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Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
M.L. Condike’s The Doll from Dunedin: A Genealogy Mystery follows forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter. A jogger discovers the body of Jill Harriet Hamilton in Central Park, with her loyal dog lying beside her. A lawyer hires RaeJean to locate the primary beneficiary named in Jill’s will, which stipulates that the estate will pass to Columbia University if no heir is found within a year of Jill’s death. Six months have already passed, and RaeJean is in a race against time to find the heir. During RaeJean's search, she came across the decades-old disappearance of heiress Dorothy Arnold. This forced RaeJean to unravel two mysteries at once. Supported by her husband, Sam, RaeJean follows a trail of clues that leads to a doll once owned by Jill. As strange events unfold, RaeJean becomes convinced the doll is trying to communicate with her.
The Doll from Dunedin by M.L. Condike had my attention from the first page. The writing was out of this world in a mix of history, mystery, and the supernatural. The supernatural is intertwined with the plot, and it felt natural. The story was well researched, and the genealogical forensic detail was fascinating. I could not read enough about it and learned a lot. The characters were authentic and relatable. RaeJean is an expert genealogist, and her husband, Sam, supports her. Together, they are an excellent team. Some aspects are based on the truth, and Condike’s notes at the end of the book described everything in detail. This book was brilliantly written and can be read as a standalone. The book held my attention throughout, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
