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Jean

Another great genealogy mystery..#3 The American Ground

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2021

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This the #3 book in the Morton Farrier Series an another story within a story. If you have been reading these in order you will know that Morton is in search of his biological father and that his adopted father is about to pop the question to woman named Madge. Its Madge, who brings Morton his next case which takes Morton to a historical area in Hastings called the “American Ground”. Madge's boss has a picture of Eliza Lovekin who she wants to know more about, who was she and so on Morton feels that this is simple genealogy trace, but then as the story moves on we find out more about the significance of the American Ground and the people in Lovekin family and their world, on top of all that he needs to unravel what happened to her and was Eliza Lovekin murdered? and why? But as per usual with a Morton Ferrier case something so simple becomes life threatening for Morton. At the same time he is doing research on his own on his biological dad by his contacting the son of the owners of the guest house his father stayed at when he met is Aunt (mother)(go back to book 2 and 2.5), However as the book takes you back and forth to his research building the genealogy of the Lovekin Family, Eliza's early life in a workhouse, to being sent to live with a family along with two other girls that will remain her friends for life and what happens to them and her on the American Ground. Its another winding tale that puts Morton again in harms way, who knew genealogy could be so life threatening. But on a happy note, Morton finds a guest book with his biological fathers name so more to come.

BuckeyeBaby

Another great book in the Morton Farrier series

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015

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This book is a great continuation in the Morton Farrier series. I really like these books because the characters are believable and enjoyable. I really enjoyed learning the history of the America Ground in this book. I have my own murder mystery in my family tree in the late 1840s that I've been trying to solve, so I was intrigued by how the mystery would be solved through forensic genealogy.

I would have given this 5 stars, except for two drawbacks to this most recent book and kindle edition. First, the life-threatening situations are getting a little harder to believe as the series continues. How many times can Morton have his life, the life of Juliette or their home in jeopardy? Second, I'm not sure if the print issues had the same problem, but the kindle edition had some serious consistency issues. There were times where Joseph & Eliza Lovekin are referred to as Joseph and Eliza Elphick. Eliza's friend, Lydia, is sometimes Lydia Bloom and other times Lydia Booth. It got confusing when trying to keep the characters and relationships straight.

The book has some great plot twists at the end that you don't see coming, so other than some editing flaws, it's a great read.

Kindle Customer

Good Mystery But Inaccurate

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2018

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This is a fascinating story including the Morton's search for his father. But the author has obviously missed the point of the AncestryDNA test. Ethnicity is the least important reason for testing. Autosomal tests such as AncestryDNA are popular because they match the person testing to cousins from every side of the family. Then cousins can contact beach other to find how they are related and work o their shared ancestry together. Adoptees do the tests hoping a parent sibling or other close family will be in their matches. Males do the Y-DNA test to mstch their surname group.
Morton could find his father or a sibling in his dna matches.
But he never cjecks jos dna matches!

K.R.

Grab your hat and hold on tight!

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2018

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I’ve been reading the Morton Ferrier stories in order and just finished this one. They are all excellent, but this one I couldn’t put down. What a roller coaster ride of twists and turns that I did not see coming. I recommend you keep a paper and pencil handy and jot down names and a few notes to keep all the characters straight. Another hint is to take note of what day/year you are in by the headline of the chapter. The story is not necessarily unfolding in chronological time so it is important to know where you are or it won’t make sense. Clear your calendar when you start this one because if you are like me, you won’t be doing anything else until it concludes.

Kindle Customer

Another fantastic book

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021

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Poor Morton. This was another great chapter in his forensic genealogy. But he really catches in with bad people in spots. I love the history and the mystery of this book. I knew there had to be a great storyline behind the murders that take place that Morton is researching. Looking forward to the next installment.

Miss Peggy

I might as well plan on not getting anything else done when I start one of Nathan Goodwin's books. I have always loved the "back story in history, and Nathan does a superb job of keeping me hanging on.

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2019

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You'll be hooked and dreading it coming to an end. The genealogist/historian will love the effort he takes into making it come alive.

Steve Spicer

The joy of the read is watching Morton ferret it out.

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2015

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What a delightful mystery wrapped around a unique little piece of history. Nathan Goodwin, AKA Morton Farrier, does it again while reminding me a little of the TV character Columbo as he bungles through another case. Farrier pieces together the story, which the reader gets glimmers of in advance, but the joy of the read is watching Morton ferret it out.
Five stars all the way, and like other readers, I couldn't put the book down or do anything else until the end.

L. Funk

Another great read from Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016

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This is another great book in the Forensic Genealogist series by Nathan Dylan Goodwin. If you love mystery, historical fiction, or family history, you will love this book. It is well written (as are all of Goodwin's books) and keeps you guessing till the final page.

Top reviews from other countries

Lizanne Lloyd

Mystery & danger from past till present

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2020

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I always begin an investigation by Morton Farrier with great excitement as I can expect a fascinating historical mystery as well as an eventful, risky adventure in the present day. Personally, I find the research process very interesting too, with the added humour of Morton’s varied relationships with the staff at the History Centres.
Morton’s challenge in this book is to find out why Eliza Lovekin, an ordinary woman depicted in a painting 180 years earlier, was murdered in her bed. The circumstances of her early life in a workhouse and of the America Ground itself seem quite incredible and yet they are both based on known facts. I had never heard of the America Ground before, part of Hastings and St Leonards claimed from the sea by a group of enterprising people to enable the building of their own houses, but as might be expected, the local authorities sought taxes and threatened the inhabitants with eviction.
The story moves back to 1827 introducing us Eliza’s daughter, Harriet, and an intriguing character, Richard, who may do her harm. Meanwhile as Morton attempts to discover his own real father, he is endangered by Eliza’s legacy reaching into the present day. Trying to protect his fiancé, Juliette, he underestimates the threat hanging over him. You won’t want to put this book down.

E. North

Addictive

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2015

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What a truly addictive tale that cleverly combines the past and present. Moreton again accidentally stumbles into the dark criminal world and, through no fault of his own, ends up again residing in the boot of a car. It is a perfect pairing for his fiancé to be a sharp police constable, fully aware of the scrapes he is getting himself into whilst he believes he has kept his misfortunate adventures hidden. It brings a slight comic element to the story which I like. The tale between past and present is cleverly woven and full of believable, endearing characters. An excellent read if you have a few days to spare because once you start reading you will not stop until you have finished!

JoPattern

Thugs & Kidnapping, Romance & Caffine

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2015

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Another lively story featuring our hero Morton Farrier who begins researching his own family history and gets involved with his step mother-to-be who has a personal history via a painting of a murdered woman in a collector's shop with a lease attached. The usual switching from very current time to history with mysteries and a twist at the end leads you back and forth through Nathan's personal interest in Hastings. It is a treat to read the research channels complete with historic data interwoven with present day. You keep writing Mr Goodwin and I will keep reading!

Suewhi

Hurry up with the next one please!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 14, 2015

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I always worry when I start reading another book in a series that it may not live up to the previous novels. Well no worries here, Nathan has delivered again. I was hooked from start to finish. I did find the old Hastings dialect a bit awkward going at first, but only for a short while. Although I live in St Leonards On Sea I had never heard of the America Ground so learning more about the history of the area and reading an exciting story at the same time is a real joy. I can't wait for the next book. I think in years to come Nathan will have to arrange some Forensic Genealogist tours to lead coach loads of Morton fans around his stomping ground!

CarolineG

Once again an excellent read! I'm hoping the next book will be ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2015

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Once again an excellent read! I'm hoping the next book will be researching into his fathers background.
The history associated with Hastings was very interesting and I liked the fact that it was drawn from the lives and experiences of real people.
As a forensic genealogist he certainly gets into plenty of scrapes and I hope that isn't always the case for those people who do this for a living!
Like all people who are into genealogy the use of the different methods of getting results is always fascinating and spurs you on with your own research.
I've enjoyed all Nathan's books and the next one can't come soon enough.

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