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Marketville Mystery #2
Past & Present
Sometimes the past reaches out to the present...
It’s been thirteen months since Calamity (Callie) Barnstable inherited a house in Marketville under the condition that she search for the person who murdered her mother thirty years earlier. She solves the mystery, but what next? Unemployment? Another nine-to-five job in Toronto?
Callie decides to set down roots in Marketville, take the skills and knowledge she acquired over the past year, and start her own business: Past & Present Investigations.
It’s not long before Callie and her new business partner, best friend Chantelle Marchand, get their first client: a woman who wants to find out everything she can about her grandmother, Anneliese Prei, and how she came to a “bad end” in 1956. It sounds like a perfect first assignment. Except for one thing: Anneliese’s past winds its way into Callie’s present, and not in a manner anyone—least of all Callie—could have predicted.
It’s been thirteen months since Calamity (Callie) Barnstable inherited a house in Marketville under the condition that she search for the person who murdered her mother thirty years earlier. She solves the mystery, but what next? Unemployment? Another nine-to-five job in Toronto?
Callie decides to set down roots in Marketville, take the skills and knowledge she acquired over the past year, and start her own business: Past & Present Investigations.
It’s not long before Callie and her new business partner, best friend Chantelle Marchand, get their first client: a woman who wants to find out everything she can about her grandmother, Anneliese Prei, and how she came to a “bad end” in 1956. It sounds like a perfect first assignment. Except for one thing: Anneliese’s past winds its way into Callie’s present, and not in a manner anyone—least of all Callie—could have predicted.
Audiobook
Published April 8, 2019
32 people are currently reading
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About the author
Judy Penz Sheluk
44 books357 followersA former journalist and magazine editor, Judy Penz Sheluk is the bestselling author of Finding Your Path to Publication and Self-publishing: The Ins & Outs of Going Indie, as well as two mystery series: the Glass Dolphin Mysteries and Marketville Mysteries, both of which have been published in multiple languages. Her short crime fiction appears in several collections, including the Superior Shores Anthologies, which she also edited.
Judy is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada, where she served on the Board of Directors for five years, the final two as Chair. She lives in Northern Ontario.
Judy is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada, where she served on the Board of Directors for five years, the final two as Chair. She lives in Northern Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 1, 2020
3.5 stars
The whole premise of this cozy mystery intrigued me – investigating past mysteries in the present, using photographs and memorabilia and personal belongings as well as research to bring closure to their clients. I would personally love to do something like this – old photos just call to me, teasing me with stories that lie just beneath the surface. Wouldn’t it be fun to piece those stories together?
Calamity (what a great name for a heroine) and her best friend Chantelle have just started this business, after events from the first book which I want to go back and read now. I loved their interaction and friendship and how they worked as a team, utilizing each other’s strengths, etc. The case was very compelling, and at times I forgot we weren’t talking about real people – that’s how well the author develops particularly the historical characters that Callie and Chantelle are investigating. I was fully invested in finding out what happened.
My enjoyment of the story, however, was broken up by large sections of explanatory text about what they happened to be researching – or how they were doing so. Paragraphs of Wikipedia-like entries, instructions on social media use, etc. distracted me from the story and broke up the flow of my reading. Y’all know I don’t like stopping my story for a sermon. Apparently I don’t like stopping it for lessons either lol! I also wasn’t crazy about the amount of time given to the tarot card angle (the blog posts written out, etc). Granted, my own personal belief system played a part in this opinion (I believe tarot cards can open the door to forces we have no business messing with) but, while I don’t mind if they pop up for character arcs every once in a while in a story, this approach was more educational than I was comfortable with & honestly I started just skipping through the educational narratives.
Why did I skip through those parts instead of just quitting the book? Because the story itself is SO compelling and I enjoyed the characters and wanted to see how it ended. There were some great twists, excellent character development, and engaging plot points. And I also didn’t feel I was missing anything important to the story by skimming over the tarot card scenes and web pages and articles I would rather not spend time on. Bring on more story!
Bottom Line: I want to be Calamity Barnstable and grab my bookish sisters and start a ‘historical mystery’ investigations firm! Who’s with me? haha! Very interesting plot, well-crafted, with layered and engaging characters. And even though it stopped the story too often (for my tastes) to input an article or blog post or instructional guide, it’s easy to ignore that ultimately in favor of finding out how everything ties together in the end.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
The whole premise of this cozy mystery intrigued me – investigating past mysteries in the present, using photographs and memorabilia and personal belongings as well as research to bring closure to their clients. I would personally love to do something like this – old photos just call to me, teasing me with stories that lie just beneath the surface. Wouldn’t it be fun to piece those stories together?
Calamity (what a great name for a heroine) and her best friend Chantelle have just started this business, after events from the first book which I want to go back and read now. I loved their interaction and friendship and how they worked as a team, utilizing each other’s strengths, etc. The case was very compelling, and at times I forgot we weren’t talking about real people – that’s how well the author develops particularly the historical characters that Callie and Chantelle are investigating. I was fully invested in finding out what happened.
My enjoyment of the story, however, was broken up by large sections of explanatory text about what they happened to be researching – or how they were doing so. Paragraphs of Wikipedia-like entries, instructions on social media use, etc. distracted me from the story and broke up the flow of my reading. Y’all know I don’t like stopping my story for a sermon. Apparently I don’t like stopping it for lessons either lol! I also wasn’t crazy about the amount of time given to the tarot card angle (the blog posts written out, etc). Granted, my own personal belief system played a part in this opinion (I believe tarot cards can open the door to forces we have no business messing with) but, while I don’t mind if they pop up for character arcs every once in a while in a story, this approach was more educational than I was comfortable with & honestly I started just skipping through the educational narratives.
Why did I skip through those parts instead of just quitting the book? Because the story itself is SO compelling and I enjoyed the characters and wanted to see how it ended. There were some great twists, excellent character development, and engaging plot points. And I also didn’t feel I was missing anything important to the story by skimming over the tarot card scenes and web pages and articles I would rather not spend time on. Bring on more story!
Bottom Line: I want to be Calamity Barnstable and grab my bookish sisters and start a ‘historical mystery’ investigations firm! Who’s with me? haha! Very interesting plot, well-crafted, with layered and engaging characters. And even though it stopped the story too often (for my tastes) to input an article or blog post or instructional guide, it’s easy to ignore that ultimately in favor of finding out how everything ties together in the end.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 28, 2018
Judy Penz Sheluk nails it with this intriguing Marketville mystery that, as the title says, stitches together an investigation into the past with people's lives in the present - including that of protagonist Callie Barnstable, herself. Her new missing persons agency digs up fascinating dirt, delves into the seams of a vintage traveling case, and even consults a woo-woo analyst to arrive at an answer for both the client and Callie. The characters were real, and the plot twists and turns, with a satisfying but surprising ending. Treat yourself to a new present-day read - you won't be disappointed.
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 19, 2018
As a fan of the classic 'whodunit's' from Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, it is great to find an author who writes a mystery with plenty of opportunities to guess who the murderer is and still be surprised at the end.
Calamity Barnstable has gathered a team of experts in a number of fields such as genealogy and psychic phenomenon. Together they have been commissioned to solve a very cold case using what little public records available and a lot of seat of the pants guesswork. This first case for the investigative team has another wrinkle. The link between the client and Callie's past.
The pace is gentle and if you did not read book one, Skeletons in the Attic, you will have plenty of time to catch up as the author refers back to the story as she introduces the new and returning characters and the formation of Past & Present Investigations. There is some romance, intrigue, family mystery and drama and also the development of the relationships between the members of the team. It will be interesting to see how that evolves in the next book in the series.
Clearly there was a great deal of research by the author in finding all the sources that the sleuths would have needed to access to obtain the clues needed to solve the case. And for anyone who is researching their family history, particularly in Canada, this story is also an excellent reference to where records are kept.
An enjoyable read and will please all mystery fans.
Calamity Barnstable has gathered a team of experts in a number of fields such as genealogy and psychic phenomenon. Together they have been commissioned to solve a very cold case using what little public records available and a lot of seat of the pants guesswork. This first case for the investigative team has another wrinkle. The link between the client and Callie's past.
The pace is gentle and if you did not read book one, Skeletons in the Attic, you will have plenty of time to catch up as the author refers back to the story as she introduces the new and returning characters and the formation of Past & Present Investigations. There is some romance, intrigue, family mystery and drama and also the development of the relationships between the members of the team. It will be interesting to see how that evolves in the next book in the series.
Clearly there was a great deal of research by the author in finding all the sources that the sleuths would have needed to access to obtain the clues needed to solve the case. And for anyone who is researching their family history, particularly in Canada, this story is also an excellent reference to where records are kept.
An enjoyable read and will please all mystery fans.
September 17, 2018
Thirteen months after inheriting her father’s home with the strange caveat that she solve her mother’s thirty year old cold-case murder, Calamity “Callie” Barnstable has decided to put down roots in Marketville. Case finally solved, Callie’s quit her banking job in Toronto, leased her cozy condo to a former co-worker, hired her hunky new next door neighbor to renovate her unkempt inherited domicile, and—spurred on by the success of her first case—she’s opened her own PI business: Past & Present Investigations. As the name suggests, P&P’s specialty will be solving not only present-day cases, but also cold cases from the past that have been shelved and largely forgotten.
With plans to sell her refurbished inherited house, Callie sets up shop in a Victorian home/office located in a posh Marketville neighborhood. Chantelle Marchand, Callie’s best friend and avid genealogist, signs on as partner in P&P Investigations. To round out the team, two other friends, a psychic and an antique shopkeeper come aboard as consultants.
As luck (or fate?) would have it, P&P’s first case is eerily similar to the personal one Callie has recently solved. A woman is seeking clues to find out who might have murdered her great-grandmother—and why. Callie digs in, honing the newly acquired investigative skills she learned while revealing her mother’s murderer. Meanwhile, Chantelle scours passenger lists from ships of the early twentieth century, as well as newspaper accounts of the time and other documents that hold promise in uncovering needed evidence. The discovery of a couple of old faded photographs might also hold the key to help unlock this decades’ old mystery.
There are plenty of feints, dead-ends, and red herrings throughout to keep the reader guessing while turning pages. Past & Present: A Marketville Mystery is a delightful blend of the cerebral, the psychic, and good old down-to-earth sleuthing. The interesting cast of characters and satisfying conclusion will leave the reader wanting to revisit Marketville time and again.
(I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review.)
With plans to sell her refurbished inherited house, Callie sets up shop in a Victorian home/office located in a posh Marketville neighborhood. Chantelle Marchand, Callie’s best friend and avid genealogist, signs on as partner in P&P Investigations. To round out the team, two other friends, a psychic and an antique shopkeeper come aboard as consultants.
As luck (or fate?) would have it, P&P’s first case is eerily similar to the personal one Callie has recently solved. A woman is seeking clues to find out who might have murdered her great-grandmother—and why. Callie digs in, honing the newly acquired investigative skills she learned while revealing her mother’s murderer. Meanwhile, Chantelle scours passenger lists from ships of the early twentieth century, as well as newspaper accounts of the time and other documents that hold promise in uncovering needed evidence. The discovery of a couple of old faded photographs might also hold the key to help unlock this decades’ old mystery.
There are plenty of feints, dead-ends, and red herrings throughout to keep the reader guessing while turning pages. Past & Present: A Marketville Mystery is a delightful blend of the cerebral, the psychic, and good old down-to-earth sleuthing. The interesting cast of characters and satisfying conclusion will leave the reader wanting to revisit Marketville time and again.
(I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review.)
May 12, 2019
This is book two in the series. I read the first book but I would recommend reading them all in order. There is enough information given in the second book to let it stand on it's own, they are just that much better as a series. I don't want to give anything away so I will keep this short. This mystery was a ton of fun with the investigation into the past that leads to present and how each member of the team had different strengths to help in the hunt. It was a fairly clean cozy mystery, although it does allude to people sleeping together it doesn't go into detail but at the same time I do think it is more on a high school age group and up level read. The narrator does a fantastic job and is great fun to listen to.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 26, 2018
Review: PAST AND PRESENT: A MARKETVILLE MYSTERY by Judy Penz Sheluk
PAST AND PRESENT is an electrifying cozy mystery weaving history, genealogy, and contemporary issues into an engrossing multilayered tapestry. Callie (Calamity) Barnstable of Toronto has lived the past year in Marketville (Canada) in a house bequeathed to her at her father's untimely passing. Compelled by the terms of the will to search for the truth of her mother's death three decades earlier, Callie now determines to put her newly acquired investigative skills to effect in a partnership with genealogist best friend Chantelle Marchand, but their very first case has repercussions for Callie that not even their psychic friend Misty could have predicted.
PAST AND PRESENT is an electrifying cozy mystery weaving history, genealogy, and contemporary issues into an engrossing multilayered tapestry. Callie (Calamity) Barnstable of Toronto has lived the past year in Marketville (Canada) in a house bequeathed to her at her father's untimely passing. Compelled by the terms of the will to search for the truth of her mother's death three decades earlier, Callie now determines to put her newly acquired investigative skills to effect in a partnership with genealogist best friend Chantelle Marchand, but their very first case has repercussions for Callie that not even their psychic friend Misty could have predicted.
May 1, 2019
Calamity Barnstable decides to open up her own private investigation practice after helping solve the mystery of her mother's murder. Her first client is trying to figure out how her grandmother was killed. The best evidence is on a boat that sailed many many years ago. Callie, thankful to have someone else's mystery to solve, dives in head first. However, she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Sheluk's writing style is fantastic. This story is very descriptive, and still very engaging. I never felt caught up in the many details as you do in some novels. I love Callie. She has such a wonderful group of friends, and it's so great to see them all work together to decipher the difficult clues. I am really looking forward to the next novel, and I highly recommend this book!
Sheluk's writing style is fantastic. This story is very descriptive, and still very engaging. I never felt caught up in the many details as you do in some novels. I love Callie. She has such a wonderful group of friends, and it's so great to see them all work together to decipher the difficult clues. I am really looking forward to the next novel, and I highly recommend this book!
June 11, 2019
Calamity is really coming into her own as she starts a business and her friends rally around. This mystery was very well woven with a number of surprises. I really enjoyed this book and it’s layers of mystery.
I really forward to book 3 as we were left with a cliffhanger. The mystery in this book is resolved but another one is around the corner.
The Narrator does a great job with so many characters. I like her transitions between a number of characters speaking together.
***I was given a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
I really forward to book 3 as we were left with a cliffhanger. The mystery in this book is resolved but another one is around the corner.
The Narrator does a great job with so many characters. I like her transitions between a number of characters speaking together.
***I was given a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
October 7, 2018
Superb cozy mystery. I'm re-reading it.
August 18, 2018
Past & Present is a great story. The main character, Callie Barnstable is s spunky woman who is forging ahead rebuilding her life. In the course of investigating for a client, Callie learns more about her family's past as well. The story is well written, tension is found throughout the book, and there's some romance as well. I found the characters in the story very realistic.
The setting is Marketville, a town in Ontario, Canada and it's a pleasure to visit!
I loved reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good mystery.
The setting is Marketville, a town in Ontario, Canada and it's a pleasure to visit!
I loved reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good mystery.
July 31, 2018
I am a big fan of Penz Sheluk. I was given an ARC of Past & Present and tore through the book in a few days. It was an engaging read that kept me guessing and turning the pages - even late into the night. I enjoyed the continuation of Callie's adventures and the details of the writing made me think like I was the sleuth getting to the bottom of Callie's first case. As in all of Penz Sheluk's books you'll find charming towns, quirky characters, a bit of romantic interest and many unexpected turns. Pick this up if you haven't already. It can be read stand alone, but the characters are so engaging you'll want to read them both. Can't wait for #3 in the series.
April 13, 2021
“Past and Present” earns 5/5 Ancestry Mysteries…Clever!
“Past and Present,” second book in Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series, is an engaging journey into the past which ripples into the present. Sheluk's well-written first-person narrative and clever banter follows Callie Barnstable and her team of experts seeking answers for a client who wants to know more about her maternal grandmother. While researching the common online databases and archives, each photo, bit of memorabilia, news article, and more begins to reveal an intriguing picture of love, family secrets, and murder. However, what Callie discovers is much more than she anticipated. Readers are also treated to fascinating tarot readings and psychometry. The references to events in book one, “Skeletons in the Attic” (2016), have no spoilers; they serve only to whet the reader’s appetite to read it also. This book is definitely a engaging standalone story. Exciting! Clever! Well-developed characters! Top-notch mystery! I highly recommend this book…top ten worthy!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary, and my insights and comments are honest."
“Past and Present,” second book in Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series, is an engaging journey into the past which ripples into the present. Sheluk's well-written first-person narrative and clever banter follows Callie Barnstable and her team of experts seeking answers for a client who wants to know more about her maternal grandmother. While researching the common online databases and archives, each photo, bit of memorabilia, news article, and more begins to reveal an intriguing picture of love, family secrets, and murder. However, what Callie discovers is much more than she anticipated. Readers are also treated to fascinating tarot readings and psychometry. The references to events in book one, “Skeletons in the Attic” (2016), have no spoilers; they serve only to whet the reader’s appetite to read it also. This book is definitely a engaging standalone story. Exciting! Clever! Well-developed characters! Top-notch mystery! I highly recommend this book…top ten worthy!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary, and my insights and comments are honest."
July 30, 2018
Past & Present is an intriguing small-town mystery populated by engaging characters you want to spend time getting to know. Fortunately, the wait is over for fans of author Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series. Calamity (Callie) Barnestable has decided to stay in Marketville. With the help of her friends, she launches Past & Present Investigations and embarks on a journey into history. Ocean liners, immigration, and family ties; the past is always present—an idea Ms. Sheluk explores to great effect.
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 30, 2018
Disclaimer - I received an Arc to read
I fully enjoyed Past and Present. Having read the earlier Marketville Mystery books, I can say all were good, but this juxtaposition of a past tale and the present is an engaging and well-done departure from the other books. It does a good job of advancing the characters and bringing the reader into the community.
I fully enjoyed Past and Present. Having read the earlier Marketville Mystery books, I can say all were good, but this juxtaposition of a past tale and the present is an engaging and well-done departure from the other books. It does a good job of advancing the characters and bringing the reader into the community.
August 4, 2021
It's been thirteen months since Callie moved into her dad's old house to solve her mother's disappearance. Now that she's solved that one, she and Chantalle decide to open up the Past & Present Investigations. Their first case is a woman who wants to find out what happened to her grandmother.
Well-written. Couldn't put it down. Like this author's writing.
Well-written. Couldn't put it down. Like this author's writing.
October 8, 2018
This is the second in Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series, set in a small town outside Toronto, and the series establishes a cozy, warm-hearted atmosphere. As in her earlier book, Skeletons in the Attic, the first-person narrator is Calamity (Callie) Barnstable. Along for the adventure are her friends Chantelle Marchand and Arabella Carpenter, owner of a nearby antiques shop (the protagonist in Sheluk’s other series, the Glass Dolphin Mysteries).
In this book, Callie and Chantelle team up in a new business called Past & Present Investigations, in which they hope to use Callie’s research acumen and Chantelle’s genealogical knowledge to help people find missing relatives. Arabella will help if someone brings in an old object related to the missing person, and Callie’s retired librarian friend will do the archive searches.
Callie vacillates between loving the business idea and fearing they will find nothing but dead ends, but Sheluk has written nicely three-dimensional characters that are game to try. Callie also faces an ongoing personal challenge. It seems she cannot escape the hostility of her grandfather. He has never forgiven her mother for marrying Callie’s father who was, her grandfather felt, many ladder-rungs beneath her.
Before long, Arabella sends Callie a potential client. Louisa Frankow’s German grandmother, Anneliese, immigrated from England in 1952 on the ship Canberra. A mystery surrounds her grandmother’s death only a few years after that voyage. Family papers and photos and other clues to the grandmother’s past are few, but Callie locates an ephemera dealer with relevant artifacts from voyages of that era—much more glamorous than modern-day trans-Atlantic air travel, that’s for sure!
Callie and Chantelle capitalize on the growing online availability of genealogical databases, newspaper archives, and the like. You may be familiar with these possibilities, if you’ve done some family research of your own, and Sheluk makes the search for Anneliese’s past full of the thrill of discovering how the pieces fit. They learn that Anneliese was murdered, and her husband convicted of manslaughter (on very flimsy evidence, in Callie’s view). He’d been in prison only a few months when he was stabbed to death in the showers. If he was not guilty, as Callie suspects, the real murderer is responsible for two deaths.
Sheluk includes a couple of features that require a bit of a leap of faith. She relies on a long-ago coincidence, which, granted, might have been more likely in the early 1950s when Toronto’s population was a third its current-day size. And, she’s helped by a psychic who interprets objects, and while Callie remains skeptical of the validity of psychic phenomena, the psychic’s revelations help confirm her hypotheses about the crime.
The murder in this book is many years old, but it has consequences for Louisa and Callie too, which makes it significant even without splattering fresh blood all over the pages. It’s fun to watch Callie and her friends in action, and the book ends with the promise of another interesting case to come.
It’s a quick and satisfying read for those who like cozy mysteries or are fascinated by the long tail of the past.
In this book, Callie and Chantelle team up in a new business called Past & Present Investigations, in which they hope to use Callie’s research acumen and Chantelle’s genealogical knowledge to help people find missing relatives. Arabella will help if someone brings in an old object related to the missing person, and Callie’s retired librarian friend will do the archive searches.
Callie vacillates between loving the business idea and fearing they will find nothing but dead ends, but Sheluk has written nicely three-dimensional characters that are game to try. Callie also faces an ongoing personal challenge. It seems she cannot escape the hostility of her grandfather. He has never forgiven her mother for marrying Callie’s father who was, her grandfather felt, many ladder-rungs beneath her.
Before long, Arabella sends Callie a potential client. Louisa Frankow’s German grandmother, Anneliese, immigrated from England in 1952 on the ship Canberra. A mystery surrounds her grandmother’s death only a few years after that voyage. Family papers and photos and other clues to the grandmother’s past are few, but Callie locates an ephemera dealer with relevant artifacts from voyages of that era—much more glamorous than modern-day trans-Atlantic air travel, that’s for sure!
Callie and Chantelle capitalize on the growing online availability of genealogical databases, newspaper archives, and the like. You may be familiar with these possibilities, if you’ve done some family research of your own, and Sheluk makes the search for Anneliese’s past full of the thrill of discovering how the pieces fit. They learn that Anneliese was murdered, and her husband convicted of manslaughter (on very flimsy evidence, in Callie’s view). He’d been in prison only a few months when he was stabbed to death in the showers. If he was not guilty, as Callie suspects, the real murderer is responsible for two deaths.
Sheluk includes a couple of features that require a bit of a leap of faith. She relies on a long-ago coincidence, which, granted, might have been more likely in the early 1950s when Toronto’s population was a third its current-day size. And, she’s helped by a psychic who interprets objects, and while Callie remains skeptical of the validity of psychic phenomena, the psychic’s revelations help confirm her hypotheses about the crime.
The murder in this book is many years old, but it has consequences for Louisa and Callie too, which makes it significant even without splattering fresh blood all over the pages. It’s fun to watch Callie and her friends in action, and the book ends with the promise of another interesting case to come.
It’s a quick and satisfying read for those who like cozy mysteries or are fascinated by the long tail of the past.
May 28, 2019
Callie Barnstable, after solving the mystery of her mother’s murder, has decided to settle down in Marketville. She and her friend Chantelle join together to open a private investigation/genealogy service. Their first customer asks them to delve into her history, specifically that of her grandmother and mother. This inquiry brings Callie into contact with her own, heretofore, estranged great grandmother, who holds information important to the case. Callie will find that some things fall closer to home than anticipated, and while some of her discoveries are unpleasant, others prove much more palatable. Throw in a little romance with her hot former neighbor, and Callie has a busy agenda. Slowly, methodically, and with the help of a psychometrist, an object reader, who holds and analyzes vibes from objects presently or previously owned by various people, Callie works through the mysteries that appear.
I really liked Callie and her supporting cast. This is the first book in this series that I’ve read, and I thought it positively lovely and well done. The author provided all the information I needed for the book make sense, even without having read the first in the series. The writing is excellent as is the narration. I had no complaints on either, which made enjoying the book that much easier. The narrator voices the characters in clear and distinct ways, and she brings life to much of the book that is internal thought, where Callie remembers what happened in the first book or thinks about how she can go about learning more about the case. I will say that the vocalized footnotes in the middle of the book’s narration were a bit jarring. I’d have rather they be read at the end of the chapter or the book with perhaps a bit more information that was included in this version.
I listened to this book while packing and cleaning my kid’s apartment at school, and the book made those mundane and boring tasks whiz by. It’s definitely an enjoyable book to listen to; although, on more than one occasion there’s a touch of sadness necessarily brought into the story.
If I have one small complaint about the book, it’s the cover. While the story does involve people traveling by steamship in the 1950s, the story primarily takes place in the here and now. The cover gives the false impression that the story is far more historical than it is. This is a contemporary story that takes place in Canada with some flashbacks to what happened in the 1950s after the people involved arrived. Once they’ve arrived, the story is firmly set in Canada. Just a small thing, but covers influence readers’ choices.
A delightful book in all ways.
I received this audiobook for free from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect upon my review. All opinions expressed in this review reflect my true and honest opinions about audiobook to which I listened.
I really liked Callie and her supporting cast. This is the first book in this series that I’ve read, and I thought it positively lovely and well done. The author provided all the information I needed for the book make sense, even without having read the first in the series. The writing is excellent as is the narration. I had no complaints on either, which made enjoying the book that much easier. The narrator voices the characters in clear and distinct ways, and she brings life to much of the book that is internal thought, where Callie remembers what happened in the first book or thinks about how she can go about learning more about the case. I will say that the vocalized footnotes in the middle of the book’s narration were a bit jarring. I’d have rather they be read at the end of the chapter or the book with perhaps a bit more information that was included in this version.
I listened to this book while packing and cleaning my kid’s apartment at school, and the book made those mundane and boring tasks whiz by. It’s definitely an enjoyable book to listen to; although, on more than one occasion there’s a touch of sadness necessarily brought into the story.
If I have one small complaint about the book, it’s the cover. While the story does involve people traveling by steamship in the 1950s, the story primarily takes place in the here and now. The cover gives the false impression that the story is far more historical than it is. This is a contemporary story that takes place in Canada with some flashbacks to what happened in the 1950s after the people involved arrived. Once they’ve arrived, the story is firmly set in Canada. Just a small thing, but covers influence readers’ choices.
A delightful book in all ways.
I received this audiobook for free from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect upon my review. All opinions expressed in this review reflect my true and honest opinions about audiobook to which I listened.
August 27, 2018
Wow, let me tell you, this was a quick read for me because I couldn’t put it down.
Being adopted, I think I identified with a lot of the situations in the author’s story, but I think every person could say the same about their past or the present in some manner. While some of us may have wondered about our past, almost all of us have been fortunate to sit at the feet of our parents hearing stories and memories of their lives and those of their ancestors.
Sometimes though, when those people are gone, the memories are gone too, and we realized there were many things we didn’t think to ask. Some were kept from us on purpose; often this was due to the rigid mores of the time. Moral attitudes that now, in the present, wouldn’t even cause someone to blink, were kept hidden and never talked about in the past. Never talked about for so long that they became almost forgotten.
Judy Penz Sheluk has come up with a story of the past and the present that will make you feel every memory that her characters feel. She’s invented a wonderful business called Past & Present Investigations run by four great characters. Calamity Barnstable, while not totally new to investigating, is unfortunately one of those people left alone to find out not all was as she had been told in the past. But here in the present she realizes that by adding her genealogy friend Chantalle, she can cover a lot of bases in discovering the past. They add a couple more definite assets to their group, one which is my favorite antique lady, Arabella, from the Glass Dolphin Mysteries series.
Penz Sheluk has put together a group of well-defined, vivacious characters to make one of the best stories I’ve read in a long while. There’s some humor, some realism, some mystery around some of the past and some questions about what the present really looks like.
I can’t go on enough about this book. I have read other of Penz Sheluk’ s books and she is a fine writer, but she has outdone herself in Past and Present.
***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.
Being adopted, I think I identified with a lot of the situations in the author’s story, but I think every person could say the same about their past or the present in some manner. While some of us may have wondered about our past, almost all of us have been fortunate to sit at the feet of our parents hearing stories and memories of their lives and those of their ancestors.
Sometimes though, when those people are gone, the memories are gone too, and we realized there were many things we didn’t think to ask. Some were kept from us on purpose; often this was due to the rigid mores of the time. Moral attitudes that now, in the present, wouldn’t even cause someone to blink, were kept hidden and never talked about in the past. Never talked about for so long that they became almost forgotten.
Judy Penz Sheluk has come up with a story of the past and the present that will make you feel every memory that her characters feel. She’s invented a wonderful business called Past & Present Investigations run by four great characters. Calamity Barnstable, while not totally new to investigating, is unfortunately one of those people left alone to find out not all was as she had been told in the past. But here in the present she realizes that by adding her genealogy friend Chantalle, she can cover a lot of bases in discovering the past. They add a couple more definite assets to their group, one which is my favorite antique lady, Arabella, from the Glass Dolphin Mysteries series.
Penz Sheluk has put together a group of well-defined, vivacious characters to make one of the best stories I’ve read in a long while. There’s some humor, some realism, some mystery around some of the past and some questions about what the present really looks like.
I can’t go on enough about this book. I have read other of Penz Sheluk’ s books and she is a fine writer, but she has outdone herself in Past and Present.
***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.
May 5, 2019
Review originally published at: https://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookr...
This is a sequel to Skeletons in the Attic. It could be also read as a standalone, but the many references to the first book will this one more pleasurable if we are familiar with the story. Callie, Calamity, has gained some experience investigating the past, and decides to create an agency, along with her friend Chantelle, specialized to investigate past events. Their first client wants to find who killed her grandmother in 1956, when her own mother was still a child.
This was a different and creative cozy mystery, in which the murder has happened several decades ago, and the only means of investigation are old articles and the memory of several people. Callie will discover that the mystery is closer to her than what she thought at first, and that omissions are not lies but their goal might be the same: protecting someone who cannot forgive themself.
I greatly enjoyed the story, with all its twists and turns, and I found the way of investigating the past quite interesting. I think there are many real references to how it can be done in Canada, so I believe Judy Penz Sheluk spent a great amount of time researching this.
There was a small paranormal aspect added to the story. I have to say that this was the part I liked the least. I don’t mind that when paranormal situations are added just for effect, but I believe they should not have any real value in an investigation.
This book is narrated by a different person than book one. Kelli Lindsay’s style is similar to her predecessor, and although there are a couple of noticeable audio edits, the overall audio production has a higher quality. Lindsay did a great job bringing the characters to life by transmitting their emotions, and keeping their voices and styles consistent and different enough to make dialogs easy to follow.
Another beautifully written cozy mystery by Judy Penz Sheluk, I am already looking forward to the next one.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is a sequel to Skeletons in the Attic. It could be also read as a standalone, but the many references to the first book will this one more pleasurable if we are familiar with the story. Callie, Calamity, has gained some experience investigating the past, and decides to create an agency, along with her friend Chantelle, specialized to investigate past events. Their first client wants to find who killed her grandmother in 1956, when her own mother was still a child.
This was a different and creative cozy mystery, in which the murder has happened several decades ago, and the only means of investigation are old articles and the memory of several people. Callie will discover that the mystery is closer to her than what she thought at first, and that omissions are not lies but their goal might be the same: protecting someone who cannot forgive themself.
I greatly enjoyed the story, with all its twists and turns, and I found the way of investigating the past quite interesting. I think there are many real references to how it can be done in Canada, so I believe Judy Penz Sheluk spent a great amount of time researching this.
There was a small paranormal aspect added to the story. I have to say that this was the part I liked the least. I don’t mind that when paranormal situations are added just for effect, but I believe they should not have any real value in an investigation.
This book is narrated by a different person than book one. Kelli Lindsay’s style is similar to her predecessor, and although there are a couple of noticeable audio edits, the overall audio production has a higher quality. Lindsay did a great job bringing the characters to life by transmitting their emotions, and keeping their voices and styles consistent and different enough to make dialogs easy to follow.
Another beautifully written cozy mystery by Judy Penz Sheluk, I am already looking forward to the next one.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 24, 2018
This is the story of Callie Barnstable, principal player of Past & Present Investigations where Callie and her business partner embark on a fast-paced, murder mystery in and around the Toronto area.
This is not only a who-done-it, but it is a very well-written personal journey of Callie Barnstable. There is a lot of heart and soul of the author in this book, and I would encourage readers to read the backstory on Judy’s website: judypenzsheluk.com
I particularly enjoyed the attention to detail with the historical accounts of everything from trans-Atlantic sea crossings in the 1950s, with associated details making the reader feel like they are on-board to old-time, trans-provincial train schedules, to modern day usage of genealogical sites, such as Ancestry.ca. The old and the new continually bring to light the past and present.
She effectively uses the technique of interspersing data point from archival sites and websites (with attributions) to lend validation to the story. Personally, I like to learn something new as I read without the author presenting the story in a didactic manner. No patronizing here, just good old-fashioned storytelling backed up with facts.
I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 and say, “MORE!”
My only suggestion to get the most out of the reading experience is to keep a mental note of the characters when reading as there are a fair number of players for the reader to keep straight.
To that end, she nicely sets us up for the continuation of more cases for our Callie Barnstable.
This is not only a who-done-it, but it is a very well-written personal journey of Callie Barnstable. There is a lot of heart and soul of the author in this book, and I would encourage readers to read the backstory on Judy’s website: judypenzsheluk.com
I particularly enjoyed the attention to detail with the historical accounts of everything from trans-Atlantic sea crossings in the 1950s, with associated details making the reader feel like they are on-board to old-time, trans-provincial train schedules, to modern day usage of genealogical sites, such as Ancestry.ca. The old and the new continually bring to light the past and present.
She effectively uses the technique of interspersing data point from archival sites and websites (with attributions) to lend validation to the story. Personally, I like to learn something new as I read without the author presenting the story in a didactic manner. No patronizing here, just good old-fashioned storytelling backed up with facts.
I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 and say, “MORE!”
My only suggestion to get the most out of the reading experience is to keep a mental note of the characters when reading as there are a fair number of players for the reader to keep straight.
To that end, she nicely sets us up for the continuation of more cases for our Callie Barnstable.
April 21, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Finally at peace."
When Calamity inherited a house in Marketville, it came with strings attatched: she had to move into it and attempt to solve an old family mystery. Now, just over a year later, she has decided to stay on in the small town, though not in the same house. She and her best friend have gone into business together, not as private eyes but as researchers into past mysteries. She has several other contacts in her 'team' including the fortune teller, Misty, her antique shop owner friend at the Glass Dolphin and the now retired local librarian. A website is designed and soon they have their first client, a woman wanting th know more about her long deceased grandmother who had 'come to a bad end' when her own mother was just three. Their investigation brings some close to home surprises.
Judy Lenz Sheluk's cozy mysteries are pure delight. written in the first person from Calamity's perspective, the characters are well drawn, and it's nice to remeet them, like finding an old friend. The stories feel humerous, light and fluffy, but there are hidden hurts there, too, and the mysteries are intriguing. Like all good who-dun-its? the reader can follow the clues and try to find the solution before the end reveal (not too hard to do, but great fun anyway).
The narrator of Past and Present, Kelli Lindsay, was perfect, her warm voice almost purring at times. Her inflection was good, the reading clear and she individually gave voice to each character. The whole story burst into life under her bubbly narration.
These books, despite crossovers, are completely stand alone, though the more read the better the reader gets to know the protagonists, or course. In an introduction to this book, the author tells the reader that, whilst this is a completely fictional story, it is based on fact. Interesting. And it looks like the next in the series will be curious, too. I'm looking forward to it.
Recommended for those who prefer their mystery thriller with a little less fighting action and more fighting spirit.
"Finally at peace."
When Calamity inherited a house in Marketville, it came with strings attatched: she had to move into it and attempt to solve an old family mystery. Now, just over a year later, she has decided to stay on in the small town, though not in the same house. She and her best friend have gone into business together, not as private eyes but as researchers into past mysteries. She has several other contacts in her 'team' including the fortune teller, Misty, her antique shop owner friend at the Glass Dolphin and the now retired local librarian. A website is designed and soon they have their first client, a woman wanting th know more about her long deceased grandmother who had 'come to a bad end' when her own mother was just three. Their investigation brings some close to home surprises.
Judy Lenz Sheluk's cozy mysteries are pure delight. written in the first person from Calamity's perspective, the characters are well drawn, and it's nice to remeet them, like finding an old friend. The stories feel humerous, light and fluffy, but there are hidden hurts there, too, and the mysteries are intriguing. Like all good who-dun-its? the reader can follow the clues and try to find the solution before the end reveal (not too hard to do, but great fun anyway).
The narrator of Past and Present, Kelli Lindsay, was perfect, her warm voice almost purring at times. Her inflection was good, the reading clear and she individually gave voice to each character. The whole story burst into life under her bubbly narration.
These books, despite crossovers, are completely stand alone, though the more read the better the reader gets to know the protagonists, or course. In an introduction to this book, the author tells the reader that, whilst this is a completely fictional story, it is based on fact. Interesting. And it looks like the next in the series will be curious, too. I'm looking forward to it.
Recommended for those who prefer their mystery thriller with a little less fighting action and more fighting spirit.
November 14, 2019
Callie solved the mystery her deceased dad set before her, not necessarily in a golden glow but at least satisfactorily according to the terms of his will, but then found herself kind of betwixt and between, wondering what to do with herself next. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she and her best friend, Chantelle, should become private investigators since they had learned a lot about doing that sort of work, particularly with regards to genealogy. Soon enough, they have a case, but Callie is about to be gobsmacked when one of the leads they’re following takes them down a very unexpected path.
Setting that tidbit aside—no need to inform the client just yet—the search for Anneliese’s past begins and, being interested in family history myself, I was really interested in seeing how they looked into old medical records, photos, even ship records for immigrants. As is almost always true, a lot of surprises come to light before Callie and Chantelle get to the truth about Anneliese and her difficult life.
Curiously, Callie’s great-grandmother, Olivia, enters her life just when hers is about to end and Callie learns much more about her own past and perhaps a little about why her grandfather is so hostile towards her. Unfortunately for Callie, she’ll soon learn just how horrible he can be.
This second audiobook in the series has a different narrator and, while I appreciated both for different reasons, Kelli Lindsay appealed to me more. Her voices are quite distinctive but I especially enjoyed her lively interpretation and pacing.
Setting that tidbit aside—no need to inform the client just yet—the search for Anneliese’s past begins and, being interested in family history myself, I was really interested in seeing how they looked into old medical records, photos, even ship records for immigrants. As is almost always true, a lot of surprises come to light before Callie and Chantelle get to the truth about Anneliese and her difficult life.
Curiously, Callie’s great-grandmother, Olivia, enters her life just when hers is about to end and Callie learns much more about her own past and perhaps a little about why her grandfather is so hostile towards her. Unfortunately for Callie, she’ll soon learn just how horrible he can be.
This second audiobook in the series has a different narrator and, while I appreciated both for different reasons, Kelli Lindsay appealed to me more. Her voices are quite distinctive but I especially enjoyed her lively interpretation and pacing.
January 11, 2023
Earns 5/5 Ancestry Mysteries…Clever Journey!
This second book in Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series is an engaging journey into the past rippling into the present with unforeseen consequences. With personal experience researching her own family’s past and working with people who had helpful skill sets have led to the confidence that others may hire her to do the same thing. So Past and Present Investigations has been created. Now Callie Barnstable and her team of talented women need a client…Enter Louisa Frankow! Louisa Frankow is seeking information about her maternal grandmother who had emigrated from England to Canada in the 1950s, and it was suggested she approach Callie and her team who might be able find some answers. While researching the common online databases and archives, each photo, bit of memorabilia, news article, and more begins to reveal an intriguing picture of love, family secrets, and murder. However, what Callie discovers is much more than she ever anticipated.
Judy Penz Sheluk’s well-written mystery with rich characters engaging in informative, witty, and often emotional banter is greatly enriched by Kelli Lindsay’s talented narration in the audiobook version. With a fascinating look into tarot and psychometry and more dramatic experiences with her maternal family which began in book one, “Skeletons in the Attic,” the drama is exciting, clever, and unique. Adding Kelli’s pleasant voice to portray the emotions, tone, and varied personalities can be heard in her reading, and she makes a great effort at gender differences. Well done!
This second book in Judy Penz Sheluk’s Marketville Mystery series is an engaging journey into the past rippling into the present with unforeseen consequences. With personal experience researching her own family’s past and working with people who had helpful skill sets have led to the confidence that others may hire her to do the same thing. So Past and Present Investigations has been created. Now Callie Barnstable and her team of talented women need a client…Enter Louisa Frankow! Louisa Frankow is seeking information about her maternal grandmother who had emigrated from England to Canada in the 1950s, and it was suggested she approach Callie and her team who might be able find some answers. While researching the common online databases and archives, each photo, bit of memorabilia, news article, and more begins to reveal an intriguing picture of love, family secrets, and murder. However, what Callie discovers is much more than she ever anticipated.
Judy Penz Sheluk’s well-written mystery with rich characters engaging in informative, witty, and often emotional banter is greatly enriched by Kelli Lindsay’s talented narration in the audiobook version. With a fascinating look into tarot and psychometry and more dramatic experiences with her maternal family which began in book one, “Skeletons in the Attic,” the drama is exciting, clever, and unique. Adding Kelli’s pleasant voice to portray the emotions, tone, and varied personalities can be heard in her reading, and she makes a great effort at gender differences. Well done!
May 7, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is the second book in the Marketville Mystery series. I have not read the first book in the series and felt that this was a stand alone story [no cliffhanger ending]. I did not feel lost or fail to understand the character's motivations as the author kindly provided quick summaries of references to events which likely occurred in the first book to catch you up [or remind you, if it's been a while since reading the first book.]
Here, Callie, fresh from her investigation into her mother's death, decides she has what it takes to open her own investigation company called Past and Present. She assembles a team, including a reference librarian, an antiques dealer and a psychic. She gets her first client to solve a cold case murder and the case hits closer to home than she imagined.
I really liked the character of Callie - she is down-to-earth, likes to cook [recipes included] and is smart. The real enjoyment of the mystery was in studying the past through pictures and momentos. I was fascinated by some of the historical aspects of the story. There are plenty of twists and turns as the case develops plus a little romance which kept my interest throughout.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a good job and made it an enjoyable listen.
This is the second book in the Marketville Mystery series. I have not read the first book in the series and felt that this was a stand alone story [no cliffhanger ending]. I did not feel lost or fail to understand the character's motivations as the author kindly provided quick summaries of references to events which likely occurred in the first book to catch you up [or remind you, if it's been a while since reading the first book.]
Here, Callie, fresh from her investigation into her mother's death, decides she has what it takes to open her own investigation company called Past and Present. She assembles a team, including a reference librarian, an antiques dealer and a psychic. She gets her first client to solve a cold case murder and the case hits closer to home than she imagined.
I really liked the character of Callie - she is down-to-earth, likes to cook [recipes included] and is smart. The real enjoyment of the mystery was in studying the past through pictures and momentos. I was fascinated by some of the historical aspects of the story. There are plenty of twists and turns as the case develops plus a little romance which kept my interest throughout.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a good job and made it an enjoyable listen.
October 23, 2019
Another great mystery featuring Callie Barnstaple, now running her own investigations business - Past & Present.
Picking up with Callie a year or so after she was left the family home in Marketville by her father on the condition she find out who killed her mother, Callie is selling up and moving to a new location to run her business with her friend, Chantal, a genealogist.
With Misty - the psychic from book one - also on board, the team set up a website to attract business, and indeed it is Misty's tarot card reading together with a recommendation from another friend that gets them their first case: to find out more about Annaliese Pree who was murdered in 1956 and her husband Horst was imprisoned as her killer.
it seems straightforward enough, until connections to Callie's own family - her mother's estranged grandparents - adds an extra touch of spice, intrigue and mystery.
The story flows at a gentle pace, the research carried out by the team is well-explained, and outside of the investigation Callie's personal life is boosted by developments in her relationship with former Snapdragon Drive neighbour, Royce.
The truth about Annaliese's murderer provides a nice twist, although it seems quite obvious early on who the killer is. Despite that, it is interesting to see how Callie gets to that conclusion herself.
The ending provides scope for another case, one I'll be sure to check out.
Having listened to both audiobooks in the Marketville Mystery series, I did prefer the narrator of the first book as I felt she better portrayed the different characters with a greater clarity. Overall I'd give this 4.5 stars, rounded up based on the quality of the story.
Picking up with Callie a year or so after she was left the family home in Marketville by her father on the condition she find out who killed her mother, Callie is selling up and moving to a new location to run her business with her friend, Chantal, a genealogist.
With Misty - the psychic from book one - also on board, the team set up a website to attract business, and indeed it is Misty's tarot card reading together with a recommendation from another friend that gets them their first case: to find out more about Annaliese Pree who was murdered in 1956 and her husband Horst was imprisoned as her killer.
it seems straightforward enough, until connections to Callie's own family - her mother's estranged grandparents - adds an extra touch of spice, intrigue and mystery.
The story flows at a gentle pace, the research carried out by the team is well-explained, and outside of the investigation Callie's personal life is boosted by developments in her relationship with former Snapdragon Drive neighbour, Royce.
The truth about Annaliese's murderer provides a nice twist, although it seems quite obvious early on who the killer is. Despite that, it is interesting to see how Callie gets to that conclusion herself.
The ending provides scope for another case, one I'll be sure to check out.
Having listened to both audiobooks in the Marketville Mystery series, I did prefer the narrator of the first book as I felt she better portrayed the different characters with a greater clarity. Overall I'd give this 4.5 stars, rounded up based on the quality of the story.
May 11, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
Calamity (Callie) Barnstable returns in the second book in the Marketville Mystery series, and again she has to go deep back into the past to solve another fascinating mystery... And again, it turns out to be something that reveals the past of her own family to her...
I like mysteries in which the detective undertakes an investigation that goes years back in the past, for two reasons mainly: one, we get to know a lot about the life of people in the past in general, the way they lived, the technology they used, sometimes the historical or political backgrounds - it's like rediscovering history that we theoretically know everything about, but which only becomes kind of live and real through the investigation; and two, it's fascinating to follow the detective who in such cases is almost like an archaeologist who has to draw conclusions from traces and evidence that are almost non-existent, or depend on the almost forgotten, fogged memories of witnesses... It's always intriguing in a mystery book and makes for an engaging reading (listening in this case:)).
"Past & Present" is exactly this kind of story. It's engaging, both intellectually (the mystery of the murdre itself) and emotionally (Callie's personal involvement in the case is very well done). It's also fast-paced, with a nice touch of romance (a hint only, but still it was there:)) and family drama in the mix. I like Callie as a character, and her friends are as likeable as she is. All the characters are very well drawn, sometimes a sentence or two in a dialogue is enough to show their personality to the reader/listener and make us take to them or quite the contrary... Generally it's a great sequel to part one - better even, as this time I did not feel disappointed with the solution and the ending at all:)
Narration by Ms Lindsay is very good. I like the sound of her voice and the pace of her reading. She doesn't do much of voice differentiation and yet I had no problem following any conversations at all. She also reads in that inobtrusive way that doesn't detract you from the story itself. A great narrator.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Calamity (Callie) Barnstable returns in the second book in the Marketville Mystery series, and again she has to go deep back into the past to solve another fascinating mystery... And again, it turns out to be something that reveals the past of her own family to her...
I like mysteries in which the detective undertakes an investigation that goes years back in the past, for two reasons mainly: one, we get to know a lot about the life of people in the past in general, the way they lived, the technology they used, sometimes the historical or political backgrounds - it's like rediscovering history that we theoretically know everything about, but which only becomes kind of live and real through the investigation; and two, it's fascinating to follow the detective who in such cases is almost like an archaeologist who has to draw conclusions from traces and evidence that are almost non-existent, or depend on the almost forgotten, fogged memories of witnesses... It's always intriguing in a mystery book and makes for an engaging reading (listening in this case:)).
"Past & Present" is exactly this kind of story. It's engaging, both intellectually (the mystery of the murdre itself) and emotionally (Callie's personal involvement in the case is very well done). It's also fast-paced, with a nice touch of romance (a hint only, but still it was there:)) and family drama in the mix. I like Callie as a character, and her friends are as likeable as she is. All the characters are very well drawn, sometimes a sentence or two in a dialogue is enough to show their personality to the reader/listener and make us take to them or quite the contrary... Generally it's a great sequel to part one - better even, as this time I did not feel disappointed with the solution and the ending at all:)
Narration by Ms Lindsay is very good. I like the sound of her voice and the pace of her reading. She doesn't do much of voice differentiation and yet I had no problem following any conversations at all. She also reads in that inobtrusive way that doesn't detract you from the story itself. A great narrator.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 25, 2019
Judy Penz Sheluk has written a wonderful story meshing past and present, into one incredible mystery. I love how she tied in characters from her other books to add to the depth of this story. This book is most definitely a standalone listen, but has tie-ins to other stories. I really enjoyed how she gave clues to this mystery, and the characters were brought to life by the wonderful narration by Kelli Lindsay. The imagery in this book was so well done. I loved how antiques were used bring the characters together. The book has some very unexpected twists which I really enjoyed. I loved how authentic some of the details seemed in this book. The research that went into the fictional ship, the setting of the story (Canada) were all so well done. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. This book is classified as a cozy mystery, but is so much more. There is humor, a great plot, and some endearing characters. The ending was perfect. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
April 26, 2019
Calamity has decided to open her own business. She's named it Past & Present. After delving in the past in book 1 to find out what happened to her Mother she has decided to help other people break down some brick walls from their families past. Her first client comes with a handful of items and lots of qyestions as to what happened to her Grandmother who was murdered in 1957.
Judy Penz Sheluck has done a great job with both books 1 & 2 in this series. I have been working on my family tree for years. I've spent many hours on ancestry and other sites looking for clues into my family. I've found some interesting facts. During the civil war one side were horse theives. They stole horse from the Yankees and sold tgem to the Rebels and then they stole from the Rebels to sell to the Yankees. Also being poor Kentucky Farmers from what I can tell none of them owned slaves on either side of my family. Anyway I am loving this series where Genealogy is huge part ofvtge story.
The book is narrated by Kelly Lindsay. she does an amazing job bringing this story to life.
I was gifted this book and chose to leave this review.
Judy Penz Sheluck has done a great job with both books 1 & 2 in this series. I have been working on my family tree for years. I've spent many hours on ancestry and other sites looking for clues into my family. I've found some interesting facts. During the civil war one side were horse theives. They stole horse from the Yankees and sold tgem to the Rebels and then they stole from the Rebels to sell to the Yankees. Also being poor Kentucky Farmers from what I can tell none of them owned slaves on either side of my family. Anyway I am loving this series where Genealogy is huge part ofvtge story.
The book is narrated by Kelly Lindsay. she does an amazing job bringing this story to life.
I was gifted this book and chose to leave this review.
September 21, 2018
I've read each of Judy Penz Sheluk's mysteries, and her new one, "Past and Present," does not disappoint. Callie Barnstable has decided to stay in Marketville, Ontario, Canada, a town she moved to in the first Marketville mystery. She opens an investigation agency called Past and Present Investigations, a clever title since the past does indeed intrude on the present.
With the help of a genealogist and psychic, Callie covers all the bases when her first client wants to find out what happened to her maternal great-grandmother. Penz Sheluk also cleverly does a cross-over to a character in her Glass Dolphin series, an antique dealer who helps Callie with artifacts about sea voyages that relate to the mysterious death.
The fun is watching Callie go through the procedure of using photographs, documents, newspapers, and artifacts to find out what happened back in the 1950s.
Interesting characters, a knowledge of genealogical records and databases, and a clever plot make this mystery one to savor.
I received an ARC so I could comment, but this is an honest review.
With the help of a genealogist and psychic, Callie covers all the bases when her first client wants to find out what happened to her maternal great-grandmother. Penz Sheluk also cleverly does a cross-over to a character in her Glass Dolphin series, an antique dealer who helps Callie with artifacts about sea voyages that relate to the mysterious death.
The fun is watching Callie go through the procedure of using photographs, documents, newspapers, and artifacts to find out what happened back in the 1950s.
Interesting characters, a knowledge of genealogical records and databases, and a clever plot make this mystery one to savor.
I received an ARC so I could comment, but this is an honest review.
July 8, 2019
Exploring the Past to Understand the Present
As it happens, I read book one (audio!), but long enough ago I was gratified to find that any references to the past were adequate to the instant plot, making each a standalone. In this tale, our intrepid heroine Calamity sells her house and buys another, and then starts a new business. Sudden deja vu to Judy Garland's "I have a barn; let's put on a show!" as various characters are swept in to lend their talents to a new investigative service. But then the first case comes along and serious hard work and research are highlighted with flashes of psi concepts and tarot reading which seem to guide the discoveries. The characters are largely likable with hiss-worthy villains to keep it balanced and I enjoyed the journey and look forward to the next case (hinted at but not a cliffhanger).
As it happens, I read book one (audio!), but long enough ago I was gratified to find that any references to the past were adequate to the instant plot, making each a standalone. In this tale, our intrepid heroine Calamity sells her house and buys another, and then starts a new business. Sudden deja vu to Judy Garland's "I have a barn; let's put on a show!" as various characters are swept in to lend their talents to a new investigative service. But then the first case comes along and serious hard work and research are highlighted with flashes of psi concepts and tarot reading which seem to guide the discoveries. The characters are largely likable with hiss-worthy villains to keep it balanced and I enjoyed the journey and look forward to the next case (hinted at but not a cliffhanger).
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