"......Ellen saw the myriad of webs doled out by fate as lives intersected through one tragic event ... their consequential acts created ripple effects ..."

Though fiction (based on a family history handed down), this made for an enthralling story - you just have to continue reading to finish to see where this cold case meets its conclusion. I felt mentally exhausted - in a good way - after reading as there are a lot of characters wandering in and out as we are taken back in time to the tragic events that set off a "ripple effect" over the many years later.

" ... the past is a fabric upon which our lives are woven ..."

I was unable to get very far into this book; I found it muddled and ill-written, and it would not be fair to read a book I found bad only to write the scathing review that would have to come from it. I have not rated or reviewed this book on Goodreads or any other site. (Star rating accompanying this is there merely because a rating is required by Netgalley.)

I tried reading this novel but did not make it beyond 10%. I did like the pacing but the story itself was a bit uninteresting, to me. I don't want to review it as it would get a low rating.

I think this was a very well written book and feel that anyone that enjoys historical tales will find this book thrilling. Sometimes sad, this book affects you and makes you wonder why people are so evil sometimes. I definitely recommend.

Despite the fact the novel is well proofread and the plot moves along quickly, I’m really turned away by the abundance of clichés and over-used descriptions. A historical mystery based on true events and apparently the family legend—it reads too much at times like fiction and not enough like true crime. The fictional narrative is bumped around by the true crime narrative and visa versa, meaning it’s hard to get a grip on what’s happening. Too many characters have brief point of views, though I think the author is trying for an omniscient view. I found the whole thing hard to wrap my head around.

Conversation abound whose only purpose is to give the reader an info-dump and much of what’s reported is told through the hazy lens of nostalgia.

I’m sure there are readers out there who appreciate this type of family history storytelling, but it’s not for me. I’m an avid reader of both fictional historical and contemporary mysteries and true crime, but this fell short of the mark with the unexciting prose style and dull, stolid characters. I think the story would have been better served as one or the other, but as it is, it’s neither fish nor fowl and left me cold.

I enjoyed this book, it wasn't what I was expecting because it was described as being "historical" and a "mystery", and I think it's probably more a family saga with historical and mystery elements within it. I found it a good read, very different from the books I normally read, and I'll look forward to the author's next one.

I found this book really interesting to read. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was the author's own family history that made me keep reading. When you first start reading it is kind of confusing with all the different people introduced but you do figure them all out. It makes sense all the different people because when you get to the end, they all tie in together. I couldn't believe the way everyone was so intertwined in their lived with each other, even when you didn't know it. The history was fascinating to read. If you enjoy a murder mystery, history and twists this is your book to read.

This was an interesting book to read, it covered so many stories and a long period of time. In many ways, this was it's undoing. Keeping track of who was who and where they fit in was very difficult and I found myself getting a bit lost on a few occasions. The action sometimes stalled with too many details and parts that really would have been better cut. Although they all tied in together at the end, it was just too much for the one book and slowed the pace down.

The book itself was a fairly easy read and I got through it quite quickly. Having said that, I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, it told the story in quite a dry this happened, then this happened, then this happened way. Rather than letting the story unfold by the actions of the characters. It was a bit of a shame really, as the story itself was certainly gripping enough. It also meant that really connecting with the characters was difficult, I didn't feel that we experienced events along side them, but rather were there was impassive observers.

The main story focused on an unsolved murder. I say the main story, but that wasn't the only mystery that featured in the book. In actual fact all of the different threads were interwoven in one way or another, although that wasn't clear until the end. There were a few surprises at the end of the book, when the mystery is finally solved.

On the whole I enjoyed the book, despite my issues with the writing style and it being a little confusing. I'd be interested in reading more by the same author, I'm a big fan of historical fiction and murder mysteries, especially if they employed a good editor to help trim down and focus the story line.

In 1930 Cleveland, Ohio, Louis Sheridan is murdered. Forty years later the original police officers look into the cold case. The story is told through the several families involved but especially Ellen O’Malley.
Unfortunately I didn't find that the story held my interest though I did finish the book, and didn't really like the writing style.