Fundraising the Dead

A friend (AC) sent me a number of books from this series. I did enjoy the story. I can see where a nonprofit historical society would have difficulty cataloging what they have and where they keep it (or where it should be when it's not out on request etc.) Though I do think some collections are now being digitized for easier public access. I know I've read instances where a researcher finds something of importance in a location that was either marked as holding something else or had been overlooked. So I would imagine that items can go missing or be misplaced--especially given the lack of technology present when some historical societies began.

Having just finished the author's Orchard series, I sort of expected Nell and Charles to form show more a team to investigate the issue--it was sad to see that their relationship was not the loving one that Connolly created in her other series. show less

Just before the big gala for the Historical Society's anniversary, Nell Pratt, the chief fundraiser, is confronted my one of the board members concerning some missing artifacts. Promising that she'll look into it and mentioning it to the chief cataloger, Alfred Findley, the party goes on, but the next morning Nell discovers Alfred dead in the stacks.

Since Alfred is the only one who knew had to access information about the Society's collections through the new computer cataloging system, Nell has a difficult time trying to track down the missing artifacts. The police rule Alfred's death accidental but as Nell delves deeper and deeper, she not so sure.

I loved the characters in this story, they were realistic, but they were funny and show more heartwarming and the baddies were the guys you really didn't like. The mystery part was fun with interesting facts about our history as well as preservation of old objects. A definite keeper. show less

I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and I had this in my TBR pile so decided it was time to finally read it. It made me want to read more of the series but I can't say this was the most compelling cozy I've ever read. It pulled me in because it's set in Philadelphia (who isn't drawn to books set in places they've actually lived?) & surrounding counties and had a historical preservation society fundraiser as the sleuthing heroine. Recently, it seems my favorite sleuths are book publishers, librarians or curators as there's a nice look in at the workings of those day to day careers from the inside as the mystery plays out.

I figured out ridiculously early who the thief was and was surprised Nell didn't. It's repetitious in places and show more meandered but I expect that was part of being a "set up to the series" story. Points also for giving characters last names of some familiar names in Philadelphia in Girard, Pratt & Drexel. I also enjoyed Nell's suburban commuter train mentions as it made me recall the same. I also will take away from this book that I really need a recipe for the Corn & Cheese Casserole that Marty Terwilliger makes here. I've never heard of or had it but it certainly sounded good. Recommended & I'll continue the series. show less

The first in the new Museum Mysteries. An amateur sleuth series with Eleanor (Nell) Pratt, fundraiser for The Society for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiques. These are set in current day Philadelphia.

Nell loves her job. To Nell she is doing her part to preserve our heritage. Of course every job has its less desirable aspects and Nell is swept up into the political minefield when influential board member Marty Terwilliger informs Nell that her family's historical document collection that was donated has an important letter from George Washington missing. Marty is adamant that something be done immediately.

Marty's timing couldn't be worse - only hours before an important gala fundraiser. But Nell takes a few moments to discuss the show more situation with Alfred who is cataloging all the massive collections they have. Alfred confides that he has noticed other important documents that appear to be missing. All are items that would bring a high price from black market collectors. By morning Alfred is found dead. The police declare it an accident.

Additionally, the Society's President, suave and charming Charles Worthington slow rolls addressing the missing documents. These developments rile Marty Terwiller who was related to Alfred and believes it was murder... and connected to the missing documents. Nell and Marty form an unlikely partnership and Marty drags her cousin, FBI Special Agent James Morrison into their plotting since stealing historical artifacts is the FBI's realm.

Nell is a competent, intelligent, self-sufficient and yet vulnerable character. She is your average woman in looks which makes her easy to identify with. But she also has an element of hutzpa that we all desire in ourselves which makes her character perfect for a sleuthing series. Marty is an assertive and influential woman who makes a good friend to Nell. I hope this character continues in the next book because she is great as the likable but loud and pushy side kick (or is that instigator?) Even Agent Morrison shines as a competent agent trying to crack the case while keeping Nell and Marty out of trouble. Could Agent Morrison be a potential love interest down the road?

The plot was solid. The only potential glitch was why a Board Member would seek out the fundraiser regarding a missing item rather than the collections director. Marty says it is because she knew Nell would take it seriously. Through most of the book the culprit is known but it is a matter of building up evidence and a case. There was one twist at the end and Nell finds herself in real peril. This story has enough of the real world without being dark or pessimistic. The wrap up even had change for Nell's career that will make the next book eagerly awaited to see how she fairs.

This is a stellar debut novel and I expect this new series to rapidly garner a fan base - and deservedly so. I had reviewed Ms. Connoly's latest Orchard Mystery that I enjoyed, but this new series has won me over!

If you love mysteries and suspense, visit my blog:
http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/ show less

The first book in a new series introduces us to Eleanor (Nell) Pratt, Director of Development for the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society in Philadelphia. Nell's fancy title just means that she's in charge of fundraising for the non-profit organization.

On the morning of the gala celebration of the Society's 125th anniversary, Nell is visited by Marty Terwilliger, who voices her concerns that items from her family's Collection have disappeared. Surprised that Marty chose to confide in her rather than the Society's librarian or collections manager (as well as a little annoyed by her timing), Marty placates her by promising to meet with her the following day.

Nell checks with the Alfred Findley, in charge of cataloguing and recording the show more collections, who admits that he'd noticed a few items "not where they were supposed to be". Although he had reported the discrepancies to Latoya Anderson, the vice president of collections, she had also assumed that the items were merely misplaced, a reasonable deduction considering the volume of uncatalogued materials they had.

The next morning, Nell arrives at the Society early, to prepare for the usual "morning-after" staff meeting, and discovers Alfred's body in the stacks. The initial conclusion is that he'd fallen from a high stool and hit his head on the edge of the metal shelving unit. Nell is content with that until she finds a list of missing items that Alfred left on her desk, realizes that all of them would be valuable to certain collectors, and decides to do a little investigating on her own.

Library/museum/archive mysteries seem to be popping up a lot recently, and this is one of the better ones. Nell is intelligent and behaves prudently. She checks her sources, doesn't jump to conclusions, and doesn't enter recklessly into dangerous situations. There's even a little comedy in the way that she and Marty attempt to entrap their suspect.

Connolly has come up with a great team in Nell and Marty, I look forward to getting to know them better. show less

Nell Pratt drifted into development, finally landing at the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society. After spending several years writing grant proposals and hitting up donors for extra money, the thought that there could be missing documents is worrying, whether through mis-cataloging or theft. Marty Terwilliger is from a very old Pennsylavnia family that has bequeathed many documents and items to the Society. After Marty discovers some of her ancestor's letters missing, Nell becomes involved in helping piece together what has happened. I enjoyed this new series very much. Nell is a likable character, surrounded by some great people, such as Marty and the stalwart FBI agent James Morrison. I hope to see some of the other Society workers and show more members expanded in another story! show less

The novel setting of this "series opener" is the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society in Philadelphia based on The Historical Society of Pennsylvania* which was founded in 1824, and is one of the nation’s largest archives of historical documents.

I first discovered cozy mysteries by Sheila Connolly when I read "Buried In a Bog" (Book 1 of the County Cork Series). I think the County Cork Series will always be my favorite series by Ms. Connolly as through a friend and work colleagues I've heard many charming stories about the country and daily life. It remains a travel dream to visit Ireland but with my reading passport I enjoy each escape to Maura Donovan's pub.

I will definitely continue reading the Museum Mysteries Series as Philadelphia show more is my Mother's hometown and from an early age visiting relatives to Mother's delight in being the tour guide to the city for family and friends from "out of town" I am very familiar with the city so all the setting descriptions brought a smile.

It's easy to notice the same "approach" for the main character Eleanor (Nell) Pratt as I discovered when Maura Donovan begins her sleuthing and that is the constant and repetitive questions that Nell asks of herself when she's reviewing the clues. But I came to like the character of Maura for other reasons and I already like Nell. Also, for those of us that have silently analyzed (either in our past or present) next steps many of those thoughts are repetitive too before admitting that the next step is clear. There's a hint of potential romance that always adds its own interest to a cozy and there's an interesting twist for Nell that sets up the potential for even more absorbing stories in the rest of the series.

This novel has received a lower star rating due to many glaring errors that should have been corrected by the editor assisting the author. As a former copy editor I am very distracted in my joy of reading the novel when these instances occur.

This type of error is the most irritating to me. I have substituted Xxxxx for the character's name so as not to provide a spoiler.

Chapter 8 - She (Marty) shook her head abruptly. "It's not that. Xxxxx's funeral will be on Tuesday. Will you let the staff know?"
Chapter 10 – Or so I thought, until she (Latoya) said, “Will there be a service?”
Nell’s answer: “Yes, tomorrow. I’ll send you the details.”
Chapter 11 – Opens with Nell returning to her home in Bryn Mawr on Saturday afternoon and also spending Sunday at home returning to work on Monday.
Chapter 12 – Timeline remains Monday.
Chapter 13 – Xxxxx’s funeral is indeed on Tuesday.

*More interesting facts about The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) include the formal transfer of ownership of its museum collection in 2009 to the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia (now the Philadelphia History Museum). HSP's building at 1300 Locust Street was designed by Addison Hutton and is listed on the City of Philadelphia's Register of Historical Places. If you don't have an opportunity to visit HSP in person, there are many digital offerings available online at https://hsp.org/history-online. show less