Maggie Quinlan has hit rock bottom. A failed marriage to an abusive ex, the termination of yet another job, and the sudden death of her beloved father - what more could happen?
After her beautiful and wealthy cousin, Angelique, has everyoneâs DNA tested and the cousins find which historical family they share their DNA with, a trip to England is called for. However, it seems as though trouble has tagged along on their trip. But who is behind all the trouble and why?
As life-threatening occurrences continue to plague Maggie, she begins to find strength in a very odd person. Not only does she find herself along the way but also a string of people who will be forever entwined in her new life.
Tudor history meets modern-day mystery. This is a tale that has twists and turns and an ending fit for a king and a cast of endearing - and dangerous - characters.
Maggie Quinlan has hit rock bottom. A failed marriage to an abusive ex, the termination of yet another job, and the sudden death of her beloved father - what more could happen?
After her beautiful and wealthy cousin, Angelique, has everyoneâs DNA tested and the cousins find which historical family they share their DNA with, a trip to England is called for. However, it seems as though trouble has tagged along on their trip. But who is behind all the trouble and why?
As life-threatening occurrences continue to plague Maggie, she begins to find strength in a very odd person. Not only does she find herself along the way but also a string of people who will be forever entwined in her new life.
Tudor history meets modern-day mystery. This is a tale that has twists and turns and an ending fit for a king and a cast of endearing - and dangerous - characters.
The woman stared into the handheld mirror, horrified.
âI look like a circus clown,â she cried, throwing the mirror on the floor, causing it to slide into the base of an adjacent counter. The glass shattered loudly into hundreds of pieces. Everyone in the area of the Jenkins and Turner Department Storeâs cosmetic counter turned in surprise, trying to get a look at the ghastly scene emerging.
Maggie Quinlan, the red-faced cosmetic counter clerk, looked down at her hands, unable to speak. She was shaking like a Chihuahua on speed.
âMay I be of assistance?â a syrupy voice came from behind Maggie. The voice belonged to Assistant Store Manager Helen DâAgostino, Maggieâs daily nightmare.
âThis was supposed to be a makeover,â wailed the woman at the counter, âbut look what she did to me.â The woman thrust her face inches in front of Ms. DâAgostino, who backed away quickly.
Now that Maggie took a longer look at the womanâs face, she had to admit the woman did appear a bit clownish. She supposed her hand had been heavier than sheâd anticipated, but the store should have trained her better. Her face displayed wrinkles that looked like highways on a road atlas. The thick foundation Maggie had plastered on was laying deep inside each wrinkle, which separated each time the woman spit out words. It was also probably three shades lighter than her natural tone, Maggie admitted to herself, making her look zombie-like. Her eyebrows were a thick mass of black fur, and the eye shadow was so dark the woman looked like an extra in a horror movie.
Maggieâs eyes resumed their downward gaze after she studied her handiwork. Typical, she thought. She was failing again at a job and couldnât even help herself.
âI want thatâwomanâfired,â the customer screamed, pointing at Maggie.Â
Maggie tried to hide herself behind Ms. DâAgostino. The woman continued her tirade, arms flapping about. âSheâs not even wearing makeup. Why is she even in this department?â
Ms. DâAgostinoâs smile never left her face as she moved away from Maggie, putting her hand on the angry womanâs shoulder.Â
âThe store will be happy to give you a one-hundred-dollar gift card, and of course, you have my apology. Jenkins and Turner Department Store has always ensured their customersâ happiness comes first.â She turned to Maggie and furled her eyebrows. âAnd I will personally deal with this salesclerk myself.â
Maggie gulped and wrung her hands, wishing she could disappear altogether. Her long raven hair created a curtain that hid her reddening face.
The customer backed down a bit and her tone softened. âWell,â she began, âI guess thatâs all right.â She picked up another mirror and ran her fingers through her hair. âCould I get some cream to wipe this stuff off? I was going to meet my husband for dinner, but I obviously canât go looking like this.âÂ
Muffled laughs came from the group that had gathered around. The woman turned to glare at them, quickly scattering the onlookers.
Maggie watched as Ms. DâAgostino reached into her blazer and pulled out a gift card, handing it to the flustered woman.
âTake it to any cashier, and theyâll activate it for you.âÂ
She turned to Maggie. Never losing the sugar in her voice, she instructed Maggie to get some makeup removing cream and tissues for the woman.
At first, Maggie just stood there. All five feet ten inches of her were glued to the floor, disgusted with herself for freezing like she always did when someone was displeased with her. She longed to be able to stand up for herself, but somehow could never summon up the courage to tell people how she really felt. When would she ever grow a backbone?
âMaggie, dear,â said Ms. DâAgostino repeated, smiling through clenched teeth, âtissues and cream?â
Exhaling, Maggie nodded and headed off to another counter to retrieve the items.
âHonestly,â she heard the woman say, âthat girl is a menace. I hate to be a meanie, but she truly needs to find employment elsewhere.â
Maggie returned with the cream and tissues, deeply hurt by the customerâs comments. The woman grabbed them from Maggie before she could even offer them.
âAgain, maâam, please accept our apology.â Ms. DâAgostino gave a deferential bow to the woman, who grunted and walked off, wiping her face with the tissues, mumbling to herself.
Ms. DâAgostino turned to Maggie. âA word, Ms. Quinlan.â She turned on her heels and Maggie had no choice but to follow.
History, Mystery, Murdery is an easy read that you can finish in a few days. The overall story idea was original and I enjoyed the little history lessons. I learned quite a bit about Anne Boleyn, which was interesting.
However this book really could have used an extensive editing session. There was a lot of telling instead of showing so I never got fully invested in the story. The characters fell flat for me and felt completely fleshed out. I wanted to get to know them better and like them, but I felt kind of eh about all of them throughout the book. There was quite a bit of repetition and it definitely pulled me out of the story when I read another sentence about Maggie and courage.
The idea and the story is there. This could be a great little mystery, but it just didnât feel ready to be published to me. I think an editor could have helped this book out a lot.
I liked the twists and turns. And the ending did a great job of wrapping everything up. I enjoyed the way the clues unraveled so you learned along with the characters about what was happening.
This book is worth reading if you enjoy easy, lighter, more like cozy mysteries. I would be curious to read this authorâs next book, to see as they get more experience if their writing pulls you into the story more. I think this author can come up with more original stories. But in order for me to give it a higher rating, even though I liked the overall story idea, I really needed the characters to feel more and for the storyline to flow better with more genuine emotions. Some actions of the characters felt very fake, like I couldnât imagine really people doing that.
3 stars, so worth reading but needs more work.