4*s
Although I haven’t read the previous two full-length novels featuring Esme Quentin a genealogist, I was keen to find out more so decided to try this novella.
Following the death of her mother Gina Vincent, the photograph inside a condolence card reveals a secret that rocks her to the core. Gina calls on Esme to help her uncover the truth about her family.
This is a good mystery both in the family history sense where the author’s knowledge of her subject shines through without the often laborious details of reality getting in the way of a good story. That isn’t to say an unrealistic picture is painted of the reality of searching through records but as much of this happen off-page these facts allow the story to flourish while giving a flavour of how such things work in ‘real-life’ As part of their research the pair need to expand their search beyond the birth, marriage and death details, taking on the searching through the microfiche for newspaper stories and even go as far as including a house. All fascinating and woven around a solid story.
The characters are solid, especially Esme who comes across as a no-nonsense woman with compassion for the living people who are waiting on her conclusion to the mystery. She isn’t simply a collector of dates and names, those behind the faceless records are given colour by the all-round research carried out. And despite the short format this book the author hasn’t neglected the settings with a good sense of place being maintained throughout, something I find incredibly important and often is skimped on in this format.
Despite this being a novella, the book is not all about records and we get a real sense of physical drama when it seems someone isn’t keen on Gina finding the truth about her family.
I often feel a little let down by novellas as I am a die-hard fan of the full-length novel but I can honestly say I felt satisfied by the story I was told in this one. I had time to put myself in the characters shoes and admire Esme Quentin as she set about her work as a genealogical detective.
As Death of a Cuckoo was such an enjoyable book to read I will definitely be purchasing the two full-length novels available featuring Esme Quentin: Blood-Tide and The Indelible Stain.
First Published UK: 6 March 2017
Publisher: sBooks
No of Pages: 106
Genre: Genealogical Mystery
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Cleopatra Loves Books 
I’ve read all 3 Esme stories and very much enjoyed them. There is a new full length one on it’s way soon.
LikeLike
🙂 I better get started on the first two then – I really enjoyed this novella and if the author can win me over in that format I’m sure I will love the others too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed this one. She has another book, ‘The Malice of Angels’, out soon too.
LikeLike
I better get reading the other two then 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this does sound good, Cleo. Esme does sound like an interesting character, and the mystery itself is appealing. And the novella format is an interesting way to get to know a writer. Glad you enjoyed this.
LikeLike
I love genealogy in my fiction as it combines two of my interests and of course the novella length book gives you an idea of the writing style and character – I liked Esme Quentin!
LikeLike
I’m not at all familiar with this author. Thanks for the recommendation.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome – I came across her via Twitter and thought I’d sample a book 🙂
LikeLike
Another unfamiliar author, but I’m intrigued. Thanks for sharing! I prefer full-length novels, too, but I can see how this one could be a satisfying tidbit with just enough to show you what you needed, and to pique your interest for more.
LikeLike
It was a great way to see whether I wanted to purchase the other two books, and the answer was a resounding yes!
LikeLike
Family stories and histories are good sagas for me. This sounds like a good one.
LikeLike
Thank you – I really enjoyed this one.
LikeLike
Thank you for your lovely review, Cleo! 😊 I’m so pleased you enjoyed meeting Esme. I hope you’ll like Blood-Tied and The Indelible Stain, too. And yes, as mentioned above, the third book in the full-length series, The Malice of Angels, is out on 13th October.
LikeLike
You are very welcome Wendy – I am very much looking forward to reading more about Esme in the three full-length novels – discovering you was bad for the TBR!
LikeLike