In Sheep's Clothing (Torie O'Shea Mysteries, No. 7) [Hardcover]

Rett MacPherson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

When genealogist Torie O'Shea gets an invitation from her favorite aunt, Sissy, to come and spend some time with her in Minnesota she jumps at the chance. She piles her husband and her father-in-law into the car, leaving her two daughters in the care of her mother back home in Missouri, and hits the road, looking forward to some relaxation and some family bonding. Once they arrive, Torie finds out that her aunt's invitation was not so innocent: Sissy has uncovered a 150-year-old diary in the attic of her home and is dying to find out who wrote it and where it came from.

Certain she won't be able to find anything, Torie reluctantly dives in. She is immediately riveted by the author's story; a young Swedish woman living with her family in 1850s rural Minnesota, she had fallen in love with a man she couldn't have. When the diary ends abruptly with hints of brutal violence, Torie becomes enmeshed in a deadly mystery passed down through generations-and still festering today.

Fans and newcomers to Rett MacPherson's cozy genealogy mysteries will delight in the inventive story and engaging characters that have come to characterize this wonderful series.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Torie O'Shea--genealogist, historian, and snoop--goes to visit her favorite aunt, Sissy, in Minnesota because she's found a century-old diary full of passion and desire and longs to know who it is about. The tale of an unmarried 17-year-old mother who died in a fire where Aunt Sissy's farm now stands captures both Sissy and Torie, but when a possible descendant is murdered, Torie finds the whole thing takes on modern and sinister implications. Torie can be both stubborn and whiny, and both mystery and murder take a little too long to get going. Still, the genealogist angle has appeal for like minds, and MacPherson dutifully follows Torie on her search of libraries, historical societies, court records, and cemeteries. Those who respond more to the generational tale than the genealogy would love Beth Gutcheon's More Than You Know (2000). GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

The author of six previous Torie O'Shea novels, Rett MacPherson lives with her husband and three children in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312301782
• ISBN-13: 978-0312301781
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL, August 31, 2004

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In Sheep's Clothing (Torie O'Shea Mysteries, No. 7) (Hardcover)

What a delightful read. Character developement is excellent and the story line is smooth. Simple is not always the best, but in this case it works. I found myself actually caring about the character's. I seldom, very seldom, read mystries of any sort, but my wife pushed this one off one me, I read it to make her happy and I must say she did me a favor. Actually, some of our other younger authors could take some lessons with this one. Highly recommend this read. I think I will go out and get the author's other books now. Thank you Ms Macpherson.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars refreshing wholesome and cerebral who-done-it, February 1, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Sheep's Clothing (Torie O'Shea Mysteries, No. 7) (Hardcover)

When Torie O'Shea receives an invitation for her and her husband Rudy to stay at her favorite aunt's home in Oin Minnesota, she eagerly accepts. Accompanying them is her stepfather Sheriff Colin Brooke who rubs her the wrong way but who makes her mother very happy. Aunt Sissy plans for the two men to be out fishing while she and her niece try to find out what happened to a seventeen year old girl who lived over century ago in the same home Sissy lives in now.

Sissy found an unbound diary of the young woman she wants to learn about but with no names mentioned, she needs Torie's genealogical and historical background to try and figure out what became of her and why. While Torie is sifting through records and pestering people with questions, her stepfather winds up in jail suspect of killing the owner of the local marina. Two deaths, centuries apart; a coincidence or a family curse?

IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING is a refreshing wholesome and cerebral who-done-it starring a heroine who is so adorable it is impossible not to like her. Her relationship with her stepfather while at times acrimonious is also hilarious and adds some levity to a plot loaded with innumerable red herrings. Rett McPherson is a talented writer who creates refreshing original works

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Series just keeps getting better and better!, June 1, 2005

By 

Book Lover (SE US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Sheep's Clothing (Torie O'Shea Mysteries, No. 7) (Hardcover)

I read this book in one sitting. It has everything - a mystery, contemporary and historical family relation issues, and fantastic character development.

I found myself almost in tears about "Anna's story" and to me, that is GREAT writing!

This story was told with true emotion and sensitivity and it has become my favorite in the series so far (and I've enjoyed them all!).

Highly recommended.