Nigel Barnes helps the police investigate a current situation with roots deep in the past. Their biggest clue lies in mtDNA found at the scene. They want Nigel to trace the matrilineal line. A connection with the Mormon Church and a mysterious photo leads Nigel and a female detective to Salt Lake City where they uncover a tie to fundamentalist sect with strange ways of practicing their ordinances-- including the requirement of blood atonement. Although I am not Mormon, I was put off by the plot. I felt he was attacking the LDS church. I know the book was written many years ago when DNA was first being used in genealogy, but I'm not sure the author understood mtDNA enough to include it in the plot. He never really did anything with it. I think the author could have spent his words and pages better developing a mystery plot and less time discussing Mormon religious practices. ( )

This was an excellent police procedural with the addition of research into the victims' family tree. I can't imagine it sells many copies in Utah, but I enjoyed the plot, even if it was a bit 'out there'. Gary stole the show for me. ( )

6/10 (not bad): Genealogical detective novels are my go-to when I want a quick, enjoyable read that won't tax my brain and will give me a break from ministry. Blood Atonement isn't a bad book. The writing style is fine, and the pacing is pretty good. But as with [a:Steve Robertson|589192|Steve Robertson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s Jefferson Tate series, Waddell makes the mistake of favouring excitement over realism. The result is an ever-increasing body count and with ever-decreasing credibility. It's a shame because Waddell can clearly conceive a storyline and write well, and the characters, whilst somewhat cliched, are worthwhile. If the plot could be toned down (in the way that [a:Nathan Dylan Goodwin|6042533|Nathan Dylan Goodwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1520852583p2/6042533.jpg] does), it could be a very enjoyable read. ( )

This was an excellent read. It forms part of the small but growing genre of genealogical thrillers and murder mysteries which I only recently became aware of. This is one of the better examples - I know enough about genealogical research to appreciate that the author knows his stuff, but he doesn't overload the reader with too much detail. The three main characters are engaging, and it's tightly plotted with a race against time that had me sitting up reading long past my bedtime! This is the second in the series, and follows on from the first, with the characters still dealing with the repercussions of events in the first, but it would stil make a good stand alone read. ( )

Having enjoyed the first book in this series, I had to get my hands on this second, which also appears to be the last. Blood Atonement acknowledges the elephant in the room: the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints and the powerhouse position they have in the world of genealogy. Members may not be happy with Waddell's depiction of their religion since it touches on fundamentalist offshoots that practice polygamy as well as the actions the church has taken to erase (or at least cover up) things that have happened in their past that may not show them in a favorable light. It's this subterfuge that makes Barnes' investigation for the police so difficult.

The solution is convoluted and laced with a heavy dose of irony, but this isn't really what grabbed most of my attention. The still-healing Foster is brought face-to-face with a young boy-- eleven-year-old Gary-- whose life is in danger, and he takes it upon himself to protect him. Gary has been nothing but trouble most of his short life, but it's heart-warming to see how Foster warms up to him-- and how Gary reacts to him. Protecting Gary brings several of Foster's own shortcomings into sharp focus, and the seasoned copper knows he needs to mend his ways.

To be honest, Blood Atonement's mystery had a bit too much religion for my taste, but the characters are what made the book. I like watching how Nigel Barnes sifts through archives to find answers, and DCI Grant Foster is just the sort of homicide detective I like. ( )