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The Forensic Genealogist #1
Hiding the Past
ASIN moved from less recent edition here
Peter Coldrick had no past; that was the conclusion drawn by years of personal and professional research. Then he employed the services of one Morton Farrier, Forensic Genealogist – a stubborn, determined man who uses whatever means necessary to uncover the past. With the Coldrick Case, Morton faces his toughest and most dangerous assignment yet, where all of his investigative and genealogical skills are put to the test. But others are also interested in the Coldrick family, people who will stop at nothing, including murder, to hide the past. As Morton begins to unearth his client’s mysterious past, he is forced to confront his own family’s dark history, a history which he knows little about.
Peter Coldrick had no past; that was the conclusion drawn by years of personal and professional research. Then he employed the services of one Morton Farrier, Forensic Genealogist – a stubborn, determined man who uses whatever means necessary to uncover the past. With the Coldrick Case, Morton faces his toughest and most dangerous assignment yet, where all of his investigative and genealogical skills are put to the test. But others are also interested in the Coldrick family, people who will stop at nothing, including murder, to hide the past. As Morton begins to unearth his client’s mysterious past, he is forced to confront his own family’s dark history, a history which he knows little about.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2013
1481 people are currently reading
2953 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
32 books623 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 331 reviews
May 24, 2014
Last weekend I wanted a light read and Hiding the Past seemed like a good choice. I mean, what's not to like...a forensic genealogist main character (Morton Farrier) and a murder mystery (who killed Peter Coldrick).
The story has two plotlines: the murder mystery and the main character's personal journey having to do with the knowledge that he is adopted. The former is dominant as it should be. The main character's musings about the latter come and go in a logical way that doesn't take away from the main plot or distract the reader from it.
I didn't see the ending coming for the murder mystery, but I wasn't surprised at the resolution for the main character's personal dilemma. Each ending was satisfying. I wouldn't change a thing.
The violence wasn't graphic, a plus for me. And I enjoyed the links to records and locales interspersed within the text of the story.
I'd prefer to give this book 4.5 stars instead of 4. The only downside for me was the setting. Not because I don't like Great Britain, but because some of the language and abbreviations were foreign to me, me being American. I had to stop a few times and refresh myself on the meanings of things, and there was a slight learning curve with where records are stored in Great Britain as opposed to US repositories. These are minor problems though, and I wouldn't avoid this book, or any other with a foreign setting, because of this.
Hiding the Past was a delightful Sunday afternoon read. Morton Farrier is easy to like, and I look forward to the next book in this series.
The story has two plotlines: the murder mystery and the main character's personal journey having to do with the knowledge that he is adopted. The former is dominant as it should be. The main character's musings about the latter come and go in a logical way that doesn't take away from the main plot or distract the reader from it.
I didn't see the ending coming for the murder mystery, but I wasn't surprised at the resolution for the main character's personal dilemma. Each ending was satisfying. I wouldn't change a thing.
The violence wasn't graphic, a plus for me. And I enjoyed the links to records and locales interspersed within the text of the story.
I'd prefer to give this book 4.5 stars instead of 4. The only downside for me was the setting. Not because I don't like Great Britain, but because some of the language and abbreviations were foreign to me, me being American. I had to stop a few times and refresh myself on the meanings of things, and there was a slight learning curve with where records are stored in Great Britain as opposed to US repositories. These are minor problems though, and I wouldn't avoid this book, or any other with a foreign setting, because of this.
Hiding the Past was a delightful Sunday afternoon read. Morton Farrier is easy to like, and I look forward to the next book in this series.
November 13, 2025
Funnily enough, I didn't quite enjoy this as much as the shorter novella. I found I had to keep re-listening to passages to gain full understanding and felt that I had to concentrate a bit more or perhaps it was my mind that was wandering. It's quite a complex and literary tale overall.
Favourite quotes:
"He was mesmerized by the spectacle playing out through the windscreen. His own television set with no off button."
"The lobby was guarded by Miss Latimer a pitbull of a woman who delighted in throwing out amateurs who popped in on the off chance without the requisite raft of identification."
"A coincidence was simply a connection waiting to be made."
"There followed brief empty conversations with his father where the topic was skirted around like a decaying animal on the road. That slowly rotting carcass was his relationship with his father and his mother's tarnished memory."
Favourite quotes:
"He was mesmerized by the spectacle playing out through the windscreen. His own television set with no off button."
"The lobby was guarded by Miss Latimer a pitbull of a woman who delighted in throwing out amateurs who popped in on the off chance without the requisite raft of identification."
"A coincidence was simply a connection waiting to be made."
"There followed brief empty conversations with his father where the topic was skirted around like a decaying animal on the road. That slowly rotting carcass was his relationship with his father and his mother's tarnished memory."
July 12, 2021
This was fun. The amateur genealogist in me enjoyed it...but like a lot of "suspense" stories these days, way too many huge events happen to the main characters without the police intervening. You can't have 1) a new client die 2) a mugging where your laptop conveniently is the main thing stolen 3) your house get blown up 4) your girlfriend (a police woman) gets suspended for a setup 5) you get caught in a b & e and 6) your car gets run off the road...all within a few days without someone paying attention.
Probably only me, but more focus on the genealogy and less focus on the over-the-top plot would have been my preference.
Probably only me, but more focus on the genealogy and less focus on the over-the-top plot would have been my preference.
December 21, 2018
Absolutely riveting! So much so, I just couldn't put this book down, which, in everyday life, gets to be a bit complicated! I should really give it only 4 stars, because a few situations were extremely far-fetched, but I can't bring myself to do that, since it was all such page-turning enjoyment.
I recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in genealogy and enjoys fast-paced thrillers.
I recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in genealogy and enjoys fast-paced thrillers.
August 11, 2015
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, it was a riveting plot. Genealogist Morton Farrier is hired to unearch his client's family history. Days later, the client is found dead and Morton sets out to finish the job.
The problem I had with this book was that there was too much action; it became formulaic. Morton finds a clue, Morton gets attacked, Morton has to start over and finds another clue, Morton's house blows up, etc etc. The action became a way to pad the plot into filling a book. The action was also a little too Hollywood-y for my taste, not plausible in the least.
So I'll leave this book rated just....ok. Promising, but not great.
The problem I had with this book was that there was too much action; it became formulaic. Morton finds a clue, Morton gets attacked, Morton has to start over and finds another clue, Morton's house blows up, etc etc. The action became a way to pad the plot into filling a book. The action was also a little too Hollywood-y for my taste, not plausible in the least.
So I'll leave this book rated just....ok. Promising, but not great.
September 2, 2016
Goodreads just did what it has done multiple times. Dump me out of the page without letting me use a "Backspace" or "return to previous page" with a SAVE of whatever I had written. I was 2/3 through and I lack the time to write it all over again.
My genealogy society was requested by the author to review the book. Several of us have read it. Two of us, including me, probably would not have finished had not the author made the request.
I find the leading character to be a wimp and a whiner. I did not like him. He would NOT be a person I would want to know more about. He would be a person I avoided. I didn't like his girlfriend either. More than once she would be doing it's-an-all-about-me action when the very opposite was needed. Of course, Morton was no better.
The book jumped around in time periods. Most of the time you know there was a jump -- but at times you read several paragraphs and realized you weren't in the 21st century.
This book is set in England and the author is from there (or the British Isles) as well. Acronyms and abbreviations as well as terminology are used throughout the book with the concept that everyone knows what the person meant. On a Kindle, I'll look up a word. Sometimes the dictionary had it, sometimes not. I'm not going to take the time to look up an acronym.
If you make the lead characters people we don't like -- and most of the other characters as well -- do not be surprised if people are turned off by that. Just because characters are unbelievers does not mean you get to use "god" instead of "God" and "bible" instead of "Bible".
Shoot -- this has a little kid in it that I'm supposed to have some kind of good feeling for. In the end -- the author made him fairly unlikable too.
It appears this is the first of a planned series so I hope that Morton (if he is used again) dumps Juliett or she does an about-face. Morton needs to SERIOUSLY grow up. His behavior concerning his family is more like a 18-19 year old. Not someone in their 30s.
BTW -- if a genealogist loses everything in their home, there are things we have that we considered irreplaceable. Like books we have obtained for research that are out of print. Most of us do NOT carry in our heads the Product Keys of all the software we have on our laptops. If he had his laptop backed up in the cloud -- but he didn't.
It seems like he switched to a Mac. If that was done, then his software that did run on a PC wouldn't work on a Mac.
I know this book has gotten some rave reviews. But for me, it fell way short of what it could have been.
My genealogy society was requested by the author to review the book. Several of us have read it. Two of us, including me, probably would not have finished had not the author made the request.
I find the leading character to be a wimp and a whiner. I did not like him. He would NOT be a person I would want to know more about. He would be a person I avoided. I didn't like his girlfriend either. More than once she would be doing it's-an-all-about-me action when the very opposite was needed. Of course, Morton was no better.
The book jumped around in time periods. Most of the time you know there was a jump -- but at times you read several paragraphs and realized you weren't in the 21st century.
This book is set in England and the author is from there (or the British Isles) as well. Acronyms and abbreviations as well as terminology are used throughout the book with the concept that everyone knows what the person meant. On a Kindle, I'll look up a word. Sometimes the dictionary had it, sometimes not. I'm not going to take the time to look up an acronym.
If you make the lead characters people we don't like -- and most of the other characters as well -- do not be surprised if people are turned off by that. Just because characters are unbelievers does not mean you get to use "god" instead of "God" and "bible" instead of "Bible".
Shoot -- this has a little kid in it that I'm supposed to have some kind of good feeling for. In the end -- the author made him fairly unlikable too.
It appears this is the first of a planned series so I hope that Morton (if he is used again) dumps Juliett or she does an about-face. Morton needs to SERIOUSLY grow up. His behavior concerning his family is more like a 18-19 year old. Not someone in their 30s.
BTW -- if a genealogist loses everything in their home, there are things we have that we considered irreplaceable. Like books we have obtained for research that are out of print. Most of us do NOT carry in our heads the Product Keys of all the software we have on our laptops. If he had his laptop backed up in the cloud -- but he didn't.
It seems like he switched to a Mac. If that was done, then his software that did run on a PC wouldn't work on a Mac.
I know this book has gotten some rave reviews. But for me, it fell way short of what it could have been.
January 28, 2018
Forensic genealogist Morton Farrier's new client pays a huge advance to help him locate his parents. Before he begins work, the client calls him , excited about something he's found. Unfortunately the next day, before he has a chance to meet with the client, Morton's girlfriend Police Community Support Officer Juliette calls with news of his client's demise. She lets him know he'll likely be visited since his was the last call on the phone. Farrier decides to proceed with the investigation since no other cases clamor for his attention. He discovers the records he needs were "missing on transfer" at the archives. Pretty soon it is clear someone does not want the truth discovered as bad things seem to follow him. In the mean time, Morton's adoptive father is hospitalized and eventually reveals secrets. I loved the genealogical research angles to this novel, but I'm not crazy about Morton's violation of laws to perform his job which seems to be a violation of professional genealogists' ethical codes. The author successfully weaved a story and subplot that both involved elements of hiding past ancestry. There's a little too much "strange coincidence" in the plot to make it convincing. Still it's a promising start to the series, and I look forward to seeing how Morton develops in future installments.
December 5, 2015
Great book. A genealogist, Morton, is hired to search a man's past and the man is murdered. Why? As the genealogist was already paid a very high fee, he continues on for the man's son. Anyone interested in their family line will enjoy this book as they see what skills are used to answer the many questions; especially when Morton finds his life in danger. Also, it is a great mystery that everyone would like.
December 12, 2013
Morton Farrier is a forensic genealogist turned investigator. This book is so enjoyable that I stayed up too late to finish reading it. I wish I had another of this series to read right now! I understand that the author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin is working on one, thank goodness! Morton is delightful, as is his girlfriend, Juliette. They work well together in this well-plotted mystery.
October 20, 2016
Gripping and fun!
Didn't see most of the twists and turns coming in this one. A great easy read that keeps one thinking. Loved it!
Didn't see most of the twists and turns coming in this one. A great easy read that keeps one thinking. Loved it!
February 2, 2024
I honestly couldn't give this more than 2 stars despite liking the premise - a detective story rooted in sound, if a little boringly described, genealogical research - and the overall plot. It was the writing style and plot development that got me. It was all very clunky as if the writer was just throwing every idea he had at it in quick and improbable succession, while writing with a thesaurus in one hand and a random name generator in the other. However, as this was the writer's first novel I'm inclined to try a later one in the series in the hope that he has settled into a more comfortable writing style.
June 22, 2015
I heard about this book through the Genealogy Gems Podcast and thought I would give it a go. I never that there was such a thing as Genealogy Mystery novels, but there is.
This book is the first in a series about a Forensic Genealogist, Morton Farrier. Morton has been hired to track down the hidden past of Peter Coldrick, a man who cannot trace his roots at all. He suspects they have been maliciously erased, but for what purpose?
Morton begins his quest in earnest when his client turns up dead, an apparent suicide. Morton has a suspicions about the death. The only way to prove that Peter's death is a murder is to uncover a hidden past, filled with twists, turns, and shocking secrets.
The perspective shifts from Morton's searches to a few episodes of an unknown character. I thought I had the ending figured out but was surprised at the twist it took.
Nathan Dylan Goodwin manages to keep the searches for clues using the internet, library archives, and even DNA from becoming dry and dull descriptions. An excellent book for genealogy and mystery fans alike.
I'm looking forward to further installments in the series.
This book is the first in a series about a Forensic Genealogist, Morton Farrier. Morton has been hired to track down the hidden past of Peter Coldrick, a man who cannot trace his roots at all. He suspects they have been maliciously erased, but for what purpose?
Morton begins his quest in earnest when his client turns up dead, an apparent suicide. Morton has a suspicions about the death. The only way to prove that Peter's death is a murder is to uncover a hidden past, filled with twists, turns, and shocking secrets.
The perspective shifts from Morton's searches to a few episodes of an unknown character. I thought I had the ending figured out but was surprised at the twist it took.
Nathan Dylan Goodwin manages to keep the searches for clues using the internet, library archives, and even DNA from becoming dry and dull descriptions. An excellent book for genealogy and mystery fans alike.
I'm looking forward to further installments in the series.
December 6, 2015
What a great shame. I got to 28% but got so worn down by stupid mistakes that I had to call it a day. A great pity as I was liking the story. One I'd certainly pick up again if it was ever properly proofread and edited.
I loved the cover and as I enjoy Steve Robinson's books so much it was given I'd try this series as well. No doubt many compare the authors. He easily writes a great story as well though Steve's aren't totally full of errors. Therein lies the massive difference.
Descend was used when it should've been descended, twice I read lent and not leant (!!), this sentence makes no sense-"You're day off tomorrow, aren't you", Gleneagles is usually the one word and then another nonsensical sentence-"He's only the one who took the file admissions file from St George's"-really ??
I hit page 67 when nought was written as naught and speechmarks dropped in the SAME paragraph and I'd read enough.
The forensic photography stuff I found fascinating. Please get it tidied up so I can finish it !!
Such a waste putting it out in this state.
I loved the cover and as I enjoy Steve Robinson's books so much it was given I'd try this series as well. No doubt many compare the authors. He easily writes a great story as well though Steve's aren't totally full of errors. Therein lies the massive difference.
Descend was used when it should've been descended, twice I read lent and not leant (!!), this sentence makes no sense-"You're day off tomorrow, aren't you", Gleneagles is usually the one word and then another nonsensical sentence-"He's only the one who took the file admissions file from St George's"-really ??
I hit page 67 when nought was written as naught and speechmarks dropped in the SAME paragraph and I'd read enough.
The forensic photography stuff I found fascinating. Please get it tidied up so I can finish it !!
Such a waste putting it out in this state.
October 27, 2013
I am always looking for a good, fast-paced mystery novel. If there is a genealogical aspect to the mystery, I consider it a bonus! In the novel, forensic genealogist, Morton Farrier is hired to help a stranger research his family tree--only to discover that his client has allegedly committed suicide the evening after their meeting. The novel takes the reader along with Morton as he attempts to solve the mystery of his client's death all the while learning about his own mysterious family history. I found the book to be a very fast and entertaining read. I started reading on Thursday. If I hadn't had to work between now and then, I probably would have finished it much sooner than today. I could not put it down. This is listed as being book #1 in the Forensic Genealogist series. I am anxiously anticipating reading about Morton Farrier's next genealogical adventures.
January 4, 2024
This is a different sort of mystery, since the main character is a forensic genealogist. I am still not certain what that means, but he figures out the puzzle by using clues from family collections and archives. An attempt was made to alternate between the present and the past, and I am not certain that was entirely successful. The author is British, and so the settings and archives are a bit unfamiliar, and perhaps more interesting because of it. I will probably read another book or two in this series and see how that works out.
Re-read over the New Year 2023/4, in a more careful manner - in preparation for reading the next in the series. Still not certain about whether the alternation in time works, but still like the text.
Re-read over the New Year 2023/4, in a more careful manner - in preparation for reading the next in the series. Still not certain about whether the alternation in time works, but still like the text.
December 6, 2014
I'll give it a solid 3.5 stars. Good genealogical mystery. I enjoyed the sections where Morton visits the Archives and bumps heads with Miss Latimore, "a fubsy pit-bull of a woman" who makes all the rules and regulations. All genealogists have had that experience at least once during their research trips.
June 21, 2014
I usually do not say that I am a fan of mysteries but I really enjoyed this book! It kept my attention and I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep at night. I bought it accidentally and am glad that it went into my amazon cart!
August 26, 2016
I am interested in genealogy and family history and really enjoyed this book. The mystery and suspense was good and found it difficult to put down. I like the characters and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would give this a 4.5 rating if posssible.
December 26, 2014
Good book, Morton Farrier begins to research the family history of Peter Coldrick, just one problem, Peter does not know who his family is and supposedly commits suicide before Morton can find out any more, hence Morton beings his quest to find out more. Easy to follow book, very entertaining.
February 8, 2015
Nice Twist
Thoroughly enjoyed this genealogical mystery. I certainly did not see this one coming. I would certainly recommend this neat little mystery with a cup of hot tea and a wrap curled up in a cozy spot for a perfect Sunday activity.
Thoroughly enjoyed this genealogical mystery. I certainly did not see this one coming. I would certainly recommend this neat little mystery with a cup of hot tea and a wrap curled up in a cozy spot for a perfect Sunday activity.
October 29, 2013
kept your interest until the end
February 17, 2015
I enjoyed the story well enough, especially the research into the family's past. A couple of times the plot seemed a little far-fetched for my liking but that's just me.
December 16, 2013
Enjoyed it very much!
May 18, 2014
Its the first book I've ever read in one sitting just couldn't put it down.
October 26, 2014
I'm going to like Morton
November 19, 2014
Very intriguing
I liked the historical parts of this mystery and how the murder was linked back to the past. Morton was very likeable.
I liked the historical parts of this mystery and how the murder was linked back to the past. Morton was very likeable.
November 23, 2014
Not your standard mystery. Well written
December 8, 2014
Different and intriguing idea for a mystery. I really enjoyed this book, and have already downloaded the next in the series!
June 13, 2015
Always interesting and readable
These books succeed in making genealogy very interesting. These books always provide an interesting mystery to keep. the reader involved.
These books succeed in making genealogy very interesting. These books always provide an interesting mystery to keep. the reader involved.
November 9, 2025
Probably a 3 1/2 star book if that was possible.
The plot is complex and I found the supposed ramifications of an aristocratic family's historic support for the Nazi party during the Second World War slightly unlikely (blowing up a house with Semtex 60 years later? Really?). However, it all makes for a bit of a page-turner.
There are, though, two glaring errors in the text. "He brought the Box Brownie up to his face" - no, he didn't. Box Brownie cameras were designed to be held at chest or waist height, since the viewfinder was located on one side of the box. Also the character who went to Florence would not have been enjoying a holiday in Southern Italy - Florence being in Tuscany, which is located in the north-west of the country.
Note to author - don't include details you are not absolutely certain of. And if you're not certain, do what the rest of us do and check them out on Google. Please!
The plot is complex and I found the supposed ramifications of an aristocratic family's historic support for the Nazi party during the Second World War slightly unlikely (blowing up a house with Semtex 60 years later? Really?). However, it all makes for a bit of a page-turner.
There are, though, two glaring errors in the text. "He brought the Box Brownie up to his face" - no, he didn't. Box Brownie cameras were designed to be held at chest or waist height, since the viewfinder was located on one side of the box. Also the character who went to Florence would not have been enjoying a holiday in Southern Italy - Florence being in Tuscany, which is located in the north-west of the country.
Note to author - don't include details you are not absolutely certain of. And if you're not certain, do what the rest of us do and check them out on Google. Please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews