where she lives. Scared to say anything to the police she keeps quiet.
The story also takes us into the lives of many other characters that all intertwine, including twins Gertl and Sadie, who's parents were killed in a motor vehicle accident. They end up being separate and spend most of their lives not knowing where the other is. They are Jewish and during this time it is not safe to be a Jew at all. We go through WWII and the atrocities that came out of it to arrive at the climax of the story on Ellen's 80th birthday.
This story is character driven with many people's lives intercept and weaves together to tell an interesting tale, during a time of fear, upheaval, and war the reader learns how each character impacts the lives of others. I enjoyed the story, the only thing I did not like was how it was formatted, I am sure this is because it is an ebook and not all books are not formatted correctly. I switched over to my iPad and it was easier to read.
November 17, 2017
I found "Paradox Forged in Blood" to be a fascinating read. It is a historical murder mystery that takes place during the 1930's in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was a bit hard to get into at first with all the varied characters but I soon found myself immersed in the different characters and the story itself.
I received a copy from the publishers (thank you) via Netgalley for free in exchange for my honest review.
It was a bit hard to get into at first with all the varied characters but I soon found myself immersed in the different characters and the story itself.
I received a copy from the publishers (thank you) via Netgalley for free in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2017
I found this book really interesting to read. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was the author's own family history that made me keep reading. When you first start reading it is kind of confusing with all the different people introduced but you do figure them all out. It makes sense all the different people because when you get to the end, they all tie in together. I couldn't believe the way everyone was so intertwined in their lived with each other, even when you didn't know it. The history was fascinating to read. If you enjoy a murder mystery, history and twists this is your book to read.
*Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this for honest review*
*Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this for honest review*
August 25, 2018
GNAB We follow the lives of the Sheridan and the O'Malley families of Cleveland, Ohio from June 7,1916 with the birth of Ellen O'Malley, through to her 80th birthday on June 7, 1996. This is a novel based on the actual lives of the first generation American children of Michael and Mary O'Malley. Through their eyes we visit the neighborhoods they inhabit in Cleveland through the depression, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and how those conflicts changed the complexion of Ohio, of the US, of that world.
These are excellent, well balanced people for the most part - some of the bad guys are all bad - and the neighborhoods and environs of Cleveland grow with the times, as do the characters. An excellent slice of American life. Mary Frances Fisher is an author I will follow.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Mary Frances Fisher, and Backlit PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Aug 24, 2018
Backlit PR
These are excellent, well balanced people for the most part - some of the bad guys are all bad - and the neighborhoods and environs of Cleveland grow with the times, as do the characters. An excellent slice of American life. Mary Frances Fisher is an author I will follow.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Mary Frances Fisher, and Backlit PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Aug 24, 2018
Backlit PR
April 22, 2019
"Ellen saw the myriad of webs doled out by fate as lives intersected through one tragic event ... their consequential acts created ripple effects ..."
Though fiction (based on a family history handed down), this made for an enthralling story - you just have to continue reading to finish to see where this cold case meets its conclusion. I felt mentally exhausted - in a good way - after reading as there are a lot of characters wandering in and out as we are taken back in time to the tragic events that set off a "ripple effect" over the many years later.
" ... the past is a fabric upon which our lives are woven ..."
Though fiction (based on a family history handed down), this made for an enthralling story - you just have to continue reading to finish to see where this cold case meets its conclusion. I felt mentally exhausted - in a good way - after reading as there are a lot of characters wandering in and out as we are taken back in time to the tragic events that set off a "ripple effect" over the many years later.
" ... the past is a fabric upon which our lives are woven ..."
June 24, 2025
Paradox Forged in Blood is a historical murder mystery rooted in the decades-long repercussions of a brutal crime. Told through multiple timelines and perspectives, it weaves the tragic tale of Ellen O’Malley Szabo, who harbors a chilling secret stemming from a 1939 murder of a Cleveland socialite. As the story unfolds from Ellen’s early years through post-WWII America, it uncovers the dark entanglements of love, loss, guilt, and justice. Based on true events and enriched with authentic period detail, Fisher’s novel explores themes of trauma, moral ambiguity, and the long shadows cast by war and prejudice.
From the get-go, I was pulled in by Fisher’s talent for bringing history to life. The early chapters read like sepia-toned memories, layered with texture and heart. Her characters, especially Ellen, feel heartbreakingly real, flawed, brave, and haunted. Fisher doesn't just tell a story—she captures a world. The prose is straightforward and emotionally direct, often charged with a kind of raw nostalgia. That said, the pacing sometimes slows, especially in the middle, where the plot steps back from the murder mystery and focuses more on historical backstory. While that deepens the characters and themes, it slightly muddles the genre expectations for a mystery. Still, I didn’t mind too much, I was already invested in the people more than the puzzle.
What stuck with me most wasn’t the crime, but the emotional wreckage it left behind. Ellen's guilt seeps into every corner of her life. I also appreciated the undercurrent of social commentary. The anti-Semitism, the lingering trauma of war, the costs of silence. Fisher doesn’t preach. She shows us what it feels like to live with choices you can’t undo. At times, the story gets heavy, but it earns that weight. There’s grief here, but also grit. And love, the kind that quietly saves you, even if it can’t fix everything.
Paradox Forged in Blood isn’t just a mystery. It’s a reckoning. A slow burn about how the past refuses to stay buried. I’d recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who appreciate a strong emotional arc and morally complex characters. It’s especially suited for readers who like their mysteries more character-driven than clue-packed. If you’ve ever wondered how one secret can echo through generations, this one’s for you.
From the get-go, I was pulled in by Fisher’s talent for bringing history to life. The early chapters read like sepia-toned memories, layered with texture and heart. Her characters, especially Ellen, feel heartbreakingly real, flawed, brave, and haunted. Fisher doesn't just tell a story—she captures a world. The prose is straightforward and emotionally direct, often charged with a kind of raw nostalgia. That said, the pacing sometimes slows, especially in the middle, where the plot steps back from the murder mystery and focuses more on historical backstory. While that deepens the characters and themes, it slightly muddles the genre expectations for a mystery. Still, I didn’t mind too much, I was already invested in the people more than the puzzle.
What stuck with me most wasn’t the crime, but the emotional wreckage it left behind. Ellen's guilt seeps into every corner of her life. I also appreciated the undercurrent of social commentary. The anti-Semitism, the lingering trauma of war, the costs of silence. Fisher doesn’t preach. She shows us what it feels like to live with choices you can’t undo. At times, the story gets heavy, but it earns that weight. There’s grief here, but also grit. And love, the kind that quietly saves you, even if it can’t fix everything.
Paradox Forged in Blood isn’t just a mystery. It’s a reckoning. A slow burn about how the past refuses to stay buried. I’d recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who appreciate a strong emotional arc and morally complex characters. It’s especially suited for readers who like their mysteries more character-driven than clue-packed. If you’ve ever wondered how one secret can echo through generations, this one’s for you.
June 17, 2017
From NetGalley:
Despite the fact the novel is well proofread and the plot moves along quickly, I’m really turned away by the abundance of clichés and over-used descriptions. A historical mystery based on true events and apparently the family legend—it reads too much at times like fiction and not enough like true crime. The fictional narrative is bumped around by the true crime narrative and visa versa, meaning it’s hard to get a grip on what’s happening. Too many characters have brief point of views, though I think the author is trying for an omniscient view. I found the whole thing hard to wrap my head around.
Conversations abound whose only purpose is to give the reader an awkward info-dump and much of what’s reported is told through the hazy lens of nostalgia.
I’m sure there are readers out there who appreciate this type of family history storytelling, but it’s not for me. I’m an avid reader of both fictional historical and contemporary mysteries and true crime, but this fell short of the mark with the clichéd prose style and dull, stolid characters. I think the story would have been better served as one or the other, but as it is, it’s neither fish nor fowl and left me cold.
Despite the fact the novel is well proofread and the plot moves along quickly, I’m really turned away by the abundance of clichés and over-used descriptions. A historical mystery based on true events and apparently the family legend—it reads too much at times like fiction and not enough like true crime. The fictional narrative is bumped around by the true crime narrative and visa versa, meaning it’s hard to get a grip on what’s happening. Too many characters have brief point of views, though I think the author is trying for an omniscient view. I found the whole thing hard to wrap my head around.
Conversations abound whose only purpose is to give the reader an awkward info-dump and much of what’s reported is told through the hazy lens of nostalgia.
I’m sure there are readers out there who appreciate this type of family history storytelling, but it’s not for me. I’m an avid reader of both fictional historical and contemporary mysteries and true crime, but this fell short of the mark with the clichéd prose style and dull, stolid characters. I think the story would have been better served as one or the other, but as it is, it’s neither fish nor fowl and left me cold.
July 30, 2018
This is a compilation of stories from the life of the main character, Ellen O’Malley Szabo. It is advertised as a factual account with family stories interspersed in the book. The story is tied together by the relationship of the characters to each other and the effect of each on the others’ lives. A brother of Ellen is kidnapped and the story takes off from there. The baby is never returned and the lives of the family change because of this void even though another child is born. The story touches on the Lindberg kidnapping and the Great Depression. The author did a great job with description and time periods but the book began to drag a bit for me. I would only mildly recommend it.
October 13, 2017
I enjoyed this book, it wasn't what I was expecting because it was described as being "historical" and a "mystery", and I think it's probably more a family saga with historical and mystery elements within it. I found it a good read, very different from the books I normally read, and I'll look forward to the author's next one. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review
July 8, 2017
I feel ambivalent about this book. I read the whole story but it was the manner of storytelling that didn't appeal. I felt it was just a recitation of history lessons with a few of the characters thrown in. If someone were looking for a family history novel, I would mention this one. What doesn't appeal to me would to others.
October 6, 2017
Hated it. I thought the whole book was disjointed and most of the chapters were just to bulk out the actual plot line. It was far too cheesy and it needed more depth to it. I felt like the author just wanted to try and make the story sound legitimate with unneeded historical facts.
Very disappointed. Hopefully other books by this author will be better.
Very disappointed. Hopefully other books by this author will be better.
August 5, 2018
2.5 stars. Too much melodrama for me.
September 4, 2016
I legitimately finished this in two sittings. It was addicting. Not only was there the main murder mystery, but there were so many other mysteries at play.
There were lots of stories and lots of characters at play. Sometimes it was confusing to remember who was who and who's story we were on. Lots of jumping around, but the author did a decent job keeping the reader on track. Everyone was connected in some way and seemed realistic. It was pretty cool how the author intertwined everyone.
A part of me wished that the story stayed focused on Ellen's and maybe Frank's POV, but the story wouldn't have had all all the extra mysteries and story-lines involved. I did really like Sadie. However, there were some slow parts that could have been cut in order to keep the plot moving along. It sucks having to cut things, but sometimes its needed. It didn't hurt the story for me, because I LOVE people stories, but from a writing stand-point the plot was staled at some points.
Now...the main mystery was the murder mystery. This was a headache to solve, but I pretty much guessed who it was, but I didn't realize WHO the murderer was....hard to explain, but the twist about the murderer was a shock. I didn't see it coming!! I had a different theory, but I knew it was a stretch.
The mystery of baby Patrick frustrated me too and I had no idea.
The mystery of Sadie's twin seemed an easy one, but the author got me there.
The robbery mystery tied in nicely and it was who I thought it was going to be.
Was that all of them? I can't remember now, but there was a lot going on at times, but the ending tied up everything nicely and I feel all the loose ends were knotted well. I'm glad the author revisited everything to make sure everything was nicely tied up. I hate loose ends!
In the end, this was a fun book. Lots of stories and lots of mysteries. Time does have a weird way of bringing out the truth and revealing mysteries. It may take decades or longer, but someday the truth will be dug up. There will some hiccups in the pace of the story, but overall I really did like this. I highly recommend it for people looking for a good people story and mystery novel. Out of five stars, I will stamp it with three.
There were lots of stories and lots of characters at play. Sometimes it was confusing to remember who was who and who's story we were on. Lots of jumping around, but the author did a decent job keeping the reader on track. Everyone was connected in some way and seemed realistic. It was pretty cool how the author intertwined everyone.
A part of me wished that the story stayed focused on Ellen's and maybe Frank's POV, but the story wouldn't have had all all the extra mysteries and story-lines involved. I did really like Sadie. However, there were some slow parts that could have been cut in order to keep the plot moving along. It sucks having to cut things, but sometimes its needed. It didn't hurt the story for me, because I LOVE people stories, but from a writing stand-point the plot was staled at some points.
Now...the main mystery was the murder mystery. This was a headache to solve, but I pretty much guessed who it was, but I didn't realize WHO the murderer was....hard to explain, but the twist about the murderer was a shock. I didn't see it coming!! I had a different theory, but I knew it was a stretch.
The mystery of baby Patrick frustrated me too and I had no idea.
The mystery of Sadie's twin seemed an easy one, but the author got me there.
The robbery mystery tied in nicely and it was who I thought it was going to be.
Was that all of them? I can't remember now, but there was a lot going on at times, but the ending tied up everything nicely and I feel all the loose ends were knotted well. I'm glad the author revisited everything to make sure everything was nicely tied up. I hate loose ends!
In the end, this was a fun book. Lots of stories and lots of mysteries. Time does have a weird way of bringing out the truth and revealing mysteries. It may take decades or longer, but someday the truth will be dug up. There will some hiccups in the pace of the story, but overall I really did like this. I highly recommend it for people looking for a good people story and mystery novel. Out of five stars, I will stamp it with three.
August 26, 2016
Several families are brought together through a meaningless tragedy in Pre-World War II Ohio. In 1939, a young Ellen O’Malley works as nanny for the Sheridan family who lives on Millionaire’s Row. Ellen already carries around the guilt of witnessing the kidnapping of her younger brother when she was a child and not being able to help; now on one fateful night, she witnesses a burglary gone wrong at the Sheridan household where her employer, Louis Sheridan is murdered. Ellen only sees the back of the murderer’s head, but she has a clue as to who he is. Before she is able to tell anyone, the murderer threatens to kill her family if she tells. Now, Ellen has another burden to carry around. Meanwhile, other employees in the Sheridan household also have had a brush-in with the suspected murderer, however, everyone is too afraid to say anything and the murder goes unsolved for decades until they are sure that the danger has passed.
This is a twisty historical murder-mystery that is based on the author’s actual family members. The murder mystery itself is quite suspenseful, several people may know what happened, but all are too afraid to speak. Meanwhile, the police are chasing several suspects that match the murderer’s description that seem to have disappeared. With WWII on the horizon, tensions are heightened and other concerns are put into the forefront. I did get a great sense of Ellen’s character and I felt terrible that the knowledge of the murder weighed on her for all those years. I do wish that the storyline stuck with just the murder mystery and Ellen’s story. I felt sidetracked at points with the disappearance of her baby brother and the resolution and Sadie’s story- the Sheridan’s cook, and the recovery of her long lost twin sister. Somehow, all of these events were pulled together, but I felt it could have been streamlined more. Overall, a surprising murder-mystery that highlights tensions and values of America during World War II.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This is a twisty historical murder-mystery that is based on the author’s actual family members. The murder mystery itself is quite suspenseful, several people may know what happened, but all are too afraid to speak. Meanwhile, the police are chasing several suspects that match the murderer’s description that seem to have disappeared. With WWII on the horizon, tensions are heightened and other concerns are put into the forefront. I did get a great sense of Ellen’s character and I felt terrible that the knowledge of the murder weighed on her for all those years. I do wish that the storyline stuck with just the murder mystery and Ellen’s story. I felt sidetracked at points with the disappearance of her baby brother and the resolution and Sadie’s story- the Sheridan’s cook, and the recovery of her long lost twin sister. Somehow, all of these events were pulled together, but I felt it could have been streamlined more. Overall, a surprising murder-mystery that highlights tensions and values of America during World War II.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
September 5, 2016
This book is so much more than historical fiction; it’s about the characters that are described so well you begin to believe they are real and that you are a part of the family. To say this is a mystery about a murder on Millionaire’s Row is to oversimplify the complexity of the story. One tends to have to think back a few pages when another character is introduced, and there are a lot of characters. There are stories behind the main story, but without complicating it too much, I was amazed at how it all came together at the end. I fell in love with everything about this book and eagerly await Growing up O’Malley, Fisher’s companion book to Paradox Forged in Blood. If this book is an indication of things to come, we will be hearing a lot about Mary Frances Fisher – she’s that good.
April 12, 2017
In 1930 Cleveland, Ohio, Louis Sheridan is murdered. Forty years later the original police officers look into the cold case. The story is told through the several families involved but especially Ellen O’Malley.
Unfortunately I didn't find that the story held my interest though I did finish the book, and didn't really like the writing style.
A NetGalley Book
Unfortunately I didn't find that the story held my interest though I did finish the book, and didn't really like the writing style.
A NetGalley Book
April 14, 2017
This was an interesting book to read, it covered so many stories and a long period of time. In many ways, this was it's undoing. Keeping track of who was who and where they fit in was very difficult and I found myself getting a bit lost on a few occasions. The action sometimes stalled with too many details and parts that really would have been better cut. Although they all tied in together at the end, it was just too much for the one book and slowed the pace down.
The book itself was a fairly easy read and I got through it quite quickly. Having said that, I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, it told the story in quite a dry this happened, then this happened, then this happened way. Rather than letting the story unfold by the actions of the characters. It was a bit of a shame really, as the story itself was certainly gripping enough. It also meant that really connecting with the characters was difficult, I didn't feel that we experienced events along side them, but rather were there was impassive observers.
The main story focused on an unsolved murder. I say the main story, but that wasn't the only mystery that featured in the book. In actual fact all of the different threads were interwoven in one way or another, although that wasn't clear until the end. There were a few surprises at the end of the book, when the mystery is finally solved.
On the whole I enjoyed the book, despite my issues with the writing style and it being a little confusing. I'd be interested in reading more by the same author, I'm a big fan of historical fiction and murder mysteries, especially if they employed a good editor to help trim down and focus the story line.
The book itself was a fairly easy read and I got through it quite quickly. Having said that, I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, it told the story in quite a dry this happened, then this happened, then this happened way. Rather than letting the story unfold by the actions of the characters. It was a bit of a shame really, as the story itself was certainly gripping enough. It also meant that really connecting with the characters was difficult, I didn't feel that we experienced events along side them, but rather were there was impassive observers.
The main story focused on an unsolved murder. I say the main story, but that wasn't the only mystery that featured in the book. In actual fact all of the different threads were interwoven in one way or another, although that wasn't clear until the end. There were a few surprises at the end of the book, when the mystery is finally solved.
On the whole I enjoyed the book, despite my issues with the writing style and it being a little confusing. I'd be interested in reading more by the same author, I'm a big fan of historical fiction and murder mysteries, especially if they employed a good editor to help trim down and focus the story line.
April 27, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, which is how I got it but not how was supposed to get it; 'won' a review copy through book review buzz site, and they sent download link, which was as a protected link having to be opened up in one of the adobe formats, which I have several of but which none would actually open {although it has always opened up others just like it, and recently, so not that}. Then it said could download through kindle mail, EXCEPT I use a pc version, which does NOT have a kindle address to send to, so then went and had it sent to my smartphone, which was too hard to read, then sent to my tablet, which easier to read but those have no audio funtion like my computer app does. Tried to struggle through reading it visually, but as I am legally blind it takes more than the average amount of time plus many stops to rest the eyes. I realize that most authors and probably most people in general are not aware of various limitations with various kindle products, so did not of course take off any stars for that, just a head's up for writers in general. THAT is why the review is so late, because at one time this was not listed for ku or would have just done it that way so could hear the audio on my laptop.
Now, on to the story and review. As a widow myself, trust me, the average person is not going to be perked up by a birthday or any other party after the death of a long term spouse, unless they didn't like the spouse. RFLP analysis was not used until the 1980's so within the supposed time frame BUT it was writing newspaper accounts for the 1930's at which time this was not even a thought in anyone's mind so the back and forth timeline is confusing. DNA analysis with RFLP required relatively large amounts of DNA and degraded samples could not be analysed with accuracy so no idea why this is being used to supposedly explain things considering the decades old case, and yes I watch a LOT of CSI type shows.
There is so much unneeded extraneous background, information, assorted thoughts some of which other than the person having them would not be discernible, and goes way beyond artistic writing license. Really, we 'needed' to go all the way back, decades, to the main person's birth? One also can not exude a palpable air of anything and yet keep it hidden, it's oxymoronic. What was the reason for going all the way back to the girl's birth then detailing births of siblings, year after year after year. There was no reason or point in detailing out the twins attempt at trickery, and there is no realistic way for 2 people to change sweaters in little more than a couple blinks of the eye when at least the second time the teacher had merely turned around to the board. Why would the children not already know English and they were already supposed to be in America, this story makes no sense, and is totally contradictory at so many points. Either that, or we are thrown in to a totally different story or totally different time. Also one can not at the same time 'hide' yet be able to see someone in the other room without closing the door, at least somewhat. Have NO idea what any of this has to do with the murder, totally confusing.
Colored contacts were not invented/available until the 1980's so not sure why or what would be changed in anyone's appearance by contact lens in the 1930's that would be part of a 'disguise', and if they wore glasses then simply take them off. When did the main character gets the evidence, and when did she hand it over? All the extra, unneeded, details in this story and that was not answered clearly enough? The book was almost 5000 pages, there should have been room for that at least.It's also not an 'assault' when someone is killed, that's homicide. Having not only served in the military myself but aware of dog tags in general through history, if the tags were used to secure someone to whatever floating item, then in every modern and not so modern day war, it gives the name of the soldier/wearer, and sometimes even more personal information. Once again showing the writer did no actual research for a supposedly 'historical' book. Then, all the sudden again, we have totally skipped the original birthday party that started it all and are now 10 years later at another one coming up?
The writer not only was a legal nurse consultant but had feedback from other medical people, and yet the main parts of this overly unnecessarily long book got the most basic of medical facts totally wrong? After all the technical issues had with just even getting this book, this is what it was about, a mishmash of everything but nothing? Yes, 1 star, just because can't give it any lower.
Now, on to the story and review. As a widow myself, trust me, the average person is not going to be perked up by a birthday or any other party after the death of a long term spouse, unless they didn't like the spouse. RFLP analysis was not used until the 1980's so within the supposed time frame BUT it was writing newspaper accounts for the 1930's at which time this was not even a thought in anyone's mind so the back and forth timeline is confusing. DNA analysis with RFLP required relatively large amounts of DNA and degraded samples could not be analysed with accuracy so no idea why this is being used to supposedly explain things considering the decades old case, and yes I watch a LOT of CSI type shows.
There is so much unneeded extraneous background, information, assorted thoughts some of which other than the person having them would not be discernible, and goes way beyond artistic writing license. Really, we 'needed' to go all the way back, decades, to the main person's birth? One also can not exude a palpable air of anything and yet keep it hidden, it's oxymoronic. What was the reason for going all the way back to the girl's birth then detailing births of siblings, year after year after year. There was no reason or point in detailing out the twins attempt at trickery, and there is no realistic way for 2 people to change sweaters in little more than a couple blinks of the eye when at least the second time the teacher had merely turned around to the board. Why would the children not already know English and they were already supposed to be in America, this story makes no sense, and is totally contradictory at so many points. Either that, or we are thrown in to a totally different story or totally different time. Also one can not at the same time 'hide' yet be able to see someone in the other room without closing the door, at least somewhat. Have NO idea what any of this has to do with the murder, totally confusing.
Colored contacts were not invented/available until the 1980's so not sure why or what would be changed in anyone's appearance by contact lens in the 1930's that would be part of a 'disguise', and if they wore glasses then simply take them off. When did the main character gets the evidence, and when did she hand it over? All the extra, unneeded, details in this story and that was not answered clearly enough? The book was almost 5000 pages, there should have been room for that at least.It's also not an 'assault' when someone is killed, that's homicide. Having not only served in the military myself but aware of dog tags in general through history, if the tags were used to secure someone to whatever floating item, then in every modern and not so modern day war, it gives the name of the soldier/wearer, and sometimes even more personal information. Once again showing the writer did no actual research for a supposedly 'historical' book. Then, all the sudden again, we have totally skipped the original birthday party that started it all and are now 10 years later at another one coming up?
The writer not only was a legal nurse consultant but had feedback from other medical people, and yet the main parts of this overly unnecessarily long book got the most basic of medical facts totally wrong? After all the technical issues had with just even getting this book, this is what it was about, a mishmash of everything but nothing? Yes, 1 star, just because can't give it any lower.
May 19, 2018
This book is a good account of mystery and historical fiction..At times it was repetitive, boring and confusing with so many characters that I all most gave up..Glad I didn't because I really did like how all the characters were meshed together.. Thank you netgalley for letting me review this book.
May 28, 2018
A really good debut novel! What caught my attention, and why I wanted to read this novel, was the time period. I love reading anything to do with WWII and Nazi Germany. However, even though this book does touch on the Holocaust, that is the not the main theme of the story. It is a story about how lives are intersected, how we are all connected in one way or another, and how sometimes, secrets (however wrong they might be) are kept to protect those we love. I downloaded this book today and finished it within a few hours. Thank you #NetGalley and #BacklitPR for the digital copy to read and review.
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