Died in the Wool is the tenth title in the Torie O'Shea mystery series of books by Rett MacPherson. When the opportunity arose to purchase the house at one time owned by the Kendall family Torie decided that the house would be ideal as the location for a textiles museum especially as as a previous inhabitant, Glory Anne Kendall, had been renowned for the quilts she crafted. Initially Torie set out to purchase of any of the quilts still on the property and enlisted the assistance of Geena Campbell to appraise the collection. The women soon discovered, however, that the house had a history and Torie needed to use her genealogy skills to unravel the true story of the Kendall family.
The eleventh (and possibly final) title in the series is The Blood Ballard. When Torie is contacted by Glen Morgan who suggests that there is an error in her family tree, Torie re-investigates her research and uncovers a long hidden family story with links to a recent murder. This title was published in 2008.
The Torie O'Shea mysteries are not just 'enjoyable reads' but also provide interesting examples as to how genealogy techniques and resources may be used to unravel mysteries - not just crime but also in general family history research.
Notes about Rett MacPherson - Yahoo Answers
Showing posts with label MacPherson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MacPherson. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
Torie O'Shea Mystery series
Between 1997 and 2008 American author, Rett MacPherson, wrote eleven books in the Torie O'Shea Mystery series. The main character in the books, Victory O'Shea, is a genealogist and local historian who uses her genealogy skills to help solve crime.
In Sheep's Clothing is number 7 in the series. When Torie, her husband and her step-father visit her Aunt Sissy, Torie is shown a manuscript that her aunt found hidden in her house. The aunt asks Torie to try and discover who wrote the manuscript and, if possible, find out what happened to the writer. Her quest not only uncovers a mystery that occurred 150 years previously but also leads to solving a more recent murder.
Dead Man Running is number 9 in the series. Torie's step-father is running for mayor against the incumbent who lives next door to Torie. When the editor of the local newspaper asks Torie to locate family trees for both candidates Torie discovers discrepancies in the information supplied by the Mayor. When a number of sinister looking men visit the town and appear to be spying on the Mayor plus a body is found on a float in the Oktoberfest Parade, Torrie is determined to find out what is going on.
Books in the cosy crime genre usually involve characters with a passion of some description - food or quilting for example. Using genealogy as a tool is the unique characteristic of this series of books. Cosy crime books are also normally set in a location where the characters are grouped in a small community and in these books Rett MacPherson introduces the reader to an assortment of interesting characters living in, or near, New Kassel, Missouri. The main character is often, but not always, an amateur sleuth with the ability to solve the mystery. Torie is a flawed character who has the knack of sometimes upsetting people as she pursues her investigations. However if something does not appear right she persists in finding out what is happenening. Her perseverance, active community involvement and ability to work with her supporters ensure she achieves her goals.
In Sheep's Clothing is number 7 in the series. When Torie, her husband and her step-father visit her Aunt Sissy, Torie is shown a manuscript that her aunt found hidden in her house. The aunt asks Torie to try and discover who wrote the manuscript and, if possible, find out what happened to the writer. Her quest not only uncovers a mystery that occurred 150 years previously but also leads to solving a more recent murder.
Dead Man Running is number 9 in the series. Torie's step-father is running for mayor against the incumbent who lives next door to Torie. When the editor of the local newspaper asks Torie to locate family trees for both candidates Torie discovers discrepancies in the information supplied by the Mayor. When a number of sinister looking men visit the town and appear to be spying on the Mayor plus a body is found on a float in the Oktoberfest Parade, Torrie is determined to find out what is going on.
Books in the cosy crime genre usually involve characters with a passion of some description - food or quilting for example. Using genealogy as a tool is the unique characteristic of this series of books. Cosy crime books are also normally set in a location where the characters are grouped in a small community and in these books Rett MacPherson introduces the reader to an assortment of interesting characters living in, or near, New Kassel, Missouri. The main character is often, but not always, an amateur sleuth with the ability to solve the mystery. Torie is a flawed character who has the knack of sometimes upsetting people as she pursues her investigations. However if something does not appear right she persists in finding out what is happenening. Her perseverance, active community involvement and ability to work with her supporters ensure she achieves her goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)