The Keepsake: A Novel

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The Keepsake has a dual timeline, it goes between 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other, and Eliza want's to uncover what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago. A gripping story full of family secrets: the price of love and loss within two generations . . . convincing and poignant‘ LEAH FLEMING For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy–to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact– seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse–horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim. Julie Brooks detailed research gives a depth of understanding and richness to the lives of Prudence and modern day Eliza.

The morning after her father’s funeral, Prudence Merryfield wakes to the liberating thought that this is the first day of her new life. At thirty-five and unmarried, she is now mistress of her own fate. But a cruel revelation at the reading of her father’s will forces Prudence to realise that taking only the most drastic action will set her free.In 1832 we are introduced to Prudence who has been under the ruling of her father her entire life. When her father passed away she believed she would inherit his estate, at last live the life she wants and finally embrace her dreams of travelling. I loved that a recently discovered heirloom might solve a family mystery that, in 200 years, has not been forgotten by the family or escaped the local area’s continuation of rumors of the past. The author weaved mystery, relationships, betrayal, jealousy, friendship, love, independence, and travel into the fabric of her story, which also shares cultural restrictions of women in the 1800s. The novel shares women's complexities, reflections, and emotions in their wishes for their future, sometimes in conflict with expectations by family and society and sometimes only because of expectations they perceive or withhold them from moving forward.

New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the while keeping fascinated readers riveted to her side. By turns darkly enthralling and relentlessly surprising, The Keepsake showcases an author at the peak of her storytelling powers. I am not sure that serious archeologists would truly appreciate this book, and I don’t know if Dr. Gerritsen had Halloween in mind when she wrote it, but whatever inspired her to come up with this premise, it made a terrific plot. The Keepsake was published in London for its full run, and some volumes were also published in Paris, Berlin, and Frankfurt. Its London publishers were Hurst, Chance, & Co.; Jennings and Chaplin; Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman (in the Longman line); and David Bogue. [2] In Paris, it was published by Rittner and Goupill, Delloy & Co., Fisher & Co., Aubert & Co., L. Curmer, Fisher, Son, & Co., and H. Mandeville. [2] Other continental editions were published by Charles Jugil in Frankfurt, A. Asher in Berlin, and T. O. Weigel in Leipsic. [2] American editions of The Keepsake were published in New York by D. Appleton & Company and in Philadelphia by Lea and Blanchard. [2] Production [ edit ] maybe the notion of safety was just that - a notion. A fancy. And you could become lost in the storm, no matter how hard you clung to the mast. Maybe sometimes you just needed to let go.’ A totally engrossing dual time line novel that was both well researched and also had great depth with the characters’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

There’s plenty of historical lore dished out as the story unfolds and, if nothing else, I found it quite interesting albeit not a subject I previously knew much about and cared even less. Kudos to Tess Gerritsen for her ability to convey the potential excitement others get for simply digging in the dirt in the hopes of finding old stuff. A sweeping tale of family secrets, betrayal, jealousy, ambition and forbidden romance . . . Fans of The Thorn Birds and Downton Abbey will love the epic scope of this novel’ ALI MERCER This is a ghost story. While travelling through the western counties, the general's attention was attracted by a picturesquely situated old castle, and, on inquiry at the inn where he changed horses, he learnt that its owner was a nobleman who had been his schoolfellow. He accordingly determined to call upon his lordship; and, having been persuaded to be his guest for a week, he was conducted at bedtime to an old-fashioned room, hung with tapestry, but comfortably furnished, and well lighted by two large candles and a blazing fire. The next morning Lord Woodville was informed by his servant that the general had been wandering in the park since an early hour and when he appeared at the breakfast table his countenance was haggard, his clothes carelessly put on, and his manner abstracted; moreover, he announced that he must depart immediately. Drawing him aside from the other visitors, his host pressed him for an explanation, and, after declaring that he would rather face a battery than recall the events of the night, he reluctantly narrated what he had undergone. The author developed a very imaginative and engrossing narrative using the discovery of an heirloom to envelope the MC into a dual-time novel. The characters are believable and sympathetic. The book enlightens the reader about the plight of the women of the 1800s and early 1900s. Treachery was rampant as men thirsted for the riches they could not obtain lawfully. Enjoy the adventure! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

The Keepsake was an English literary annual which ran from 1828 to 1857, published each Christmas from 1827 to 1856, for perusal during the year of the title. [1] Like other literary annuals, The Keepsake was an anthology of short fiction, poetry, essays, and engraved illustrations. It was a gift book designed to appeal to young women, and was distinctive for its binding of scarlet dress silk and the quality of its illustrations. Although the literature in The Keepsake and other annuals is often regarded as second-rate, many of the contributors to The Keepsake are canonical authors of the Romantic period. For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy—to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact—seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse—horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim. How in the world do Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli get involved in a case involving a two-thousand-year-old mummy? The Keepsake, Tess Gerritsen’s seventh Rizzoli & Isles book, sounds like it could be a creepy Halloween thriller. I found it to be an intriguing puzzle.

I thoroughly enjoyed this immersive story which spans both generations and continents. The evocative details and i mpeccable research make for a delightful reading experience and I can pay it no greater compliment other than to say, I wish I’d written it‘ KATHRYN HUGHES I really enjoyed this story. It had an intriguing plot, excellent research . . . and a double love story to boot’⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review Mummies, shrunken heads, and bog bodies ... this story has the most unusual murder victims that I can recall in any story. Bog bodies? There is even a mysterious museum with a secret room. Reminds me of when I was young and was reading the Hardy Boys!