Cover Image: Revealing the Dead

Revealing the Dead

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Member Reviews

I have not been reading this series in order and really should be. I am quite enjoying it, but I think I would make more connections if I red this series start to finish.
I really enjoy the relationship between Ned and Abby.

Abby is not happy sitting home and just redecorating. she wants to make a contribution to the world at large. She also wants to better understand her gift, that she shares with Ned and Ellie.
Much of the book is an investigation into the lives of autistic children. There is a historical aspect, a social aspect and an educational aspect to this story. I found all of it fascinating, even when parts of it raised more questions than were answered.

This has mystery elements, but in a much more cerebral way.
If you have any experience with persons who are alternatively gifted, or differently experience the world, I feel you would find this very interesting.

There is some mild violence mentioned. It happened in the past but is being psychically experienced by those discovering the truth. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

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Revealing the Dead by Sheila Connolly is the sixth book in the Relatively Dead series. I had not read any of the other books when I started reading this one and I have to admit I was a bit lost because of that but I was still able to enjoy the book. I look forward to going back and reading the other books in the series that lead up to this one. This book is well written and entertaining.

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Princess Fuzzypants here: While I enjoy this series, I have to admit, I would not call it a mystery, not in the normal sense of the term. Yes, Abby has this incredible gift of being able to see her dead ancestors. As her abilities increase and she has the opportunity to interact with others who share her psychic talents, it seems more and more doors open. But with each door opening there are more questions. She wants to discover what it is and decide how best to use it.
In the traditional cozy mystery world, there are dead bodies. Unless you count the ancestors, there are none and no murderers to hunt. It is far more cerebral. The hunt is for information. In this outing, it is also the hunt for a way to use her skills to help others. There seem to be two independent stories going on, one that involves autistic children and another a family of plumbers who have a surprising link to Abby’s home. What appears to be stories that have nothing in common are in fact connected in an unusual way. It is enjoyable the way the tales are braided together. The reader is left with a hunger to journey farther with Abby and discover where it all leads.
So while it is not a typical mystery, it is well done and highly enjoyable especially if you are intrigued by genealogy and the paranormal.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

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My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 6 in the series.

Ms. Connolly is pretty much on my Must Read list. This series is a bit different than her others, since most of the mystery is based in the past and involves a physic element. That difference is actually what makes them interesting to me.

That said, I feel a little bit like the series is moving glacier slow. Abby spends more time researching than doing anything and frankly I am a wee bit bored. I'd rather see her trying to make a difference in her life and other people's lives, rather than just trying to figure out how to figure out who has this gift, haha.

It's still interesting enough that I will continue to read, and if the idea proposed in this book actually becomes reality, I think that will help a lot.

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Revealing the Dead by Sheila Connolly is the sixth installment in Relatively Dead Mysteries. Abby Kimball is still contemplating what she wants to do career wise. In the meantime, she is going to work on renovating the Victorian home she shares with New Newhall. Abby decides to start with the tiny half bath on the first floor and contacts Maguire Plumbing. After agreeing to do away with the unusable little room, Jack Maguire starts dismantling it. Inside the back wall he finds an old wrench that belonged to his father. Abby can tell that Jack got a psychic shock when he touched the tool, but he takes off before Abby can talk to him. She wonders how the tool got left inside the wall and wonders if Jack Maguire has similar special abilities. Through Ellie Walker, Abby is introduced to her new classmate, Danny Allen. Ellie believes that the young autistic boy has abilities similar to her own and they can communicate in a special way. When Abby gets an opportunity to meet Danny, she is surprised by the colorful visions she receives from him. Abby begins by researching the Maguire family tree and then learns more about autism. Abby soon learns that an incident from the past has startling implications for those in the present day. Join Abby on her journey in Revealing the Dead.

Revealing the Dead is not a standalone novel. Each book in the Relatively Dead Mysteries builds upon the previous one as Abby and Ned learn more about their special abilities. It was nice to catch up with Abby and Ned in Lexington. However, I am not thrilled with the direction the series has taken (too much science). I find myself frustrated with Abby. She has such a wonderful gift and she has failed to fully explore it. Abby spent a significant amount of time researching in this story which slowed down the pace of the book plus there was a lack of action. I thought the writing was stilted which is unusual for this author and there was too much repetition. I felt that Revealing the Dead could have used polishing. My favorite character is Ellie Walker. She is a smart young lady who is open and accepting of her gift. I like her inquisitive nature and her acceptance of others. It was wonderful the way she stood up for Danny against bullies (it was handled very well). I believe it is past time for her mother, Leslie to step up. She needs to work on her relationship with Ned and Abby for Ellie’s sake. The ending felt incomplete. We are not told what decision Abby made regarding the Birch School. I am hoping to see Abby’s character grow in the next book. She has yet to complete anything since the beginning of the series. It would be nice if there was less science and more paranormal. I am rating Revealing the Dead 3 out of 5 stars.

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Began this series awhile ago and it's been intriguing along the way with it's different subject and progress. Reading in order does help. Very strong stories with great characters and a way with weaving history throughout.

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Another in the series of Abby and Ned. Interesting book, but actually comes across as research on the reaction of Autistic children and ghosts. I liked it, but the early books that had more interaction with spirits and the past were more interesting for me. If you have read others in this series I would recommend it, as all the main characters are here.

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I am really enjoying this series and hope it continues. I love how the characters interact with each other and how history is woven through out the story line

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I was very happy to see the return of this series. I strongly recommend reading this series in order.
The premise is unique and written in an entertaining and engaging manner. The characters are learning about their skills along with the reader. Book six does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more in the series.

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