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mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
In this offering of the Hannah Ives mystery series, Hannah and her husband purchase a fixer-upper cottage on Maryland's Eastern shore. Although they were disappointed to lose their dream cottage due to an unscrupulous realtor, they happily take on a historical home and the requisite home improvement projects. As renovations begin, contractors discover the mummified body of an infant. Hannah, who was already researching her new home's history, searches for clues about the deceased infant's identity, unaware that more shocking events lie just around the corner. The past factors heavily on the present in this story, which also captures several aspects of life on Maryland's Eastern shore.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
After a major set-back in their house-hunting caused by a dishonest real estate agent, Hannah Ives, and her husband Paul, have finally purchased a seaside cottage they love. It’s a historic building, so it needs an abundance of restoration work to make it inhabitable. When work is being done to repair the chimney, the contractors discover the mummified body of an infant. It’s obviously not a recent death, but Hannah will not rest until she is able to find out who the baby was and why the body was hidden.
This book is part of The Hannah Ives mysteries series. I’ve read a few of the prior books, but it’s not necessary to have read any of the other books to enjoy this story. Hannah is a likeable main character who is intelligent and independent and also has a great relationship with her husband who is also smart, kind, and unlike in many mysteries, supportive of Hannah’s investigating. Their kids are grown and they were looking forward to enjoying their new cottage before the horrible discovery of the infant’s body. I enjoy reading about Hannah’s quest for the truth. Some of the middle parts of the book grew a bit repetitive and the story doesn’t have the suspense of “Dark Passage”, an earlier installment in the series. However, this is a very well-written book containing many interesting historical facts, including information about interracial marriages in this country in the 1950s and 1960s that I wasn’t aware of. I found this to be a satisfying mystery with a touching ending.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book is part of The Hannah Ives mysteries series. I’ve read a few of the prior books, but it’s not necessary to have read any of the other books to enjoy this story. Hannah is a likeable main character who is intelligent and independent and also has a great relationship with her husband who is also smart, kind, and unlike in many mysteries, supportive of Hannah’s investigating. Their kids are grown and they were looking forward to enjoying their new cottage before the horrible discovery of the infant’s body. I enjoy reading about Hannah’s quest for the truth. Some of the middle parts of the book grew a bit repetitive and the story doesn’t have the suspense of “Dark Passage”, an earlier installment in the series. However, this is a very well-written book containing many interesting historical facts, including information about interracial marriages in this country in the 1950s and 1960s that I wasn’t aware of. I found this to be a satisfying mystery with a touching ending.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
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