The Politician

Maze Investigations #4

by M.K. Jones

Following what seems like a straightforward meeting with a well-known medium, the Maze Investigators find themselves engaged in a series of three intriguing quests. Each has an aspect familiar to them – a previously unbreakable brick wall. In the first adventure, as Maggie and Zelah find themselves up against a seemingly impossible deadline, they become embroiled in a rivalry with a local family business. Respectable on the surface; underneath, anything but. A rebel member of the family appeals for help, but can she be trusted?

Their second message relates to a brick wall that Nick Howell had come up against repeatedly in the past before deciding to abandon the issue. Maze is given a vital clue by the medium and Nick receives a message from the descendant of a Liverpool policeman who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the 1870s. The Maze investigators are soon on their way to breaking down the brick wall. The discovery of a skeleton buried at a derelict stately home in North Wales gives them their best lead so Maggie and Nick travel to North Wales to meet with the landowner on whose property the skeleton has been found. Back at home, Zelah is finding that her relationship with members of the business family is causing her to withhold information from her colleagues. As the case comes home, all is not as it seems and once again Maze is up against someone intent on destroying their business and their reputation.

The third and final message takes the Maze Investigators back to Catalonia and the Spanish Civil War. Maggie and Bob investigate the disappearance of a young Scottish man who travelled to Spain in 1937. He never got home, but left behind a strange, enigmatic message. The investigation leads to a clash with the authorities and a heartbreaking tale. Once again, Zelah holds the fort at home, with Nick. Dealing with the remains of the business family, they find that a group of three women have made a pact to bring them down. Two they know, but who is the third? They have a traitor in their midst, whom they must discover and unmask.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2020

About the author

Originally 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!

Reviews

[Kimberly]

Addictive

Another M.K. Jones book in her series about genealogists working out of South Wales. This is the fourth book in the series and it is as good as the others. I have become immersed in them to the detriment of just about everything else in my life. Shall I take a break or read the next one? My quandary at the moment. Oh, yes, lest I forget, I think this series is appropriate and interesting for anyone. Good character depth and story.

[Helen Shipley]

Thought provoking and lots of Drama

OK. I've read all books in the series and was pleased by the release of this one, shortly after reading 'The Julia Legacy'.

For me, despite being intriguing, this didn't hang together as well. May have been just me though. That's why I still gave 4 stars. I think parts were implausible, given the involvement of an experienced police man with history regarding some of the major players. I'll say no more as I don't like spoilers.
Regardless of my reservations, I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next in Series. I learnt about some previously unknown events and sources, which are genuine and history of the Newport and South Glamorgan area is always a bonus as my father came from there and I like contemporary local knowledge too, as I grew up in Sussex. My Welsh heritage pulls at my heartstrings and tweeks my curiosity for when I next go there to visit my stepdaughter who lives quite near. I hope we can visit some of the places we haven't been to, especially Caerleon and revisit others, including Cathays Cemetary, where a lot of Ancestors are buried and where we took Dad's ashes to be interred in his father's War Grave.

If any readers have heritage there but have never found where Cardiff area Ancestors are buried, the staff at the council are wonderful. Searches are inexpensive and we were given a guided tour of where my Ancestors are buried. Most in unmarked graves, which I hope to remedy. There are two sections and beautiful surroundings. Like Maggie I love cemeteries and churchyards.

I recommend the book and hope others will too.

[Amy C Crooks]

I love this entire series. I wished there were more. As a genealogist, the details of genealogical research were very accurate, although I know US records better than UK records, and they remain accurate. The frustrations of research were spot on. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was there, experiencing the fear, the joy, and the strange, paranormal connections we have with our ancestors, which I have also experienced through my own research.

[Nikolina]

i love this series

The research done by these genealogists is fascinating. The stories weave together in unexpected ways making great mystery. They including history, personal relationshis, dangers, great social interactions. The differences in personalities also add to the “can’t put it down” intrigue of these books.

[Sophia Pari-jones]

Hair raising events and much enjoyed. Thank you. I couldn't put this down, I found an excuse to keep reading it. The only thing was, that I thought the ending could have been better.

Thank you very much.
Sophia Pari-Jones

[Beverly Bigmore]

Another great story.

This book kept me gripped and reading for far to long into the depths of night. I just love the way the characters are written and a worry and feel concern over their investigations. Book 5 awaits me.

[Nikki]

A shady local businessman is lobbying the council to put up a statue to his great-grandfather. When a medium Zelah knows approaches her with a message saying that the long-ago politician was not the philanthropist he is said to have been, Maze Investigations begins a search to find the truth. Many twists and turns in the story lead to more involvement with the present-day descendant than is perhaps healthy for Maggie, Zelah, and Nick and their loved ones.

[Lisa Shower]

Wow!

I read this one from start to finish in one sitting! Mind you I got nothing else done today. Really good story, fascinating connections and lots of twists and turns. Onto the next one!

[Barb Loyd]

Love this series! But, don't try to read these when you are sleepy: you need the whole brain, as there are so many plots within plots. That being said, I've enjoyed them all and learned a lot about English history as well

[jayne hay]

What is this mystery and will they manage to solve it

When someone comes to them asking for help it leads them down a rabbit hole filled with more mystery and secrets that they manage to solve

[Maree Croxon Mapperson]

Love the mystery

An ego of that size believes they can get away with anything but history and distance can make a clearer picture. Love family history good read.

[Jeanine]

Really engrossing story. Very enjoyable.

[Audrey]

I don’t do spoilers but if you like a good story I can highly recommend this book. It is perfect for a family history addict as well !

[Debbie Trammell]

Good bool

I have read all these books so far. Love the charaters and story line as I do genealogy research. There appears to be alot of reseach in these books.

[Chris Garven]

Characters

There are many characters, many with similar names.
It would be very helpful to have an illustration of some of the trees that they try to describe in the text.

[Roberta C Poulos]

Another good book

The twists and turns you take in this series of books is well written. I look forward to starting the policeman.

[Claire Harris]

Love this

I found this story hard to put down, if you love family history give it a go and written well.

[Donna]

Intense

This story was good and very intense! Everyone was involved with a few extras. The newer people were the topic of the story.

[Jan]

I love this series and I’m sad to see that it ends with eight books.

[Maxine]

There is a bunch of really nasty folk in this one! I enjoyed them getting at least a partial punishment!

[Janet L]

The Politician

Another good read for those interested in genealogy! Especially with some mystery & surprise! Now on to the next book.