Family Mistakes: long lost love, secrets and the search for the truth

Family Mistakes is the second book of the Ellie McLellan Genealogy Mystery series by Beth Farrar. After finding hidden love-letters inside an old wall during a home renovation, Ellie McLellan faces another family mystery. As she tries to deal with the magnitude of the discovery, her friend, Ruth, shows up on her doorstep. With the letters in hand, Ruth discovers her sister’s dusty journals that reveal a terrible secret: Shirley, the person she trusted the most in the world, has lied to her. Ellie is driven to help Ruth discover the truth and bring her some resolution to her questions. Using her tools and knowledge of genealogy and the paper trails left behind, Ellie sets out to find why Shirley lied? Can Ellie find the truth? Can the truth completely destroy the relationship between Ruth and Shirley?

 Picking up immediately after the end of Family Secrets, readers are taken on an adventure of long-lost love, sibling jealousy and healing. As a fan of genealogy, I love that family mysteries are being solved and long asked questions find answers. My heart broke for Ruth as she discovered a betrayal that shook her to her very soul. Shirley was a hard character to care for as I didn’t understand her reasonings. However, the conflict between Ruth and Shirley was very real and its resolution was very real as well. I enjoyed that at the end of Family Mistakes, readers are given a tidbit into the mystery to be solved in book 3. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series! I highly recommend Family Mistakes. I also recommend reading Family Secrets first. 

Family Mistakes is available in paperback and eBook

Family Secrets is available in paperback and eBook

Family Secrets: a story of family, loss, grief and learning to live again

Family Secrets is the first book in the Ellie McLellan Genealogy Mystery series by Beth Farrar. Widowed genealogist Ellie McLellan has spent the last four years carefully building a new and quiet life. After her husband and daughter were killed in an accident, she has desperately fought for her privacy from the hungry paparazzi. Her quiet life is shattered when she instinctively saves a young boy’s life and it’s caught on camera. Now the relentless Diane Cooper has found her and is determined to get her story. When Ellie discovers a family secret, a secret that could destroy the only family she has left, she uses her skills as a genealogist to track down the truth. A truth she may or may not want to truly discover. She would do anything to protect her family, even if it means it costs her her peaceful life. 

A little birdie told me about this great new book by debut author Beth Farrar. Intrigued by the premise and my love of genealogy, I eagerly bought the book. WOW! was the word that crossed my mind as I closed the book. From the opening pages, it was a hard book to put down. Ms. Farrar wrote a gripping story of family, loss, grief and finding the strength to live again. My heart broke for Ellie as her story is revealed. I truly hated Diane and her cutthroat tactics. I enjoyed the cast of characters who support and protect Ellie. The truth behind the family secret was great and intriguing. It left me smiling and crying at the great heartwarming moments. I eagerly wait for the second book in the series, Family Mistakes. If you love a deeply moving story, I highly recommend Family Secrets. 

Family Secrets is available in paperback and eBook