Blood-tied (Ulverscroft) - Hardcover

Wendy Percival was born in the West Midlands and grew up in rural Worcestershire. After training as a primary school teacher she moved to North Devon for her first teaching post, and remained in teaching for 20 years. An impulse buy of 'Writing Magazine' prompted her to begin writing seriously. She won 'Writing Magazine"s Summer Ghost Story competition in 2002 and had a short story published in The People's Friend before focusing on full length fiction. The time honoured 'box of old documents in the attic' stirred her interest in genealogy. While researching her Shropshire roots Wendy realised how little most people know of their family history and this became the inspiration for 'Blood-Tied'. Wendy continues to be intrigued by genealogy, its mysteries and family secrets. Her discovery of an Australian death certificate, dated 1868, the final year of convict transportation, inspired the novel she is currently writing. An enthusiast for old buildings both in the UK and abroad, she has visited historic sites across the world from Angkor Wat to Machu Picchu. Wendy lives in a Devon-thatched cottage beside a 13th century church, with her husband and a particularly talkative cat. www.wendypercival.co.uk

Meticulous detail combined with a cleverly constructed plot provides the reader with a completely fresh take on a traditional mystery tale. A cast of well-drawn, interesting characters lead the reader through a complex story with its root in the past and its consequences right up to the present day. Highly readable with a clear, direct, no-nonsense style; good pace; interesting and unexpected twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. Indie Bookworm Blood-Tied is a finely crafted family mystery which abounds with both trickery and deception. The author has a real skill with words, and with fine attention to detail has produced a very convincing crime story. JaffaReadsToo Meticulous detail combined with a cleverly constructed plot provides the reader with a completely fresh take on a traditional mystery tale. A cast of well-drawn, interesting characters lead the reader through a complex story with its root in the past and its consequences right up to the present day. Highly readable with a clear, direct, no-nonsense style; good pace; interesting and unexpected twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. Indie Bookworm A plot that keeps one turning the pages. Lizzie Hayes