Jayne looks for evidence of a WWI marriage to gain a long disputed inheritance. ( )

I found the blurb really intriguing, about a genealogical investigator searching for answers to why there is no evidence to support claims that a couple married in Gretna Green during WW1. Jayne Sinclair is contacted by Mark Russell to find out if it true that his great-grandmother Rose Clarke married Captain David Russell, the eldest son of Lord Lappiter in 1916. They have only a couple of days to find out the truth before the property and the money will pass to the crown since the line became extinct in 1986.

As a long-time fan of mysteries in the past did I not hesitate when I got the chance to read the book. I also really liked the idea of a genealogical investigator as the main character and I loved reading about how Jayne Sinclair conducted her search. The plot in this book is interesting, with a young woman marrying a man above her status and the Captains family's resentment to her. I was fascinated to read about the suffragette movement and how involved Rose Clarke was with it. It's a sad story, Rose Clarke's story is not a happy tale, she claimed she married the man she loved, but when questioned couldn't she prove it and no until present time is someone trying to find out the truth.

However, there was one thing that just didn't work for me with this story and that was the laughable villain Herbert Small, I'm sorry I just couldn't take him serious one bit. His constant drinking of warm milk to soothe his stomach was just ridiculous. Sorry, but as a villain in a story was he really bad. I would have liked a more interesting and threatening person to try to stop Jayne Sinclair to find out the truth.

But, all and all is it an interesting story. The storyline from 1916 was moving, especially reading about how belittled women were at that time. What they had to go through to get the chance to vote is horrifying. Sitting here writing this review makes me think of all the women who fought and went to prison for their beliefs. It's something that we should be thankful for, and proud!

I want to thank the TBConFB for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede ( )

As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Irish Inheritance, The Somme Legacy is even better. This second book makes for compulsive reading. Not only does it have a moving love story, in its dual timelines (1916 and 2016) the author gives us a real taste of life during World War I both in the trenches and in hospitals and homes away from the front lines. The history of the suffragettes is also touched upon, and Lee successfully manages to weave all this history into his story without dulling it or slowing the pace. He also creates some memorable characters. Rose will stay with me for a long time, and Herbert Small and the Russell family are the sort of villains that readers love to hate.

Rose's life as a suffragette and as a woman forced to live out her life in an asylum is the beacon in The Somme Legacy. As Jane learns Rose's story, she refuses to give up her search for the truth-- Rose's truth-- that everyone refused to believe a century ago. Rose's plight also shows how having a person declared insane can completely change the dynamics of a family with lasting effects even a century later.

Jayne's investigation is fascinating. Yes, readers learn about inheritance laws in the UK, but it's how she methodically works to track down the missing documents she needs that draws readers ever deeper into the story. Her job is an extremely difficult one because-- unbeknownst to her, an obstacle course has been deliberately set up so that she will fail. With my sympathies firmly for Rose, M.J. Lee certainly had me cheering on Jayne Sinclair as she works against the clock to prove Rose was right.

Jayne's background as a police officer helps her in more ways than one-- even providing a needed bit of humor now and again. With this second book being even better than the first, I can't wait to get my hands on the third-- The American Candidate! ( )