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Professor Simon Shaw #4
The Bug Funeral
Although there is a murder in Shaber's Bug Funeral, the bugs themselves aren't the victims. In the engaging series launched by Shaber's Malice-winning first novel, Simon Said, the author's amateur sleuth is a professor of history, particularly that of a relatively recent period. In each of the stories, Shaber has set her pleasant, somewhat bumbling and extremely likeable detective figuratively and often literally digging into a happening that could reveal its long-ago tale to him.
But even Simon finds is very reluctant to be involved in the current cry for help from a woman sent to him by a professor friend - a man whose judgment has always seemed before to be excellent. The woman, who amazes Simon by turning out to be intelligent, sophisticated and very attractive woman indeed, confesses that she believes she has murdered an infant in a past life. Although Simon is as skeptical and even scornful as any decent historian should be, the woman's nature herself convinces him to help her. With unexpected finds, and the story makes its way through a path of surprises to a most surprising - and thoroughly believable finish. It's a delightful and challenging game that Ms. Shaber has invited her readers to join; and they'll love it.
But even Simon finds is very reluctant to be involved in the current cry for help from a woman sent to him by a professor friend - a man whose judgment has always seemed before to be excellent. The woman, who amazes Simon by turning out to be intelligent, sophisticated and very attractive woman indeed, confesses that she believes she has murdered an infant in a past life. Although Simon is as skeptical and even scornful as any decent historian should be, the woman's nature herself convinces him to help her. With unexpected finds, and the story makes its way through a path of surprises to a most surprising - and thoroughly believable finish. It's a delightful and challenging game that Ms. Shaber has invited her readers to join; and they'll love it.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2004
19 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Sarah R. Shaber
20 books170 followersSarah Shaber is an award-winning mystery author from North Carolina. Her WWII historical mystery series begins with LOUISE'S WAR. It features young widow Louise Pearlie, a government girl who works for the Office of Strategic Services, the United States’ first spy agency.
Shaber is also the author of the Professor Simon Shaw mysteries, BLOOD TEST, and editor of TAR HEEL DEAD. Her first book, SIMON SAID, won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Award for best first traditional mystery. She is the Bouchercon15 (World Mystery Conference, 2015) Local Guest of Honor. Her home bookstore is Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. www.facebook.com/LouisePearlie
Shaber is also the author of the Professor Simon Shaw mysteries, BLOOD TEST, and editor of TAR HEEL DEAD. Her first book, SIMON SAID, won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Award for best first traditional mystery. She is the Bouchercon15 (World Mystery Conference, 2015) Local Guest of Honor. Her home bookstore is Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. www.facebook.com/LouisePearlie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 27, 2014
Another really interesting installment in the Simon Shaw series, which is one of my favorites. Shaw continues to be a sharp, yet down to earth character, and the supporting cast in this book was interesting. I thought the reincarnation issue was handled with grace, and I just love the Raleigh setting. I also enjoy the college references, especially since I'm in grad school now. Even though I appreciated the quick read, I was sorry to see this one end.
November 3, 2018
The Professor Shaw mysteries are excellent and I wish there were more in the series.
April 19, 2009
This is the fourth in the Professor Simon Shaw series, set in and around Raleigh, NC. Shaw is a young history professor at a small liberal arts college in Raleigh, and his previous adventures have earned him a reputation as a forensic historian. In this story, a young woman approaches him with a request to help her figure out if she lived a previous life in turn-of-the-century Raleigh; she's been haunted with memories and nightmares of a woman's life for as long as she can remember, and visions of burying a baby. At first Simon is sure she must be mentally ill, but the mutual friend who introduces them convinces him to investigate.
I really enjoy the vibe of these novels, very much in the "cozy" mystery mold, but with some interesting twists: Simon has to endure the politics of academia, has a wide group of interesting friends and relatives (all recurring characters), and an interesting family history, which has left him rather confused about religion and where he fits in (he's an orphan now, but mom was a NYC Jew who came to the NC mountains to serve as a public health nurse and married dad, a classics prof at App State and a die-hard Southerner with a large Baptist family). Simon is only in his early thirties and single (one brief, failed marriage in his past, and just getting over a serious relationship as this story opens) so his quest for true love is also a recurring theme. All of these make this an enjoyable, cozy series, and for history lovers (and frustrated nerds who thought being a history professor would be the coolest job EVER!), you get that extra dose of history and research as our hero works through the mysteries.
I really enjoy the vibe of these novels, very much in the "cozy" mystery mold, but with some interesting twists: Simon has to endure the politics of academia, has a wide group of interesting friends and relatives (all recurring characters), and an interesting family history, which has left him rather confused about religion and where he fits in (he's an orphan now, but mom was a NYC Jew who came to the NC mountains to serve as a public health nurse and married dad, a classics prof at App State and a die-hard Southerner with a large Baptist family). Simon is only in his early thirties and single (one brief, failed marriage in his past, and just getting over a serious relationship as this story opens) so his quest for true love is also a recurring theme. All of these make this an enjoyable, cozy series, and for history lovers (and frustrated nerds who thought being a history professor would be the coolest job EVER!), you get that extra dose of history and research as our hero works through the mysteries.
September 17, 2017
Book Description
North Carolina history professor Simon Shaw's reputation as a forensic researcher takes a bizarre twist when he is asked to look into the death of a baby girl-by the woman who believes she buried her nearly a hundred years ago. Now in her late twenties, Helen Williams has had flashbacks of another life since she was small. She is convinced she's either insane or is remembering pieces of what she did as a woman named Annie Evans, who lived in Raleigh in 1910. Simon is skeptical, and doesn't believe in reincarnation, but reluctantly agrees to do some digging and see if he can resurrect a life he is sure didn't exist. But Annie did exist-and so did her secrets. And so does someone here and now who does not want them found...and will commit murder to keep them in the grave.
My Review
This was the 4th installment in the Professor Simon Shaw series and I found it to be an enjoyable, fast and easy read. The characters were likable and believable and the fast-paced plot held my attention until the end. I found the historical aspect of the story very well researched. It explored reincarnation and was very well done by weaving the past with the present. The book was very entertaining and had an excellent twist and a surprise ending. I look forward to reading the last in the series and am hoping for more books in this series from this talented author. I would highly recommend this series to those who love a bit of history mixed in with their mystery.
North Carolina history professor Simon Shaw's reputation as a forensic researcher takes a bizarre twist when he is asked to look into the death of a baby girl-by the woman who believes she buried her nearly a hundred years ago. Now in her late twenties, Helen Williams has had flashbacks of another life since she was small. She is convinced she's either insane or is remembering pieces of what she did as a woman named Annie Evans, who lived in Raleigh in 1910. Simon is skeptical, and doesn't believe in reincarnation, but reluctantly agrees to do some digging and see if he can resurrect a life he is sure didn't exist. But Annie did exist-and so did her secrets. And so does someone here and now who does not want them found...and will commit murder to keep them in the grave.
My Review
This was the 4th installment in the Professor Simon Shaw series and I found it to be an enjoyable, fast and easy read. The characters were likable and believable and the fast-paced plot held my attention until the end. I found the historical aspect of the story very well researched. It explored reincarnation and was very well done by weaving the past with the present. The book was very entertaining and had an excellent twist and a surprise ending. I look forward to reading the last in the series and am hoping for more books in this series from this talented author. I would highly recommend this series to those who love a bit of history mixed in with their mystery.
January 13, 2013
Sarah R Shaber's The Bug Funeral is the fourth in the series. Another homerun!
This mystery has a twist I thought I might not like. The person who asks amateur sleuth Professor Simon Shaw believes she may have lived a former life which she remembers in vivid flashes. I was nervous about this since so much charlatanism has revolved around memory regression. BUT MY FEARS WERE IN VAIN!
The woman named Helen doesn't want this to be true but must know the truth either way. At first Shaw shared my fears but he begins to find disturbing facts that corroborate Helen's "memories."
This was another great Simon Shaw mystery. I only have one more to go and will hate to leave Professor Shaw and his brilliant forensic history investigations.
This mystery has a twist I thought I might not like. The person who asks amateur sleuth Professor Simon Shaw believes she may have lived a former life which she remembers in vivid flashes. I was nervous about this since so much charlatanism has revolved around memory regression. BUT MY FEARS WERE IN VAIN!
The woman named Helen doesn't want this to be true but must know the truth either way. At first Shaw shared my fears but he begins to find disturbing facts that corroborate Helen's "memories."
This was another great Simon Shaw mystery. I only have one more to go and will hate to leave Professor Shaw and his brilliant forensic history investigations.
August 26, 2017
Shadow dancers
Shadow dancing, ir shadow dancers, would be a better title for this book. It dances in the shadows of ought minds, our legacies, ought heritage, ourr spiritualities and our souls. Like tracing down our geneologies today based on whispers and rumors and family lore. Were we....? Did they....? Why did they....?
The bug funeral sounds kind of innocuous. Innocent. This book is anything but that.
Shadow dancing, ir shadow dancers, would be a better title for this book. It dances in the shadows of ought minds, our legacies, ought heritage, ourr spiritualities and our souls. Like tracing down our geneologies today based on whispers and rumors and family lore. Were we....? Did they....? Why did they....?
The bug funeral sounds kind of innocuous. Innocent. This book is anything but that.
December 1, 2012
I loved this book. A young woman believes that she is struggling with memories from a former life-violent memories of burying a child in England during Victorian Times. She is sick at heart and does not believe in such extraordinary things. A professor helps her to discover the truth about her secret visions...
September 3, 2017
A very fun and interesting read - I would recommend it for a pleasure read. Nice twist at the end - I had figured out the who, but I never saw the why coming! I think I may have chosen a different title, since "the bug funeral" is such a minor part of the story (IMO), but then again, it was the title that caught my attention, so maybe not.
July 8, 2018
I don’t normally read mystery novels however this one caught my attention and I’m glad it did. I greatly enjoyed the story and Simon’s character. Hahaha I didn’t know it was the forth book to a series when I picked it up but I’m definitely glad it is. Now I just need to hunt down the rest of the books.
July 8, 2013
Excellent mystery. Had no idea where she was taking this story and thought it was very clever. As always, the bits of history and information provided was interesting and helped make the story so enjoyable.
December 3, 2017
Loved the local/locale references to Wake County.
June 14, 2018
Page turner
I thoroughly enjoyed This book. This is the first book I have read by this author. Will be reading the other books in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed This book. This is the first book I have read by this author. Will be reading the other books in the series.
December 22, 2023
Professor Simon Shaw teaches American history to college students, He has, however gained something of a reputation as a detective having solved a couple of mysteries from long ago. His fame is something of a two edged sword he muses, as he listens to Helen Williams explaining in detail her flashbacks of a past life. Helen Williams is convinced that she lived at the turn of the century as Annie Evans. Her flashbacks are also of a disturbing nature - as she is not sure if as Annie Evans, she killed someone. Although, she has lived with these memories as long as she can remember the need to exorcise them is now of considerable importance as she plans to marry and wants to enter the state of matrimony free of the nightmares that she regularly experiences Simon who has no belief in reincarnation is keen to get her out of his office and his life, but for the several favours that he owes Dr Ferrell, and it is Dr Ferrell who has referred Helen Williams to him. He resolves to make some cursory enquires to appease Wade Ferrell and then extract himself as quickly as possible from the situation.
Helen Williams accepts Simon’s cursory findings philosophically, in fact her matter-of-fact thanks and acceptance make him aware of how badly he has treated her, but he does his best to shrug it off. Then he finds reference to Annie Evans and against his better judgement, and extremely skeptical of re-incarnation, he finds himself intrigued with the mystery of Annie Evans.
I liked Simon Shaw so much - his eating habits are quite fascinating, although I have a strong suspicion that if I tried them, I would be three stone heavier in one week, but it was fun to read about them Sigh! The mystery is utterly absorbing - I couldn’t put it down but didn’t want to finish it. I had a feeling where it was going but I loved every minute of it. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Helen Williams accepts Simon’s cursory findings philosophically, in fact her matter-of-fact thanks and acceptance make him aware of how badly he has treated her, but he does his best to shrug it off. Then he finds reference to Annie Evans and against his better judgement, and extremely skeptical of re-incarnation, he finds himself intrigued with the mystery of Annie Evans.
I liked Simon Shaw so much - his eating habits are quite fascinating, although I have a strong suspicion that if I tried them, I would be three stone heavier in one week, but it was fun to read about them Sigh! The mystery is utterly absorbing - I couldn’t put it down but didn’t want to finish it. I had a feeling where it was going but I loved every minute of it. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
November 29, 2023
Simon is a professor at he local college.
He is asked by a friend to look into an odd case of what a women believes to be a past life. However,
she doesn't believe it and no one else either.
But Simon takes it on as a favor to his friend and gets involved in another historical mystery of the early 1900's. Their search takes them around to churches, graveyards and old buildings and societies, as well as an old orphanage to try and find out what happened.
The matron of an orphanage operating in the early part of the 1900's is the subject of the search.
Simon and Helen, the person looking to resolve this, by finding out why she keeps having these memories, are sorting it out. Helen feels she has to resolve this because these so called memories are haunting her and she can't figure out why.
Meanwhile, there is a current mystery to solve that ties in with the old one.
If you like history, you might like this story.
He is asked by a friend to look into an odd case of what a women believes to be a past life. However,
she doesn't believe it and no one else either.
But Simon takes it on as a favor to his friend and gets involved in another historical mystery of the early 1900's. Their search takes them around to churches, graveyards and old buildings and societies, as well as an old orphanage to try and find out what happened.
The matron of an orphanage operating in the early part of the 1900's is the subject of the search.
Simon and Helen, the person looking to resolve this, by finding out why she keeps having these memories, are sorting it out. Helen feels she has to resolve this because these so called memories are haunting her and she can't figure out why.
Meanwhile, there is a current mystery to solve that ties in with the old one.
If you like history, you might like this story.
May 13, 2025
As a favor to a friend, historian Simon Shaw agrees to help a young woman named Helen Williams. Williams claims to have memories of a woman named Annie Evans, whom she believed lived in the area of Raleigh, North Carolina, in around 1910. Are the memories from a past life?
Shaw soon finds out that Annie Evans was a real person, and the things Helen remembers seem to have really happened. There apparently is also someone who objects to their research into Annie's life.
This is an absorbing mystery with an interesting resolution.
Shaw soon finds out that Annie Evans was a real person, and the things Helen remembers seem to have really happened. There apparently is also someone who objects to their research into Annie's life.
This is an absorbing mystery with an interesting resolution.
April 12, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable series
Each book in the series has its own unique storyline, and all are interesting. Some easier to figure out than others, the third nearly impossible, and this one takes Simon out of his area of science too far for comfort, but science, in the end, prevails.
Each book in the series has its own unique storyline, and all are interesting. Some easier to figure out than others, the third nearly impossible, and this one takes Simon out of his area of science too far for comfort, but science, in the end, prevails.
September 13, 2017
Just good fun.
July 6, 2022
Decent mystery/thriller plot executed poorly. Lots of life stories about characters who didn't matter, a couple of minor (honestly pedantic) loose ends to the plot, but hey, I still read it all.
March 20, 2017
Weymouth Book Club selection - This club usually reads NC authors inducted into the NC Literary Hall of Fame; however, this year we have been reading NC authors. If you are looking for a delightful easy reading type book, pick this one.
Read
December 1, 2013Although there is a murder in Shaber's Bug Funeral, the bugs themselves aren't the victims. In the engaging series launched by Shaber's Malice-winning first novel, Simon Said, the author's amateur sleuth is a professor of history, particularly that of a relatively recent period. In each of the stories, Shaber has set her pleasant, somewhat bumbling and extremely likeable detective figuratively and often literally digging into a happening that could reveal its long-ago tale to him.
But even Simon finds is very reluctant to be involved in the current cry for help from a woman sent to him by a professor friend - a man whose judgment has always seemed before to be excellent. The woman, who amazes Simon by turning out to be intelligent, sophisticated and very attractive woman indeed, confesses that she believes she has murdered an infant in a past life. Although Simon is as skeptical and even scornful as any decent historian should be, the woman's nature herself convinces him to help her. With unexpected finds, and the story makes its way through a path of surprises to a most surprising - and thoroughly believable finish. It's a delightful and challenging game that Ms. Shaber has invited her readers to join; and they'll love it.
It turns out that the woman stayed in a house and read the journal of the nurse who cared for children. The child of a wealthy family died and the nurse substituted her own child for the dead one. When the wealthy family took back their child they actually took back the nurses child.
But even Simon finds is very reluctant to be involved in the current cry for help from a woman sent to him by a professor friend - a man whose judgment has always seemed before to be excellent. The woman, who amazes Simon by turning out to be intelligent, sophisticated and very attractive woman indeed, confesses that she believes she has murdered an infant in a past life. Although Simon is as skeptical and even scornful as any decent historian should be, the woman's nature herself convinces him to help her. With unexpected finds, and the story makes its way through a path of surprises to a most surprising - and thoroughly believable finish. It's a delightful and challenging game that Ms. Shaber has invited her readers to join; and they'll love it.
It turns out that the woman stayed in a house and read the journal of the nurse who cared for children. The child of a wealthy family died and the nurse substituted her own child for the dead one. When the wealthy family took back their child they actually took back the nurses child.
August 1, 2011
This was my fist Simon Shaw mystery, although I believe it is fourth in the series. While Simon is a professor of history, he seems to have acquired a reputation for solving old cold cases. A personal friend asks Simon's help for his god-daughter. She has had memories from someone who lived 100 years ago her whole life, and she wants Simon to prove that this woman never existed. As Simon digs, trying to determine if Annie really lived or not, mysterious deaths begin happening.
This was a fun twist on a traditional murder mystery. I kept wondering how it would turn out. However, I felt the end was a little rushed. All in all, I liked it.
This was a fun twist on a traditional murder mystery. I kept wondering how it would turn out. However, I felt the end was a little rushed. All in all, I liked it.
November 3, 2014
Campy and fun.
Loved the references to Raleigh's locale. And, history about orphans.
Simon has broken up with girlfriend -- preoccupied with attraction to latest client -- Helen Williams who is afraid that she was a murderer in a previous life.
Also concerned/annoyed with folks who want to be in his "closed case."
Simon is professor at a "liberal arts college in Raleigh, NC forensic historian*, having solved 3 cold cases by exploring the history
*nothing like "Bones"
Loved the references to Raleigh's locale. And, history about orphans.
Simon has broken up with girlfriend -- preoccupied with attraction to latest client -- Helen Williams who is afraid that she was a murderer in a previous life.
Also concerned/annoyed with folks who want to be in his "closed case."
Simon is professor at a "liberal arts college in Raleigh, NC forensic historian*, having solved 3 cold cases by exploring the history
*nothing like "Bones"
June 25, 2012
Another good Simon Shaw mystery with a different twist of possible past lives revelations. Love to read a book with a familiar setting so that I can place myself right there with the characters. Shaber captures "inside the beltline" so well but I'm a bit sad to read the last book in this series and Professor Shaw is still single. Perhaps that is what makes him such a likable character.
December 27, 2018
A friend recommends Professor Shaw to help a young woman who claims to have past life experiences. He hesitates, because he doesn't believe they can happen. However, after verifying a few things she says, he gets pulled in to the mystery of figuring out what happened in the early 1900s. Interesting read. Don't get tuned off by past life experiences--there is an explanation for them.
August 25, 2016
A fast summer read. The past life premise of the story is something of a stretch, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a little escape with Simon Shaw. With this 4th book he has become a familiar quirky friend. Shaw's oft described food choices are abysmal but I still enjoy Shaber's descriptions of his day to day life.
February 8, 2010
An OK read with a nice story tied back to events 80 years ago. Characters were a bit two dimensional and their world a little too nice and organised. I'm not tempted to read the other 3 Simon Shaw mysteries.
March 22, 2010
not bad... not the best I've read and the geneaology stuff was a little off what with Ancestry.com and all BUT I think that has improved only in the last couple years. I'll look for the next one in the series...
August 5, 2016
Much better than the last one, almost as good as Simon Said. The plot was much better, with a few twists although parts of the mystery were telegraphed fairly early. Fewer characters means better developed ones, and the regulars continue to shine.
March 2, 2015
Not what I Expected
Another great book by Shaber. I wasn't sure where she was going with this one until the end and I spent an entire night reading instead of sleeping. Unexpected ending and thrilling with all the twists and turns of a great mystery.
Another great book by Shaber. I wasn't sure where she was going with this one until the end and I spent an entire night reading instead of sleeping. Unexpected ending and thrilling with all the twists and turns of a great mystery.
November 30, 2015
Good read
This Simon Shaw mystery was as wonderful as all the others. I did, however, figure out pretty much how the story would end at about the eighth chapter. It was still worth the reading.
This Simon Shaw mystery was as wonderful as all the others. I did, however, figure out pretty much how the story would end at about the eighth chapter. It was still worth the reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews