Book Review: Blood Relations

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Blood Relations     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Rett MacPherson
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Victory O'Shea # 6
St. Martin’s Minotaur, Hardback, 4/03, 242 pages, $23.95

Torie O’Shea is a local historian and genealogist in New Kassel, Missouri. There’s been a drought and as the depth of the Mississippi River lowers, a steamboat wreck, believed to be The Phantom which wrecked in 1919, has emerged.

There are many rumors, but the most prominent one seems to be that there was a cache of diamonds on board when it wrecked that have never been recovered. Soon treasure seekers from all over arrive in town. The sheriff, her step-father, has his hands full trying to keep people away from The Phantom.

After someone is killed, Torie and her friend, a reporter, dig for the truth. At the same time, Torie is trying to deal with the news of a half-sister she never knew she had. The wreck gives her a diversion, but her personal turmoil must be dealt with as well.

Can she find out the truth about the wreck and the diamonds as well as come to grips with the existence of her half-sister? What kind of relationship is she willing to have with her new half-sister?

I really enjoy this series. Torie is such a wonderful character and New Kassel is a great small town setting for this terrific cozy series. The townspeople are great, but yet they are very realistic. I feel as if I have been a visitor in their town by the time I finish a book in this series.

The steamboat wreck and the turmoil over finding about her new half-sister work well together. The author has done a great job of interspersing them but yet keeping them separate. I really enjoyed this book and love the series. I highly recommend this book!

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com