Paradox Forged in Blood

Paradox Forged in Blood by Mary Frances Fisher is an interesting murder mystery that spans a lot of years. There's a lot of sadness in the beginning but the author soon pulled me into the story as we read about Ellen O'Malley's story from frightened girl to a woman whose secret has tormented her. But Ellen isn't the only character we meet in this story. The author weaves multiple characters and storylines, spanning decades, all to bring us one final, surprising conclusion. I had difficulty keeping track of so many characters and the different storylines in the beginning but the author provides a nice guide to help the reader. The mystery is a slow unfolding of "who done it" and I have to admit I was kept guessing.

Paradox Forged in Blood has intrigue, but it's much more than a murder mystery or a war novel. It's a family saga about self-discovery and coming to terms with the past while looking toward the future. The fact that the characters are based on the author's family made it much more interesting.

I found this book really interesting to read. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was the author's own family history that made me keep reading. When you first start reading it is kind of confusing with all the different people introduced but you do figure them all out. It makes sense all the different people because when you get to the end, they all tie in together. I couldn't believe the way everyone was so intertwined in their lived with each other, even when you didn't know it. The history was fascinating to read. If you enjoy a murder mystery, history and twists this is your book to read.

I enjoyed this book, it wasn't what I was expecting because it was described as being "historical" and a "mystery", and I think it's probably more a family saga with historical and mystery elements within it.  I found it a good read, very different from the books I normally read, and I'll look forward to the author's next one.

"......Ellen saw the myriad of webs doled out by fate as lives intersected through one tragic event ... their consequential acts created ripple effects ..."

Though fiction (based on a family history handed down), this made for an enthralling story - you just have to continue reading to finish to see where this cold case meets its conclusion. I felt mentally exhausted - in a good way - after reading as there are a lot of characters wandering in and out as we are taken back in time to the tragic events that set off a "ripple effect" over the many years later.

" ... the past is a fabric upon which our lives are woven ..."