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27th out of 31 books
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11 voters
Family Skeletons (Torie O'Shea #1)
As resident genealogist, historian, tour guide, and occasional amateur snoop, Victory "Torie" O'Shea can be found anywhere in the historic German town of New Kassel, Missouri-mixing fudge, giving tours, tracing family trees, and even investigating murder...
When shopowner Norah Zumwalt asks Torie for help in piecing together her family lineage to find her missing father, To...more
When shopowner Norah Zumwalt asks Torie for help in piecing together her family lineage to find her missing father, To...more
Paperback, 207 pages
Published
June 15th 1998
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published 1997)
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Torie (called Victory by Sylvia, an older, somewhat grouchy older woman that Torie works for/with) is a genealogist and historical guide. She's an interesting investigator, especially paired up with both a sheriff she doesn't like because he arrested her for speeding (while trying to get a pregnant woman to the hospital) and her witty, perceptive mother, a wheelchair-bound woman who gives care (cooking, esp.) more than takes it. The story was different and well-told - Torie is approached by a wo...more
A fine little mystery, solved by a family historian. Torie O'Shea kind of bugged me. Her character seemed inconsistent: helping out the old ladies at the historical museum one minute, being rude to the town sheriff the next. Her husband was way nicer to her than I would have been. It was like she was suffering PMS through the whole book. Plus, there were a couple of times when her descriptions of things were a little too rambling and downright annoying. Like the one paragraph dedicated to Torie'...more
Yet another take on the "cosy" mystery...our sleuth this time is Torie (Victory) O'Shea. She is a wife, mother, resident historian, geneologist and tour guide (in costume) in the historic German town of New Kassel, Missouri (just outside St. Louis). Shortly after a crotchety antique store owner, Norah Zumwalt asks Torie to locate the father she never knew, Norah is brutally murdered. Torie keeps delving into Norah's family tree and she finds herself working with Sheriff Brooke to discover what r...more
So I would really give this a 3.5 but Goodreads only lets you do rate on a full star system... so I guess 4 stars it is.
This mystery was a lot better than your average cooking, crafting type mystery series. I haven't read any more of the series but I did like the fact that it was a quick read. It didn't go in to too much detail about certain things so it kept it light and fresh.
This mystery was a lot better than your average cooking, crafting type mystery series. I haven't read any more of the series but I did like the fact that it was a quick read. It didn't go in to too much detail about certain things so it kept it light and fresh.
Torie is a dedicated, plucky, and tenacious investigator. Much like you have to be when working as a genealogist. The story is a unique one, and very detailed and filled out with subplots and nuances. I did enjoy the book overall, but found that the character of Torie herself was a little lacking. We see evidence that she loves history, her town, her family, but never experience any of that passion firsthand from her point of view. there was just a flatness about her that kept me from connecting...more
Victory “Torie” O’Shea has a good life in a small town in Missouri, working as a museum docent, researching genealogy and mothering her two preschoolers. When she’s hired by Norah Zumwalt, the local antiques dealer, to compile her family tree, Torie is surprised to find that Norah’s father, presumably lost in World War II, is living in a town nearby. She calls her client with the news, only to find her murdered a short time later. Needless to say, a trifle like murder cannot stop a dedicated gen...more
This book was OK, it was a little too "cozy" for me, I'm not running to the library to get the next in the series, but I may read it eventually. The characters were likable, the main character was a genealogist who through her research into a client's tree becomes entangled in a murder mystery. Worth the read if you are looking for a light read.
This is the 1st book in the Torie O'Shea mystery series. The stories are best read in order and get better & better as Torie and her family and new mysteries develop. The characters, mysteries and settings are excellent creations and I am always waiting impatiently for her next installment.
I love a good mystery and Rett MacPherson's books are a great read. I did have problem finding this book, the first in the series. None of my local libraries had it so I had to buy it online which was a bummer since I am a big supporter of libraries.
Excellent story. A mystery is a new thing for me, but when its about Genealogy and has reference to quilts (two of my favorite hobbies) I had to read it. Loved it and would have gave it 5 stars but I am not a big fan of bad language so it only get 4.
I discovered Rett MacPherson at my local library in St. Louis. I have read all of the Torie O'Shea mysteries. They are enjoyable, easy reads.
I'm an amateur genealogist and thoroughly enjoy Torie's research and antics.
I'm an amateur genealogist and thoroughly enjoy Torie's research and antics.
Another genealogical mystery. If you liked the old TV series "Murder, She Wrote", this might be right up your alley. With a harried housewife as the heroine, it just doesn't fly too far from the norm of everyday.
This is the first book in the series of genealogical mysteries. Torie finds the gruesomely murdered body of Norah Zumwaldt, who'd hired her to do her family tree. Figuring out whodunnit nearly costs Torie her own life.
This book took me back to my younger days of reading Nancy Drew and trying to piece together the puzzle of who did it and why! Except it kept me very entertained as an adult. I loved it! Easy read, quick and fun!
Rhett MacPherson writes a good cozy mystery series featuring genealogist Tori O’Shea. Tori often gets involved in solving mysteries in New Kassel, Missouri, her home town. Start with the 1st book, Family Skeletons.
A refreshing mystery with a little genealogy mixed [two of my favorite subjects]. These books are a little difficult to find so I'm reading them out of order [which every time I do I swear I'll never do again!!!]
I'd like to meet Tory, the Missouri genealogist-mother-wife-historian-tour guide (talk about multi-tasking). Complex plot. I'll be reading others in the series, while recuperating.
Loved this series as it is set in southeast missouri. Small town geneologist that sseems to find herself involved in solving mysteries. Make sure to start at the beginning.
I wasn't too crazy about the main character's personality, but she was very observant and pieced clues together well. Storyline was good, and well written.
This is the great first book of a cozy mystery series that I'm really enjoying. I love the main character, Torie O'Shea.
I like the Torie O'Shea mysteries because they are set not too far from where I live. They are a nice light read.
It was ok - not very realistic but I guess that is why it is called fiction. Read in one hour.
Oh I love Tori! She is such a great character and I really love the town and all the characters!
Overall a good, light-hearted mystery! Sometimes the dialogue was a bit silly and confusing, though. The family's tree angle was pretty cool.
A mystery series themed around family and local history. Entertaining and a light read.
Goes perfect with a cup of tea, a light spring breeze sitting on the porch.
Fun, light hearted mystery. Main character is a strong female.
I have read all the Torie O'Shea books and love every one.
Good series about a lady who works on genealogies!
It was a pretty decent mystery. I liked how original it seemed, and the characters were pretty cool.
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“Most people get excited over new cars; I get excited over death certificates. It's no wonder my husband worries about my state of mind.”
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2 people liked it
“She is my companion on my many genealogical hunts, and I will be forever indebted to her for the knowledge that she bequeathed to me. And I can think of nobody I would rather traipse through a cemetery with, and that says a lot about a person.”
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1 person liked it
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Mar 10, 2009 11:59pm