What do you think?
Rate this book
Maze Investigations #1
Three Times Removed
Maggie Gilbert and her children, Jack and Alice, live a pretty normal life. That is, until Maggie starts looking into her family tree. In doing so, she uncovers a dark mystery that endangers her children. She has to solve the mystery in the past, if she is to save her family in the present. Together with a fellow genealogist, Zelah, Maggie unearths more and more details about the drowning of a small girl and the unsolved disappearance of Maggie's ancestor. Strange forces are at work, and they seem to be leaking into the present. This supernatural mystery is set in and around Cwmbran and Newport in South Wales, and draws on real historical details.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2015
457 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Jones
16 books72 followersOriginally from South Wales, I now live in North Wales, close to Conwy and the sea. My passion for genealogy began when I helped out my mother with internet researching on her family and I became engrossed ( my family would say fanatical!). The Maze Investigations series has allowed me to combine my passion with my long held ambition to be a creative writer. I have recently added the first book in a new series. The series is called The Curiosity Club of St Foy and the book is 'All Gone'. My plan is to publish 2 books a year at least, one in each series. Update! I have recently published the fourth book in the Curiosity Club of St Foy series. It's called "The Cult of Flowers". And I have formed a collaboration with South Wales write, John F. Wales. Together we have produced a new series called "The Cardiff Newshound Investigates". Book one, "Death on a Gravestone" is now available in all media, and book two will be available shortly. It's been ten years since the publication of "Three Times Removed", the first book in the Maze series. I'll soon be starting on book no. 10. What a journey!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 12, 2022
Haunting
I love the way that the author, M.K. Jones, brought me back to my childhood with my Welsh grandmother. She has a gift for describing the varying eras of the story as well as the characters that made them come alive for me. The Welshness (if that's even a word) was so comforting and familiar. This book is a good read for anyone! If you enjoy a good story, you will be very pleased with this book. Update: Have started reading second book in series.
I love the way that the author, M.K. Jones, brought me back to my childhood with my Welsh grandmother. She has a gift for describing the varying eras of the story as well as the characters that made them come alive for me. The Welshness (if that's even a word) was so comforting and familiar. This book is a good read for anyone! If you enjoy a good story, you will be very pleased with this book. Update: Have started reading second book in series.
April 17, 2016
I am perplexed as to what rating to give this book.
Positives: I think the book had a good story line.
I liked the supernatural element.
The characters were likeable, even the crotchety Zelah. It held my attention and interest.
Negatives: the editing was terrible, a lot of spelling and grammatical errors, which I found distracting.
I found it a bit difficult with all the names, now this is probably just me, but 4 or 5 generations all characters using the same christian names, I was hard pressed to work out who belonged to who!! I understand that names were carried through generations way back then, but it was just confusing.
This story could have been condensed into a shorter book of 200 pages. It was longwinded, and this I found very frustrating and my main reason for giving only 2 stars.
I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys family history and who has a great deal of book patience and time.
Positives: I think the book had a good story line.
I liked the supernatural element.
The characters were likeable, even the crotchety Zelah. It held my attention and interest.
Negatives: the editing was terrible, a lot of spelling and grammatical errors, which I found distracting.
I found it a bit difficult with all the names, now this is probably just me, but 4 or 5 generations all characters using the same christian names, I was hard pressed to work out who belonged to who!! I understand that names were carried through generations way back then, but it was just confusing.
This story could have been condensed into a shorter book of 200 pages. It was longwinded, and this I found very frustrating and my main reason for giving only 2 stars.
I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys family history and who has a great deal of book patience and time.
May 2, 2021
"Three Times Removed" - written by M K Jones and published in 2015 by Wordcatcher Publishing. My genealogy interest is strong and I appreciate my local library tracking down this scarce book in an out-of-state library. The locale is Wales in 2015 when a young mother Maggie Gilbert purchases an old farmstead and learns it was owned by her family long ago. The story follows the thread of young girls named Alice and features hauntings that cause Maggie to delve into her family history. I enjoyed the research aspects and how the pieces fell together, always the dream of a family historian, and thought the back and forth in time, 1883 to 1909 to 2015, helped keep everything straight. "Every new bit of information adds to the completeness of your story." The supernatural aspect added an interesting spark although it went a bit too far at the start - too gory! And the editing left me wondering how someone could work for a business called Wordcatcher and allow this book to go to print. I understand the fifth in the series came out this year - I'll have to look for the others.
March 26, 2020
Best supernatural book I have ever read. A curse remains with a family for hundreds of years until a mom takes care of it in 2015. Good read.
March 4, 2022
Three Times Removed is a strange combination of a genealogical mystery and supernatural horror story. Maggie Jones has become interested in her family tree and then Maggie and her children, Jack and Alice, return to her home town and accidentally buy Maggie's great-grandfather's house. The presence of Alice unleashes the return of a "hunter" that has tormented the Jones family intermittently for centuries. With the assistance of a local genealogist, Zelah, Maggie works to solve the mystery of a long-missing child and the identity of a dangerous woman who has reappeared over centuries and is now threatening Alice. Eventually Maggie confronts and defeats the hunter in an exciting climax. After that the story drags quite badly and then ends improbably, in a rush, with the Maggie and Zelah establishing a genealogical research business, which is, of course, leading to sequels to the book.
Three Times Removed is a thrilling, fun-to-read story, but it is somewhat scrambled as it jumps around and then introduces a bunch of new, not well-explained characters right near the end. The book really needed a competent editor, because it is full of typos, grammar errors and jumbled sentences.
Three Times Removed is a thrilling, fun-to-read story, but it is somewhat scrambled as it jumps around and then introduces a bunch of new, not well-explained characters right near the end. The book really needed a competent editor, because it is full of typos, grammar errors and jumbled sentences.
August 17, 2023
It was OK
I liked the storyline and I really like genealogy mysteries but I found this one a little hard to follow. There were so many Ruth’s and Alice’s and John’s. Those weren’t the only ones, some of the minor characters were repeated so it just got confusing. I felt by the time that I got to the reveal that I was too confused to be excited about the ending. I also felt there were some loose ends like Honora Fitzgerald. Who was she related too? Maggie? No one? I’m not sure. I wouldn’t recommend this particular book but I do feel like it had good potential and I would probably read another of the author’s later books in hopes she becomes more skilled at revealing the timeline and lineage.
I liked the storyline and I really like genealogy mysteries but I found this one a little hard to follow. There were so many Ruth’s and Alice’s and John’s. Those weren’t the only ones, some of the minor characters were repeated so it just got confusing. I felt by the time that I got to the reveal that I was too confused to be excited about the ending. I also felt there were some loose ends like Honora Fitzgerald. Who was she related too? Maggie? No one? I’m not sure. I wouldn’t recommend this particular book but I do feel like it had good potential and I would probably read another of the author’s later books in hopes she becomes more skilled at revealing the timeline and lineage.
February 4, 2017
interesting story...awful editing
As a genealogist I enjoyed reading about the sleuthing, searching, and guessing that are such a part of genealogy. At the same time I was put off by the paranormal parts of the story. These aspects shouldn't be necessary to make genealogy interesting. But the worst part if this book for me is the terrible copyediting, which got worse as the book went on: missing words, typos, pronouns with no obvious references...I could go on and on...truly embarrassing both for the author and the publisher.
As a genealogist I enjoyed reading about the sleuthing, searching, and guessing that are such a part of genealogy. At the same time I was put off by the paranormal parts of the story. These aspects shouldn't be necessary to make genealogy interesting. But the worst part if this book for me is the terrible copyediting, which got worse as the book went on: missing words, typos, pronouns with no obvious references...I could go on and on...truly embarrassing both for the author and the publisher.
August 26, 2020
Pretty good story, but...
The story itself is intriguing and made me want to continue reading. However, the punctuation errors are atrocious and very distracting. Having to re-read a sentence that didn't make sense just to discover it was 2 or 3 sentences with no periods separating them. Many grammatical errors added to the frustration and it's highly unlikely that I'll read the other books in this series. Not the fault of the author necessarily, but a decent editor would have made this a better book.
The story itself is intriguing and made me want to continue reading. However, the punctuation errors are atrocious and very distracting. Having to re-read a sentence that didn't make sense just to discover it was 2 or 3 sentences with no periods separating them. Many grammatical errors added to the frustration and it's highly unlikely that I'll read the other books in this series. Not the fault of the author necessarily, but a decent editor would have made this a better book.
June 12, 2021
Perhaps 3.5 stars. This is an odd book. A paranormal genealogy mystery that borders on unbelievability. When Maggie buys an old Victorian house, she has no idea that it once belonged to her Jones ancestors — the very ancestors she has been researching. The story follows three timelines: Maggie's in the present, and two in the past, in 1883 and 1909. Events of the past appear to repeating themselves in the present — can Maggie prevent yet another tragedy?
February 11, 2017
Heartwarming and intriguing
Great read! This book shows a side of genealogy that goes above and beyond the traditional family tree research. It connects many generations through their own unique story - including the heartbreak with the triumph. Something I would like to accomplish with my family story. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Great read! This book shows a side of genealogy that goes above and beyond the traditional family tree research. It connects many generations through their own unique story - including the heartbreak with the triumph. Something I would like to accomplish with my family story. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
November 16, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. It is set in the area where I live, is about family history and also a mystery story. What more could I ask for. Also it is written by a local woman and I am hoping she soon writes more.
December 9, 2015
Good book series start
A good read, but too many typos and print errors. Story was good but a bit confusing with all the duplicate names and a few new characters in the last few pages. I did like the combination of theologians the supernatural. All in all worth the time to read.
A good read, but too many typos and print errors. Story was good but a bit confusing with all the duplicate names and a few new characters in the last few pages. I did like the combination of theologians the supernatural. All in all worth the time to read.
October 15, 2025
I recently reread this book & had a completely different experience. I've enjoyed all the Maze Investigations books & wanted to revisit the beginning. This time around, I found I liked it very much and have changed my 1 star to 5.
July 28, 2016
Loved it
Loved it. Hoping there is a sequel. The story was fascinating but the supernatural a bit much. I think shared memory through DNA is intriguing.
Loved it. Hoping there is a sequel. The story was fascinating but the supernatural a bit much. I think shared memory through DNA is intriguing.
April 18, 2019
A little confusing
The story was good and entertaining but I feel it was not well written. The conversations were run together and confusing about who was saying what.
The story was good and entertaining but I feel it was not well written. The conversations were run together and confusing about who was saying what.
January 9, 2020
Good story
It isn't the most well-written book I've ever read but I thoroughly enjoyed the story with it's many twists and turns.
It isn't the most well-written book I've ever read but I thoroughly enjoyed the story with it's many twists and turns.
July 28, 2020
Intriguing Story of Family and The Ties that Link All of Us to Our Ancestors.
OK. I don't of course mean it literally ties us to our Ancestors. The ties are universal though. We are all the products of our ancestry. Made up of bits and pieces from those who came before, mixed in with our life experiences.
Not all of us know our history, or histories and most will have none of the stranger elements of this story. A good story, well told, has characters who seem real enough to make us care about them. The best authors make us care very quickly and nothing engenders care like adversity and the machinations of baddies, or unfortunate circumstances and events. There are plenty such here.
This story of children who are at the heart of it and who faced adversity, fought to overcome, or escape from it, is compelling. The ripples of the events draw in their families and the quests for knowledge, truth, and resolution, cross time. The past is present in the present. A clumsy way to put it. The main characters are linked by that questing. Searching for the people and what happened to them, are at the heart of the mysteries, old and not so old.
Anyone who has searched for their family history, will recognize the process, the highs and lows, the triumphs and the frustrating brick walls. The pitfalls are evidenced too. Those naughty Ancestors who changed their names, ages, places of birth - or did they? Mostly they didn't do anything deliberate other than say they were younger, or older than they were. A few did do it deliberately. The truth is that there were nicknames, common names, confusion, ignorance of facts and errors, oversights, mistranscriptions and much more.
That's in real life as well as stories and we come across lots of it in this story. People living their lives, within the parameters and constraints of the times and where and how they lived. I have often wondered about inherited memory and experienced weird but only slightly, weird experiences. For instance, I went somewhere with my mother, that I'd never been before but knew it. Knew what we were going to see before I saw it. I was quite young but I remember asking when had we gone there before and was told we had not. Ever. I still remember what I saw from the windows of the bus we were travelling on. I only remembered it whilst reading this book. I now know and realise it would have been a familiar place to some of my anestors. So, inherited memory? Maybe.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. I shall read the next. There are some annoying errors in the text, mostly typos. Is that down to a lack of due diligence by whomever? Whatever the answer I wish whomever would correct them. They distract and detract. I didn't let them stop me reading to the end but the flow was interrupted a few times.
OK. I don't of course mean it literally ties us to our Ancestors. The ties are universal though. We are all the products of our ancestry. Made up of bits and pieces from those who came before, mixed in with our life experiences.
Not all of us know our history, or histories and most will have none of the stranger elements of this story. A good story, well told, has characters who seem real enough to make us care about them. The best authors make us care very quickly and nothing engenders care like adversity and the machinations of baddies, or unfortunate circumstances and events. There are plenty such here.
This story of children who are at the heart of it and who faced adversity, fought to overcome, or escape from it, is compelling. The ripples of the events draw in their families and the quests for knowledge, truth, and resolution, cross time. The past is present in the present. A clumsy way to put it. The main characters are linked by that questing. Searching for the people and what happened to them, are at the heart of the mysteries, old and not so old.
Anyone who has searched for their family history, will recognize the process, the highs and lows, the triumphs and the frustrating brick walls. The pitfalls are evidenced too. Those naughty Ancestors who changed their names, ages, places of birth - or did they? Mostly they didn't do anything deliberate other than say they were younger, or older than they were. A few did do it deliberately. The truth is that there were nicknames, common names, confusion, ignorance of facts and errors, oversights, mistranscriptions and much more.
That's in real life as well as stories and we come across lots of it in this story. People living their lives, within the parameters and constraints of the times and where and how they lived. I have often wondered about inherited memory and experienced weird but only slightly, weird experiences. For instance, I went somewhere with my mother, that I'd never been before but knew it. Knew what we were going to see before I saw it. I was quite young but I remember asking when had we gone there before and was told we had not. Ever. I still remember what I saw from the windows of the bus we were travelling on. I only remembered it whilst reading this book. I now know and realise it would have been a familiar place to some of my anestors. So, inherited memory? Maybe.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. I shall read the next. There are some annoying errors in the text, mostly typos. Is that down to a lack of due diligence by whomever? Whatever the answer I wish whomever would correct them. They distract and detract. I didn't let them stop me reading to the end but the flow was interrupted a few times.
November 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I may have even given it a 5 if it weren't for the poor editing. A lot of misspelled words and the worst part was the line separation. Mid sentence it would drop down two lines. I hope future editions will have some updates to eliminate those. I really liked all the main characters. I'm a particular fan of Zelah because she's so blunt. I loved the storyline of the family history and the supernatural thrown in added to it without becoming overwhelming. Supernatural, but somehow realistic like you might imagine it could happen somewhere if you believe unknown things can exist. I've read the reviews on the second book and it sounds like it's also not well edited, but I'll probably read on anyway since these are such great characters.
I guess I should note that I read the Kindle edition and not the paperback. I can't speak to the editing quality of the printed version.
I guess I should note that I read the Kindle edition and not the paperback. I can't speak to the editing quality of the printed version.
February 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book even though it has aspects of the supernatural, which I would have not have thought I’d enjoy. I think the key is that the action is described in concrete and matter-of-fact terms so the story, or stories, feel very real.
The action takes place in three different time frames, to which the reader is introduced right from the start. I found some of the story upsetting but I enjoyed meeting the characters and thought their stories were interesting and overall uplifting. The book takes place in
The genealogical research was also interesting with some good detail about how to do it. I wish I could find some old records from my family that provide so much insight into how long-dead forebears thought!
I enjoyed the book so much that, as soon as I finished it, I downloaded the next two books in the series!
The action takes place in three different time frames, to which the reader is introduced right from the start. I found some of the story upsetting but I enjoyed meeting the characters and thought their stories were interesting and overall uplifting. The book takes place in
The genealogical research was also interesting with some good detail about how to do it. I wish I could find some old records from my family that provide so much insight into how long-dead forebears thought!
I enjoyed the book so much that, as soon as I finished it, I downloaded the next two books in the series!
January 21, 2022
Really enjoyed this genealogy storyline. As an amateur family tree enthusiast, I know that Three Times Removed will definitely take you back a ways. It took a while for me to get hooked on this one, but once hooked, I had to stay up way past my bedtime to find out WHAT happened to the Esmes, Alices and Ruths, WHY, and HOW the effects of generational curses can appear years later. (From 1883 to 1909 to 1936 to 2015). The old tradition of repeating names has helped me personally in my search for my maternal great grandmother's name;finding Ella to be the name of my oldest Aunt. The 3 oldest sons were named after maternal & paternal grandfathers & father. The paranormal experiences were rather intense. I was encouraged and confident that I know WHO to call on if such events ever occurred in my life. I have already begun reading #2 Kindle edition Line of Descent by J.K. Jones.
October 4, 2022
Excellent story
I am a fan of genealogy and have traced parts of my family back to William the first of England. We are related but through a distant sister to the king, my ancestor was a Gifford (Gifford in the11th century). I would like to know my storyline in history. As a historians and a forensic sociologist I study kinships and family connections. The importants of genealogical finds and the stories they tell, things that happened years ago are true, just because you can't see it, touch it or physical experience them first hand doesn't mean it was real for the people who lived and breathed years ago. Fine job keep it up, most interesting story I have read in along time, thank you!!!
I am a fan of genealogy and have traced parts of my family back to William the first of England. We are related but through a distant sister to the king, my ancestor was a Gifford (Gifford in the11th century). I would like to know my storyline in history. As a historians and a forensic sociologist I study kinships and family connections. The importants of genealogical finds and the stories they tell, things that happened years ago are true, just because you can't see it, touch it or physical experience them first hand doesn't mean it was real for the people who lived and breathed years ago. Fine job keep it up, most interesting story I have read in along time, thank you!!!
May 25, 2022
My favorite new genre has shown me this gem
I love genealogical fiction! This had everything worth reading. History, genealogy, mystery and drama. I love stories with dual timelines as well! I couldn't put it down. I was lost in it as if I was there. It had a little bit of paranormal mixed in. I don't usually read paranormal stories, but this just gave it more depth and flavor, like adding fresh cracked pepper to a beloved savory dish. Can't wait to read another book by M.K. Jones!
I love genealogical fiction! This had everything worth reading. History, genealogy, mystery and drama. I love stories with dual timelines as well! I couldn't put it down. I was lost in it as if I was there. It had a little bit of paranormal mixed in. I don't usually read paranormal stories, but this just gave it more depth and flavor, like adding fresh cracked pepper to a beloved savory dish. Can't wait to read another book by M.K. Jones!
January 7, 2022
A Paranormal Mystery and Genealogy all in one book!
I gave this book a 5 star rating because I couldn't put it down! I began reading it because of my interest in genealogy. As the story unfolded I created my own family tree for the characters. But soon the mystery of a child's disappearance took over my attention. The author made good use of alternating between past and present. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I gave this book a 5 star rating because I couldn't put it down! I began reading it because of my interest in genealogy. As the story unfolded I created my own family tree for the characters. But soon the mystery of a child's disappearance took over my attention. The author made good use of alternating between past and present. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
December 19, 2023
I bought this not realising it had a supernatural theme to the story so was a little disappointed and it sat on my shelf for a while. I actually couldn't put it down once I picked it up and although there was a bit of a ghost story attached, the story about the families in the two time periods was really good. For me the ghost bits (without spoiling the plot) relating to one of the characters was unnecessary and were not really needed. I will be ordering the next in the series.
May 4, 2024
Not at All Watch I Expected
I very much enjoy reading Genealogical fiction. This one includes paranormal. It is interesting, exciting, scary, historical of Wales landscape. Solid parenting values. I read Maze Investigations Case Files first and found it not too interesting. Now I will go back and realize it’s about the business these character start. Very well written. Look forward to reading more MK Jones
I very much enjoy reading Genealogical fiction. This one includes paranormal. It is interesting, exciting, scary, historical of Wales landscape. Solid parenting values. I read Maze Investigations Case Files first and found it not too interesting. Now I will go back and realize it’s about the business these character start. Very well written. Look forward to reading more MK Jones
April 3, 2025
Mk Jones is a new writer for me, but this certainly won't be the last of her books that I read. This was a Genealogical mystery with a supernatural twist, and I loved it.
It is very different from the books of Nathan Dylan Godwin (whose work I also love), and I liked that. It covered the same family history focus, but from a different angle.
The characters were great and the plot interesting and twisty, and I loved the epilogue!
I am now off to buy the rest of the series!
It is very different from the books of Nathan Dylan Godwin (whose work I also love), and I liked that. It covered the same family history focus, but from a different angle.
The characters were great and the plot interesting and twisty, and I loved the epilogue!
I am now off to buy the rest of the series!
May 30, 2025
If you are into family history, especially if you have ever been stuck, this is the book for you. If you have “inherited memories”, memories of the past that you never really experienced, you will want to read this. If you enjoy moving back and forth between generations , and even a century, read this book. One continuous mystery, plus one evil entity. I enjoyed this book! However, it needs a family tree in the back to understand all the duplicate names.
July 23, 2025
As a genealogist, it's challenging to find a good historical book that delves into the world of genealogy and the strange and sometimes unexplainable discoveries we make, but M. K. Jones has accomplished it with a bang. I can't get enough.
As an American, I don't always grasp the European nuances, but I still loved the book. As I delve further into my immigrant ancestors, it'll provide insight into what to expect.
As an American, I don't always grasp the European nuances, but I still loved the book. As I delve further into my immigrant ancestors, it'll provide insight into what to expect.
December 24, 2025
Brilliant
This Book 1 of Maze Investigations gripped me from page 1! Whether you're into Ancestry or not, you can't help being touched , moved and gripped by the journey this story takes you on, its a real page Turner. It's so descriptive, and brilliantly written, you actually feel you are there.....living in a great 'black & white' movie.
I have read a couple of M K Jones' Maze Investigations, but is by far, the best.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This Book 1 of Maze Investigations gripped me from page 1! Whether you're into Ancestry or not, you can't help being touched , moved and gripped by the journey this story takes you on, its a real page Turner. It's so descriptive, and brilliantly written, you actually feel you are there.....living in a great 'black & white' movie.
I have read a couple of M K Jones' Maze Investigations, but is by far, the best.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
March 11, 2018
Three Times Removed ( Maze Investigations - 'The Genealogy Dectectives Book 1) by M. K. Jones
I took a chance on this book and was amazed at how good and well written it was. The flow of the book was exceptional as were the characters. The mystery unwinds perfectly. This authors books should be out there more as I believe they would be well received.
I took a chance on this book and was amazed at how good and well written it was. The flow of the book was exceptional as were the characters. The mystery unwinds perfectly. This authors books should be out there more as I believe they would be well received.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews