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Mrs McDougall Investigates #1
Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star
Discover the power of forgiveness in the aftermath of World War I with Harriet Agnes McDougall’s story of survival and understanding. In 1919, in the aftermath of the Great War, Harriet is plagued by the need to understand how her middle son, Malcolm, met his death in the Belgian trenches. With peace now prevailing across Europe, she embarks on a voyage of discovery to retrace her son’s movements. As she uncovers the circumstances surrounding Malcolm’s death, she also meets various young men who are returned from war only to find that they seem no longer to have a place in this altered society—something which Harriet determines to address. Will she be able to find the answers she seeks as she struggles to come to terms with the immense loss she has experienced?For updates on Nathan Dylan Goodwin's Website & @ www.facebook.com/ www.instagram.com/NathanDylanGoodwin
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2018
144 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
32 books625 followersAuthor of the acclaimed genre-bestselling Forensic Genealogist series, featuring Morton Farrier.
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 9, 2021
I have read most of Goodwin's Morton Fraser genealogy mysteries and loved them. So I was a bit reluctant to read about a brand new character's book. But Mrs. McDougall won me over quickly. After losing her two youngest sons in WWI, her husband dies of a heart attack she opens her home to a veteran badly disfigured in the war, and begins to obsessively investigate the death of her son in Belgium, much to the concern of her only surviving son. But she will not be deterred. So we just have to go along for the journey. She is a generous and resourceful soul and I look forward to meeting her again.
June 9, 2019
3.5 stars bumped up to 4.
I have read all 7 of the series "Morton Farrier, The Forensic Genealogist" and enjoyed them very much. Murder mysteries and genealogy, set in my native Kent and Sussex; what more could I wish for?!
"Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star" is quite different: it is a moving tale of a mother's search for the truth surrounding her son's death at Ypres in 1917. Mr Goodwin skilfully captures the grief and distress of ordinary people in the aftermath of the Great War. However, I felt the story was a little predictable and the characters somewhat rigid. Perhaps the main character, Mrs McDougall, will evolve in the next novel of the series.
I have read all 7 of the series "Morton Farrier, The Forensic Genealogist" and enjoyed them very much. Murder mysteries and genealogy, set in my native Kent and Sussex; what more could I wish for?!
"Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star" is quite different: it is a moving tale of a mother's search for the truth surrounding her son's death at Ypres in 1917. Mr Goodwin skilfully captures the grief and distress of ordinary people in the aftermath of the Great War. However, I felt the story was a little predictable and the characters somewhat rigid. Perhaps the main character, Mrs McDougall, will evolve in the next novel of the series.
May 23, 2019
Harriet McDougall's determination to uncover exactly how one of her two lost sons died in The Great War makes for an unusual tale. I think Mrs McDougall is quite typical of her time; an upper middle class lady whose whole world has been turned upside down determined t find this one piece f truth.
I felt rather sorry for her surviving son - she really does seem as if he was her least favourite and is just coming in useful to her for the quest. Her realisation towards the end that even when she tries to help others she is still in her 'middle-class lady of the parish' bubble is really believable.
As she has another dead son I presume we might see her set off for Greece to find out exactly what happened to him, too. I will look out for that.
I felt rather sorry for her surviving son - she really does seem as if he was her least favourite and is just coming in useful to her for the quest. Her realisation towards the end that even when she tries to help others she is still in her 'middle-class lady of the parish' bubble is really believable.
As she has another dead son I presume we might see her set off for Greece to find out exactly what happened to him, too. I will look out for that.
February 20, 2024
A tale of a mother seeking more knowledge of a fallen son in 1917, visiting his grave and finding out more in Ypres in Belguim during 1919
November 14, 2018
Thank you, Nathan, for another wonderful read. Now for the sequel about Edward & Greece!
June 30, 2019
I bought this book with some ambivalence because I really wanted Nathan Dylan Goodwin to have written another book in his genealogical mystery series, featuring Morten Farrier, but while waiting I thought I'd try this.
The book is almost like a full-length version of the historical flashbacks that Mr Goodwin intersperses with Morten's current day investigations. And, as such, it is beautifully written and evocative of the era of the immediate post-WWI period, 100 years ago. I enjoyed both the story and the historical notes at the end.
The word that sprung into my mind from the start of the book was "charming". It is a charming book with a charming protagonist, Mrs Harriett McDougall. Her voice on the page reminded me of Adeline Lumley, one of the main characters in BBC Radio 4's Home Front, the series set in Great War Britain, which ran from 2014 to 11 November 2018, following the course of the war in real time. I was a little surprised to find that the actress playing the role changed half-way through the series so now I am not sure if it is Helen Schlesinger or Anastasia Hille whose voice reached my ear from the page, but it was surely one of them.
The opening of the book was nicely low key and the identity of the new arrival at the house quite a surprise since there had been no mention of this person. After that it is quite a journey that Harriett undertakes, visiting mediums and searching for people in London and then going to devastated Ypres. Although it touches on the horrors of the Great War and the ongoing damage to combatants and civilians alike, it is optimistic and positive. It has the feel of an old fashioned detective story - Agatha Christie, for example - even down to the peaceful English village. I enjoyed it a great deal and will now look forward to more books in the series as well as more from Morten Farrier, please.
The book is almost like a full-length version of the historical flashbacks that Mr Goodwin intersperses with Morten's current day investigations. And, as such, it is beautifully written and evocative of the era of the immediate post-WWI period, 100 years ago. I enjoyed both the story and the historical notes at the end.
The word that sprung into my mind from the start of the book was "charming". It is a charming book with a charming protagonist, Mrs Harriett McDougall. Her voice on the page reminded me of Adeline Lumley, one of the main characters in BBC Radio 4's Home Front, the series set in Great War Britain, which ran from 2014 to 11 November 2018, following the course of the war in real time. I was a little surprised to find that the actress playing the role changed half-way through the series so now I am not sure if it is Helen Schlesinger or Anastasia Hille whose voice reached my ear from the page, but it was surely one of them.
The opening of the book was nicely low key and the identity of the new arrival at the house quite a surprise since there had been no mention of this person. After that it is quite a journey that Harriett undertakes, visiting mediums and searching for people in London and then going to devastated Ypres. Although it touches on the horrors of the Great War and the ongoing damage to combatants and civilians alike, it is optimistic and positive. It has the feel of an old fashioned detective story - Agatha Christie, for example - even down to the peaceful English village. I enjoyed it a great deal and will now look forward to more books in the series as well as more from Morten Farrier, please.
November 27, 2018
While old film footage of the first Armistice Day shows thousands of people cheering in the streets to celebrate the end of the First World War, for many the date represented only partial closure. For those families who had lost loved ones it meant the start of a painful period of adjustment, made worse if the circumstances of their husband's, brother's, father's or son's death on the battlefield were clouded in mystery.
Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star is a poignant tale of Mrs Harriet McDougall's determined post-war search for the truth, after two of her three sons are killed in action. With the assistance of her eldest son, Fraser, who survived (and is wary of returning to the place which still holds such traumas for him), Mrs McDougall sets off in search of answers concerning Fraser's younger brother Malcolm who died in a field hospital near Ypres in Belgium.
During Harriet's mission we learn much about the state of post-war Britain - the food shortages, the attitude to those who'd sought refuge in England during the conflict, the struggles faced by returning soldiers and the subtle changes happening to social norms - all of it woven seamlessly into the story. We also learn about the fate of the battle-scarred towns and villages of France and Belgium, and their stoic attempts to rebuild their communities and rise from the devastation of war.
Subtitled "A Mrs McDougall Investigation" (implying there are more to come), Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star is a heart-warming read and I very much look forward to meeting this endearing amateur sleuth again before too long.
Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star is a poignant tale of Mrs Harriet McDougall's determined post-war search for the truth, after two of her three sons are killed in action. With the assistance of her eldest son, Fraser, who survived (and is wary of returning to the place which still holds such traumas for him), Mrs McDougall sets off in search of answers concerning Fraser's younger brother Malcolm who died in a field hospital near Ypres in Belgium.
During Harriet's mission we learn much about the state of post-war Britain - the food shortages, the attitude to those who'd sought refuge in England during the conflict, the struggles faced by returning soldiers and the subtle changes happening to social norms - all of it woven seamlessly into the story. We also learn about the fate of the battle-scarred towns and villages of France and Belgium, and their stoic attempts to rebuild their communities and rise from the devastation of war.
Subtitled "A Mrs McDougall Investigation" (implying there are more to come), Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star is a heart-warming read and I very much look forward to meeting this endearing amateur sleuth again before too long.
June 22, 2019
I started reading this wonderful historical fiction story immediately after reading the audio documentary "The Dead Drink First" by Dale Maharidge. He recounts his 18-year quest to learn everything he could about his father's WWI experience, PTSD, & the man in a photo with his dad, in hopes of discovering a side of his late father he never knew. The result was something Dale never expected.
In Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star, Nathan Dylan Goodwin seems to take up the cause, with the mother Harriett McDougall, and her search to discover what her middle son Malcolm's life was like prior to his untimely death during WWI in Belgium. Finding the answers to her many internal questions, leads her to personal disvoveries about herself, her 3 sons and the forgotten veterans of The Great War!! Looking forward to the next installation in.this series!
In Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star, Nathan Dylan Goodwin seems to take up the cause, with the mother Harriett McDougall, and her search to discover what her middle son Malcolm's life was like prior to his untimely death during WWI in Belgium. Finding the answers to her many internal questions, leads her to personal disvoveries about herself, her 3 sons and the forgotten veterans of The Great War!! Looking forward to the next installation in.this series!
May 24, 2020
WWI is over and Mrs. McDougall needs to come to terms with the loss of two of her three sons. After the death of her husband, she embarks on a journey to find out what happened during Malcom's last days. Her journey takes her to a mystic and to Belgium. It opens her eyes to the mistreatment of returning soldiers - how the country used their minds and bodies to fight the war and then cast the shells of their former selves aside to let them fend the best they can. If it sounds familiar, it is. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Mrs. McDougall can be irritating at times (there is really no need to shriek so often). But her spunk and tenaciousness keep you rooting for her to have a successful quest. In the end, you find she has a heart of gold with further adventures to come.
Mrs. McDougall can be irritating at times (there is really no need to shriek so often). But her spunk and tenaciousness keep you rooting for her to have a successful quest. In the end, you find she has a heart of gold with further adventures to come.
November 25, 2018
I liked the premise of this book, a British mother wanting to learn how two of her three sons died during WWI, but I have to say that I hope her character evolves a bit if this series goes on because she also drove me crazy. I thought she was very naive, and arrogant and insensitive at times and two faced. She practically worships the memory of her lost children, but when her 30 year old living son returns, she never says how happy she is to have him or try to learn what happened to him in the war. She only learns some of this overhearing his conversation with others. Basically she treats him like a servant.
April 27, 2023
Relatable story
Even if one has not lost someone in wartime, it is so easy to relate to a mother's search for answers to what happened. This story is less of a genealogy search than the other Goodwin books I read; it is more of how we deal with such loss, our need to know and resilience. I particularly loved the segment where they are with the young German men who faced the same horror on the opposing side during the war and how they were met with hostility by some. Then the realization that this was not a war of their making either...they were just young men ....other mothers' sons.
Even if one has not lost someone in wartime, it is so easy to relate to a mother's search for answers to what happened. This story is less of a genealogy search than the other Goodwin books I read; it is more of how we deal with such loss, our need to know and resilience. I particularly loved the segment where they are with the young German men who faced the same horror on the opposing side during the war and how they were met with hostility by some. Then the realization that this was not a war of their making either...they were just young men ....other mothers' sons.
November 19, 2018
A timely and poignant release from NDG
As we commemorate 100 years since Armistice, Nathan Dylan Godwin’s latest release gives us a powerful insight into the lives of families impacted by the tragedies of WW1. Harriet McDougall takes us on her personal journey as she searches for answers about what happened to her son Malcolm during his service in the “Great War”. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time for the thought provoking and sometimes heart rending processes and steps Harriet undertook to find the truth and finally find closure.
As we commemorate 100 years since Armistice, Nathan Dylan Godwin’s latest release gives us a powerful insight into the lives of families impacted by the tragedies of WW1. Harriet McDougall takes us on her personal journey as she searches for answers about what happened to her son Malcolm during his service in the “Great War”. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time for the thought provoking and sometimes heart rending processes and steps Harriet undertook to find the truth and finally find closure.
March 30, 2024
Historical Fiction well done
This book turned out to be a great read for women’s history month. It’s focus is a woman who lost two of her three sons in World War I. She sets out to understand the last days of her son Malcolm. This opens her eyes to the ravages of war and the impacts on those who survived. Harriet sets out to help those who are struggling after the war. I look forward to additional installments to see how Harriet can continue to improve the lives of those left behind.
This book turned out to be a great read for women’s history month. It’s focus is a woman who lost two of her three sons in World War I. She sets out to understand the last days of her son Malcolm. This opens her eyes to the ravages of war and the impacts on those who survived. Harriet sets out to help those who are struggling after the war. I look forward to additional installments to see how Harriet can continue to improve the lives of those left behind.
April 28, 2019
Awe full subject great read
Interesting story about after WW1 something that the history that
I learned in school never mentioned. My grandparents emegated from England to Canada in 1020, when they were asked why they would say for a future and change the subject now I understand! It’s absorbing the people are well described Will remember it for along time,didn’t look at the subject bought thinking that it was one of his mysteries but not disappointed.
Interesting story about after WW1 something that the history that
I learned in school never mentioned. My grandparents emegated from England to Canada in 1020, when they were asked why they would say for a future and change the subject now I understand! It’s absorbing the people are well described Will remember it for along time,didn’t look at the subject bought thinking that it was one of his mysteries but not disappointed.
January 7, 2020
I have followed Nathan on Instagram for a long time because of my interest in family history. This was the first of his books i finally got around to reading and i wasn't dissapointed. I truly moving story and a real insight into the lives of people after the war. I was particularly blown away by his description of the end of the war and suddenly seeing light at night after years of blackouts....it's the small details like that, that immerse you into our ancestors lives. brilliant.
January 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. An elderly woman in post-WWI England seems an unlikely character to head out on an investigative adventure, but that is exactly what happens. Harriet McDougall is a delightful character, and her story was surprising and captivating. She felt very real to me. I loved the collection of humans she gathered into her life.
My copy bears an inscription telling me to enjoy the new series so I am looking forward to the future Mrs McDougall books.
My copy bears an inscription telling me to enjoy the new series so I am looking forward to the future Mrs McDougall books.
March 18, 2021
Harriet McDougall will not let anyone or anything stand in her way in finding out about the last few weeks of her son Malcom's life during his time at Ypres during WW1.
With her eldest son Fraser she travels to his grave and finds a grandaughter she did not know she had. When I learnt that Harriet was a real person being a relative of the author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin, I am more intreaged with her story. More please!!!
With her eldest son Fraser she travels to his grave and finds a grandaughter she did not know she had. When I learnt that Harriet was a real person being a relative of the author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin, I am more intreaged with her story. More please!!!
June 16, 2024
Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star
The first chapter I cried so much I didn’t think I would be able to keep reading. Because I love Godwin’s book so much and this is the only one I haven’t read I kept going and then I couldn’t put it down. He brings things together so nicely and keeps the reader’s attention. I do hope he continues with this series although I do love the genealogy and DNA mysteries.
The first chapter I cried so much I didn’t think I would be able to keep reading. Because I love Godwin’s book so much and this is the only one I haven’t read I kept going and then I couldn’t put it down. He brings things together so nicely and keeps the reader’s attention. I do hope he continues with this series although I do love the genealogy and DNA mysteries.
December 8, 2018
A gentle endearing novel of family love. War may take loved ones away forever, but love will one day fill the gap that is left.
Losing two sons in the war, their mother, Harriet, tries to bring closure to the death of one of her sons. Her journey takes her away from home, but brings so much more love into her life.
Losing two sons in the war, their mother, Harriet, tries to bring closure to the death of one of her sons. Her journey takes her away from home, but brings so much more love into her life.
February 3, 2021
Darling book about a mother's search for her son's last days in the British military during World War I. I did figure out what was going to be the result before it was revealed, and was glad it happened that way. This is the first book in a series, and I will read the next one. It was a quick read because it is not a long book to start with, and it kept me captivated.
December 1, 2021
Mrs. Harriet McDougall can't let go of the death of her son Malcolm in July 1917 during the war. Two years later she feels compelled to investigate all the circumstances she can find out, and in so doing finds she can make an impact for good on the lives of many other people, which in turn enriches her own life and brings her a measure of peace.
January 4, 2019
I am huge fan of Nathan Dylan Goodwin's Morton Farrier series. However, I just could not connect with Mrs. McDougall in the same way. The book was much drier and less intriguing. I also found the events very predictable. I probably won't continue with the series.
July 15, 2021
Nathan did it again: a fine book with incredible details about the time right after WW1 in England. A mother tries to find out about her middle son's last days before he was killed in Ypres. What makes the story stand out so much is that it is based on Nathan's own ancestors.
December 15, 2021
I’ve now read all of Nathan Goodwin’s fictional books. I honestly can’t put them down once I’ve started reading. I’m not much for nonfiction but I might have a go at one of those titles as I wait for his next release.
May 1, 2023
A different type of book from Nathan Dylan Goodwin
As an avid reader of Nathan's other books, I read this with interest. Not as gripping as his other books, but a simple easy read.
Reading at the end that it is based on true facts makes it more interesting to me.
As an avid reader of Nathan's other books, I read this with interest. Not as gripping as his other books, but a simple easy read.
Reading at the end that it is based on true facts makes it more interesting to me.
November 14, 2018
Mrs McDougall rocks!!
I am anxious to read more of Mrs McDougall's adventures! I love all of NDG books! They are good for any age!
I am anxious to read more of Mrs McDougall's adventures! I love all of NDG books! They are good for any age!
November 21, 2018
Loved it!
Wonderful story of life after the Great War. I really look forward to future Mrs McDougall stories by one of my favorite authors.
Wonderful story of life after the Great War. I really look forward to future Mrs McDougall stories by one of my favorite authors.
December 8, 2018
It was a fun read. Even if parts were predictable, it was still enjoyable. Interesting take on WWI.
February 21, 2019
Hoping for a series???
This is one good book about a family affected by WW1. I've read many books by this author and this is my favorite. Would love to see a series....
This is one good book about a family affected by WW1. I've read many books by this author and this is my favorite. Would love to see a series....
March 21, 2019
Pretty good, and a change from Goodwin's forensic genealogist books. I'm looking forward to reading more about Mrs McDougall (and crew).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews