The Doll From Dunedin by ML Condike
THE DOLL FROM DUNEDIN
By ML Condike
Historical Mystery / Genealogy Mystery
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books
Pages: 428
Publication
Date: October 22, 2024
The Doll from Dunedin is
the sequel to the 2024 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner in Fiction - Mystery
- General, The Desk from Hoboken.
Still reeling from the dangers of
a recent case, forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter takes on a supposedly
routine case to locate the missing heir of a woman she met in Central Park a
year ago. Tantalized by a hefty income, she accepts.
But there's a catch-she must find
the heir within six months or the forty-million-dollar estate is donated to a
local university.
With the tight deadline comes the
chance of a sizeable bonus, a series of unforeseen obstacles, and the
unexpected connection to a cold case from 1910, when perfume heiress Dorothy
Arnold disappeared without a trace.
Armed with only her genealogical
skills, the books and historical documents she unearths, and an antique doll
that seems to be guiding her toward the answers she needs, RaeJean faces
dangerous events that threaten to shatter her world and challenge her to meet
the deadline. Her travels throughout the United States and New Zealand in
search of answers bring with it its own question: Will she find the heir before
time runs out?
But someone doesn't want her to
solve the case. The clock is ticking, and it will take every ounce of grit
RaeJean has to solve this mystery and outwit the dangers that threaten her
present while she sifts through the past.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ML
Condike’s novel, The Doll From Dunedin released October 22, 2024, is the second book
in her genealogy mystery series. The first novel, The Desk From Hoboken (March 5, 2024), received a gold medal in the
2024 Readers Favorite, General Mystery category. Her stories blend facts with
fiction, using historical records and current technology to solve century-old
cold cases.
She’s published in seven anthologies including
Granbury Writers’ Bloc (2019, 2022); Key West Writers Guild (2023); and SinC
North Dallas (2022, 2023, 2024).
She’s a member of MWA, Florida Chapter, Sisters
in Crime National, Sisters in Crime North Dallas, Granbury Writers’ Bloc, and
Key West Writers Guild.
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REVIEW
The Doll From Dunedin by ML Condike
The short story: A fast-paced, multilayered genealogy mystery that will keep you guessing!
My review: This is the second genealogy mystery book from ML Condike that I’ve read and enjoyed. In the Doll from Dunedin, RaeJean Hunter is back on the genealogy trail after recovering from her previous case. Tasked to find a descendant of a wealthy heiress, the clock is ticking. Her search takes her on a trip into the lives of New York society women from the early 1900s and leads her all into the rural boonies all the way to New Zealand. But it seems, someone does not want the heir found and puts her life in danger.
As with the previous book, the writing is solid, the story well plotted with lots of layers and a good backstory between her and husband and her search for her father. I will say that the genealogy can get confusing as she tries to work out the connections between the present and the past, so pay attention!
I’m a genealogy buff so I found the premise of the story fascinating. Even if you think the idea of genealogy is boring, you’ll love this mystery story. There is a lot of interesting history as well. And I really loved the mystery of Dorothy Arnold and her fight to make a life for herself as a writer. I appreciate that Condike’s characters are well fleshed out with quirks and issues that make them feel real.
In both books, Condike adds a bit of fantasy element in which an object assists RaeJean in her search. I’m not sure it adds much to the already excellent story, but I enjoyed it.
I highly recommend this series and this story to lovers of mystery with a twist.
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