The America Ground

The Forensic Genealogist, Book 3

By: Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Narrated by: Ian Pringle

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Morton Farrier, the esteemed English forensic genealogist, had cleared a space in his busy schedule to track down his own elusive father finally. But he is then presented with a case that challenges his research skills in his quest to find the killer of a woman murdered more than 180 years ago. 

Thoughts of his own family history are quickly and violently pushed to one side as Morton rushes to complete his investigation before other sinister elements succeed in derailing the case. 

This is the third book in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series, although it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.

©2015 Nathan Dylan Goodwin (P)2019 Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Great Morton Farrier read again.

NDG keeps the story going does he not?His descriptions of time, people, places, cultures and classes are getting so good I can picture the streets, the sea, sense the nose stinging sea air, wretch imagining night soil soaked power brokers and catch my breath upon entering the tavern with its noise and stink of unwashed patrons, rank tobacco and ale of every ilk. The description and dialogue written for Harrietts grisly dad, her smitten beau’s mother and Richard were especially good. Her mum didn’t become real for me until the end. Quite the character mixture there of resolve, steel and stoicism. Nathan’s ability to tell us how to search English records into his story continues to entertain and educate. He keeps Morton and Julliette in character brilliantly. Hope he tells us eventually in book why England used quarter session record keeping and how he handles searching these. Have they ever been blended to calendar year indexes or longer?? Or does dear Morton actually slog through one quarter after another? Makes me glad the folks I search most often in UK are Scots. As to the fast moving plot: There is one impossibility of which a part is deliciously described, one event was thin on believability for me and I needed more regarding a female character to make it truly work for me. There is a one unexpected thud at the end and clever surprise twist as well. Some will catch hint of one surprise earlier if attention is paid.
America Ground kept me reading through the night and enjoying every minute of lost sleep. I was never much of a mystery reader until learning about Nathan Dylan Goodwin. Because I love genealogy I’ve became a late in life history and social history buff. Now NDG has me hooked on genealogy dripping crime stories as well. Nice!

Getting too violent and gruesome

Each book in this series is getting more violent an d gruesome. No more. I didn’t finish this one. Books have less and less to do with history and genealogy

Excellent. Genealogical Mystery

This story is very intriguing and suspenseful. i loved Morton's final personal genealogical results. Very interesting plot!!

Gripping and full of surprizes

Wow! I couldn't tear myself away. its been a long time since a plot surprised me.

Good plot, annoying protagonist

I liked the story here, and the narrator did a fine job, but oh, was it difficult to see protagonist Morton misbehave so badly at every turn! Protagonists don't have to be sympathetic, of course, but when he takes an unfounded dislike to the idea of his adoptive father's remarriage, opts not to tell his fiancee (a very capable police officer) when he falls foul of obviously-deadly thugs, and tops it all by going into reading rooms in archives and libraries WITHOUT MUTING HIS PHONE (clearly the worst crime of all for an academic {wry grin}), I had to wonder just who to root for! But I did appreciate the historical background and the nicely-tangled genealogical plot.

Fascinating story

I started out not liking this because there's a new narrator and I had gotten used to the voice from the previous books in the series. I eventually got over that, though, in part because the plot was so engaging. As I am sure is typical of other Americans, I had never heard of the America Ground in England. That made for a very interesting location on which to focus for this mystery. I was also very glad that this book moved Morton's personal story along as well. Content-wise, this is my favorite Morton Farrier book so far!

great

I bought this book, like the rest using our credits and at first thought that Morton had gone oversees, when I finished the book i was eager for the next one. The olde english language used was awfully confusing but once I had got into it, I found the time to google some of the places mentioned, like the house with 2 front doors, and mermaid street and it made the story all the more real.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, and cant wait to read The Spyglass File, which, incidentally I won in NDG's facebook competition.

Thank you for such great writing.

An excellent book, now onto the next in the series

I enjoyed this from start to finish. It gives enough clues to work parts out but still has surprises but you do not feel cheated by something totally outside the story being brought in at the end. The thread about Morton's own genealogy is also very good.