The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.1 | June 2023

Book reviews

The Foundlings – a Genealogical Crime Mystery

by Nathan Dylan Goodwin ISBN 9798481041421

This is the ninth book in a series (including the Novella) with the forensic genealogist Morton Ferrier, who uses the usual tools like BMD’s, Census, Newspapers, etc. but also Directories, Passenger Lists, DNA and American records, for example. Morton is investigating his Aunt Margaret’s half-sister found in a cardboard box in a distinctive bag shortly after her birth, with possibly two similar (linked?) cases developing into "The Foundlings" case, and also investigating a shocking piece of news about his grandfather. The story stems from the loose ends from the previous book “The Stirling Affair”. Starting off in Rye, Morton is going to Aunty Margaret’s in Cornwall for Christmas soon and will have to tell her of a family secret. All this is going on while his wife is heavily pregnant and with his young daughter’s antics! Along the way we are introduced to a new character, a woman Detective Sergeant from Sussex Police, which gives us an insight into how they worked such cases. And Morton’s own adoption brings an element to the story too. The story is centred round Sussex/Kent with excursions to Cornwall and the USA. The structure of the book alternates between the present day and the 1970’s. The pace picks up

as the trip to Cornwall draws near and finishes with a happy ending! Nathan has once again demonstrated his skill in excellent creative writing, but also included some new elements for us. The book was an easy read which draws one into the story such that, towards the end, one can't put it down. David Broomfield (#9363)

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