THE DOLL FROM DUNEDIN
By ML Condike
Historical Mystery / Genealogy Mystery
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books
Pages: 428
Publication Date: October 22, 2024
SYNOPSIS
The Doll from Dunedin is the sequel to the 2024 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal winner in Fiction – Mystery – General, The Desk from Hoboken.
Still reeling from the dangers of a recent case, forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter takes on a supposedly routine case to locate the missing heir of a woman she met in Central Park a year ago. Tantalized by a hefty income, she accepts.
But there’s a catch-she must find the heir within six months or the forty-million-dollar estate is donated to a local university.
With the tight deadline comes the chance of a sizeable bonus, a series of unforeseen obstacles, and the unexpected connection to a cold case from 1910, when perfume heiress Dorothy Arnold disappeared without a trace.
Armed with only her genealogical skills, the books and historical documents she unearths, and an antique doll that seems to be guiding her toward the answers she needs, RaeJean faces dangerous events that threaten to shatter her world and challenge her to meet the deadline. Her travels throughout the United States and New Zealand in search of answers bring with it its own question: Will she find the heir before time runs out?
But someone doesn’t want her to solve the case. The clock is ticking, and it will take every ounce of grit RaeJean has to solve this mystery and outwit the dangers that threaten her present while she sifts through the past.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ML Condike’s novel, The Doll From Dunedin released October 22, 2024, is the second book in her genealogy mystery series. The first novel, The Desk From Hoboken (March 5, 2024), received a gold medal in the 2024 Readers Favorite, General Mystery category. Her stories blend facts with fiction, using historical records and current technology to solve century-old cold cases.
She’s published in seven anthologies including Granbury Writers’ Bloc (2019, 2022); Key West Writers Guild (2023); and SinC North Dallas (2022, 2023, 2024).
She’s a member of MWA, Florida Chapter, Sisters in Crime National, Sisters in Crime North Dallas, Granbury Writers’ Bloc, and Key West Writers Guild.
My Review
This second installment in the Forensic Genealogist RaeJean Hunter series packs a punch with its gripping mystery full of intrigue, danger, and historical twists. What starts as a straightforward assignment to locate the missing heir to a $40 million fortune quickly spirals into a labyrinth of contradictory research, unexpected connections, and increasingly perilous turns. The path RaeJean follows is anything but clear, and the twists keep coming right up to the final pages.
RaeJean’s determination and sharp expertise are front and center, driving the story as she untangles the web of clues. That said, her character can feel a bit flat at times, leaving readers wishing to be shown more emotional nuance and personal depth. Fortunately, the plot more than makes up for it, offering a tightly woven mystery that invites readers to play detective alongside RaeJean.
One standout feature of the series is the author’s knack for infusing seemingly ordinary objects with a dash of something extraordinary—this time, an antique doll with a mysterious pull. Coupled with the inclusion of the real-life cold case of Dorothy Arnold, these elements add a compelling richness to the narrative.
A trip into the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand and its vividly described settings bring the story to life. Fans of genealogical sleuthing and smartly plotted mysteries will love piecing together the clues in this thrilling blend of historical intrigue and modern danger. This is a series worth following!
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Jennie Reads 
Great review! I loved this book and look forward to now going back to the first in this author’s Genealogy Mystery series.
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