Every time I think I’ve finally settled into my position as President of the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society, something happens. You would think that a staid Philadelphia institution would run smoothing after well over a century, but you’d be surprised at what really happens behind the scenes. I’m sure many institutions suffer from problems with documenting and caring for their collections, but I haven’t heard of many that attract crimes, including murders. Yes, plural.
And here I thought things were going well. We’d been approached by a Major Developer (one whose name is on a lot of buildings in the city) to check out the history of a property in the suburbs that he was planning to develop, because he didn’t want any nasty surprises. Well, he got them anyway, starting with the body of a local man in a pond on the land. I and another Society employee were unlucky enough to be on hand when the body was discovered. Not a good start for a major high-profile project.
Things got worse.
The victim was a zoning officer for the small township where the development was going to happen, and had no obvious enemies, so why had he been hit over the head with a rock and dumped in the pond? It didn’t take long for me to realize that it was more than a simple murder, and by the time we figured out what had really happened, there were more bodies, I had learned a lot about the history of the area—and I had helped to rewrite a small piece of the Revolutionary War. It’s not every day that someone in my position can say that.
But for me, that’s what preserving our history is all about, and why I like my job (in between finding bodies). I’m always surprised by the way the past intrudes in our lives today, and I want to make people recognize that. Philadelphia and the counties around us are so rich in history! Sadly, in the end we proved that the poor man in the pond had died because he was a history buff, and he found something that others had kept hidden for a long time.
You know, I met my, um─shoot, what do I call him? Gentleman friend? Boyfriend sounds stupid, but we’re not quite to the “partner” stage yet. But almost. Anyway, I would never have met him except that he’s a cousin of some sort to one of the Society’s board members, who comes from an old and distinguished Philadelphia family, and she dragged him to a party. Well, maybe that’s not true: he’s also an FBI agent, and with all the crimes I keep stumbling into, we probably would have crossed paths anyway. But I think he’d agree that we make a great crime-solving team.
You can read more about Nell in Razing the Dead, the fifth book in the “Museum” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Fundraising The Dead. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on June 24, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of RAZING THE DEAD. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Sheila Connolly is the New York Times bestselling author and the Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated author of three cozy mystery series. Her Museum Mysteries are set in Philadelphia; her Orchard Mysteries take place in small town Massachusetts. Scandal in Skibbereen is the second in her Ireland-based County Cork Mysteries, following Buried in a Bog. In 2013 she also published ebooks Relatively Dead, a paranormal romance, and Reunion with Death, a traditional mystery set in Tuscany.
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I’ve always had a soft spot for museums and history. I absolutely love the Museum series. I’ve read all but this one! I started reading Sheila with the Orchard mysteries. And, I’ve finished Buried in Bog. Still like museum series best with orchard coming in second! Thank so much for the giveaway chance.
Lindar, I still miss Philadelphia, even though I moved to Massachusetts more than ten years ago, so I had to create a reason to visit regularly. And there is so much to write about there!
I have a degree in history so this series is right up my alley. I love the research aspect of this character’s job. Very interested in reading this one!
Glad you enjoyed it, Marcy! My family lived in the area for many years, but I learned a lot that I had never known when I was doing research for this book–we writers want to get the details right! And only last week I was standing in the pouring rain in another battlefield pumping the nice tour guide for more information.
I enjoy all of her series.
This looks like a fun book, I love museums and history. Thank you for the chance to win
My Dad started me with museums and history by taking me to the great NYC museums when I was 5. I haven’t stopped loving both yet and 5 was a very long time ago,lol. I’d love to win/read this book and will be looking for the other books in the series
When I was small my grandmother lived in New York City, so I too grew up with the museums (always loved the mummies). And my father took me to the Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford PA when I was 16, and I’ve been going back ever since, whenever I can.
This sounds like a great series. Thanks for the chance to win!
I enjoy Sheila Connolly’s other series. I’d like to read this book also.
We took our kids to the museum all the time and now they are taking their kids. I’m looking forward to reading this book! Thank you!
I love museums and I love mysteries. What more can I say?! I have definitely added this series to my book list. Thanks Dru!
Sheila Connolly has transported me to Ireland, so I’m sure she’d take me right into museums, or one, anyway.
Nancy, it is a privilege to work in one (which I did), because you get to handle the “real” things–carefully! Like William Penn’s Bible or letters from long-gone presidents. I had to write about that!
I would love to read the series, thank you for the chance 🙂
Nell and her adventures always make me want to get on a plane to Philadelphia! I am a fan of museums and history (as well as mystery stories), so this series is a perfect fit for me!
I love this series and would love to win a copy!
Since I live about 2 hours from Philly and have been there tons of times, it’s fun to read about places I know!
You know, when I worked in the city I seldom had time just to walk around and enjoy myself (I hate to admit it took me five years to tour Independence Hall, and that was only because I had relatives visiting!). Now I can look at the details and take my time. It’s fun finding new things about a place you know.
I’ve enjoyed this series so far and I’m looking forward to reading this installment.
Sounds like a great series.
History teaches us so much – not the least of which that those who have gone before us were human beings – like all human beings.
Would love to read this book.
Love visiting different cities and museums. My kids and I would often go on my husband’s business trips with him and spend a couple of days exploring that city and any museums there. We always had so much fun and learned so many things. Been quit a while since we visited Philadelphia, so should be fun reading these books!!
Phildelphia is so rich in history, it makes such a great setting for this series! Can’t wait to read Nell’s latest adventure.
I’ve really been enjoying this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Fundraising the Dead…I’m going to see where I can get my hands on that one. This series sounds like one I’d like to read. Thanks for the review Dru Ann…always look forward to reading them.
Sandy in So. Cali
New series to add to my mile long wish list !
I have some catching up to do, I’ve read the first one and found it fascinating, I learned a few things. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Razing the Dead. I just got a copy of Fundraising The Dead today and should be reading it within the week.
I love this series. Looking forward to reading this latest book.
Museums always seem to me to house mysteries of all different types. Thanks for a chance to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Very true! Starting with “what the heck is this thing and where did it come from?” Museums are full of those (although they aren’t usually bodies).
I have absolutely loved all the books in Sheila’s Orchard Mystery series and have read one in this museum series but would love to read more. Also just got book one in her Irish series. Would love to read more. Great writing and so realistic.
Cynthia
Man friend? Book sounds great.
I enjoy all of Sheila’s series. I am looking foreword to reading this new one.
Former museum employee. Count me in.
I thoroughly enjoy your books, so this is a must.
a ‘must-read’ for me!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I just got one of Sheila’s books from the library today. Enjoy her books.
This book sounds really good. I would enjoy reading it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I haven’t read any of these, but I do have some of your books (orchard series and Sarah Atwell glassblowing series). I like museums, especially natural history museums. We don’t have one of those here in Toledo but do have an art museum. Once I saw an Egyptian exhibition there from the British Museum. I remember there was a lion statue inscribed to King Tut. It looked very heavy and I remember thinking it must’ve been hard for them to move it around! I like watching Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel and their other similar programs. I’d like to go to Philadelphia someday.
Thanks Sheila for interacting with my readers.
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