Death on the Family Tree (Family Tree Mysteries, Book 1)
Avon - Avon
Release date: 2006-12-26
Mass Market Paperback
Author: Patricia Sprinkle
American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Fiction, Fiction - Mystery/ Detective, Mystery/Suspense, Fiction / Contemporary Women, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General, Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths, Mystery & Detective - General
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Death on the Family Tree (Family Tree Mysteries, Book 1)
Date undefinedI 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 (Family Tree Mysteries, Book 1)
Date undefined"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.
Death on the Family Tree (Family Tree Mysteries, Book 1)
Date undefinedI 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.
