Monument to the Dead (Museum Mystery Series #4)

Monument To Death is the 4th book in the A Museum Mystery series. I love all of Connolly's books and this is no exception. She does such a wonderful job of not only telling a story, but educating the reader about behind the scenes workings with which that series deals. In the case of this series, it is what goes on in a historical museum. Nell notices an obituary for a former Society board member, Adeline Harrison, since Harrison was up in years, Nell didn't give it a second thought, but made a mental note to send flowers. Then when her close friend and FBI agent, James Morrison, calls for background information on her and mentions other deaths of similar nature in recent times, things aren't adding up. Nell, with the help of her staff has found a link of the deceased board members and that link seems to point back to Nell's museum. Since James' bosses at the FBI don't feel there is evidence to warrant an investigation, it will be up to Nell and James to find the murderer before another board member dies. All of the engaging character are back to help Nell in this book. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this exciting series.

This was a good, fast reading story! It kept you guessing who the bad guy was!

This series just gets better and better! The writing is good, characters are very realistic, and the mystery is a good one. Can't wait for the next one. This series is a keeper as are her Orchard Mysteries and the new County Cork series. How one woman can write three different series is amazing. Keep them coming Sheila!

I am enjoying this series very much. The plots are interesting and funny.

The fourth book in the Museum Mystery series has FBI Agent James Morrison asking Nell for some help. Some local members of the cultural community have been dying of “natural causes,” but with the recent death of Adeline Harrison James has started to see a pattern that makes him believe the causes were definitely not “natural” . So with James’ blessing she starts to pull clues together and finds even more deaths for him to add to his list. Someone is killing elderly philanthropists, but who and why? If she can figure out the motive, hopefully it will lead her to the killer before another benefactor finds themselves gone before their time. Sheila Connolly has topped herself with this one. This is one of the best stories I have read this year. The tables being turned so Nell is asked to investigate is pure genius! James asking for her help and then working with her, Marty, and Shelby to find enough evidence to open an FBI case made this a book I could not put down. It is a very complex mystery and the characters even had to use spreadsheets to help figure it out but I found myself immersed right into the story following each little tidbit as everything started to come together. In addition to a wonderful mystery, Connolly has away of educating readers in a fun and entertaining way. This time it was a behind the scenes of the boards and benefactors of a historical museum. I was amazed at the snippets of information staff collects to match the right person to the right project and how much is gleaned from conversations at fundraisers. There were also a pieces of Philadelphia’s little known history wrapped into this mystery. Very interesting. Watch for this one to hit my Best of 2013 list! Kudos Sheila!!!

Too much talking not enough action. Mystery took second place to relationship between Nell and James.

I enjoy all of Sheila Connolly's books. She develops her characters into real people with real problems, and uses enough quirky humor to keep you awake, too! My only quibble with this one, which I enjoyed, was that it took an unusually long time for mystery part to get going. The problem was suspected, then stated, but it took a while for the characters to really track down leads. But... I'll gladly read it again in 15 years when I've forgotten it! :-)

In Connolly’s mystery novel, Nell Pratt, president of the Pennsylvania Society, reads the obituary of a former board member only to discover later that FBI agent James Morrison suspects’ foul play. Unable to convince the FBI to open the case, Morrison enlists Nell and several others to “unofficially” investigate on his behalf. Nell quickly discovers what appears to be a plot to eliminate several elderly philanthropists. Morrison and Nell team together to pursue the leads and find a killer before he strikes again. A clever, charming, and skillfully executed caper. A fabulous addition to the A Museum Mystery series.