Overlooker

by Fay Sampson

Overview

Keen family-history researcher Suzie Fewings takes a trip to discover more about her husband's ancestors, but what she finds puts those she loves in danger . . .|Suzie Fewings, a keen family-history researcher, is delighted when her husband, Nick, catches the genealogy bug and whisks his family off to Lancashire to meet his oldest living relative, Martin, only to find him in hospital, too frail to receive visitors. Martin's daughter, Thelma, insists they stay, but her unsettling religious neighbour, Geoffrey, warns against their plans to research Nick's ancestors. It's not long before Suzie wonder if she should have heeded Geoffrey's ominous warning . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780103716
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	03/01/2013
Series:	A Suzie Fewings Genealogical Mystery , #5
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	668 KB

About the Author

Fay Sampson now lives in Devon, after many years abroad. As a keen genealogist, she has traced some of her ancestors to before the Norman Conquest, and is constantly adding to her tree.

Editorial Reviews

Susie Fewings's visit to her husband's elderly relative turns deadly in the fifth outing for the British genealogist (after Father Unknown). Genealogy tips and links included.

Library Journal

Sampson’s intelligent if somewhat plodding fifth Suzie Fewings genealogical mystery (after 2011’s Father Unknown) takes Suzie, husband Nick, and 14-year-old daughter Millie to an old Lancashire mill town to see Nick’s oldest living relative, great-uncle Martin, who’s in his 90s. On arrival at Martin’s house, they learn from his daughter that he suffered a stroke earlier that day. Dismayed that this potential source of family lore may soon be lost to them, Suzie, Nick, and Millie take a tour of the town, visiting the dilapidated mills in which Nick’s family once worked and finding one shop that’s, curiously, still operating. They later come across an old family home occupied by a cagey man who refuses them entrance. Subsequent threatening text messages and phone calls make the Fewings wary of digging into more of the mill town’s ghosts—and dampen anxiety-ridden Nick’s interest in his family’s history. The plot takes a number of twists and turns before the less-than-satisfying conclusion. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

This smart series, full of fascinating material on genealogical research, should be recommended to members of library genealogy clubs

Booklist

Genealogy buffs will appreciate the research techniques shared and the information about the plight of unwed mothers and illegitimate children in England in the 1700s Booklist on Father Unknown

Sampson does a nice job of offering multiple candidates for the mantle of bad guy, and the twists will keep most readers wondering what’s actually been going on Publishers Weekly on Father Unknown

From the Publisher

This smart series, full of fascinating material on genealogical research, should be recommended to members of library genealogy clubs

Booklist

A father's newfound interest in genealogy poses a danger to his family. Nick Fewings' wife, Suzie, takes a break from her genealogical research to join him and their teenage daughter, Millie, on a trip to Lancashire to visit Martin, Nick's oldest living relative. Martin's daughter Thelma is pleased to have them stay even though Martin is in hospital with a stroke. And a conversation with Martin makes Nick regret that he's waited so long to come see him. While exploring the former mill town, the Fewings meet a weeping woman whom they see again when they're turned away from the old family home. The house, slated for demolition, should have been empty, as a suspicious Nick reports to the authorities. Although he can't imagine how anyone knows about his visit to the police, Nick begins to get threatening phone calls and texts. As they continue to explore mill museums, rural chapels and a deserted mill, the threats keep coming. Soon after the Fewings' university-age son joins them for a quick visit, Millie, whom they have not told about the threats, sneaks off on yet another shopping expedition, and Suzie is kidnapped while trying to find her. The police search in earnest, but it's up to Nick to figure out who took her and where she is being held. Suzie, who usually stars in Sampson's Genealogical Mystery series (Father Unknown, 2011, etc.), yields the limelight to Nick in this weak mystery whose main selling point is its information about Lancashire history.

Kirkus Reviews