Fatal Family Ties - Cozy Mystery Review

 

Goodreads:  Fatal Family Ties (Ancestry Detective #3) by S.C. Perkins

Rating:  Really Liked It!
Source:  Publisher

Description: Lucy is just about to tuck into a plate of tacos at her favorite Austin joint, Big Flaco's, when she gets an unexpected visit from her former--and least-favorite--co-worker. Camilla Braithwaite hasn't gotten much friendlier since the last time Lucy saw her, but that doesn't stop her from asking a favor. In her hand is a newspaper feature on an ancestor, a civil war corporal--and a liar, according to the article. Charles Braithwaite is depicted as a phony and a deserter, and Camilla wants Lucy's help clearing his name.

Lucy would prefer to spend her free time with her new beau, special agent Ben Turner, but takes the case, making no promises that Camilla will like the outcome of her investigation. Camilla leads Lucy to the Texas History Museum, where their first clue is a triptych painting, passed down in the Braithwaite family for generations, one panel of which has disappeared. But before Lucy can get much further, a member of the Braithwaite family is murdered in his own bed, and another panel of the painting found missing.

There are no shortage of suspects among the Braithwaite clan--including Camilla herself. This case will take Lucy to Houston and back again as she works to find the truth, and catch an elusive killer.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  

My Impression:  I've loved the idea of this series since it started.  Professional genealogist is on my top ten list of dream jobs and I love books involving family history.  However, while I enjoyed the last two books I felt they were missing just a little something I couldn't put my finger on.   This one was the one I had been wanting.  The mystery is solid, the characters are likable and developed, and the ending was nicely fleshed out and explained.  There was a bit of research, a bit of adventure, and even a touch of romance all with the occasional description of some mouthwatering Mexican food.  

When Camilla, one of the mean girls from the library where Lucy had worked in the past, shows up begging Lucy to clear her ancestor's name Lucy has to wonder just what the big deal is.  Charles Braithwaite has been dead for 100 years and why does cool collected Camilla care that he's now being branded a deserter from a war that he fought on the wrong side of in the first place.  Lucy is always willing to give people a second chance agrees to help Camilla and I thoroughly enjoyed the chase as what was a simple "prove this guy didn't desert" turns into a case of murder and art theft.  I really liked the art restorer Helen Kim and hope we see more from her in future books.  As well the mystery did keep me guessing and I loved how the wrap up was handled - especially the genealogy aspect.  

This is a great mix of history and mystery with likable characters and a good pace.  While it is the 3rd book I think you could easily jump in here though the previous two are good reads.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series!

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like a solid mystery with a lot of history I think you'd enjoy this one. 

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *