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MURDER ONCE REMOVED is the delightful debut novel by S.C. Perkins and I was fascinated by the premise of this first book in the Ancestry Mystery series! Protagonist, Lucy Lancaster, uses genealogy (combing through websites, library archives and DNA) to solve a long ago murder mystery while tracking down a current day killer. Lucy is the epitome of southern sassiness with a big ol’ side helping of creative intelligence. I adore her interaction with her best friends, Serena and Josephine along with the purported former drug lord turn restaurant owner, Flaco of Big Flaco’s Tacos (whose food descriptions will have you drooling). Their repartee gives opportunities for some humorous one-liners and laugh out loud moments which kept me highly entertained. Ms. Perkins has created great character development and descriptive voice even for minor characters. She effectively uses the flavors of food, language, and the historical sites of Austin to bring the setting to life and make the reader feel like they’re right there.
The book grabbed my attention from the very first sentence and kept me glued to the pages. The murder plots from both 1849 and current day are well entwined. I was fascinated with the amount of research the author obviously has done to understand and explain the process of genealogy, without making it complicated for the reader. Ms. Perkins also interjects some interesting history about the State of Texas without detracting from the pace. As the threads of the story are woven together and suspects are considered and then abandoned, Lucy finds herself working with the FBI, particularly a handsome agent who is also a history professor. This is a fun twist to a potential romantic attraction. The exciting reveal was fast paced, keeping me on the edge of my seat, yet never felt rushed. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this well-written debut!
While there aren’t any recipes included in the book, there’s a huge variety of food mentioned that had me craving tacos, cookies, casseroles and cupcakes! After finding the murder victim, Lucy and her best friend bake up casseroles and Chocolate Cinnamon Cake to take to the victim’s co-workers because “that’s what good Southern girls do”. Ms. Perkins graciously has allowed me to share her recipe for Spanish Chocolate Cake which is a delicious recipe passed down to her from her late Nana… which makes it all that more special! Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy touch to the rich, moist cake while buttery pecans add crunch to the fudgy frosting creating a delectable dessert to serve to family and friends.
Amazon Synopsis
Except for a good taco, genealogist Lucy Lancaster loves nothing more than tracking down her clients’ long-dead ancestors, and her job has never been so exciting as when she discovers a daguerreotype photograph and a journal that prove Austin, Texas, billionaire Gus Halloran’s great-great grandfather was murdered back in 1849. What’s more, Lucy is able to tell Gus who was responsible for his ancestor’s death.
Partly, at least. Using clues from the journal, Lucy narrows the suspects down to two nineteenth-century Texans, one of whom is the ancestor of present-day U.S. senator Daniel Applewhite. But when Gus publicly outs the senator as the descendant of a murderer―with the accidental help of Lucy herself―and her former co-worker is murdered protecting the daguerreotype, Lucy will find that shaking the branches of some family trees proves them to be more twisted and dangerous than she ever thought possible.
A special thanks to S.C. Perkins for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of MURDER ONCE REMOVED. Contest ends Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon to 3 teaspoons cinnamon, depending on your tastes (recommended: 2 teaspoons
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- Pinch of cinnamon if desired
- 6 tablespoons whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream
- 16 ounces powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped into small pieces, plus extra for garnish if desired
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Heat oven to 350 degrees. If using a glass baking dish, turn the oven down to 325 degrees.
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Use a 9 x 13 sheet pan, lightly buttered and floured, or lined with parchment paper.
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Combine flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
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Heat butter, cocoa, and water to a boil, and then pour over the flour mixture.
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Add the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla.
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Mix all ingredients and pour into prepared 9 x 13 pan.
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Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.
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Using a saucepan on low heat, cook butter, cocoa, a pinch of cinnamon if desired, until blended. Add milk or cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
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Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and pecans, and mix to combine.
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Once the cake has been cooled and iced, garnish with additional pecans if desired. Cut into squares and enjoy!
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Make sure to spread the icing as soon as you make it. It sets up quickly.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
No I haven’t participated.
I’ve worked on both sides of my family and also my husband’s family. I’ve gotten further on my paternal side than on my
maternal side. It is frustrating when names you know are not their legal names.
We do a lot of genealogy in my family. My older son is especially into it.
I’ve dabbled in genealogy research. I was adopted as an infant, and I’ve met my birth mother. I’ve done a little online digging to see what I can find out about them, as well as my family that raised me. With my family, no one has ever gone further back than my great-grandfather on my dad’s side. I’ve tried to get more information on him, but at the time, didn’t really have the patience or the resources to do a whole lot. Perhaps I’ll take another crack at it.
I have not participated in genealogy research, but I have an aunt that has done so much that I can’t even imagine how many hours she has in it.
I have dabbled a little into my ancestors, very time consuming but also very interesting!
Cant wait to try the recipe! Yum.
Cant wait to try the recipe! Yum. But i havent looked into geneology.
No I haven’t
I have dabbled at genealogy research on Ancestry.com, but have not been able to get very far — lots of dead ends.
I’ve not done much, but my FIL has really gotten into it. He’s learned so much. Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve not done any genealogical research.
I’ve not done much research, but my FIL has really gotten into it. He’s learned so much. Thank you for the chance to win.
Yes, we have used Ancestry.com for Me, my husband, and our two foreign adopted children.
Got some interesting information.
I’ve done quite a lot of research into my family’s history. My mother was an avid genealogist. Our family vacations were centered around research into both her family and my father’s family.
I had my DNA tested—then decided to try to research my family. What fun! And I’ve managed to trace one branch of the family back to the 1600’s.
Looks like a simple recipe and seems like it is delicious. I’ll have to makes this.
I have not done a genealogy search, but I do have family who have traced our family tree back pretty far. I learned that my maternal great-grandfather is the brother of Britney Spears’ great-grandfather! ?
My older sisters gave my younger sister and me DNA kits for Christmas last year. I was totally shocked to see that I have no Native American ancestry. I grew up with the stories of my Native American great-grandmother. Sadly, it seems a lot of people grow up with similar stories.
Kim, that cake looks amazing!
Yes, I have. Thanks for the giveaway.
Although I don’t do much in the search area, I do listen to my hubby when he finds something. He has been interested in genealogy almost 60 years — since he did a family tree in one of his elementary school classes. Over the years, he has taken spells where he’d delve into it, but always felt a bit guilty of taking time away from his job. But he retired 18 months ago, and since then I’d say he’s spent 75% of his time researching, corresponding with relatives — including new ones found from DNA, and in general finding as much as he can on both my family and his. He has amassed quite a lot of info, and gone back several, several generations. He and I sometimes wish we could go back in time and see what their lives were like; why they moved when & where they did; who might have known whom.
Absolutely! Both for my parents and my husband’s. We even went overseas to Poland, Ukraine and Scotland to see where our ancestors came from. So very interesting?
Not really my thing but my husband has.
I have never done any genealogy research.
No amount of reloading, etc., makes this post appear on your Web site. No wonder I feel like everyone else sees these posts first–they appear as Facebook links, but are impossible to see on your Web site. It’s very strange. There must be some technical reason for this.
I’ve now clicked on the “archive” for March, and that makes it show up. Is today an archival matter? I guess my day is already “history”!
Anyway, yes, I have pursued genealogical research. It’s very interesting!
Yes! My dad did a lot on his side, so I caught the bug early. I have done more for his side and been able to find out more about my mom’s side as well. The cake sounds great–I make a regular Texas sheet cake once in a while, will have to try this! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I have done ancestry and it was neat. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have never participated in a genealogy research, maybe someday. Thanks for this great chance.
No, I’ve never participated in one of those.
Yes, its so very interesting.
I haven’t. Thank you for the chance!
I have wanted to but, I haven’t because I don’t have the extra money laying around and I’m not sure what I will get out of it at my age. Maybe if I was younger…
The book sounds really interesting, I have but not lately. I’m intrigued by this book, the plot sounds so good! I never read a book on this subject. I want to read yours soon! It’s different and unique.
I have done some geanology work on both parents side.
I have been researching my family. Very interesting. Love the cake recipe
No, but I find it interesting!
I haven’t pursued genealogy” but I worked in a local history collection abd learned a lot.
Been working on it for years. Love the mystery!
I don’t but I have family members that do/did.
No, I have not.
My Aunt wrote a book a few years ago on family history. So did a short interview with her for that.
I have not participated in any geneology research but I wish I had helped my Dad when he was doing research with his family. I am interested to know now what I was to busy to help with before.
I did research on my father 2 times
I have never participated in one but have thought about getting one started.
I have helped answer questions from two cousins on both sides of our family who are doing research.
I have tried to do a genealogy research of my family. Was able to go back a few generations on my mother’s side. However, my Dad’s side ends with his Dad. My grandfather migrated to the US and for whatever reason left his past and all relations behind refusing to talk about them. In fact, my Dad didn’t find out until he was a young boy that he had changed his name legally taking his wife’s mother’s maiden name. Frustrating but figure he had his reasons. Through immigration papers and such found that where he was from was once a communist country and figure that had something to do with it. But even that is filtered with the fact that there were a lot discrepancies between documents as in different ages and different ports of entry. Because of this, I can remember my Dad saying he knew each and every member of his family and where they were due to the unusual spelling of the last name. Now they have grown, multiplied a few times so not near as easy to do.
My daughter has a page on Ancestry.com and we have completed what we know about immediate grandparents and great grandparents but otherwise, have not done a lot of research.
Yes, I have researched genealogy on my family and my husband’s family. I find it very enjoyable and interesting.
I have done a little genealogy research and have found some interesting information. Definitely going to try the Spanish Chocolate Cake.
I haven’t. My sister has. Back in the late 60’s – early 80’s I did secretarial type work from my home. Twice I organized and typed up the results of genealogy research for clients. Cake looks super. Will make later, tomorrow. Today’s request is for creamcheese, cherry cobbler
I have not participated in genealogy research, but I have a cousin who is very involved in it.
I love genealogy. I’ve worked on both my Mom and Dad’s side.
I have not but my daughters have done some research.
On my birth mother’s side, there is an intensive family tree.
Yes I’ve gotten as far back as my first ancestor to come to America in 1677.
Hi Kim! No, I haven’t done any research on my family. Our family tree is a walnut tree…we are all nuts! LOL