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The Forensic Genealogist Series: The America Ground / The Spyglass File / The Missing Man
The America Ground:
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 one hundred and eighty 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.
The Spyglass File:
Morton Farrier was no longer at the top of his game. His forensic genealogy career was faltering and he was refusing to accept any new cases, preferring instead to concentrate on locating his own elusive biological father. Yet, when a particular case presents itself, that of finding the family of a woman abandoned in the midst of the Battle of Britain, Morton is compelled to help her to unravel her past. Using all of his genealogical skills, he soon discovers that the case is connected to The Spyglass File—a secretive document which throws up links which threaten to disturb the wrongdoings of others, who would rather its contents, as well as their actions, remain hidden forever.
The Missing Man:
It was to be the most important case of Morton Farrier’s career in forensic genealogy so far. A case that had eluded him for many years: finding his own father. Harley ‘Jack’ Jacklin disappeared just six days after a fatal fire at his Cape Cod home on Christmas Eve in 1976, leaving no trace behind. Now his son, Morton must travel to the East Coast of America to unravel the family’s dark secrets in order to discover what happened to him.
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 one hundred and eighty 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.
The Spyglass File:
Morton Farrier was no longer at the top of his game. His forensic genealogy career was faltering and he was refusing to accept any new cases, preferring instead to concentrate on locating his own elusive biological father. Yet, when a particular case presents itself, that of finding the family of a woman abandoned in the midst of the Battle of Britain, Morton is compelled to help her to unravel her past. Using all of his genealogical skills, he soon discovers that the case is connected to The Spyglass File—a secretive document which throws up links which threaten to disturb the wrongdoings of others, who would rather its contents, as well as their actions, remain hidden forever.
The Missing Man:
It was to be the most important case of Morton Farrier’s career in forensic genealogy so far. A case that had eluded him for many years: finding his own father. Harley ‘Jack’ Jacklin disappeared just six days after a fatal fire at his Cape Cod home on Christmas Eve in 1976, leaving no trace behind. Now his son, Morton must travel to the East Coast of America to unravel the family’s dark secrets in order to discover what happened to him.
772 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2017
80 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
35 books630 followersAuthor of the acclaimed genre-bestselling Forensic Genealogist series, featuring Morton Farrier.
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 11, 2020
As a genealogist and one who has a high degree of interest in history, everything that Nathan Dylan Goodwin writes holds my attention! In addition, he weaves so many interesting stories of family dynamics spanning several generations it's hard to put the book down. Of course, no one's life is simple and that certainly holds true for his main character, Morton Farrier. He manages to solve innumerable mysteries while simultaneously getting himself into some very interesting predicaments!
February 13, 2018
Fabulous!!!!!!!
Really hard to get any work done reading these books!!!! OMG!!! Some unexpected turns but really interesting history mixed with my favorite hobby. Morton's family has a few less than ethical mixed with truly amazing people in his tree just like mine! Can't wait to see what more he finds.
Really hard to get any work done reading these books!!!! OMG!!! Some unexpected turns but really interesting history mixed with my favorite hobby. Morton's family has a few less than ethical mixed with truly amazing people in his tree just like mine! Can't wait to see what more he finds.
September 19, 2018
love this series
March 5, 2019
These books are addictive if you are interested in family history. Well researched, good plots, believable main character. Love the series!
April 14, 2020
Interesting
I have become a fan of the Forensic Genealogist. The storylines are interesting, historical facts are accurate and the characters are interesting people.
I have become a fan of the Forensic Genealogist. The storylines are interesting, historical facts are accurate and the characters are interesting people.
May 25, 2020
I liked the first 3 novels in this series so much, that I continued on with the next three. I enjoyed following the story of Morton Farrier as he uses he forensic genealogist skills to uncover his own family. I would say, The Spyglass File was my least favorite of them all, but that is more of a personal feeling. It takes place during WWII which is not my favorite setting for a book. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes to dabble in genealogy or enjoys books with a good twist.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews