What do you think?
Jane Madden #1
When Beggars Dye
Three photographs. 1948: an unknown woman at the wedding of a miner’s daughter to a decorated war hero. 1943: a pale US airman, behind him Mary Mine, a drab-painted warplane destined to crash in flames. 1936: a handsome teenager, arm thrust in fascist salute as his black-uniformed idol struts through the East End of London.
What is the link between these people? And what are their legacies?
Introducing Jane Madden, an ex-police detective trying to build a new life after illness and divorce. She is commissioned not to solve an ancestral mystery, but to find one. Together with a reclusive but brilliant friend, she discovers murder, treachery and corruption as she unearths family ties that have been deliberately broken and buried. Torn between truth and justice, and haunted by an image from her own childhood, she tries to make good the lies of yesterday.
A story of abandonment, obsession, one-sided love and the nature of inheritance.
What is the link between these people? And what are their legacies?
Introducing Jane Madden, an ex-police detective trying to build a new life after illness and divorce. She is commissioned not to solve an ancestral mystery, but to find one. Together with a reclusive but brilliant friend, she discovers murder, treachery and corruption as she unearths family ties that have been deliberately broken and buried. Torn between truth and justice, and haunted by an image from her own childhood, she tries to make good the lies of yesterday.
A story of abandonment, obsession, one-sided love and the nature of inheritance.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 8, 2020
I read this book as part of the Kindle Unlimited scheme, like a lending library for Kindle books, although you pay a subscription for the privilege.
I really like genealogical mysteries in general and I enjoyed this one very much. I enjoyed the mystery that the protagonist, Jane Madden, is investigating and the hints about her own mysterious past (although this is a little bit of a cliche - the genealogist whose own family history is unclear).
The book opens with an intriguing image of a haunting memory, a strong and fearless man leaving a young girl on a quayside but then the first chapter is prosaic, clunky and written with crazy dramatic language. Unnecessary details are described in great detail, slowing the action, e.g. “There had once been the name of a builder across the side of the van, but the lettering had been stripped off years ago and any ghostly trace was indistinguishable in the half-light.” So why mention it? Then “Had someone twitched their bedroom curtains that night and been able to see past the van, they would have witnessed two men of almost identical build and appearance,”
Happily, after that, it really improved with an episode describing the sinking of HMS Hood in World War II, then Jane travelling through London to meet up with her friend, Thompson Ferdinand. The way the story of the Dye family is introduced is well-written and intriguing. I enjoyed the details of how Jane conducts the research as well as finding out what actually happened in 1940s Britain.
Jane muses on the business of genealogy: “All these people summarised by the registrar’s trinity of birth, marriage and death: snapshots of data – occupations, addresses, relationships – standing in for lives, personalities and motivations.“ She is lucky to be able to talk to people who witnessed events at the time - I wish I had more of those!
So, good book. I enjoyed it. (I could live without the punning title, mind!)
I really like genealogical mysteries in general and I enjoyed this one very much. I enjoyed the mystery that the protagonist, Jane Madden, is investigating and the hints about her own mysterious past (although this is a little bit of a cliche - the genealogist whose own family history is unclear).
The book opens with an intriguing image of a haunting memory, a strong and fearless man leaving a young girl on a quayside but then the first chapter is prosaic, clunky and written with crazy dramatic language. Unnecessary details are described in great detail, slowing the action, e.g. “There had once been the name of a builder across the side of the van, but the lettering had been stripped off years ago and any ghostly trace was indistinguishable in the half-light.” So why mention it? Then “Had someone twitched their bedroom curtains that night and been able to see past the van, they would have witnessed two men of almost identical build and appearance,”
Happily, after that, it really improved with an episode describing the sinking of HMS Hood in World War II, then Jane travelling through London to meet up with her friend, Thompson Ferdinand. The way the story of the Dye family is introduced is well-written and intriguing. I enjoyed the details of how Jane conducts the research as well as finding out what actually happened in 1940s Britain.
Jane muses on the business of genealogy: “All these people summarised by the registrar’s trinity of birth, marriage and death: snapshots of data – occupations, addresses, relationships – standing in for lives, personalities and motivations.“ She is lucky to be able to talk to people who witnessed events at the time - I wish I had more of those!
So, good book. I enjoyed it. (I could live without the punning title, mind!)
August 4, 2020
A Journey Into The Past In Search Of Truth
A well rated story with authentic background sketches. Some very emotive times are visited and revisited, during the searching for the facts, people and events that shaped theives of people in the present.
Some things were just sketches but most capture the times. They bring personal experiences to life and the people who lived or were touched by them. It's all wo en together with the process of researching family history and family stories that shaped the descendants of the main characters. There are a few twists and turns and we see how the past is sometimes distorted by the vagaries of memory, bias, self deceit or that of others. It's well told and I enjoyed it.
I'm going to read the next in series, currently also the last. I hope there will be more.
For those who haven't read it, the author's other book, 'A Forest With NoTrees', is a stand alone story, well worth reading.
A well rated story with authentic background sketches. Some very emotive times are visited and revisited, during the searching for the facts, people and events that shaped theives of people in the present.
Some things were just sketches but most capture the times. They bring personal experiences to life and the people who lived or were touched by them. It's all wo en together with the process of researching family history and family stories that shaped the descendants of the main characters. There are a few twists and turns and we see how the past is sometimes distorted by the vagaries of memory, bias, self deceit or that of others. It's well told and I enjoyed it.
I'm going to read the next in series, currently also the last. I hope there will be more.
For those who haven't read it, the author's other book, 'A Forest With NoTrees', is a stand alone story, well worth reading.
April 2, 2020
Probably 3.5 stars. After leaving the police force, Jane Madden decides on a new career as a genealogist. Her first case involves solving a family mystery for Julian Stothard and his mother Margaret. Margaret had down research in the pre-computer era, but her mother once remarked that there was something wrong, but wouldn't say what. Now Margaret is hoping Jane can figure it out. The reader follows in Jane's footsteps as she tracks Margaret's family backwards. The compelling story kept me interested, however, this book appears to have been self-published, and could have used the attention of an editor.
June 24, 2019
An okay story. While I enjoyed the plot of discovering how a sister had become estranged from her siblings, the story wandered and had many (too many) twists. I would, however, read another in the Jane Madden genealogical series.
October 5, 2021
I was attracted to this book by its title and description, and I held out hopes for a good read through the first three chapters.
However, I didn't give it a higher rating, because it needs quite a bit of editing in four aspects:
1. to remove extraneous content,
2. to sharpen its focus (What is the reader to take away by the end?)
3. to elevate its prose with nuance and more interesting language, and
4. to further develop the rather flat characters and their relationships.
I still like the concept, so I hope the author has a chance to make it more compelling with a good editor.
However, I didn't give it a higher rating, because it needs quite a bit of editing in four aspects:
1. to remove extraneous content,
2. to sharpen its focus (What is the reader to take away by the end?)
3. to elevate its prose with nuance and more interesting language, and
4. to further develop the rather flat characters and their relationships.
I still like the concept, so I hope the author has a chance to make it more compelling with a good editor.
May 8, 2019
Couldn’t put it down
I love genealogical mysteries, but the storyline didn’t initially jump out at me. I decided to give it a go anyway and I’m so glad I did. I found myself scanning page after page as I devoured the story, wanting to see where the main character took me next. I loved the historical facts interwoven with the storyline and really enjoyed the character of Jane Madden - not the usual female forensic genealogist character !
I love genealogical mysteries, but the storyline didn’t initially jump out at me. I decided to give it a go anyway and I’m so glad I did. I found myself scanning page after page as I devoured the story, wanting to see where the main character took me next. I loved the historical facts interwoven with the storyline and really enjoyed the character of Jane Madden - not the usual female forensic genealogist character !
September 1, 2019
So often Peter from Lost Cousins recommends excellent books. This was one of his suggestions and it is a great and interesting read. An ex police officer sets herself up as a genealogical investigator and discovers the complex relationships and sad details of various sisters from a mining community in the north. Recommended
March 23, 2022
Not my normal genre but I found it gripping in a different way. I actually purchased the book as the author and I share the same name, Peter Hey. No relation, so far as I am aware. This genealogical thriller is fast paced, gripping and brings together family secrets past and present with plenty of mysteries unraveled.
April 29, 2018
Wow! I really enjoyed reading this book. The plotline flowed easily while at the same time twisting and turning
In quite unexpected ways. The research process was explained well but did not over power the storyline. I look forward to the next book.
In quite unexpected ways. The research process was explained well but did not over power the storyline. I look forward to the next book.
June 5, 2018
Another genealogical hit
Wonderful to read these books showing how much work goes into researching family history but the excitement when you find what you have been looking for! Great story well written
Wonderful to read these books showing how much work goes into researching family history but the excitement when you find what you have been looking for! Great story well written
June 25, 2018
Mystery
Name Madden is hired to discover information relating to a geneology. This is a very interesting story about digging for facts from the past. It is well written and educational.
Name Madden is hired to discover information relating to a geneology. This is a very interesting story about digging for facts from the past. It is well written and educational.
July 14, 2018
An interesting well written story
The characters and good storyline kept my interest right up to the last page along with the well researched history and genealogy . I like Peter Hey' s writing style and am very much looking forward to reading a sequel soon
The characters and good storyline kept my interest right up to the last page along with the well researched history and genealogy . I like Peter Hey' s writing style and am very much looking forward to reading a sequel soon
January 11, 2019
Enjoyed enough to read the next book in he series
The book was appealing since I’ve worked on my own genealogy for years. I’m looking forward to Jane’s next assignment as well as her character development.
The book was appealing since I’ve worked on my own genealogy for years. I’m looking forward to Jane’s next assignment as well as her character development.
March 19, 2020
Good book
Well written story with obivous alot of reseach. It encompassed both the 1st and 2nd World War. Really enjoyed the Jane character. Any history buff or spy buff would love this book. Can't wait to read next with Jane!
Well written story with obivous alot of reseach. It encompassed both the 1st and 2nd World War. Really enjoyed the Jane character. Any history buff or spy buff would love this book. Can't wait to read next with Jane!
July 9, 2021
Quite a good read.
Not entirely genealogical, as others in this genre, but a good story. Slightly spoiled by the bad language used. I shall be interested to read the next book, to see if there is more record chasing and genealogical fact.
Not entirely genealogical, as others in this genre, but a good story. Slightly spoiled by the bad language used. I shall be interested to read the next book, to see if there is more record chasing and genealogical fact.
September 20, 2026
Jane is dealing with her own trauma as she starts a new career as a geneologist. Her first case finds a missing sister who cruel husband is tied to facisism and Hitler. Also questionable parentage and someone searching for an heir.
May 28, 2018
Very good. Interesting and very cleverly written.
Looking forward to the next book. The popularity of genealogy stories now, we fast becoming team favourite of readers everywhere.
Looking forward to the next book. The popularity of genealogy stories now, we fast becoming team favourite of readers everywhere.
July 21, 2018
Wonderful read could not put it down.
November 3, 2018
I liked the story, but note to author: the f-bombs were totally unnecessary. I dropped the rating down because of this
December 30, 2018
Gripping genealogy
This genealogical mystery has all the ingredients of a must read and cannot put down story. Jane Madden is great!
This genealogical mystery has all the ingredients of a must read and cannot put down story. Jane Madden is great!
January 24, 2019
Good
Enjoyed this book. Found ìt hard tò put down . The characters were interesting and had a variety of personalitys.
Enjoyed this book. Found ìt hard tò put down . The characters were interesting and had a variety of personalitys.
April 9, 2019
Plausible
I've read three different genealogist detective books and this one is the best. This one is interesting but still plausible.
I've read three different genealogist detective books and this one is the best. This one is interesting but still plausible.
August 12, 2019
Genealogical mystery when Beggars Dye
This was a wonderful book for mystery lovers and genealogy lovers. The depth of genealogical work is amazing! I highly recommend this book.
This was a wonderful book for mystery lovers and genealogy lovers. The depth of genealogical work is amazing! I highly recommend this book.
January 18, 2020
Great story and brilliant ending.
Exciting to follow the intricate history of a conflicted family.
Loved all the twist and turns Jane encounters in her search.
Exciting to follow the intricate history of a conflicted family.
Loved all the twist and turns Jane encounters in her search.
March 12, 2020
really enjoyed this book. Jane Madden mysteries are terrific for an amateur genealogists like me.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews