When a summer intern at the Preservation Society discovers an aged document hidden in the binding of an antique book, Society president Nell Pratt is intrigued by the possibilities: is it a valuable historic document or just a useless scrap of paper? When analysis reveals that it’s a hand-drawn map of one of Philadelphia’s oldest neighborhoods, Nell learns that the area is being excavated for a new real estate development and may hold long-buried secrets from the city’s historic heyday.
Easy to read and enjoyable cosy mystery. Ideal for lovers of 'whodunit's that like to be kept guessing until the end. A good way to spend a pleasant afternoon of reading and I will read more by this author.

This was my first Museum Mystery by Sheila Connolly, and while I like the character and plot build up,I felt like something was missing from the story. Enough about my personal take. The Society sounds like an incredible place to conduct all sorts of research but especially research of historic significance. Goes right along with historical significance of Philadelphia. A large and eclectic collection given to the society is what starts this historical hunt. This had a bit of a National Treasure feel to it but without the puzzles or the race against time. In fact, their great discovery ends up being more of a challenge for the authorities than it is for the intrepid group of four. While this particular edition of the Museum Mysteries dosen't follow what I consider to be the correct equation for a cozy mystery ( one of the usual variables was missing) I find it entertaining and even informative if not a little surprising by it's based in fact element.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

This is a thoughtful, fascinating and very enjoyable novella, based on fact but given fictional vibrancy by the author. The unearthing of an old document, which turns out to be a map, hidden in a book cover by intern Dylan has Nell investigating further. She makes interesting yet menacing discoveries.
Nell is a super character. She’s mature, calm, methodical but also has a sense of fun and adventure. She’s very likeable, and narrates this story to us. We enjoy getting into her head and sharing her perspective.
This short, historical cosy offers everything we expect from this genre: well developed characters, cleverly constructed plot, strong female lead, a handsome policeman boyfriend and excellent entertainment.

I really loved reading this book and was fascinated by some of the 'history' that was included in the author's notes. I always find the way a museum works to be interesting and this series let me learn a little about it which each book.

The mystery was well-written and nicely paced. There just enough twists and turns that keep me guessing until the end.

This seemed to be more of a history book rather than a cozy mystery. However, since it is a nonfiction book, I am not sure how accurate or trustworthy the history is. The characters fell flat, and the entire story seemed to drag. This was not for me as I was looking for a cozy mystery.

When an intern at the Preservation Society discovers an old document hidden in the binding of an antique book, the possibilities of what it is are endless. Upon closer examination, the document appears to be a hand-drawn map. When they learn that this area is being excavation for new construction they had to check it out; only to find another mystery.

Although this is book 8 in the series, it is my first. I had no problems understanding the storyline so you can definitely enjoy this book as a stand-alone mystery. This was a fun interesting read. The storyline was well-plotted and quick pace. I read this book in one day. There were several twists and turns along the way which surprised me in the end. The characters are well developed, personable, smart, and well rounded. I really enjoyed this book and learned a little bit about the history of Philadelphia too. I recommend this book and I plan on reading more of this series.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

If you love a good mystery with a little bit of history this book is for you. I loved it! It was very unusual. Even though it is part of a series it is able to stand alone from my opinion. Now I’ve got to go back and read them all!
Posted on Goodreads, also!
Thank you.

This novella-length story covers a smaller adventure of Nell Pratt, Preservation Society president, researcher-extraordinaire, and amateur sleuth. A scrap of map in a old book leads Nell on a quest to uncover the secrets of an old Philadelphia neighborhood. It's a quick read that focuses more on an actual mystery than the standard "dead body"/Whodunit trope. Ultimately, the book was interesting but a little too contained in terms of story and length (for my liking anyway).

Not what I had grown to expect from this author, this was more of a historical road trip than anything else, even though there were hundreds of human skeletons lying around. Not much intrigue here, just a history lesson, sorry that’s just my opinion. All in all a historically interesting read with a bit of mystery not enough for my appetite.

Book eight in the Museum Mystery series. An ancient document hidden in an antique book proves more than intriguing when Nell discovers secrets from the past. An entertaining and interesting addition to this very enjoyable series.

#DiggingUpHistory
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page publishing for the opportunity to read and review the E-arc copy of Digging Up History.
I really enjoy this series and Sheila Connolly's writing. I think that Digging Up History is one of the best books of the series. I love the history that Nell pieces through in this mystery and I found the plot to be a page turner. I hope that if you haven't read this series before pick up book one.

Digging Up History is a very good mystery. Enjoyed the plot as well as the author’s writing. I look forward to reading more books in this series. Mystery fans will love this book. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This is the "8th" book in this popular "Museum Mystery Series". I have read most of the series and always enjoy this historical series that is so well plotted and always a enjoyable read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinions are my own,.
in this next in series Nell is busy with her Society of Preservation of Pennsylvania when her intern presents to her a possible intriguing project. He was assigned to do the cataloging of a recent collection of books from the estate of Harriet Featherstone. He found a book from the 18th century that has a paper that appears to be a centuries old map from the 1700's. Nell and her intern decide to visit the area that is on the map after conferring with experts . The map appears to be from the 1700's in and near the Delaware river . Soon they find a ancient cemetery and learn that two bodies .from a murder were found recently by a developer. Now Nell and her staff are intrigued and on the case to discover the history and what occurred on the property. Thus begin a series of clues that lead them to many interesting facts about the property at the period in time.

This is a enjoyable well crafted mystery with a wonderful historical aspect . I enjoy reading the history in each book in the series and find this series highly enjoyable. I highly recommend this series.

Digging Up History was another fun book. I have not yet read the other books in the series and will be going back to do that. I was able to follow the story with no issues and enjoyed the characters and the plot. I enjoyed the historical background of this cozy.

Princess Fuzzypants here: As a history buff, when an author can conjure up a story that has fascinating and well drawn characters who stumble upon a mystery and through their skill and tenacity can find a solution, all while spicing the story up with bits of history and trivia, I am on board. Sheila Connolly has a knack in many of her stories for doing just that. Her Museum series excels at it and this book is no exception. In fact, it might be my favourite.
A long time donor to the Society has bequeathed a huge number of books that Nell has asked her summer intern to catalogue and examine. He discovers a piece of paper in the binding. With the help of modern technology, they can see the map that was written on the paper that dates around the Revolutionary War. When Nell and her colleagues go to the site of the map, they discover a cache of bodies. There are also two other bodies nearby and a stock of pristine cannons. The plot, as they say, thickens. Everyone, including the police, want to know how the bodies got there, who they are and whether they represent something historically important.
I love the way Nell is able to find the right people to use their particular knowledge and expertise to help her sort through the mystery and come up with the answers. It is fascinating and intelligent. The origins of the story are based on an actual discovery. The characters are all respectful of the talents of the other characters and therefore work together well.
It all adds up to a smart and highly entertaining read. Five purrs and two paws up.

Digging Up History by Sheila Connolly is number eight in the Museum Mysteries cozy mystery series. Nell is the Executive Director of the Society for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiquities in Philadelphia. She lives with her partner, James, with whom she has recently purchased a home. He is an FBI agent. A summer intern, Dylan, has been tasked with cataloging a recent donation of several thousand books, bequeathed by a deceased patron. While he is working on that he comes across an old document that had been hidden in to cover of a rebound book that was part of the collection. Unable to read the faded ink, Nell calls on James, to see if his lab can help. Luckily the technician may be looking for genealogical assistance so is happy to trade skills. Even enhanced, the document is difficult to read. A past board member and friend, Marty, recognizes it as a map and just happens to know what the subject of the map is. At about the same time, an acquaintance of hers, Barney, calls and asks for her to meet him at his building site. He has something to share. The something to share turns out to be hundreds of skeletons found under a parking lot, and a mystery first discovered when Marty was a child, in the building next door.

Having read some of Connolly's other works, it did not come as a surprise that this was quite the entertaining book. Particularly enjoyable was the research portion of solving the mystery. It was also a nice change that the mystery was not a murder, at least not a current one. The FBI working with the Society was a nice change of pace, even if it was a little under-the-table. In big cities, things like this happen. We probably don't hear much of it, possibly because it is never discovered, which is a shame. I found this to be a totally enjoyable and engrossing book. I seriously recommend it for American History fans as well as cozy mystery fans. You can't go wrong.

I was given a free ARC of Digging Up History. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #digginguphistory

My rating: 4 of 5 stars< i really liked it.

Book 8 in the series.

I was so glad when I saw this book was coming out. I was afraid that the series had succumbed to the big Berkley purge.

Sheila Connolly did not disappoint. Nell and Marty are still nosy when it comes to preserving the history of Philadelphia, and this time they're handed not one, but two of Philly's history mysteries.

James is as always, a bit of a steadying influence and I enjoy his relationship with Nell. The new intern, Dylan, is sweet and obviously loves history.

The story was fast moving and fun, and full of history this time around. There's no modern day murder to solve, no real danger to Nell and her friends either, just kind of a gradual reveal. That's one of the things I really enjoyed about this book. There were no, "Wow, I can't believe she was that stupid!" moments in this book for me.

I was interested in this book because I am from this area in PA. and could relate to the places in the story. However, the story lacked character development and a cohesive narrative. The ending was a let down as well.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it is a straight, realistic mystery. Nell Pratt is back as the President of the Philadelphia Preservation Society. Her intern, Dylan, discovers an aged map hidden in a donated antique book. Nell is determined to find out what the map points too and ends helping the police with researching the origins of hundreds of bodies left from a forgotten cemetery. All in al