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Jane Madden #2
Cowards Die Many Times
The son was born and died, and born and died again. But what of the father? How many lives did he live? And which of his deaths finally laid him to rest?
In this second book in the Jane Madden genealogical mystery series, Jane must solve the riddle of a successful surgeon’s ancestry to uncover the root of his family’s success. How could a boy raised by a humble miner’s widow escape his background and climb so high on the social ladder? Is there a missing branch in the tree, or is a darker secret hiding in the shadows of the past? When the trail runs cold Jane has to move from traditional genealogy and use the science of DNA to flush out what she hopes is the truth.
And while she searches, she herself is being watched and her own ghosts threaten to catch up with her.
A trail that leads from the moorland of industrial Lancashire to 19th century New York, a city of opportunity but also of temptation and ultimate loss. The story of a man who does not belong, trying to find a new way in a new world. But why is he hiding and what are his crimes? And when the dust settles and the facts are laid bare, who was he?
Who are any of us when no-one remains to tell our story?
In this second book in the Jane Madden genealogical mystery series, Jane must solve the riddle of a successful surgeon’s ancestry to uncover the root of his family’s success. How could a boy raised by a humble miner’s widow escape his background and climb so high on the social ladder? Is there a missing branch in the tree, or is a darker secret hiding in the shadows of the past? When the trail runs cold Jane has to move from traditional genealogy and use the science of DNA to flush out what she hopes is the truth.
And while she searches, she herself is being watched and her own ghosts threaten to catch up with her.
A trail that leads from the moorland of industrial Lancashire to 19th century New York, a city of opportunity but also of temptation and ultimate loss. The story of a man who does not belong, trying to find a new way in a new world. But why is he hiding and what are his crimes? And when the dust settles and the facts are laid bare, who was he?
Who are any of us when no-one remains to tell our story?
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2019
58 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2020
Good book
Such a good story! The characters are great! Anyone interested in mystery or Genealogy would love this book and the one before. The Author it seems has also done his homework or has a great imagination.
Such a good story! The characters are great! Anyone interested in mystery or Genealogy would love this book and the one before. The Author it seems has also done his homework or has a great imagination.
November 28, 2020
Genealogical mystery
Well written story weaving together past and present. There is still no resolution to Jane's search for more information about her father, and there was definitely an opening left for another book in the series.
Well written story weaving together past and present. There is still no resolution to Jane's search for more information about her father, and there was definitely an opening left for another book in the series.
July 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this. It was generally well-written, good intriguing start and, as to the ending, the different stories were left in different states, not tidied up artificially.
As is often the case with Kindle-published books, the start could have been edited more to remove some of the over-writing. I thought that the sentence "Dark hills climbed all around and filtered into a sky hung heavy with dense grey cloud blackened by coal smoke." was a good idea but overwritten again. What did "filter" add? I'd delete the unnecessary adjectives in another edit: "Dark hills climbed all around him, the sky between hung dense with coal-blackened smoke." But, maybe I overthink these things.
I enjoyed seeing the research that the protagonist, Jane Madden, undertook but I also enjoy the way the books highlight the limits of family history and the records that are available. Jane is often very lucky in finding amazingly preserved letters and other documents, which support the detailed story of the past that the novel includes. Of course, Thompson, Jane's business partner is also a wonderful resource finding all sorts of things out from the internet - I wish I could borrow him for my research!
So, a jolly good genealogical mystery.
As is often the case with Kindle-published books, the start could have been edited more to remove some of the over-writing. I thought that the sentence "Dark hills climbed all around and filtered into a sky hung heavy with dense grey cloud blackened by coal smoke." was a good idea but overwritten again. What did "filter" add? I'd delete the unnecessary adjectives in another edit: "Dark hills climbed all around him, the sky between hung dense with coal-blackened smoke." But, maybe I overthink these things.
I enjoyed seeing the research that the protagonist, Jane Madden, undertook but I also enjoy the way the books highlight the limits of family history and the records that are available. Jane is often very lucky in finding amazingly preserved letters and other documents, which support the detailed story of the past that the novel includes. Of course, Thompson, Jane's business partner is also a wonderful resource finding all sorts of things out from the internet - I wish I could borrow him for my research!
So, a jolly good genealogical mystery.
April 14, 2020
This is the second "Jane Madden" book I have read. Like the earlier read, the story wound around enough to be dizzying. The fault may lie with me because I read the stories for the genealogical aspect and want to rush through any material that doesn't feed that interest. Mr. Hey seems to be developing Jane's personality as her story continues. This book contained more material about events leading to her leaving the police force and her relationship with Tommy. I found I liked Jane less in this volume, actually, she frightened me a bit.
October 19, 2023
Probably 3.5 stars. While Jane's assignment is very interesting, especially as she finds the clues that lead to the next discover, it is almost overshadowed by her personal trauma and drama, which is not resolved in this book. The story alternates between the present, and Jane's researches; and events in the past. The book could have been improved if each section began with the date and place, as well as with additional (professional?) editing.
August 12, 2019
Throughly enjoyed this book, the second in the series, I hope there is more to come ! Highly recommend this book!
August 16, 2019
Great read
Loved this book. Need more like it. Please read you will love it too. Love genealogy mysteries very much. Read
Loved this book. Need more like it. Please read you will love it too. Love genealogy mysteries very much. Read
January 11, 2020
Hey is a good writer but I found the viewpoint confusing at times.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews