Customer Reviews

Death on the Family Tree (Family Tree Mysteries, No. 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love both genealogy and mystery novels, so was tickled to find a book that combines the two. What I didn't expect was such a sympathetic protagonist -- a middle-aged woman who literally wakes up one day to realize that, having lived to care for children, husband and aged relatives, she is suddenly in a position to "live for herself," and she isn't sure just how she wants to go about that! Katharine also reacts surprisingly (for a mystery novel!)realistically to the events with which she is confronted... if she goes to question someone, it is because the author provides her with a legitimate reason to do so, not just because she is nosy and it is the only way to advance the story. I mean, don't you sometimes get tired of the amateur sleuth that shows up on the doorstep of a complete stranger to question him even though its none of her business, and dangerous, besides? Also, Katharine shows some actual emotional maturity in her relationships and observations about others that is very refreshing... just because she's been a homemaker most of her life doesn't mean she is naive or empty-headed, a novel approach.

I love Katharine Murray and can't wait to find out what she does next... do we really have to wait a whole YEAR, Ms. Sprinkle????

On her forty-sixth birthday, Katherine Morrow wakes up feeling alone and unwanted. Her husband works during the week in Washington DC and her children have grown up and left leaving her with nothing to do. She has a beautiful home in the Posh Atlantic superb of Buckhead but nobody to share it with. Her dull life suddenly gets more interesting when a box containing a necklace and a diary is delivered from the nursing home where her aunt recently died.

She learns that her aunt had a brother that she never knew about who owned the two items she just received. He got them in Austria when he visited there in 1938. Katherine makes no secret about the items but someone obviously wants the diary because her home was broken into while she was there. The robber never saw her but he stole a collection of jade and the diary. Katherine feels lucky that she made copies of the diary but her house is broken into again and this time was totally destroyed. She believes thieves are looking for the necklace and the diary. Two people who knew about the objects were murdered and if Katherine isn't careful, she could be the next victim.

Patricia Sprinkle who writes cozies that have no violence in them has started a new mystery series that is every bit as good as her Judge MacLaren Yarbrough and Sheila Travis series. The protagonist copes in one week with more traumatic incidents then most people do in a life time. She earns the admiration of the audience by her actions and the way she copes single handedly with events that are very frightening. The storyline is totally absorbing and the fast paced plot will keep readers turning the pages.

Harriet Klausner

I was unimpressed with my earlier reading of Patricia Sprinkle, and decided to give this one a try, as I'm a fan of genealogical research myself. This will probably be my last one, because the novel didn't really click. Perhaps the cozy genre itself isn't my thing.

Kate Murray is appealing enough as a main character, with some unexpected edge as she pushes back at her unsupportive husband and flirts with a little action on the side. She sounded a bit like those astronaut wives who, when asked to comment on how difficult it was for their husbands to be in space, remarked that you should realize how hard it was to stay behind and deal with everything. Naturally, our underestimated heroine comes through.

The mystery itself and plot are also reasonable, with some surprises in store regarding family relationships. In fact, there are so many characters and relationships by marriage that one might get a tad confused.

Two weaknesses were rather clumsy observations about political and religious topics and some silly scenes. As an example, when Kate first goes to the research center and meets two gentlemen who later come to blows, that whole stretch made little sense.

As a long-time genealogist, I usually find historical research in mysteries entertaining, and this book's story along that line was pretty good. Katharine really did little research -- most everything dropped into her lap -- but she was a beginner. I hope her skills pick up as the series continues. I agree with other reviewers that the number of secondary characters made keeping track of relationships more difficult than it should have been, and some were simply introduced and then faded away -- to turn up in subsequent books? What really irritated me was that too much of the book dealt with Katharine's indulging herself on her husband's dime -- lots of clothes and home decorating descriptions -- but then her whining that his job kept him away too much. For a woman in her mid- to late 40s with an education and two grown kids out on their own, I would have thought by that point she'd have enough inner resources to go get a job, volunteer, something besides wandering around her huge home bemoaning she never uses her pool anymore and that her professionally decorated music room really isn't "her." As a single working mother, I guess I couldn't find much sympathy for her plight. Also, I considered some of her decisions just plain dumb. I'll give her one more book to redeem herself with some gumption, self-reliance and the ability to put two and two together.

Jonesing for a good mystery, I picked this book up out of sheer curiousity. It sounded interesting, with it mixing genealogy & murder. I figured that it would at least be good for a lark. It stumbled for a bit in the beginning, but after a while I was hooked.

The story follows Katherine, the wife of a wealthy mover & shaker in D.C. who is only home on rare weekends. Following the death of a beloved aunt, Katherine discovers a mysterious journal & a strange green necklace amidst old photo books & souvenirs. What Katherine doesn't know is that despite having been in a musty box for years, these items will spark off a chain of secrets,murder & deceit that will leave her reeling.

While I liked this book, it did have a few flaws. First off, the book seemed to stumble about as the author went about setting up the real meat of the book. The flow just didn't seem to settle down until Katherine discovered the items & got started on her research. The other flaw of the book is that Katherine just seemed a little whiny at times. She complains about her husband spending all his time in D.C., yet never does she think about flying down to see him or moving to where he is. (With how inattentive her husband is & with him spending 95% of his time away from her, I kept expecting Katherine to call & find her husband cheating on her.) Perhaps that's why I didn't really get into the first part of the book- it's hard to emphasize with a well to do lady who refuses to do anything to fix her own personal situation. During the course of the study Katherine does start to get a little of her own back, but I can't help but think that one of the next steps should be Katherine trying to fix her marriage & moving to D.C. (Especially since obviously they have enough money to afford her flying down & staying in their second home in D.C.) The other thing about this book that seemed a bit out of whack is the slight supernatural twist the book took at times. It's a very minor plot point, but it just didn't fit in with the rest of the plotline. Maybe it'll be picked up on more in a future book?

The mystery is nicely done, although parts of it were a bit obvious at times. Still, it's a nice book to while away a few hours if you are bored. This isn't exactly the type of book you rush out & right away, but it's something you should keep your eyes out for if you want a nice vacation read.

As an amateur genealogist, I looked forward to seeing how Patricia Sprinkle would handle this subject, particularly due to the fact that if you're not interested in genealogy the subject can make the eyes glaze over. Ms. Sprinkle did manage to insert some very basic information, but it really wasn't incorporated into the story with good effect. I did read somewhere that as she learns more about historical research, her characters will, too.

There seemed to be a lot of loose threads. For example, what happened to Franklin and why was he dropped so abuptly after intruding so irritatingly? And after all the angst about Katherine's mid-life crisis and unsatisfying long-distance relationship with her husband, their ending certainly lacked closure.

In addition, it seems for the lack of a new motive in murder mysteries or the lack of new evidence for a haunting, today's mystery writers have latched onto homosexuality as the cause. The last three or four mysteries I've read have this theme.

Ms. Sprinkle does "get" the cadence and idioms of our Southern culture, and I enjoyed the Atlanta backdrop, which is the only reason I gave it three stars; however, no more in the series for me.

A new series by cozy author Patricia Sprinkle introduces the reader to modern methods of engaging in a favorite Southern sport---searching the family tree. Many surprises await Katherine Murray, who is suffering from the empty nest syndrome with an absentee husband. The action is swift as Katherine discovers her aunt's brother was murdered fifty years ago, her home is vandalized, trashed and search. In the course of a week Katherine reunites with an old flame and acquires a new friend of a different world at the historical society.

Katherine and her friends are fun, light and charming. A good read with sweet tea and a front porch rocker.

Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and QUALIFYING LAPS.

Katherine Murray is an empty-nester with a son in China, a daughter in New York, and a husband who works full-time in Washington, DC. Living in the posh Atlanta suburb of Buckhead, Katherine has all the time and money she needs, but wakes up on her 46th birthday feeling as if she is not needed or wanted by anyone. Then a package arrives from an aunt who passed away, containing a diary and a necklace. Katherine immediately goes on the hunt to find out more about these items, placing her life in danger when her house is broken into. Someone clearly wants the necklace and diary, but who? It all has to do with family secrets that have been buried far too long. Will Katherine survive long enough to find the clues to this puzzle? This story is full of intrigue, scandal and a hint of romance when Katherine's ex-boyfriend shows up to help her solve the mystery.

This is a great first installment to a strong cozy mystery series. As a lover of both mystery novels and genealogy, I was so excited to uncover this series by Patricia Sprinkle, who was already one of my favorite mystery writers. This book did not disappoint, and kept me thoroughly entertained! I quickly proceeded to pick up the other two family tree mysteries and devoured them quickly! I'm so sorry that she has stopped writing this series, and hope that she might consider picking it up again. I have enjoyed Katherine's adventures, and would love to read more!

I loved this novel because I could relate my own life to it. No, I don't have a husband who is a lobbyist. However, I am married to a retired Navy man and I too spent entirely too much time solving problems and raising 2 children while my husband was away. My career was being a Mom and a Navy wife. And, I too was left with an empty nest and a "now what?" time in my life. In fact, I'm still finding my way, like the heroine in this novel.

The mystery is entertaining and the introduction to genealogy is interesting, but the real jewel of this book is the story of Katharine's awakening to find that she is more than someone's wife, mother, or daughter.

"Death on the Family Tree" by Patricia Sprinkle is the first of a series. Katharine Murray is an empty nester. Her children are grown, one in college and one in China for two years. Her husband, Tom, works in Washington, DC and returns to his home in Atlanta only on weekends. The book starts on Katharine's 46th birthday.

The characters in this book are very well drawn and the plot situations are realistic. One likes the protagonist and her family and friends. Reading the first book made me want to read the second, "Sins of the Fathers," which I have done. Again I like the descriptions and the characters.

I do have a problem with the mystery part of these books. I have some trouble understanding the motives of the murderers. Perhaps the author could have Katherine explain it all at the end to her husband, Tom, or her son in China. I will keep reading the books. I just want a little more tidying up at the end.