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Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery #7
The Missing Father
Alice Taylor was adopted in 1942 when she was three years old. Her adoptive parents never told her about her birth family and even changed her Christian name. Now, seventy-seven years later, she wants to know the truth.
Who were her birth parents?
How did her mother die?
What happened to her missing father?
Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, has just a few days to discover the truth before she goes for a well-earned break in Australia.
Can she discover the truth hidden in the chaos of the war?
Who were her birth parents?
How did her mother die?
What happened to her missing father?
Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, has just a few days to discover the truth before she goes for a well-earned break in Australia.
Can she discover the truth hidden in the chaos of the war?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2022
146 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books446 followersMartin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 4, 2022
I did not enjoy this book enough to read further in the series. More like 2.5 stars for me. Some Singapore war action was of interest and some of the searches for family history managed to keep me reading to the end.
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May 8, 2022
The Missing Father
What an excellent story of looking for and finding out who you really are. M J Lee does a great job researching the journey to the past. Great research methods are followed. Another fantastic tale. Enjoyed it.
What an excellent story of looking for and finding out who you really are. M J Lee does a great job researching the journey to the past. Great research methods are followed. Another fantastic tale. Enjoyed it.
May 2, 2022
A Researchers Favorite
Another fascinating mystery that took me from Manchester to Singapore. I love the way M J Lee weaves the story to include the research needed to complete the story.
I am devouring these books.
Another fascinating mystery that took me from Manchester to Singapore. I love the way M J Lee weaves the story to include the research needed to complete the story.
I am devouring these books.
May 9, 2022
Another cracker of a story.
As normal with Jayne Sinclair stories I was gripped from start to finish. I love the way the characters are drawn, although I must say Mr Smith is fast becoming a favourite.
As normal with Jayne Sinclair stories I was gripped from start to finish. I love the way the characters are drawn, although I must say Mr Smith is fast becoming a favourite.
April 27, 2022
Another great book from Martin Lee. If you love history, read a lot and work on family trees you will have no problem knowing where the plot is going. However this does not detract from the book and as usual it is meticulously researched and has made me want to read more about the fall of Singapore and the workers on the death railway. Keep up the good work Martin looking forward to the next book.
July 30, 2022
The Missing Father
I have thoughly enjoyed my trip through time in this series of adventures with Jayne and her asorted clients. The Missing Father gives a very good picture of a small part of the taking of Singapore by the Japanese. Thank you Mr. Lee for writing these books, and I recommend them to anyone that wants to invest in a little history along with a enjoyable story of discovering ones past.
I have thoughly enjoyed my trip through time in this series of adventures with Jayne and her asorted clients. The Missing Father gives a very good picture of a small part of the taking of Singapore by the Japanese. Thank you Mr. Lee for writing these books, and I recommend them to anyone that wants to invest in a little history along with a enjoyable story of discovering ones past.
July 29, 2022
Great read
Love these books, they grip me a d I cannot seem to put them down.
Cannot wait for the next one!
Love these books, they grip me a d I cannot seem to put them down.
Cannot wait for the next one!
August 16, 2022
Review
An excellent story as always. I love this series. I always learn so historical information. The stories have a
great twist. Trying to research my own family history only makes Jayne's quest that much more interesting. Can't wait for the next one.
An excellent story as always. I love this series. I always learn so historical information. The stories have a
great twist. Trying to research my own family history only makes Jayne's quest that much more interesting. Can't wait for the next one.
July 27, 2022
What an exceptional read! I really enjoyed the perspective of the characters living in Singapore and they provided a different view of the war. It's so important to see all sides of history!
April 30, 2022
A Moving and Informative Genealogical Mystery
I have always enjoyed this series and this latest entry is quite wonderful, equally sharing information on the intricacies of searching for your family connections and the very deep emotions in not knowing and gradually finding out essential aspects of who you are.
This novel involves an elderly woman's search for her birth parents, both believed dead when she was a tiny child. In the process we learn detains of the Japanese invasion of Singapore and the fate of so many British military men.
This has similar material to many of the wonderful books by Anne Bennett which cover lost family during WWII in SE Asia.
I have always enjoyed this series and this latest entry is quite wonderful, equally sharing information on the intricacies of searching for your family connections and the very deep emotions in not knowing and gradually finding out essential aspects of who you are.
This novel involves an elderly woman's search for her birth parents, both believed dead when she was a tiny child. In the process we learn detains of the Japanese invasion of Singapore and the fate of so many British military men.
This has similar material to many of the wonderful books by Anne Bennett which cover lost family during WWII in SE Asia.
May 28, 2022
Excellent story about another partially forgotten bit of our history
This time Jayne is helping an 80 year old friend, Alice, trying to find out about her birth parents. All she really knows is that she was adopted when she was 3 years old. As usual there is a parallel thread which always works well - family history from the point of view of one of the ancestors, in this case, Alice’s father. He served in the Manchester Regiment based in Singapore from just before the second World War and the details are both interesting and horrible at times. Bringing the two together makes a highly satisfying read - you always learn something new along with a ‘jolly good read’.
This time Jayne is helping an 80 year old friend, Alice, trying to find out about her birth parents. All she really knows is that she was adopted when she was 3 years old. As usual there is a parallel thread which always works well - family history from the point of view of one of the ancestors, in this case, Alice’s father. He served in the Manchester Regiment based in Singapore from just before the second World War and the details are both interesting and horrible at times. Bringing the two together makes a highly satisfying read - you always learn something new along with a ‘jolly good read’.
May 27, 2022
Another M J Lee success
The ninth book of the series, and the author has delivered another satisfying read. The book feels very comfortable with it's core of known characters (including the cat) and mixture of genealogical research and history. Each book is able to engage with a different historical background. This one I particularly enjoyed as the military / Far East scenario was outside my own previous knowledge. A good way to learn about something different in an entertaining format. Looking forward to Book 10!
The ninth book of the series, and the author has delivered another satisfying read. The book feels very comfortable with it's core of known characters (including the cat) and mixture of genealogical research and history. Each book is able to engage with a different historical background. This one I particularly enjoyed as the military / Far East scenario was outside my own previous knowledge. A good way to learn about something different in an entertaining format. Looking forward to Book 10!
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May 31, 2022Fascinating
Yet again another wonderful story from MJ Lee. I enjoy the on-going back story of Jayne and her family but I find the genealogical research to be fascinating.
As someone who is researching my family history, and I have been on this journey for over 20 years now, I find that there is always something new to learn about researching from someone else.
This series of books are wonderful and are also little time capsules of different periods of our history making dry facts come to life.
I can't wait for the next book!
Yet again another wonderful story from MJ Lee. I enjoy the on-going back story of Jayne and her family but I find the genealogical research to be fascinating.
As someone who is researching my family history, and I have been on this journey for over 20 years now, I find that there is always something new to learn about researching from someone else.
This series of books are wonderful and are also little time capsules of different periods of our history making dry facts come to life.
I can't wait for the next book!
June 8, 2022
I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series and like the switch in the storyline between the present day research and the narrative from the past. It’s also interesting to learn about the way family history can be uncovered. Personally after reading quite a few other series books I also like that there is only a minimum of references to earlier storylines and context for characters. Mr Smith is definitely a character in every sense of the word! I do hope, for the sake of the cat population, that Jayne has been responsible enough to have him neutered 🤣 Looking forward to the next book .
April 29, 2022
Another excellent story. When Jayne's neighbor, Alice, reveals that she had been adopted at a very young age, and knew nothing about her biological family, Jayne is happy to help her out. What they discover leads to a soldier serving in Singapore at the outbreak of the Second World War. The book alternates between Jayne and Alice's present-day research, and the story of Alice's father in the past. In addition, Alice's DNA results provide another surprise. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2022
Another excellent story from Martin
As a family historian, I particularly enjoy Martin's novels as I am always learning about new or different ways of researching. That aside, it is a fascinating story of relationships, dipping back into WW2 for insights into the characters. The outcome was predictable from early in the book but the story is so we'll told that this matters not a jot. Great reading.
As a family historian, I particularly enjoy Martin's novels as I am always learning about new or different ways of researching. That aside, it is a fascinating story of relationships, dipping back into WW2 for insights into the characters. The outcome was predictable from early in the book but the story is so we'll told that this matters not a jot. Great reading.
April 27, 2022
Finding family at all stages of your life
This story follows on with Jayne’s genealogy addiction, many of us have lol. I read with great interest because I had a great Uncle who was there at the fall of Singapore. The inclusion of DNA helps to find more of our ancestors lives. My great uncle was sent to Sandakan and like most prisioners he never came home.
This story follows on with Jayne’s genealogy addiction, many of us have lol. I read with great interest because I had a great Uncle who was there at the fall of Singapore. The inclusion of DNA helps to find more of our ancestors lives. My great uncle was sent to Sandakan and like most prisioners he never came home.
May 5, 2022
This was extremely interesting and very moving book. The history of Singapore and the Japanese invasion was something I did not know. My father was in the European theatre, but he also did not talk about his time as a prisoner or anything pertaining to the war. I enjoyed this book very much just like I did all the other books that M.J. Lee has written.
May 13, 2022
I've always enjoyed the Jayne Sinclair series.
The storylines are well developed. And for an American, it is an education about British history at different times. After you finish the book, the author points you to other works so you can read more about the time period. This book deals with the fall of Singapore during WWII. I highly recommend it.
The storylines are well developed. And for an American, it is an education about British history at different times. After you finish the book, the author points you to other works so you can read more about the time period. This book deals with the fall of Singapore during WWII. I highly recommend it.
May 10, 2022
I love this series & love this author! This is another well plotted, well written & well done story. Characters are very interesting & every thing is neatly, logically & believably tied together in the end. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series!
May 12, 2022
Great story
Absolutely loved this book. I have read all of Jayne's books and they are all great. I do genealogy so a genealogy mystery is right up my alley. Every book is well researched and Lee is a suberb writer. Look forward to the next one.
Absolutely loved this book. I have read all of Jayne's books and they are all great. I do genealogy so a genealogy mystery is right up my alley. Every book is well researched and Lee is a suberb writer. Look forward to the next one.
May 23, 2022
The missing father
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and all the others in the series. I hope there are more to come. I can recommend it to anyone but especially to someone with an interest in genealogy as I am myself. I found it educational as well as fascinating reading
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and all the others in the series. I hope there are more to come. I can recommend it to anyone but especially to someone with an interest in genealogy as I am myself. I found it educational as well as fascinating reading
May 26, 2022
A Singapore tragedy
Another M J Lee war story about Jayne Sinclair, Genealogical Investigator. Such a good story involving interesting people in Manchester. There is so much happiness and sorrow packed into each of these mysteries. Hope this series goes on and on!!
Another M J Lee war story about Jayne Sinclair, Genealogical Investigator. Such a good story involving interesting people in Manchester. There is so much happiness and sorrow packed into each of these mysteries. Hope this series goes on and on!!
June 3, 2022
I always love the way M J Lee writes these books split between the present and the past. This was a great insight into Singapore during WW2. I love books about genealogy and this book didn’t disappoint.
July 4, 2022
Another page turner!
Another detailed historical tale bringing together my love of history and genealogy!
How do you do it... The detail, the characters, new and old come to life.
I never want the book to end !!
Thank you
Another detailed historical tale bringing together my love of history and genealogy!
How do you do it... The detail, the characters, new and old come to life.
I never want the book to end !!
Thank you
April 28, 2022
10 stars
Another triumph, loved it, Jane Sinclair at her best The detail was brilliant I couldn't put it down in my covid bound bed Thanks x
Another triumph, loved it, Jane Sinclair at her best The detail was brilliant I couldn't put it down in my covid bound bed Thanks x
May 1, 2022
Great story, really enjoyed it. Plus I appreciate all the information on genealogy research.
May 1, 2022
I love genealogy mysteries
And another great mystery from M J Lee. This time the missing ancestor was at the fall of Singapore during WWII.
And another great mystery from M J Lee. This time the missing ancestor was at the fall of Singapore during WWII.
May 4, 2022
I love The Jayne Sinclair series. I loved the story of Alice looking for her natural father.
Had a hunch that he had not died.
Had a hunch that he had not died.
May 5, 2022
Excellent!
A really fascinating part of world history that I knew practically nothing about. And the family history was poignant too.
A really fascinating part of world history that I knew practically nothing about. And the family history was poignant too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews