Digging up History by Sheila Connolly is a fast-paced tale based loosely on the true account of a Revolutionary War era cemetery uncovered in 2017. Nell works for a historical society in Philadelphia. An intern, Dylan, uncovers a faded letter in a set of books given to the society upon the death of Harriet Featherstone. Using contacts at the FBI, they learn the letter is actually a map of early Philadelphia. Marty, a friend and local historian, is called in to look at it. At the same time, a cemetery containing several hundred skeletons is discovered when a construction company starts to build apartments in the same area disclosed in the map. The builder knows Marty and involves both she and Nell. Marty remembers exploring this area when she was a child, and shares her knowledge of a body under the house across from the cemetery. The body is still there, along with a second body, and multiple cannon.

Throughout the book, you learn of the research Nell, Dylan, and Marty undertake to learn the story behind the cemetery and the bodies & cannon under the house. Can all of this tie back to the Featherstone family? If you like history and research, you'll enjoy this book.

This book is about Nell, who works at the historical preservation society. Her intern comes across an interesting piece of paper. They must figure out what it says and what they are going to do next. This is book 8 in the series, but I was able to follow a long without having read earlier books

An engaging cozy with a historical bent.
When the Preservation Society President, Nell Pratt is shown a very old piece of paper from within a book binding, she takes the young intern who showed it to her on a mission to see if they can read it with the help of her FBI boyfriend Jame's help.
They find more than they ever expected, as well as being drawn into the uncovering of a 'lost' cemetery.
Along with the intern, Dylan, James, and Marty, who is also aligned with the society they investigate the map uncovered by Dylan.
Add the investor who uncovered the cemetery, the police and a curator from another museum.....and additional bodies, making this a page turning compulsion. I was so eager to find out more I finished it in less than a day. It was that interesting!
I highly recommend this book for the well crafted tale and bits of history included. I expected it to be good but it was even better than I expected.
I requested and was granted an ARC from NetGalley.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Beyond the Page publishing, in return for an honest review. This is the 8th book in this series and can be read as a stand-alone. Nell is the president of a Philadelphia historical society (called 'the Society'). Her intern finds a donated book that has an unusual page in the binding (which is torn). Extracting the page allows Nell to contact her significant other, an FBI detective, to help make a better copy of the paper. This leads to the discovery of a 'forgotten' cemetery on the Philadelphia waterfront, in an area about to be rebuilt into new condos. And then, more old bodies are discovered in the basement of an abandoned house but these are accompanied by 12 revolutionary war cannons! This is a good story; it's not a classic mystery because there isn't a 'murder' to be solved; rather, its an interesting look at US history and the wonders of researching a historic topic to learn about the people who lived in that time. A good read!

I adore Sheila Connolly, but this is the first in her A Museum Mystery series I have read. It was fascinating in the historical and inner workings of a museum sense, the writing was great and the characters engaging. There was some suspense that mostly fizzled out in the resolution, so the mystery wasn't quite relevant for me. I think I'll need to go back and get the first books in the series to see if I can appreciate this one more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

You never quite know what Nell's next adventure will lead! Plenty of tidbits on Philadelphia and the Revolutionary War are sprinkled throughout adding history to this puzzling mystery full of twists and turns. Enjoyable as always.

Protagonist Nell Pratt is the president of the Society for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiquities. The society received a collection of books from Harriet Featherstone, a long time resident and former active member. It is from this collection that intern Dylan discovers a map hidden between the old, original cover and a newer cover of a book that starts them on a journey of discovery.

Nell discusses the map findings with significant other, FBI agent, James, and contacts Marty Terwilliger, a former board member. Marty confesses to a grisly discovery she made decades ago at the location and together they set out to see what, if anything still exists of her discovery. Across the street, a construction project has stalled due to the discovery of hundreds of skeletons that had been buried under a parking lot. Are the two related?

Nell proceeds with the investigation, bringing into the mystery the police as well as additional historic experts. They discover deeper secrets that turn even darker with each new development. Nell forms more theories, ideas, and arguments for what might have happened in each event. Two main mysteries to solve, not the least of which is first to determine the event century. That resolved, then to research deeds and records that could possibly shed some light on who, why, what, and when. Interesting possible scenario of the time presents thought-provoking visions during an era of extreme turmoil in our country.

The author repeats the discovered facts numerous times and then proceeds with additional theories. The skeletons are referred to as bodies, but given the age of the remains, really couldn't have much body left. Twists are confronted, but add little significance to the outcome as the conclusion has already been deduced. The eighth of the series, not all characters are well developed or engaging, but with the subject material could be read as a standalone.

I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for those with a penchant for early American history and a clean and unique, victim-free cozy. 3.5/5 stars

Digging up History by Sheila Connolly is a great mystery that is part of “ A Museum Mystery” series.

I have to admit that this is the first book I have read in regards to this series, but I love the author, so I was excited to dive right in. I have to say, I am so glad i gave this series a try. I will most certainly read previous installments, as well as look forward to additional books that will arrive in the future with this series.

I enjoyed the incorporation of a murder/mystery with the hidden map, as well as learning more about a part of the American Revolution and Philadelphia during the time immediately before the War began.

The author did a fabulous job creating intrigue and also did her research in regards to Philadelphia and cannons during the 17-1800s.
I feel that this book could easily be a stand-alone book as Ms Connolly is skilled in creating likable characters that are realistic and interesting, and one can easily dive right in.

I enjoyed the mystery component, however my favorite part (being a history and archaeology buff) is learning all of the ins and outs of what they had to do to properly evaluate and research their finds in regards to records, city jurisdictions, and regulations. It was fascinating.

4/5 stars and heavily recommended.

Link for GR review:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46396305

Link for Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/review/RJ7O3ZP0CGLUB/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Link for BN, my posting is on 6/29 under Rachel_Denise01
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/digging-up-history-sheila-connolly/1132126009?ean=9781950461158

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

Nell Pratt is back! It's been too long since we've read about her mystery solving adventurres!

When Nell's summer intern, Dylan Robertson, discovers a mysterious document, in a book donated by a collector named Harriet Featherstone, the mystery begins! The document, which turns out to be a map, leads the history professionals to a shocking discovery - in one of Philly's historic neighborhoods.

Marty Terwilliger's family secret plays an important role in the book. I won't give anything away, but it's an interesting secret! I enjoyed the conversations between Nell and Marty - they're always witty and full of mutual respect. It was nice to see Nell and James's relationship moving to a new level...it was romantic (but not too much) and it added another dimension to the book.

History and the mystery were foremost in the book. If you're a history buff, you're in for a treat! The authors descriptions of past and present day Philadelphia were wonderful...I felt as if I was right there - reliving the past and solving the present day mystery!

One hint - check out the Postscript - turns out the author was a fund-raiser for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania! It also includes interesting historical information. I'm looking forward to another visit to Philly!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.

The 8th installment in the Museum and the first I have read (I have a pile of them in my TBR pile). I was able to pick up on the main characters and plan to go back and read the series from the beginning. In this installment Dylan is a summer intern and he finds a piece of paper in the binding of a book he is cataloging. He takes it to Nell Pratt the president of the preservation society and the document is not legible. She asks her boyfriend James help if he can get in legible. She also calls in help from Marty a former board member when the letter is really a map. Turns out Marty knows the real estate developer Barney who is working in the area and they have hit a problem when bones are discovered. This was an interesting cold case of murder and I like the way Dell works with all those around her and especially liked James and Marty. Hope there is more in this series.

I wasn't sure what to expect, having never read any of the Museum Mysteries (or any book by Sheila Connolly) before. It took a few chapters waiting for the murder of one of the characters before I realized that it wasn't that type of mystery! The story centers around a forgotten cemetery in Philadelphia and a decades-old memory of finding a body in the basement of an abandoned house. Nell and her associates from the Society for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiquities investigate this historical murder, drawing on the archives in the Society, and the FBI. An easy and enjoyable read that should appeal to cozy mystery aficionados.

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.

Nell Pratt, President of the Society for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiquities, is working on her financial report for the board, when intern Dylan Robertson comes in with a letter which came from inside the binding of a book recently given to the Society. Dylan had been cataloging the books left to the Society by Harriet Featherstone, a long time resident in Philadelphia from an old family and former volunteer. The letter wasn't readable, so Nell called her partner who worked at the FBI to see if he could help.

With the help of former board member Marty Terwilligen and James at the FBI, they soon find the letter is a map showing an abandoned old house where Marty had found a body as a child. Marty gets them a meeting with a contractor who is about to build condos on property in the area of the map. When they meet the contractor, they find that the parking lot has been removed uncovering hundreds of buried bodies. After the contractor disappears, they find the house where Marty saw the body, and it's still there!

They call in the police, who fortunately are willing to work with the Society to figure out where the bodies came from. When the police shore up the old house, there is a lot more than the single body they had seen. Dylan finds he has a much more exciting internship than he was expecting, and Nell and Marty get some good publicity for the Society!

This is a well written book which includes some history, and a lot of excitement.

When a summer intern discovers a document in the binding of a book that he is working on Nell is happy to try and find out its history. The document could be nothing or it could turn out to be a true find in the world of history. Nell soon learns that the hidden gem is a map of one of Philadelphia's oldest neighborhoods. She can't wait to investigate the area that the map includes and soon comes to find out that the exact place she is looking for is under development and will soon be turned into some pricey real estate. Not to be deterred, Nell plans to chat with the head of the construction company and find a way to stop his work on the site so that she will have time to figure out just what the map is all about. Things begin to take a dark turn when the construction owner disappears, leaving Nell to think what else bad can happen. She soon learns that there are ominous secrets being held by those involved in her new mystery. Follow along as Nell tries discover the truth before it is bulldozed and covered up. This is such a wonderful series that is filled with great tidbits of history, I think it is always a fun thing to learn while you read.

This was the first time I read a book in the "A Museum Mystery" series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though I hadn't read the previous books I had no trouble following along, it can totally be read as a stand alone.

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.

Determined to get to the bottom of the map’s origin and what it might tell her about the mysterious plot of land, Nell will have to contend with a construction company owner who disappears, a former Society board member who’s harbored a dark secret her entire life, and a remarkable discovery that may have the dead turning over in their graves . . .

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I even learnt something about Philadelphia and american history.

The Protagonist Nell is a strong, educated woman, and the side characters are realistic too. The characters are well rounded. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Love this series! I enjoy the history and the mystery always keeps me guessing. There are no current dead bodies, but lots of skeletons. I like the main characters - Nell, her boyfriend James and good friend Marty. Marty knows everyone and knows her history of Philadelphia.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I am hoping for many more - one of my favorite series.

This is the eight in the series and it isn’t getting old to read. I enjoy most of Ms. Connolly’s series. They are well written, have great characters and plot lines.

Having grown up in the New York area, I find delving into the revolutionary time period fascinating.

I like how Nell Pratt uses her resources to find interesting information about whatever is in the research bucket. This time it is a page used as stuffing in a rebounded book. Summer intern Dylan Robertson finds an old document and brings it to Nell’s attention. Nell happens to mention it to her significant other, James Morrison, and FBI agent. He is intrigued and calls in a few favors to get the writing on the letter more legible.

Marty Terwilliger, former board member of the Preservation Society and friend of Nell’s has an acquaintance, Barney, a real estate developer, with a project ongoing in the area the map depicts.

They contact Barney and discover he has an issue with the site. The construction crew unearthed skeletal remains and per the law, all work stops until the bones are identified and significance is placed on them. An adjacent plot of land reveals pristine cannons and two more bodies. Are these related? Is this a part of history or a more recent murder/death?

Join in the quest to find out how the map leads to these bodies and the significance of the items found.
Always a delightful read, Ms. Connolly doesn’t disappoint.

I was given an advanced e-copy of the book by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

This was a new author to me and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. This mystery kept me guessing until the end.

It was great to read another installment in this series.
It was an engrossing and entertaining read, full of twists and turns.
I learnt something new and was fascinated by the setting.
The characters are well written as usual, the plot kept me guessing and the setting was well described.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, law-enforcement, museum, mystery, Philadelphia

***** I thought that minor archaeology in Philadelphia would be interesting in a mystery. Imagine my absolute delight in finding more than just a paved over cemetery (think of the discovery of King Richard under a British car park) but a pair of bodies and a host of beautiful brass canons commissioned by King George but never used in the American Revolution! Excellent story based in my other addiction (museums/books). The plot is ingenious and involves museum professionals, a construction manager, an FBI agent, and local law enforcement! The characters are all interesting and well developed, the imagery clear. I devoured it in one sitting! What else would you expect from a former Rev War reenactor?
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Once again, Sheila Connolly skillfully incorporates an important current issue into one of her series, this time it’s in her latest Museum Mystery, Digging Up History.

Summer intern Dylan Robertson finds an old document that Nell Pratt’s boyfriend James Morrison gets treated so it can be read. Turns out it’s a very old map of a small area of Philadelphia that is being developed by Barney, an acquaintance of Marty Terwilliger, former board member of the Preservation Society. When contacted, Barney invites Marty and Nell to the site to discuss a problem he’s encountered. Seems the construction crew unearthed skeletal remains and all work stopped while the source of the bones is determined.

Naturally, the Preservation Society’s resources prove valuable in the search to solve this puzzle. Another site, adjacent to the primary development, becomes involved when two more bodies and over 20 pristine cannons, dating back to the 1770s, are found in a tunnel off the basement of an abandoned house, deepening the mystery.

Ms. Connolly creates a fascinating mystery using the discovery of hundreds of old bones on a site under development with the search to find out how and why the bones were there in the first place. Well developed characters, realistic details describing the research and just enough twists make this both an enlightening and engaging read. More importantly, Ms. Connolly calls attention to the tension that exists between preserving the historical and the push for new construction.