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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 18 September 12 17:38 BST (UK)
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I'm just about to get my first Kindle :) so was wondering if other chatters can recommend any downloads (free or otherwise, fiction or non fiction) that would be good background reading to the research.
I've already got my eye on, 'In the Blood' & 'To the Grave' by Steve Robinson. There's also a free download about Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum which looks interesting,
Jane
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Hi Jane,
I read "In the Blood" in the Spring, and I am warning you it's a "no put downer" book. Once you start you cannot stop reading it. More amazing it meshed two of my favorite things, FH and mystery. And done so well too.
Not only did the author engage you totally in the "mystery" part of the story but also in the genealogical search too.
An amazing combination for a great read...and I'm not going to say anymore....but you just have to read it! ;D
Deborah
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I'm looking forward to reading it Deborah :)
Jane
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Did you read 'To The Grave' ? Any good ?
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I would recommend "In The Blood" it was excellent.
Haven't read "To The Grave" so will look out for it.
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For anyone who has read "In the blood" there is a short programme about Helford on Talkingpicturestv.co.uk on Monday afternoon.
I'm half way in the book, loving it.
Martin
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In the Blood is free to download on Amazon Kindle.
Must give it a try.
Dorrie
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I'm two thirds through it. You won't get much research done while you are reading it. You will want a holiday on The Lizard, and you will spend ages exploring the area on Google StreetView.
Martin
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I have read all 7 books in Steve Robinson's "Jefferson Tayte" series. I first downloaded Book 1 "In the Blood" and was immediately addicted. Can't wait for the next one to come out.
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In the Blood reminds me of the Robert Goddard books I have read. They are all excellent. They are real page turners, but you have to control yourself or you lose the plot. I've got several lined up but I don't want to read them too soon. Without giving anything away, the first one I read really had me hooked. You just couldn't tell who were the goodies and who were the baddies as he kept playing with your understanding of the plot.
Martin
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If you want some none fiction try The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing by Blaine T. Bettinger.
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Martin - The Lizzard is too far away for me will John O' Groats do instead ;D ;D
Jool - Thank you I will download the 1st book asap.
Dorrie
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Martin - The Lizzard is too far away for me will John O' Groats do instead ;D ;D
Jool - Thank you I will download the 1st book asap.
Dorrie
Dorrie, if you get as far as book 7 "Letters from the Dead" it is set in the Scottish Highlands :)
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Jool - I mentioned the 1st book to my dear husband this morning. He has downloaded it to his kindle. As I don't have one and will have to wait until he has finished I have spent the vast sum of £4.99 and ordered it in paperback from Amazon - delivery tomorrow. Can't wait. :)
Well my birthday is in October so the book can be his present to me. ;D
The man himself has just interrupted my typing to inform me that he is enjoying reading it. He is in no way interested in genealogy.
Thanks for letting me know that the 7th one is set in the Scottish Highlands. I am sure that we will both enjoy reading them all.
Dorrie
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I have all and read the first 5 of Steve Robinson's books and think they're all fantastic. I've just read that there's a new book out by him in December so that'll be a nice Christmas present for me.
Another very good genealogy writer is Dan Waddell. I read his first two books about a decade ago and see he, too, has a new novel out.
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I too have read all Steve Robinsons books.... thanks for mentioning he has a new book out in December BenRalph I too shall put that on my Christmas list.
Has anyone read any of Nathan Dylan Goodwin or M.J Lee, Wendy Percival, Geraldine Wall and Peter Hey....
As you can see I'm quite addicted to genealogy based books, may of which have been recommended and reviewed by Peter from Lost Cousins.
Caroline
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I have read all of Steve Robinson's books and have read all of the ones by Nathan Dylan Goodwin except his latest - I'm waiting for a price reduction! I really like Nathan D.G's books, in fact I think I prefer them to those by Steve Robinson.
I've just ploughed my way through one called The Vanished Child by MJ Lee - my advice on this would be don't bother to read it. ::)
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I have all and read the first 5 of Steve Robinson's books and think they're all fantastic. I've just read that there's a new book out by him in December so that'll be a nice Christmas present for me.
Another very good genealogy writer is Dan Waddell. I read his first two books about a decade ago and see he, too, has a new novel out.
Steve Robinson’s book is due out 3rd December and called The Penmaker’s Wife - according to Fantastic Fiction website. A good place to got to for information on upcoming publications as well as past.
Jo
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Steve Robinson’s book is due out 3rd December and called The Penmaker’s Wife - according to Fantastic Fiction website. A good place to got to for information on upcoming publications as well as past.
Jo
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Thanks Jo for the info on Steve Robinsons next book.... also the website which is not heard of beforebut it's definitely a Keeper!
I've just reserved the book.... also The final Hilary Mantel book on Thomas Cromwell and Robert Haris's new book..... it's going to be costing me a fortune but with a birthday coming up in 3 weeks I'm going to be doing lots of reading over the next the next six month with all these books to look forward to!
Caroline
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I am not entirely sure if you can get this book on Kindle - I tend to prefer hard copies - but I would really recommend 'Inheritance' by Dani Shapiro.
I am only a little way into this but I am finding this a totally engrossing non fiction read.
The author on a whim decided to go along with getting a DNA test when her husband decided to get one for himself. However, when the results come back it is found that she is not her Father's daughter. at first she wonders if a mistake has been made. I won't give anything away but I am getting really caught up in her quest to find out about her biological Father and reevaluate her perception of herself.
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Another non-fiction book now available for Kindle ...
The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million, by Daniel Mendelsohn
- his 2006 account of a search for information about relatives killed in the Holocaust. A long read, and a very good one.
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I love genealogical mysteries too. Along with other Rootschatters i love Steve Robinson and Nathan Dylan Goodwin. If you haven't read any of these i suggest you start at the first one - The order can be found on the Fantastic Fiction website. Although the stories are complete in themselves, there is a background theme running through them and the series feature the same genealogical detective.
I've just read Dan Waddell's 'The Blood Detective' which I really enjoyed. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can borrow Dan Waddells books for free. You can only borrow one at a time but you can keep them as long as you need them. You can find them on Prime Reading.
Chris
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If anyone has silk weaver ancestors, I would recommend Blackberries and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton.
It is fiction based around the Huguenot weavers in London. I have ancestors ,not Huguenot, that were silk weavers in London then Dulverton Somerset and learned a lot about the silk trade.
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If anyone has Tyneside ancestors or illegitimacy in their ancestry, Catherine Cookson is a good author to go to to get a vivid picture of life and attitudes in times past.
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I have been reading the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley and would recommend it. The sixth book in the series, ‘The Sun Sister’ is due out later this year.
The first one in the series is call ‘The Seven Sisters’ and it starts when 6 adopted sisters are gathered at their childhood home on the shores of Lake Geneva. They are told that their adoptive father, an elusive millionaire called Pa Salt has died. He has left each of them a clue to their true heritage. Each book focuses on a different sister and each one travels to different places in the world to find out about their past. Although each book is complete I would definitely recommend reading them in order starting with the first one as it sets the scene for the series. Although not really genealogical stories, they are about seeking out the past.
Chris
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For fans of Steve Robinson. His latest book "The Secret Wife" is available on Kindle at £1.99 (was £8.99). Just downloaded it while it's on offer. :)
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Thanks Jool. I have read this book, it's a good story set in Cornwall. Good value on Kindle. I like Steve Robinson's books although I must admit I prefer his Jefferson Tayte genealogical mysteries
Chris
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For fans of Steve Robinson. His latest book "The Secret Wife" is available on Kindle at £1.99 (was £8.99). Just downloaded it while it's on offer. :)
Thanks for that Jool...I'll take that ;D
Carol
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Chris, good to hear you enjoyed The Secret Wife. I have to admit I still haven't got around to reading The Penmaker's Wife I downloaded a while ago ::)
I loved all of the Jefferson Tayte mysteries, I keep hoping he will make a comeback - fingers crossed :)
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Thanks from me too Jool, just downloaded it. I expect it will come down to 99p at some point but I'll risk a quid. ;) :D
I love the Jefferson Tayte ones too, will see what this one is like for a change.
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For fans of Steve Robinson. His latest book "The Secret Wife" is available on Kindle at £1.99 (was £8.99). Just downloaded it while it's on offer. :)
Thanks for posting this.... I like his books so now downloaded to my iPad to read... I too downloaded The Penmakers Wife and not read it yet! I’ve so many lined up to read I’ll be here for a lifetime!
Caroline
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#23 Catherine Cookson - I read so many of them years ago. The 2 that stand out in my memory are The Glass Virgin and The Black Velvet Gown.
#24 Lucinda Riley - I very much enjoy her books and the Seven Sisters series are exceptional if you like fiction. I am so looking forward to the last one as I can not work out the mystery.
#20 The Lost - sounds like an interesting non fiction read worth chasing.
I really like Steve Robinson.
Great thread.
Thanks All.
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Fay Sampson's 'Suzie Fewings' genealogical mysteries are good. http://faysampson.co.uk/adult-fiction/#suzie
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For anyone who hasn't read it, one of Steve Robinson's earlier Jefferson Tayte books 'To the Grave' is currently on offer for £1. Get it while you can! :)
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Thankyou Roobarb. There are the three latest Louise Penny books on Amazon Kindle today for 99p each if anyone reads her Inspector Gamache series
I really enjoy them
Chris
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Some great recommendations here, I have noted some them for my reading list :D
Carol
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The first of Nathan Dylan Goodwin's Morton Farrier books Hiding the Past is currently on offer on Kindle at 99p. These offers are limited time so snap it up if you want it! I'd definitely recommend any of his books.
I've also recently finished reading The Ghost Tree by Barbara Erskine. It's not family history related in the way that those of Nathan Dylan Goodwin and Steve Robinson are but it is based around one of the author's ancestors. It's described as gripping historical fiction, I did enjoy it though I must say it's a very long book! If you decide to read it make sure you read the author's notes after you've read it, they're very interesting. Just don't read them before you read the book, it would spoil it.
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Thank you Roobarb. :)
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Another non-fiction book now available for Kindle ...
The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million, by Daniel Mendelsohn
- his 2006 account of a search for information about relatives killed in the Holocaust. A long read, and a very good one.
(March 2021) On this recommendation I bought the paperback of this book in good condition.
I paid £3:50 for it and will send it on to anyone willing to pay that plus the postage.
Be warned, it is a long and gruelling book!
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The Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson is currently 99p on Kindle. Some deals seem to be only available for a very short time lately so be quick if you want it. :)
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I'm currently reading the last Louise Penny book - All the Devils are here - which I got from Amazon Kindle (can't remember what it cost me) and eagerly awaiting the next one - The Madness of Crowds - which is due to be published in August this year. Will no doubt be a while after that before it's available on Kindle.
Annette
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Are they family history related Annette? From reading the descriptions they seem to be murder mysteries.
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Are they family history related Annette? From reading the descriptions they seem to be murder mysteries.
You are right of course - sorry, I'd just read through the whole thread and on 30/11/2020 Chrissie L. had mentioned Louise Penny and her name was in my head, especially as I am currently reading her last one which I got from kindle.
Annette
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No problem Annette, I just wondered if I was missing something, whether maybe the nature of the investigations was centred around family history. Always good to get book recommendations, perhaps we should have another thread for that. :)
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No problem Annette, I just wondered if I was missing something, whether maybe the nature of the investigations was centred around family history. Always good to get book recommendations, perhaps we should have another thread for that. :)
:) I think I got a bit over excited when I originally recommended them as they were a bargain on Kindle forgetting they weren't strictly family history related! I am just awaiting the new Steve Robinson book 'The girl in the painting' which is a new Jefferson Tayte genealogical mystery. I always enjoy his books so fingers crossed this will be just as good
Chris
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I always enjoy his books too Chris. The new one is there for pre order at £2.99, out on 23rd March so only a couple of days to go. :)
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Brilliant : thanks for the heads up, something to look forward to.
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No problem Annette, I just wondered if I was missing something, whether maybe the nature of the investigations was centred around family history. Always good to get book recommendations, perhaps we should have another thread for that. :)
:) I think I got a bit over excited when I originally recommended them as they were a bargain on Kindle forgetting they weren't strictly family history related! I am just awaiting the new Steve Robinson book 'The girl in the painting' which is a new Jefferson Tayte genealogical mystery. I always enjoy his books so fingers crossed this will be just as good
Chris
Thanks for that Chris...I will order it from the library.
Carol
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For anyone who hasn't read his books, the first six Jefferson Tayte genealogical mysteries by Steve Robinson are available on Kindle for a pound each
Chris
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The Death Certificate by Stephen Molyneux is available on Kindle at 99p. The offer expires at midnight so be quick if you want it!
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Thank you Roobarb. Taken advantage of the offer and downloaded it!
Chris
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Me too. Thanks Roobarb. :D
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Thanks Roobarb, just downloaded it to read on holiday. I’ve been saving Steve Robinson’s The Girl In The Painting for a holiday read too. Looking forward to chilling out reading them :)
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Now you're making me jealous Jool! Have a wonderful time :)
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Thanks Roobarb, just downloaded it to read on holiday. I’ve been saving Steve Robinson’s The Girl In The Painting for a holiday read too. Looking forward to chilling out reading them :)
waiting for it to be on offer ;)
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Me too! :)
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The Secret Wife by Steve Robinson is on offer again at 99p. I've read this one and although I don't recall it being family history related, fans of his might like to read it.
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The Penmaker's Wife by Steve Robinson is also currently on at 99p.
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I would recommend 'The Interpreters Daughter' - by Teresa Lim. This is a non fiction story about the author's quest to discover her Chinese family history. Her main focus is that she wants to find out more about her beautiful Great Aunt who is shown on a group family photo but is somewhat of a mysterious figure, the one left out of family stories.
One review I came across comments that ' .. when families tell family stories, what they leave out redefines what they keep in.'
I think this is so true and I think sometimes it only by focussing on a seemingly dormant, unmentioned person that a true, bigger picture becomes apparent.
This story spans out from 19th century China; Hong Kong and later Singapore.
Teresa Lim is a first time author, apparently, but I definitely think she is an author to look out for as she is such a good writer. I haven't finished the book yet but it feels fascinating to follow the author on her research and seeing the family history being revealed. Definitely to be recommended to those who like the thrill of the chase!
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I've only just found this thread and I wanted to say thank you to you all for the great recommendations. I've never read any of the Steve Robinson books. I've just downloaded The Secret Wife and I'm very much looking forward to reading it.
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Thanks Roobarb, just downloaded it to read on holiday. I’ve been saving Steve Robinson’s The Girl In The Painting for a holiday read too. Looking forward to chilling out reading them :)
waiting for it to be on offer ;)
now on offer @ 99p
Jo
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Also Hiding the Past by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, the first of the forensic genealogist series, on offer at 99p.
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The Foundlings by Nathan Dylan Goodwin is currently on offer on Kindle at 99p. (Book 9 of the forensic genealogist series).
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Just finished that one Roobarb and really enjoyed it.
I was rationing myself at bed time I enjoyed it so much.
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The Foundlings by Nathan Dylan Goodwin is currently on offer on Kindle at 99p. (Book 9 of the forensic genealogist series).
Thanks Roobarb! Just grabbed it at 99p ;D
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Five of the Steve Robinson books are currently on Kindle at 99p.
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The Girl in the Painting by Steve Robinson is currently on Kindle at 99p.