Bad to the Bones

Torie O'Shea #12

by Rett MacPherson

Torie O'Shea is in a funk. Her doctor says she needs to lose thirty pounds, but it's just not fair she can't eat all the pie she wants. Her younger daughter is backpacking through Europe with a guy named Wolfbane and her teenaged son is uploading podcasts that have all the neighbors talking. To top it all off, she’s bored out of her mind. But then a routine request to catalog a local church cemetery turns up a body, and suddenly Torie’s back in the business of solving murders.

With the help of some local true-crime groupies, Torie begins unraveling a mystery that dates back to the Civil War.

As the violence of the past sheds light on the crimes of the present, Torie realizes she’s back in her element.

And she couldn’t be happier about it.

Genres: Mystery

234 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2018

About the author

Rett MacPherson was born in Saint Louis, Missouri. She is the author of the popular Torie O'Shea mysteries and helped to pioneer the sub-genre of genealogical mysteries. She is also a bead and fabric artist and loves wineries, cemeteries, genealogy, history and of course, books.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a long absence from the world of mysteries, Torie O'Shea returns. Rather than picking up where she left off, Torie and the remaining characters aged. Her father-in-law Colin, formerly sheriff, is now a private investigator. Torie's grown-up daughters moved out. One is gallivanting all over Europe with young men of questionable desirability. Son Matt, a high school junior, along with another friend occupy their time by podcasting. Torie, working on a project involving a Catholic cemetery in a nearby community, discovers exposed bones in the cemetery when her attention and that of the boys focuses on a coyote seen in the same area two days in a row. She calls Mort, the new sheriff. Both a recent set of bones and an older mass grave of bones, apparently belonging to Union soldiers, bring in crime scene investigation team as well as an archaeological team. Torie, of course, becomes involved in the investigation, using her historical and genealogical sleuthing skills to find clues police overlooked. Colin, tired of investigating straying husbands and the like, assists Torie. The new sheriff while warning Torie off, really lacks the "force" Colin used to stop her meddling; however, Torie's ownership of two museums and role as county historian provided her sufficient reason to be conducting the investigations she undertook. I enjoyed this installment and hope MacPherson will continue writing Torie O'Shea mysteries. Some plot elements such as the True Crime Club and information about her children provide clues to the direction the series may develop in future installments.

[Rhonda Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, feeling the age in this one, but a delight nonetheless... I, too, am getting older and gaining a little extra weight (in the first mention of Rudy, I had to wonder if they got divorced, since Torie's surprised when Rachel invites her to breakfast and Rudy shows up; they are still married, however). Her two daughters have left the nest, Rachel has gotten married and lives nearby while Mary has embraced her own freedom by backpacking around the world. Matt is still home and making videos and blogs he shares online for money, much to the dismay of his parents, because of his lack of concern for his safety, such as visiting meth labs. Curiously, that comes back into play during an investigation of two sets of bones that emerge near a church -- one of a young woman who was doing historical research, and a group of Civil War-era soldiers nearby. Torie also becomes somewhat of a "murder expert" to a local group for her past involvement in cases, members of which hang around her like groupies and hang on her every word. Torie sees similarities between herself and the young woman, Kristine, who search for the truth and follow that path like a bloodhound. The end of the story really was powerful, when Torie reflects on the differences between her daughter Mary and that young woman, Kristine, and the paths they were on ending the way they have.

[Joy Rosynek · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who have missed the adventures of genealogist, Torie O'Shea, and her family, this is the read we have been waiting for and it fulfills it promise. Torie is bored with her life, but things are about to change for her and her extended family. There are many points in the book that I laughed out loud as Torie copes with growing older and solving her latest murder. Torie reminds us that sometimes it is the still the paper trail not just the electronic trail of family and local history that can lead us to answers. There are points in the book where Torie or others remind the reader of her past exploits or encourage the new reader to find out about them. However, I'm glad Torie, her family and friends from New Kassel are back and I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torie O'Shea is back! But with her two daughters out of the house (one married, one backpacking through Europe), and only teenage Matthew still at home, she's at loose ends, since very few people want to hire a genealogist any more, with so many resources available online. So when a local church asks for her help transcribing their records, she's happy to comply. And then bones are found nearby, just outside the graveyard, and Torie is once more looking for clues. Interesting characters combined with an imaginative plot and a little humor make this book hard to put down. Recommended.

[Lynda Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten exactly how much I missed Torie, her family, museums, genealogy, love of fibers, and her love of a good mystery in need of solving. As in the previous 11 Torie O'Shea mysteries, by Rett MacPherson, Torie finds herself inadvertently helping her local authorities solve the murder of a missing woman and the mass grave of Civil War soldiers which her son Matt discovered. If you enjoy an autumn afternoon under a quilt, grab a mulled cider (or Dr. Pepper as Torie would) and this mystery. By the end of the read, you will want to be a resident of New Kassel, Missouri.

[Karyn Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torie O’Shea has her hands full with her charming teenage son Matt, two museums, solving mysteries, realizing that she has to change her diet to avoid health problems, and being married to her husband Rudy. A wonderful mystery, so well crafted. Torie is someone who is kind, laugh out loud funny, someone I would love to have as a friend. She is that cool.

[M. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Torie O'Shea at last

I have long been a fan of this series and was so excited to see that there was finally a new book. Her books are extremely well written, with clever plots and well developed characters, and include fascinating bits of history. I highly recommend this series, and am hopeful there will be more.

[Susan Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific Torie O'Shea mystery. I would have loved a wee bit more history. I adore these books. Her description of a small town just outsid of St. Louis is perfect. Being from the area, I love reading about local towns and attractions. I'll never tire of Torie and her meddling ways!

[Florence Lukac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad to have book 12. Just as great as we the other 11. Can't wait for my book to arrive.had to read it on my kindle fire.hope you keep writing.

I love these stories. You just become part of the town and people.like everyone else you want to go there.what,s happening in town.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Always loved her books and I’m glad to see another book. There’s always a twist to them you don’t expect and the characters are an interesting group of people. A bit eccentric and always up to something. Looking forward to many more!

[Robin Meador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Torie O’Shea Mystery

I have missed this series. I am glad to see this one. It was full of history and mystery that I love.

[Nancy Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

Loved these books
All the characters were awesome
Good writing.style
And of course my favorite topic, genealogy
Wish there were more books in the series

[Kellee Rayburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Victory O'Shea is a brilliant historian and genealogist, as well as a hilarious mom and wife. Everyone is older in this one, but still fascinating.

[Cherney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope not my kind of book

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. Rett MacPherson somehow manages to merge current technology with the past seamlessly. I love the relationships she has with her children, realizing they are each different, still loving them equally. I have missed this series and hope this is one of many to come. The historical topic, bushwackers, in this book was different than the past, but important and well written.