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M J Lee
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The Irish Inheritance (Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by M J Lee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 8,330 ratings
Sometimes, digging up the past reveals more than secrets…

Former police detective, Jayne Sinclair, now working as a genealogical investigator, is commissioned by an adopted American billionaire to discover the identity of his real father.

She has only three clues to help her: a photocopied birth certificate, a stolen book and an old photograph. She soon realises somebody else is on the trail of the mystery. A killer who will stop at nothing to prevent Jayne discovering the secret hidden in the past

The Irish Inheritance takes us through the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Irish War of Independence, combining a search for the truth of the past with all the tension of a modern-day thriller.

It is the first in a series of novels featuring Jayne Sinclair, genealogical detective.

“A wonderful saga."

"The final twist was a masterstroke."

"For anyone who loves history or Ireland!"

"This is a brilliant well told story. Very well written and had me gripped all the way through.”

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  1. Book 1 of 11
    Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mysteries
  2. Print length
    332 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
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  5. Publication date
    June 15, 2016
  6. File size
    1.6 MB
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  1. Never in the history of human discourse had telling somebody to calm down ever calmed them down.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This genealogical mystery was both enthralling and baffling in equal measure. I had no idea what the end result would be, which kept me gripped . . . I really enjoyed it and will look out for more in this series.-- "Lynsey James, author of the Luna Bay series"

About the Author

Martin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another. As a University researcher in history, he wrote pages of notes on reams of obscure topics. As a social worker with Vietnamese refugees, he wrote memoranda. And, as the creative director of an advertising agency, he has written print and press ads, tv commercials, short films and innumerable backs of cornflake packets and hotel websites. He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai, winning awards from Cannes, One Show, D&AD, New York and London Festivals, and the United Nations. When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, researching his family history, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.

Product details

  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 8,330 ratings

About the author

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M J Lee

M J Lee

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Martin is a writer of contemporary crime, historical and genealogical mystery novels.

When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, researching his family history, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.

He can be contacted at writermjlee.com, on Facebook at writermjlee, on twitter, you guessed it, @writermjlee. He's nothing if not original with his internet domains.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
8,330 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this genealogical mystery for its interesting twists and turns, substantial historical content, and well-researched genealogical aspects. The book is well-written and engaging, with customers noting it held their attention from the first page, and they appreciate the strong female protagonist. While some customers find it a fast read, others mention it starts a bit slowly.

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287 customers mention "Plot"261 positive26 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, which is filled with history and intrigue, featuring unexpected twists at the end that keep readers engaged until the conclusion.

"...Excellent background data of a historical time. Meshed with a spell binding rendition of the second timeline to move you through the book." Read more

"...I liked Jayne, and her investigation was a fast-paced and intriguing one. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series." Read more

"...U O tt :/ Interesting book, easy read and a well developed story. I plan to read more books by this author." Read more

"...I think the author would make an excellent contribution to historical fiction, but there is some growth needed in tellig mystery stories." Read more

170 customers mention "Readability"167 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth the investment, with one mentioning it grabbed them from the beginning.

"...hamper Jayne's investigation was rather obvious to me, I enjoyed the book a great deal...." Read more

"...U O tt :/ Interesting book, easy read and a well developed story. I plan to read more books by this author." Read more

"...characters in the Easter Rebellion and the events in Dublin to be very well done, and provided a compelling look into the personalities of the..." Read more

"...This was a fascinating wonderfully satisfying book. I highly recommend it." Read more

115 customers mention "Genealogical research"115 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's genealogical content, describing it as an excellently crafted mystery that incorporates substantial amounts of true history and uses ancestry to track hidden secrets.

"...I enjoy reading historical fiction. Excellent background data of a historical time...." Read more

"...Since I am Irish I found the descriptions of this time period fascinating ...." Read more

"...become independent from British rule is told here by using modern genealogy research that involved militants involved in the Easter uprising...." Read more

"...researched, the main character interesting, and the genealogical detective work intriguing. Looking forward to reading other books in the series." Read more

66 customers mention "Writing quality"51 positive15 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well laid out and an easily readable trip, with one customer noting the author's clear descriptions of places.

"...U O tt :/ Interesting book, easy read and a well developed story. I plan to read more books by this author." Read more

"...She really knows her stuff. This book was well written and keeps the reader enthralled." Read more

"...with the context of history and genealogy well researched and carefully laid out...." Read more

"...The book is full of filthy language! Even one of the characters in the book made a statement about the filthy language...." Read more

64 customers mention "Character development"60 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting and well-written, with one customer noting that Jayne is a strong female character.

"...The characters were interesting as the the story moved between two time lines...." Read more

"...the events in Dublin to be very well done, and provided a compelling look into the personalities of the participants on the Irish side...." Read more

"...shows a great deal of historical research, a great plot and well developed characters...." Read more

"...The Irish history was well researched, the main character interesting, and the genealogical detective work intriguing...." Read more

25 customers mention "Interest"21 positive4 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, holding their interest from the first page to the end, with one customer mentioning they read it every spare minute.

"...She really knows her stuff. This book was well written and keeps the reader enthralled." Read more

"...The story here is interesting and engaging and the author was clear and vivid in the explanations of both historical scenes and present day...." Read more

"Intriguing story. Held my interest. Very well researched on Irish Revolution. A nice unexpected twist at the end...." Read more

"...It's in a class of its own, fun, educational (but) in a story that you you could sit down and read to the family out loud and keep their attention." Read more

18 customers mention "Research quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's research quality, finding it excellent and informative, with one customer noting how it rang all the bells and whistles of research.

"...Highly entertaining, a page turner, and informative to boot!" Read more

"This well researched work contains many tangled facets...." Read more

"...It's in a class of its own, fun, educational (but) in a story that you you could sit down and read to the family out loud and keep their attention." Read more

"Jayne is a smart & determined protagonist! This is a great read for those interested in history, mystery, and a rollicking good story!" Read more

39 customers mention "Pacing"27 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced and a fast read, while others note it starts a little slow and has a slow takeoff.

"...I liked Jayne, and her investigation was a fast-paced and intriguing one. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series." Read more

"The Irish Inheritance is a fast paced excellent read. I was immediately drawn into the story by the characters, especially Jayne Sinclair herself...." Read more

"This book was a little slow to catch my undivided attention but when it did it hav me right up to the end...." Read more

"...A well written fast moving story full is new turns!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The dual timelines worked well in telling the story. I enjoy reading historical fiction. Excellent background data of a historical time. Meshed with a spell binding rendition of the second timeline to move you through the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cathy G. Cole
    4.0 out of 5 stars I'll be back for more
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The Irish Inheritance deals with two timelines. One during the time of the Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence and the second in 2015 with Jayne's investigation. I'm always on the hunt for genealogical crime fiction since so many mysteries deal with long-buried secrets anyway. This first Jayne Sinclair mystery intrigued me for two reasons: one, that the genealogical investigator was a woman, and two, she is a former police detective. I thought this would make a change from the other similar series I've read where the main characters were all amateurs and male.

    It did make a difference. Jayne may be saddled with a self-absorbed jerk of a husband, but her years on the police force certainly help her in knowing how to conduct investigations and interviews. Any attempts to intimidate her merely make her angry, and she also knows how to protect herself, which certainly comes in handy in this book.

    One thing that amazed me (and shouldn't have) was when someone in the present-day timeline remarked, "There was fighting in Ireland?" Not everyone lived through all the IRA bombings in England, and few people seem interested in learning about their own history, which is why we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. But to get back to The Irish Inheritance, although the identity of the person trying to hamper Jayne's investigation was rather obvious to me, I enjoyed the book a great deal. I liked Jayne, and her investigation was a fast-paced and intriguing one. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book because of my interest in geology but I found at immediate interest in the story itself. The characters were interesting as the the story moved between two time lines.

    The story is about an ex-police detective whose new job is tracing family histories. She accepts a job for an older man who is dying. From there the author has the story from the past to current times as she hunts for the truth. An addition interest to this story is that the past is during the Irish rebellion in 1916. Since I am Irish I found the descriptions of this time period fascinating . In fact I am now planning to do research in to my Irish roots.

    U
    O tt
    :/

    Interesting book, easy read and a well developed story. I plan to read more books by this author.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • M. R. Haubrich
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some very good writing mixed with a mediocre plot line
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The book looks into a connection to The Easter Rebellion, and Jayne Sinclair investigates. I found the writing on the characters in the Easter Rebellion and the events in Dublin to be very well done, and provided a compelling look into the personalities of the participants on the Irish side. The descriptive narrative in the historical scenes placed me, as the reader back in those desperate days.

    It was disappointing that the modern connection hinged on an average mystery novel plotline. While Jayne Sinclair's personal live was unraveling, we didn't get much of exposition into the reasons for her distance from her husband, it's just presented as a plot device but there isn't much depth to it. Since this is only part one, perhaps that will be developed in the future. But she may as well just be single for all the interplay with her husband. There is also a thin subplot about a hitman, but it seems introduced as an afterthought in order to add tension to the modern thread. I skimmed through those bits.

    I see potential here. I think the author would make an excellent contribution to historical fiction, but there is some growth needed in tellig mystery stories.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • jom
    4.0 out of 5 stars good story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A twist at the end bring the story together. Sometimes Jayne, the main character, seems too strong, too lucky?, and even not very smart about her surroundings, but that’s what make fiction.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Suzanne.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Using genealogy to teach Irish History
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The story of how the Irish were able to become independent from British rule is told here by using modern genealogy research that involved militants involved in the Easter uprising. Though names were fictitious , the events could have happened to any one involved in the tumultuous times. Book shows a great deal of historical research, a great plot and well developed characters. (Some based on real people) Be prepared to read it straight through!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dianne Reed
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have Irish blood in my ancestry and wish Jayne would be available to find the beginnings of my family. She really knows her stuff. This book was well written and keeps the reader enthralled.
    One person found this helpful
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  • AMC
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I finished the book in a day. I didn't want to put it down. The Irish history was well researched, the main character interesting, and the genealogical detective work intriguing. Looking forward to reading other books in the series.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting read
    Reviewed in Australia on April 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fantastic merge of genealogy, mystery and intrigue. I loved the central character and look forward to reading more of her stories.
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  • Jacqueline Sidwell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great genealogical mystery
    Reviewed in France on December 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    If you like a good genealogical mystery, this book, combined with the History of the Irish rebellion is really interesting. The ending is satisfying for the ex police detective, independent researcher, and her client but not so much for other characters! A good read if this is the genre you like
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  • Written Path
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting series
    Reviewed in India on September 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I've read only this book so far and I'd totally recommend it. Looking forward to reading more books in this series. It's well written and the only minor glitch I felt was that, why was the genealogy detective, Jayne SInclair, married to begin with, when the marriage is in trouble in this very first book? Couldn't she have been made a divorcee or a single woman because her marital status adds little to the plot anyway?
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A New Take on Mystery stories.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Jane Sinclair is a retired police woman who offers her talents as a genealogical investigator In book 1 she must unravel the mystery behind an adoption in order to find a dying man the answer to his question “who am I”? You will be so intrigued by this well written tale you won’t want to put it down. A truly unique approach to a mystery definitely a winner. .
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  • marameerblau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spannende Spurensuche
    Reviewed in Germany on February 13, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Der erste Fall für Jayne Sinclair, eine frühere Polizistin, die sich auf Ahnenforschung spezialisiert hat. Ihr Kunde, ein betagter amerikanischer Geschäftsmann, wurde in den 1920er Jahren aus einem irischen Waisenhaus in die USA adopiert. Bevor er stirbt, möchte er noch erfahren, wer sein Vater war und beauftragt Jayne mit der Spurensuche. In zwei Zeitebenen wird eine spannende Geschichte erzählt, die uns bis zum Osteraufstand in Irland zurückführt. Lebendige Charaktere, eine schlüssige Geschichte - ich freue mich auf weitere Fälle mit einer sympathischen Ermittlerin !
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