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A Family History Mystery #2
Death in Reel Time
In this second Family History mystery, a professional genealogist realizes the family history she’s tracing may be repeating itself after her client’s son-in-law turns up dead.A killer makes his final cut. . . . If there’s one thing genealogists Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier have learned, it’s that every family has a black sheep— sometimes a whole flock of them. Their new client, Olivia Clement, is hoping to uncover the truth about her ne’er-do-well father, who disappeared before she was born. But Sophreena and Esme have barely begun delving into Olivia’s past when a present-day murder interrupts their schedule. Someone has decided to prune the Clement family tree by getting rid of Olivia’s domineering son-in-law, Blaine Branch. Even without Esme’s psychic gift, it was easy to sense the tension between Blaine and his put-upon wife, Beth. Suspicion quickly falls on a young filmmaker and family friend who’s creating a documentary about their small town. Yet Soph and Esme become convinced someone else wanted to edit Blaine out, permanently. Buried deep in dusty boxes of memorabilia and 1940s film reels are vital clues, but it will take all of Sophreena’s deductive skill to expose the truth—before another victim fades to black.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
11 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 24, 2021
The book's main characters, Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier are friends and compliment each other well with their strengths. They are genealogists who help a woman find her father. The client's son in law is murdered and they think it is all tied together. Two smart women who allow no one to walk over them. The book was a quick easy read.
June 5, 2024
Genealogy, Mystery, spirits and murder what more could you want in a book. This is a page turner and one that keeps you wanting more.
Esme hears from those who have died and that helps her and Sopherena with doing genealogy for their clients. This time they are doing family history for their friend Olivia but when Olivia's daughter is hurt an her daughters husband is found dead they have to also help figure out what happened. Is history repeating itself? What family history mysteries will they solve and who is the murderer?
Very good book and it is the second book in the series. I loved the first book too and can not wait to read the next one.
Esme hears from those who have died and that helps her and Sopherena with doing genealogy for their clients. This time they are doing family history for their friend Olivia but when Olivia's daughter is hurt an her daughters husband is found dead they have to also help figure out what happened. Is history repeating itself? What family history mysteries will they solve and who is the murderer?
Very good book and it is the second book in the series. I loved the first book too and can not wait to read the next one.
April 30, 2018
I had not remembered that I was going to keep reading this author after the first in this series. But I stumbled across it recently and looked for this one, and, well, I need to get the third in the series! I really like these genealogist-sleuths (the one with psychic powers didn't bother me in this one), and I like their circle of friends. I like the plot, the way clues are disguised, the writing style, and especially the subject matter. It all adds up to enjoyable entertainment and interest. As an amateur genealogist, how can I resist a pair of professional genealogists who stumble across murders?
December 2, 2022
Olivia Clement's children, Daniel and Beth, have hired Sophronia and Esme to help their mother organize and sort all their family memorabilia. At the same time, with the help of their genealogy group, they also prepare a family tree. This time, in addition to creating scrapbook, a young friend of Beth's talks them into to creating a video scrapbook. Olivia has wondered all her life what happened to her father, who disappeared before she was even born. But when Beth's husband is killed, and Beth suffers from amnesia, the present investigation takes precedence.
May 15, 2017
Around the Year in 52 Books 2017 Reading Challenge. A mystery.
A group of genealogists offer a friend (Olivia) their services to trace her family tree. She knows little of her father. One of the group is a psychic who speaks with the dead. While they are thus engaged, the son-in-law of Olivia is murdered. There are some interesting parallels in this story and there is a surprise awaiting Olivia and her children.
A group of genealogists offer a friend (Olivia) their services to trace her family tree. She knows little of her father. One of the group is a psychic who speaks with the dead. While they are thus engaged, the son-in-law of Olivia is murdered. There are some interesting parallels in this story and there is a surprise awaiting Olivia and her children.
May 11, 2022
This is a fun series. A genealogist turned detective, which when you think about it makes sense. Isn't that what a genealogist does. Sophreena also solves mysteries and murders both past and present with her co worker, Esme, how just happens to have the "Sight." Those from the past tend to give her cryptic clues that need to be figured out as well.
I do recommend this series for those who enjoy light mysteries with a twist.
I do recommend this series for those who enjoy light mysteries with a twist.
December 29, 2017
Another good read. she is becoming my favorite author. intriguing twist at the end.
April 30, 2014
Nice cozy murder mystery set in the world of genealogical research. As professional genealogists, Sophreena and Esme help organize clients' family histories including a pedigree and family history albums--documentation, dates, archival pictures, family artifacts, and this time even a video scrapbook. In this story, their services are purchased as a gift for an older friend, Olivia, who is recovering from an illness. What she hopes from their research is that they'll be able to find what happened to her father who ran off to avoid being drafted during World War II just before she was born. Not soon after they begin, Olivia's daughter Beth arrives acting strangely. It turns out she has a concussion, has lost her memory, and her husband Blaine has been murdered. While trying to discover what happened to Olivia's father in the past, Soph uncovers clues about who might have murdered Blaine in the present.
This story is more a cerebral murder mystery with lots of red herrings and clues for the reader to puzzle out, rather than the type of story that tightens your chest with tension and suspense. The most interesting aspect of the book for me were the insights into doing genealogical work. For instance, what do you do when you discover a dark secret in your family past--those skeletons in your closets we all probably have? Do you hide it? Would it be better not to know? As a genealogist, Soph's working philosophy is that: "It's always better to know your own history, bad stuff and good stuff. It's all gone into making you who you are." That attitude spills over into the present as well where hiding embarrassing family secrets is even more natural. The moral of this story seems to be that keeping secrets tends to be detrimental: "It's hard to move ahead when you're constantly looking over your shoulder and trying to understand how things that happened in the past are hindering you."
This story is more a cerebral murder mystery with lots of red herrings and clues for the reader to puzzle out, rather than the type of story that tightens your chest with tension and suspense. The most interesting aspect of the book for me were the insights into doing genealogical work. For instance, what do you do when you discover a dark secret in your family past--those skeletons in your closets we all probably have? Do you hide it? Would it be better not to know? As a genealogist, Soph's working philosophy is that: "It's always better to know your own history, bad stuff and good stuff. It's all gone into making you who you are." That attitude spills over into the present as well where hiding embarrassing family secrets is even more natural. The moral of this story seems to be that keeping secrets tends to be detrimental: "It's hard to move ahead when you're constantly looking over your shoulder and trying to understand how things that happened in the past are hindering you."
February 23, 2014
Death in Reel Time is a real gem. This, the second ‘Family History Mystery’ by this author, presents a truly awesome story that adds even extra appeal to anyone interested in the amazing world of genealogy.
Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier have a business that is focused on helping people look up their family histories. Soon the pair is hired to trace the various family trees belonging to one of their friend’s, Olivia Clement. Although the project should be fun, quick and fairly easy, Sophreena and Esme soon discover that the past they are investigating may just have horrible ramifications on the present.
Murder occurs when Olivia’s son-in-law is killed. And as the investigation proceeds, almost all the citizens of Morningside, North Carolina, begin looking at their neighbors in a whole new light. It really feels as if something buried in the past is being unearthed…and it’s not pretty.
One important thing that rests heavily on Olivia’s mind is finding out why her father disappeared before she was born. Apparently, he ran right before the tragedy of Pearl Harbor occurred, and it was assumed by most that he was nothing more than a draft dodger. But as the women get further and further into the mystery of Olivia’s family, both mistrust and deviousness erupt between friends and neighbors.
Before this story reaches its ultimate conclusion many readers will be on their way to look up their own ancestry, because the read is literally that beguiling. A fantastic tale, lovers of mystery will eat up every page and gasp at the truly ‘surprise’ ending that will have one and all eagerly awaiting the next installment in this incredible series. Enjoy!!
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier have a business that is focused on helping people look up their family histories. Soon the pair is hired to trace the various family trees belonging to one of their friend’s, Olivia Clement. Although the project should be fun, quick and fairly easy, Sophreena and Esme soon discover that the past they are investigating may just have horrible ramifications on the present.
Murder occurs when Olivia’s son-in-law is killed. And as the investigation proceeds, almost all the citizens of Morningside, North Carolina, begin looking at their neighbors in a whole new light. It really feels as if something buried in the past is being unearthed…and it’s not pretty.
One important thing that rests heavily on Olivia’s mind is finding out why her father disappeared before she was born. Apparently, he ran right before the tragedy of Pearl Harbor occurred, and it was assumed by most that he was nothing more than a draft dodger. But as the women get further and further into the mystery of Olivia’s family, both mistrust and deviousness erupt between friends and neighbors.
Before this story reaches its ultimate conclusion many readers will be on their way to look up their own ancestry, because the read is literally that beguiling. A fantastic tale, lovers of mystery will eat up every page and gasp at the truly ‘surprise’ ending that will have one and all eagerly awaiting the next installment in this incredible series. Enjoy!!
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
February 17, 2024
I love the continuity of the characters in this sequel to Paging the Dead. I am an amateur genealogist, so I find this theme interesting.
August 6, 2015
I enjoyed Death in Reel Time even more than I did the first book, Paging the Dead. There's a real chemistry between Sophreena and Esme, and the humor in their conversations with each other often made me laugh out loud. Esme's psychic gift of being able to hear the dead speak to her is not used to excess, and the books are so strong that I feel Esme could lose that ability altogether and it really wouldn't be missed.
Sophreena and Esme aren't the only game in town, however, because they are surrounded by a strong group of friends that I would like to see take a larger role in future books.
One of the main reasons why I enjoy this series so much is because family history actually plays an integral role. Those great-great-ever-so-greats prove time and again that history does repeat itself. That the murder of today could be rooted in the insult of decades past. Sophreena's researching skills are first-rate and fascinating. It's rare to find a cozy series that has a "hook" that's every bit as strong as its characters, and Bonner's Family History series is one of them.
In the first book, I learned about heritage scrapbooks. In Death in Reel Time I learned about video scrapbooks. I know I'll be enjoying the characters and the mystery in book number three, but I'm also dying to find out what I'll be learning about in the genealogy field. Bring it on!
Sophreena and Esme aren't the only game in town, however, because they are surrounded by a strong group of friends that I would like to see take a larger role in future books.
One of the main reasons why I enjoy this series so much is because family history actually plays an integral role. Those great-great-ever-so-greats prove time and again that history does repeat itself. That the murder of today could be rooted in the insult of decades past. Sophreena's researching skills are first-rate and fascinating. It's rare to find a cozy series that has a "hook" that's every bit as strong as its characters, and Bonner's Family History series is one of them.
In the first book, I learned about heritage scrapbooks. In Death in Reel Time I learned about video scrapbooks. I know I'll be enjoying the characters and the mystery in book number three, but I'm also dying to find out what I'll be learning about in the genealogy field. Bring it on!
January 30, 2014
Death in Reel Time, the second book in Brynn Bonner’s Family History Mysteries, is a treat to read. Bonner has a firm grip on her characters, both recurring and visiting, and her fluent writing leads the reader through the plot with ease.
Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier are professional genealogists who trace family histories and create heritage scrapbooks. At first the task of tracing the family of Olivia Clement seems easy, but then Olivia’s son-in-law is murdered. When Sophreena and Olivia find out more about Olivia’s father’s disappearance in the 1940s, it seems that past events have a plenty to do with present tragedies!
Now, the two women have a some help with their detective sideline. Their scrapbooking club is always eager to assist Sophreena and Esme in their investigations. And Esme has a tiny window into the spirit world. Not so much that the spirits solve crimes, but enough to give the two women a hint or two!
I read this book in one sitting! Highly recommended.
Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier are professional genealogists who trace family histories and create heritage scrapbooks. At first the task of tracing the family of Olivia Clement seems easy, but then Olivia’s son-in-law is murdered. When Sophreena and Olivia find out more about Olivia’s father’s disappearance in the 1940s, it seems that past events have a plenty to do with present tragedies!
Now, the two women have a some help with their detective sideline. Their scrapbooking club is always eager to assist Sophreena and Esme in their investigations. And Esme has a tiny window into the spirit world. Not so much that the spirits solve crimes, but enough to give the two women a hint or two!
I read this book in one sitting! Highly recommended.
March 4, 2015
It was nice seeing Sophie and Esma again in the second book of what I hope will be a long series of "A Family History Mystery." This is an "intelligent" read in that the characters go about their professional and personal lives, detailing the work they do assuming the reader understands some background in the field of genealogy, describing what they do with what they find, and how decisions have to be made in relaying both good and not-so-good facts that are found. There is a little bit of everything for the mystery reader, the scrapbooking enthusiast, and for those interested in small town relationships. I can't wait until the author brings along the next book about these folks and their town!
March 20, 2014
Olivia is recovering from a serious illness, so her friends, who know she's always wondered about her family history, hire Sophreena and her partner Esme to get her started. Fortunately, Olivia has her great aunt's diaries--that she's been to sick to read since she recently inherited them--which may solve the problem of her father's disappearance shortly before she was born. But Sophreena is more interested in the current problems of Olivia's family. Everyone seems to be at odds with her son-in-law, including his own brother. When the son-in-law is murdered, Sophreena's expertise comes in handy, as does Esme's portal to the other world.
March 31, 2014
This is one of those cozies where I just loved revisiting with interesting and fun friends.
Esme and Sophreena are genealogists, do a lot of research and put together family history scrapbooks for their clients. The title refers to also putting it on film or disc, which they appear to be getting interested in too.
I really like how much of their work fits in with the story, preps us for upcoming books, and the odd detail works its way into the conclusion.
Fine read, and the mystery was well done too.
Esme and Sophreena are genealogists, do a lot of research and put together family history scrapbooks for their clients. The title refers to also putting it on film or disc, which they appear to be getting interested in too.
I really like how much of their work fits in with the story, preps us for upcoming books, and the odd detail works its way into the conclusion.
Fine read, and the mystery was well done too.
January 23, 2015
Fantastic Read!
This is the second book in the Family History series. I came upon book 1, Paging the Dead, completely by accident. I read the book description, it sounded interesting, so I downloaded it to read. I enjoyed it, so I downloaded book 2. This series keeps getting better. I will even admit that halfway through I started googling how to start researching my family history. I found it well written with solid main characters. I did not want to put it down & finished it in one evening. I am definitely looking forward to book 3, which hopefully will be soon!
This is the second book in the Family History series. I came upon book 1, Paging the Dead, completely by accident. I read the book description, it sounded interesting, so I downloaded it to read. I enjoyed it, so I downloaded book 2. This series keeps getting better. I will even admit that halfway through I started googling how to start researching my family history. I found it well written with solid main characters. I did not want to put it down & finished it in one evening. I am definitely looking forward to book 3, which hopefully will be soon!
March 19, 2014
Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier are genealogists who are doing a family search for Olivia. During their research they discover that Olivia's father was murdered and not long after they start their job, Olivia's son-in-law is found dead. The list of suspects isn't large but Sophreena and Esme start narrowing it down. I like these two characters, they complement each other and are interesting and likable. I hope they have more genealogy adventures.
July 18, 2014
This is a good genealogical mystery. I like that the author didn't pull any punches about finding out more than you might expect about your ancestry. As a mystery, the vital clues were discovered late in the book, so it isn't a traditional cozy mystery in that sense. I had started the first book in this series and couldn't get into it. Having read this one, I am more inclined to go back to the first book.
July 19, 2015
I really enjoy the main characters, Esme and Sophreena, who are business partners and friends. The author does go on a bit much (the story could have been told in half the length) but it is an interesting reveal of intertwined family history. The interplay between the Esme and Sophreena is realistic as are their interactions with their clients and friends. This all helps make the book an enjoyable cozy with a bit of a twist at the end.
June 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this mystery . I like the fact that I didn't suspect who done it until the author wanted it known. The characters in this book could come from any small town. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
January 31, 2016
Two genealogists solve crimes as they go about their daily life. Brought in up-to-date searching methods, and pretty good plot line..however a few things are left unresolved, perhaps to lead to another book n the series..(Family History Mysteries)
July 5, 2014
I didn't figure this one out till almost the end !
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