The Lost Ancestor: A genealogical crime mystery

by Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Book, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Series

The Forensic Genealogist (2)

Genres

Mystery

Historical Fiction

Fiction

Description

From acclaimed author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin comes this exciting new genealogical crime mystery, featuring the redoubtable forensic genealogist, Morton Farrier. When Morton is called upon by Ray Mercer to investigate the 1911 disappearance of his great aunt, a housemaid working in a large Edwardian country house, he has no idea of the perilous journey into the past that he is about to make. Morton must use his not inconsiderable genealogical skills to solve the mystery of Mary Mercer's disappearance, in the face of the dangers posed by those others who are determined to end his investigation at any cost. This is the second book in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series, although it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. --Publisher.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member lisa.schureman

I am pleased to say that my genealogical career hasn't been as exciting as Morton Farrier's. A simple request to find out what happened to Aunt Mary from a dying man unleashes chaos as a couple of different concerned parties want to keep that information entombed. I liked the way the book changed

point of view, from 1911, 1925, and 1962 back to the present as the characters were developed and their story played out. In the end the lake on the Blackfriar's estate claims its third victim and the Mansfields should have hired a more competent assassin.

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LibraryThing member herzogm

Nathan Dylan Goodwin, author of The Lost Ancestor, sent a review copy of his book to our library. It will be
placed on our lending library shelf. The Lost Ancestor is the second of Goodwin's Genealogical Crime
Mysteries featuring Morton Farrier, a Forensic Genealogist. Set in modern day East Sussex

in the south of
England, Farrier has been hired by a family member to solve a mysterious disappearance more than 100 years
ago. It is an enthralling, fast paced story although I admit to a bit of eye-rolling over the heaving bosom,
romance novel cliches in the flashbacks to 1911. The parts I liked most were the details about how Farrier
systematically figured out what happened by using solid genealogical methods, both on websites that we are
all familiar with and with original documents. I particularly enjoyed the scenes set in The Keep, the brand new
record office of the East Sussex Council. They reminded me of the many hours I have spent in the new Devon
Record Office in Exeter. I'm looking forward to reading his two other books featuring Morton Farrier and highly
ecommend The Lost Ancestor.

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LibraryThing member genealogy_nana

Another great adventure for Morton Farrier. I got thru this one within 24 hours. Nathan Goodwin captures you within the first few sentences, and he doesn't let go until the final word.

There are 2 other authors who do this as well, Dean Koontz and Stephen King.

LibraryThing member thornton37814

Forensic genealogist Morton Farrier looks into a 1911 disappearance for a dying man who wants to know what happened to his grandmother's sister. While Farrier explores archival, online, and other resources such as interviews, someone is determined to make sure he doesn't find out. He fairly quickly

determines his life is endangered, but he does not know the threat's source. Readers also learn the story of Mary, the woman who disappeared, along the way with the dual storyline of which I'm not a fan. It did work a little better in this book than in many.

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