The Hatch and Brood of Time

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this puzzler!
Review: Don't miss this one, mystery lovers! Ellen Larson is an author to be reckoned with, as is her protagonist, Natalie Joday.  This well-paced puzzle-mystery builds and builds, weaving an intricate plot with intelligent writing and emotions that ring true. I was amazed at the dovetailing of details in this story.  Having been a detective, it drew me in as did the various characters, all real and delightfully unique.  They, combined with the ever-changing situation, wouldn't release me.  I had to keep reading. Larson understands people, so hold onto your seat, she may be profiling a bit of you in one of her players.  She captured my attention.  Can't wait to read her next book.

Rating:
Summary: Great mystery with very believable characters
Review: I could hardly put this book down. The mystery is gripping and the characters are realistic, with believable emotions and problems.

I especially liked Natalie Joday, who turned out to be a very practical and well balanced human being despite her difficult childhood.

The book is well written with a dash of humor and a hint of romance, and some very surprising twists.

I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Rating:
Summary: Great mystery with very believable characters
Review: I could hardly put this book down. The mystery is gripping and the characters are realistic, with believable emotions and problems.

I especially liked Natalie Joday, who turned out to be a very practical and well balanced human being despite her difficult childhood.

The book is well written with a dash of humor and a hint of romance, and some very surprising twists.

I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Rating:
Summary: Very strong plot line with excellent character development
Review: Move this one to the top of your TBR pile! Very well plotted. I particularily liked the way newspaper reporter Natalie Joday reflected on her past difficulies with the police, but didn't let her bad experiences cloud her decision making. I'll be watching for the next in the series to see how the hint of romance developes.

Rating:
Summary: ONE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN
Review: THE HATCH AND BROOD OF TIME is the first in a series of Natalie Jorday.

Natalie lives in the corner of northwestern New Jersey called Bergen County in a town called Haworth where she has lived her whole life. She is a newspaper reporter that has a talent for getting all the facts.

Natalie has a brother Daniel, who has been in trouble with the law most of his life and now an ex-girlfriend is found murdered, 26-year-old Lydia Dow who was very pretty and obsessed with danger and the high that it gave her, was found semi-frozen beneath the Parkway, she had been missing since Feb 8th, and police suspect that is the same day that she died. Daniel is a suspect because of his past with the police. Natalie feels that she is the only one to clear her brother. This story is about relationships, family betrayal, greed and Natalie must sift through this maze and clear her brother.

The unique characters are all real to life and any one of them could be the murderer. The author has created a woman (Natalie) as fascinating as her world is haunting. Natalie manages to uncover secrets of the past, even though some of them may hurt her and Daniel. What a fabulous character she is!

This is not just a mystery of "who did it?" but "why?" Ellen Larsen's first outing is a force to be reckoned with, expect big things from this author.

Rating:
Summary: ONE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN
Review: THE HATCH AND BROOD OF TIME is the first in a series of Natalie Jorday.

Natalie lives in the corner of northwestern New Jersey called Bergen County in a town called Haworth where she has lived her whole life. She is a newspaper reporter that has a talent for getting all the facts.

Natalie has a brother Daniel, who has been in trouble with the law most of his life and now an ex-girlfriend is found murdered, 26-year-old Lydia Dow who was very pretty and obsessed with danger and the high that it gave her, was found semi-frozen beneath the Parkway, she had been missing since Feb 8th, and police suspect that is the same day that she died. Daniel is a suspect because of his past with the police. Natalie feels that she is the only one to clear her brother. This story is about relationships, family betrayal, greed and Natalie must sift through this maze and clear her brother.

The unique characters are all real to life and any one of them could be the murderer. The author has created a woman (Natalie) as fascinating as her world is haunting. Natalie manages to uncover secrets of the past, even though some of them may hurt her and Daniel. What a fabulous character she is!

This is not just a mystery of "who did it?" but "why?" Ellen Larsen's first outing is a force to be reckoned with, expect big things from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Very strong plot line with excellent character development
Review: The murder of Lydia Dow is intricately and deftly woven into the emotional lives of Natalie and Daniel Joday. Daniel, the wayward brother who is short on confidence but long on compassion, has a history with the deceased. That added to his prison record put him high on the list of suspects. This is a story about relationships, family betrayal, greed, with just about everyone involved being a suspect. A tightly woven mystery in the first of the Natalie Joday series. I look forward to the next.