For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy—to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact—seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse—horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim. Prudence Merryfield. Lady Adventuress. A man might not deem her so, for unlike the heroes of most adventure tales, she sought neither to conquer nor to name. Not a single mountain, not a lone river, not an empty space upon a map. It was her own self she wished to discover. The terra incognita of the interior.’ Kai imu į rankas Tess Gerritsen romaną iš Ricoli ir Ailz serijos, žinau, kad bus įdomu. Ir šį kartą mano nuojauta nesuklydo: daug paslapčių, dinamiški įvykiai ir mano mylimi veikėjai. Labai patiko pasirinkta archeologijos ir istorijos tema. I loved that a recently discovered heirloom might solve a family mystery that, in 200 years, has not been forgotten by the family or escaped the local area’s continuation of rumors of the past. The author weaved mystery, relationships, betrayal, jealousy, friendship, love, independence, and travel into the fabric of her story, which also shares cultural restrictions of women in the 1800s. The novel shares women's complexities, reflections, and emotions in their wishes for their future, sometimes in conflict with expectations by family and society and sometimes only because of expectations they perceive or withhold them from moving forward. The author developed a very imaginative and engrossing narrative using the discovery of an heirloom to envelope the MC into a dual-time novel. The characters are believable and sympathetic. The book enlightens the reader about the plight of the women of the 1800s and early 1900s. Treachery was rampant as men thirsted for the riches they could not obtain lawfully. Enjoy the adventure! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Who was “Madame X”, and how did she come to be at the Crispin Museum in Boston? Moreover, why do other well-preserved, pseudo-ancient remains keep appearing? Are the deaths of these women related? Unable to determine a cause of death without organs, Dr. Isles cannot proceed. It is up to Jane Rizzoli and her partner, Barry Frost, to investigate. Jane gets weird vibes about a young female archaeologist who is employed at the museum. Frost seems smitten by her. Oh-oh. Frost is a married man. What’s going on there? And will it affect his work on this case? Prudence and her maid Bessie set sail for Calcutta, Singapore and eventually Sydney, Australia. But fates were destined to alter the course of their journey and Prudence subsequently met Lupelele and her family, staying with them, learning their ways, for over a year, until she was found. But what would her future be? Her return to Westcott Hall should have been a happy one, but her discontent affected her life on a daily basis...

Personalised Christening Gifts

The morning after Prudence’s father’s funeral, the Will was read and she discovered she had been betrayed. This riveting tale entranced me. With its seamless transition between two time worlds, distinct descriptions, explosive plot, welcoming settings (on land and sea) and well-crafted dialogue, it sings with perfection. I was wonderfully transported deep into the heart of the story following every bend in the road and every swallowing wave of the sea. This is a rich tapestry. Although the Samoan and Somerset villages are products of an author’s imagination, it is clear that Julie has done extensive research on the Polynesian culture and that of early 1800s England to deliver such believable authenticity. The Keepsake is a psychological thriller that builds effortlessly around an archaeological theme, drawing in all sorts of horrors such as shrunken heads, bog people, tanned bodies displaying rictus death masks. Behind it all is a killer long history of collecting bodies as personal keepsakes.

Business took off in many different ways and I found myself opening a retail shop which a year later I expanded into a premises three times the size. These were some of my hardest years but boy was it worthwhile. I not only leant so much from employing people to epos systems to merchandising but I got to meet my customers each and every day. I got to watch as they opened their keepsakes in front of me and hear them gasp with wonder at the stunning piece of silver in their hands or the life sized casting which was sure to remain in their family for generations to come. I was even featured on the BBC.. my five minutes of fame!The Keepsake has a dual timeline, it goes between 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other, and Eliza want's to uncover what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago. Forensic psychologist profiling the killer: "He didn't want to let them go, so he turns them into keepsakes that will last forever."

maybe the notion of safety was just that - a notion. A fancy. And you could become lost in the storm, no matter how hard you clung to the mast. Maybe sometimes you just needed to let go.’ A gripping read that had me hook, line and sinker. There are lots of twists until the final revelation. The first edition of The Keepsake was initiated by the engraver Charles Heath, who initially approached the publisher John Murray but entered an agreement with another publisher, Hurst, Chance, and Co., to publish the first volume. [2] Editors [ edit ] The Keepsake is an exceptional dual timeline historical novel by Aussie author Julie Brooks and I loved it! I found Lupelele and her rebellion, plus her attachment to Prudence intriguing, the simple lifestyle of the Samoan people calming. The main setting in Somerset, England was the focus of the current day setting and a lot of the earlier story, with Prudence's travels poignant and harsh. I thoroughly enjoyed The Keepsake and recommend it highly.I love historical fiction and this added the extra touch of a mystery . . . I would love to read more from Julie Brooks!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review