The Desk from Hoboken is the first book in the Genealogy Mysteries series by American author, ML Condike. After six months prostrate with grief and depression over a lost pregnancy, forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter feels that proving the identity of an almost-two-hundred-year-old corpse, rather than a live criminal FBI case, will be a less stressful way to ease back into work.

Mary Rogers was buried in 1841, probably exhumed in 19xx, then reburied. Professor Michael Carver at the Anthropology Department of Connecticut xx College in New London believes that the corpse his student uncovered on a nearby isthmus has washed down from a Rogerene cemetery, and is that of Mary Rogers.

But he’s a middleman for an anonymous client, which gives RaeJean pause. The fact that another genealogist (probably her good friend Claire Allen) suddenly quit the case without explanation also has warning bells ringing. But the inclusion of an antique ladies secretary desk in her fee has her ignoring them: as soon as she saw the desk, it called to her, in almost a spiritual way.

So she sets to work learning about Mary’s ancestors and contemporaries, as well as doing a bit of research on the desk. But she soon finds that someone seems to be one step ahead of her in the search for answers, someone who, when she meets them, is not at all willing to share knowledge.

Finding out why her friend excused herself from the case, and the man in the ballcap stalking her, ought to be enough to put her off the search, but RaeJean is determined.

Condike certainly gives the reader insight into what a genealogist does and how they do it; that a lot of travel is involved in tracking down journals and memoirs, keepsake books, letters, family trees, church records and books written about historical figures, not all of which can be found on the internet. Visits to cemeteries, historical societies and museums, libraries and private homes are required; phone calls, emails and letters are done; facial reconstruction and handwriting experts need to be consulted.

All that is very interesting, but the repeated rehash of information discovered does get quite tedious, and keeping track of the multitude of characters is a challenge. And when RaeJean says, as she is analysing what she has learned “Before I delved more deeply into each card, I’d weed out people who didn’t support my hypothesis” the reader must wonder at just how balanced her conclusions will be.

The plot features hidden notes, abductions, blackmail, imprisonment, theft of historical documents, secrets, lies and a good dose of melodrama. Suspension of disbelief is required for RaeJean’s role as bait in a background FBI sting, and the motive a certain nasty character is less than convincing.

A protagonist who knowingly puts herself in danger, several times, without taking basic precautions loses some of the reader’s respect. Parts of the genealogy are convoluted enough to make the reader give up on following the threads: a family tree at the end would be helpful except it would contain spoilers.

The whole thing drags on rather too long, and it is hoped that the continuity issues are sorted out in the final version. This is a mystery that may appeal to genealogy enthusiasts who have the tolerance to sort out the confusing links, but less patient readers won’t be tempted by further books in the series.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harbor Lane Book LLC.

This truly indie book has a lot to recommend it. The story is intricate and interesting. The author is clearly well-versed in genealogy and historical research and it serves the narrative well. I would have loved for a bit more explanation on some of the finer points (how the narrator makes the connections she does) to satisfy my curiosity. The writer is less comfortable in imagining dialogue. Many of the conversations feel flat, especially in the midst of such a detailed story.

RaeJean Hunter is ask to investigate human remains. There is a question about who the body belongs to and who were her family. Since the body is over a century old she has to do a lot of research. There is also a desk with a mystery.
Thanks to Harbor Lane Books and to NetGalley for the ARC.

In a bid to heal from the grief of a personal loss, forensic genealogist, RaeJean Hunter, takes on a straightforward case -identify human remains found on a nearby college campus, believed to be the 180-year-old remains of Mary Rogers, a woman who died mysteriously in 1841 and was believed to have been buried in the nearby cemetery that had washed away. It should be simple enough, a project to get her back in the game. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes anything but. In fact, it becomes downright dangerous. Someone doesn't want RaeJean to investigate the puzzling death of the woman whose death inspired Edgar Allan Poe's "The Mystery of Marie Roget." As she follows clues through four states and discovers living family members who both help and hinder her search, she quickly realizes that the secrets of Mary Rogers' demise were never meant to be exposed. What lengths will someone go to keep the truth buried in the past? As threats escalate and RaeJean and her family's lives become endangered, she's forced to follow every lead and use every skill she has to find the answers she needs before it's too late. Using DNA from two famous New England families, historical data, modern genealogical techniques, and a little guidance from a seemingly mystical antique desk, RaeJean takes on the cold case despite being given every reason to abandon it. After all, what truths have been hidden for 180 years that would be worth bribery, kidnapping, and even murder? Lots of science here but explained in an interesting way. This book did drag in a spot or two but all in all a very entertaining mystery.

Book Review: The Desk from Hoboken by M.L. Condike

Rating: 3.5 Stars

As I delved into "The Desk from Hoboken" by M.L. Condike, I found myself immersed in the world of forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Mary Rogers. Initially drawn to the book to heal from personal grief, RaeJean's straightforward case of identifying human remains takes a perilous turn, leading her on a dangerous journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

From the start, the narrative captured my attention with its blend of historical facts, modern genealogical techniques, and a hint of mysticism surrounding an antique desk that guides RaeJean in her investigation. The story unfolds across four states, revealing long-buried secrets and escalating threats that put both RaeJean and her family in jeopardy.

While the premise of the Mary Rogers mystery and the forensic genealogy elements were undoubtedly intriguing, I found myself struggling with the pacing of the book as it approached the three-quarter mark. The plot became repetitive and convoluted, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story. However, despite these drawbacks, the novel still managed to maintain its grip on me, compelling me to see it through to its conclusion.

"The Desk from Hoboken" has the potential to be a standout read with its captivating premise and well-crafted characters. With some refinements to streamline the plot and eliminate unnecessary repetitions, this book could easily elevate its rating. Fans of mystery and genealogy will find this novel a worthwhile read, eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

For those intrigued by historical mysteries, suspenseful storytelling, and the intricacies of forensic investigation, "The Desk from Hoboken" offers a compelling narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Despite its flaws, this book sets the stage for a promising series that will likely resonate with fans of the genre.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I am interested in all things forensic science so this book was right up my alley. The storyline was interesting centering around a forensic genealogist. The story flowed nicely and the characters were well drawn. Highly recommend

I didn’t really like the writing here - it felt pretty juvenile. Maybe that’s the goal? It didn’t really come together for me.

Well this was fun! I love books with logic and science behind them, despite being fiction so learning about the role of forensic genealogist was right up my alley. Definitely a cozy mystery but it was a nice read and one I would recommend to friends

This is the first mystery I read featuring a forensic genealogist and I found it intriguing and entertaining. Well plotted, solid mystery, a cast of welll developed characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

As a genealogist, this book was intriguing. The plot, characters and writing kept me.reading to the end. A little slow in some.spots but still highly recommend for a fun read!

A clever plot with engaging characters. The tension builds throughout the story and keeps the reader captivated..There is a good mix of crime, drama, and mystery.
Many thanks to Harbor Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This mystery was so good! I loved all the twists and turns. I adored the main character RaeJean and I got so involved and vested in her story and investigation. If you like mysteries, history and investigative genealogy then you will love this book!!
I just reviewed The Desk from Hoboken by ML Condike. #TheDeskfromHoboken #NetGalley
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This novel was amazing! I loved the details of the research that the character did. What an amazing job she had. Perfect read!

Absolutely fantastic! Once I started this book I did not want to put it down. It can hold the reader captive and give a need and want to solve the mystery with the FMC.

I have never seen or heard of a genealogy mystery before, and it far from disappointed me. I really hope this becomes a series!

The only reason I didn't give it a five-star rating was because of the plot with the FBI - I think the book didn't need this plot point or twist to be good.

I love books that look at open cases from a new slant. The Desk From Hoboken is an investigation of the mysterious death of Mary Rogers in 19th century New York City, the same Mary Rogers that inspired Edgar Allen Poe's Marie Roget. The main character, RaeJean Hunter, is a forensic genealogist and the book follows a circuitous genealogical journey that begins when she accepts a case involving the authentication of human remains.

I found the genealogy interesting in general but had trouble keeping all the names and moving parts in tow. I finally gave up trying to remember who was who and that took away from my enjoyment of the book. A sub-plot was RaeJean's recent miscarriage and her resulting depression. I liked the parallel with various aspects of the story but would have liked to see a more dimensional look at her evolving emotional state.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harbor Lane Books for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book to those enjoy historical mysteries and have a serious interest in genealogy.

This book starts interesting but goes downhill fast. I found it rather tedious with all the information of genealogy, family diaries, and history that seemed to be repeated over and over. Thanks to author ML Condike, Harbor Lane Books, LLC, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was really looking forward to this book because I enjoy history and how it is linked together by stories, papers and photos. This book started strong with a mystery to solve using genealogy but I felt like it kept rehashing the same things over and over again. I guess in a time where mysteries are solved in a 1/2 hour on tv, this type of dogged detective work can get tedious.
In all honesty, I skipped through this story. So I am probably not the best to review it.
If you are really into details and genealogy then you will probably love this book.

Forensic genealogist, RaeJean Hunter, stumbles upon a seemingly straightforward case...identify the 180 year old remains of a woman found on a college campus. There is even already a presumed identity. But this straightforward case soon turns sinister, and RaeJean may find she has more than just her career on the line.

This fictional story combines modern forensics history, genealogy, and cold case techniques to solve the mystery that inspired Edgar Allan Poe's "The Mystery of Marie Roget." The story doesn't get bogged down in all the details, instead using them to tell the narrative and engross the reader in the mystery at hand. I found the story to be pretty even paced, with some definite wind up towards the conclusion. I enjoyed learning about the different disciplines used for this fictional case. RaeJean was a fun character to explore and I hope there are more books forthcoming in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harbor Lane Books, LLC for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book my only issue was trying to keep up with the family tree Rae was building. I wish there were illustrations at the end of the chapters that showed her progress with the tree.

It was so interesting to see what a forensic genealogist does and throw a mystery in there. The story follows a genealogist (Rae)who is hired to Identify the remains of a female who would have died over 100 years ago. She touches a nerve of a family member that doesn’t want their family secrets exposed.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for providing me with an advance copy ♥️

I just finished this book and I'm still reeling from the experience. RaeJean Hunter's journey to unravel the mystery of Mary Rogers' death is more than just a historical whodunit - it's a deeply personal exploration of the human psyche. What struck me most was how the author wove together DNA analysis and genealogical sleuthing to uncover the dark secrets of the past. It's a testament to the author's skill that I felt like I was right there with RaeJean, following the breadcrumbs and piecing together the clues. The writing is masterful, the plot is gripping, and the themes of family, power, and legacy will haunt me for a long time. If you're looking for a book that will challenge your assumptions and keep you up all night, this is it. Just be prepared for a wild ride that will leave you questioning everything!