My books

I have written six full-length, two novella-length and two short-story-length fictional genealogical crime mysteries, as part of my Morton Farrier Forensic Genealogy Story series, four local-interest non-fiction books and one historical fiction. Click on each book for further information and to purchase via Amazon in your country.

NEW! I also make my fiction paperbacks available SIGNED and PERSONALISED via my webshop - click the link above to SHOP and receive your copy from me, shipped from England. Happy reading!

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The Asylum

(The Forensic Genealogist #Prequel)

The job presented to forensic genealogist, Morton Farrier, ought to have been simple and easy. But the surprise discovery of an additional marriage to his client’s father leads Morton on an enquiry, revolving around a mysterious death in the county asylum. Requiring his various investigative genealogical skills, Morton must work to unravel this complex eighty-year-old secret and finally reveal the truth to his client.

This is the first story in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series.

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Hiding the Past

(The Forensic Genealogist #1)

Peter Coldrick had no past; that was the conclusion drawn by years of personal and professional research. Then he employed the services of one Morton Farrier, Forensic Genealogist – a stubborn, determined man who uses whatever means necessary to uncover the past. With the Coldrick Case, Morton faces his toughest and most dangerous assignment yet, where all of his investigative and genealogical skills are put to the test. However, others are also interested in the Coldrick family, people who will stop at nothing, including murder, to hide the past. As Morton begins to unearth his client’s mysterious past, he is forced to confront his own family’s dark history, a history which he knows little about.

‘Flicking between the present and stories and extracts from the past, the pace never lets up in an excellent addition to this unique genre of literature’

Your Family Tree

‘At times amusing and shocking, this is a fast-moving modern crime mystery with genealogical twists. The blend of well fleshed-out characters, complete with flaws and foibles, will keep you guessing until the end’

Family Tree

‘Once I started reading Hiding the Past I had great difficulty putting it down - not only did I want to know what happened next, I actually cared’

Lost Cousins

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The Lost Ancestor

(The Forensic Genealogist #2)

From acclaimed author, Nathan Dylan Goodwin comes this exciting new genealogical crime mystery, featuring the redoubtable forensic genealogist, Morton Farrier. When Morton is called upon by Ray Mercer to investigate the 1911 disappearance of his great aunt, a housemaid working in a large Edwardian country house, he has no idea of the perilous journey into the past that he is about to make. Morton must use his not inconsiderable genealogical skills to solve the mystery of Mary Mercer’s disappearance, in the face of the dangers posed by those others who are determined to end his investigation at any cost. 

‘If you enjoy a novel with a keen eye for historical detail, solid writing, believable settings and a sturdy protagonist, The Lost Ancestor is a safe bet. Here British author Nathan Dylan Goodwin spins a riveting genealogical crime mystery with a pulsing, realistic storyline’

Your Family Tree

‘It’s an excellent pick for holidays, weekend relaxing, or curling up indoors or outdoors, whatever the weather permits in your corner of the world’

Lisa Louise Cooke

‘The Lost Ancestor is fast-paced, not plodding, and does well building mystery… The author’s depictions of scenes and places are vivid; the characters are interesting and intriguing. In toggling back and forth from past to present, Goodwin shows how the deeds of long-dead ancestors are haunting their descendants’

GenealogyMagazine.com 

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The Orange Lilies

(The Forensic Genealogist #3)

Morton Farrier has spent his entire career as a forensic genealogist solving other people’s family history secrets, all the while knowing so little of his very own family’s mysterious past. However, this poignant Christmastime novella sees Morton’s skills put to use much closer to home, as he must confront his own past, present and future through events both present-day and one hundred years ago. It seems that not every soldier saw a truce on the Western Front that 1914 Christmas…

‘The Orange Lilies sees Morton for once investigating his own tree (and about time too!). Moving smoothly between Christmas 1914 and Christmas 2014, the author weaves an intriguing tale with more than a few twists - several times I thought I'd figured it all out, but each time there was a surprise waiting in the next chapter... Thoroughly recommended - and I can't wait for the next novel’

Lost Cousins

‘Morton confronts a long-standing mystery in his own family–one that leads him just a little closer to the truth about his personal origins. This Christmas-time tale flashes back to Christmas 1914, to a turning point in his relatives’ lives. Don’t miss it!’

Lisa Louise Cooke

‘This is Goodwin’s best work for me. It is not a murder mystery, but Morton does solve some family mysteries with an almost Agatha Christie denouement. I recommend it for its genealogical appeal, mystery, and for anyone interested in World War I’

McGenealogist Blog

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The America Ground

(The Forensic Genealogist #4)

Morton Farrier, the esteemed English forensic genealogist, had cleared a space in his busy schedule to track down his own elusive father finally. But he is then presented with a case that challenges his research skills in his quest to find the killer of a woman murdered more than one hundred and eighty years ago. Thoughts of his own family history are quickly and violently pushed to one side as Morton rushes to complete his investigation before other sinister elements succeed in derailing the case.

‘As in the earlier novels, each chapter slips smoothly from past to present, revealing murderous events as the likeable Morton uncovers evidence in the present, while trying to solve the mystery of his own paternity. Packed once more with glorious detail of records familiar to family historians, The America Ground is a delightfully pacey read’

Family Tree

‘Like most genealogical mysteries this book has several threads, cleverly woven together by the author - and there are plenty of surprises for the reader as the story approaches its conclusion. A jolly good read!’

Lost Cousins

‘Great reading - a real page-turner! Good solid genealogy research – highly recommended’ Genealogy Happy Hour

‘It’s just a terrific book! It’s great stuff, I’ve read it, and you’re going to enjoy it’

Extreme Genes

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The Spyglass File

(The Forensic Genealogist #5)

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Morton Farrier was no longer at the top of his game. His forensic genealogy career was faltering and he was refusing to accept any new cases, preferring instead to concentrate on locating his own elusive biological father. Yet, when a particular case presents itself, that of finding the family of a woman abandoned in the midst of the Battle of Britain, Morton is compelled to help her to unravel her past. Using all of his genealogical skills, he soon discovers that the case is connected to The Spyglass File—a secretive document which throws up links which threaten to disturb the wrongdoings of others, who would rather its contents, as well as their actions, remain hidden forever.

‘If you like a good mystery, and the detective work of genealogy, this is another mystery novel from Nathan which will have you whizzing through the pages with time slipping by unnoticed’

Your Family History

‘The first page was so overwhelming that I had to stop for breath…Well, the rest of the book certainly lived up to that impressive start, with twists and turns that kept me guessing right to the end… As the story neared its conclusion I found myself conflicted, for much as I wanted to know how Morton's assignment panned out, I was enjoying it so much that I really didn’t want this book to end!’

Lost Cousins

‘Author Nathan Dylan Goodwin has given students of the Second World War, and avid family historians another great genealogical read’

Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

‘Nathan Dylan Goodwin’s latest Morton Farrier genealogical mystery deserves its five-star reviews on Amazon. A gripping story that will have you sneaking away to read just one more chapter!’

Historian

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The Missing Man

(The Forensic Genealogist #6)

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It was to be the most important case of Morton Farrier’s career in forensic genealogy so far. A case that had eluded him for many years: finding his own father. Harley ‘Jack’ Jacklin disappeared just six days after a fatal fire at his Cape Cod home on Christmas Eve in 1976, leaving no trace behind. Now his son, Morton must travel to the East Coast of America to unravel the family’s dark secrets in order to discover what really happened to him.

‘One of the hallmarks of genealogical mystery novels is the way that they weave together multiple threads and this book is no exception, cleverly skipping across the generations - and there's also a pleasing symmetry that helps to endear us to one of the key characters...If you've read the other books in this series you won't need me to tell you to rush out and buy this one’

Lost Cousins

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‘Nathan Dylan Goodwin has delivered another page-turning mystery laden with forensic genealogical clues that will keep any family historian glued to the book until the mystery is solved’

Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

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‘Sometimes when you read a book you just know that the story was there to be told; it was clear in the author's mind and needed to be shared. This is one of those books. It reads easily, with realistic, interesting characters and a gripping plot’

Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory

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The Suffragette's Secret

(A Morton Farrier, Forensic Genealogist series short story)

  
Morton Farrier’s life has been turned upside down by the recent addition to his household. Despite his perpetual exhaustion, he is determined to crack his latest genealogical investigation: the mystery of one Grace Emmerson, a militant suffragette, who also happens to be his wife’s great-grandmother. Using a range of genealogical skills and resources, Morton sets out to discover Grace’s secret past.

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This story follows on from The Missing Man and precedes The Wicked Trade. It can be purchased alone on Kindle or in paperback with The Wicked Trade.

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The Wicked Trade

(The Forensic Genealogist #7)

When Morton Farrier is presented with a case revolving around a mysterious letter written by disreputable criminal, Ann Fothergill in 1827, he quickly finds himself delving into a shadowy Georgian underworld of smuggling and murder on the Kent and Sussex border. Morton must use his skills as a forensic genealogist to untangle Ann’s association with the notorious Aldington Gang and also with the brutal killing of Quartermaster Richard Morgan. As his research continues, Morton suspects that his client’s family might have more troubling and dangerous expectations of his findings.

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This is the seventh book in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series, although it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. The book can be purchased as a Kindle edition, paperback or as a paperback in combination with The Suffragette's Secret.

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The Sterling Affair

(The Forensic Genealogist #8)

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When an unannounced stranger comes calling at Morton Farrier’s front door, he finds himself faced with the most intriguing and confounding case of his career to-date as a forensic genealogist. He agrees to accept the contract to identify a man who had been secretly living under the name of his new client’s long-deceased brother. Morton must use his range of resources and research skills to help him deconstruct this mysterious man’s life, ultimately leading him back into the murky world of 1950s international affairs of state. Meanwhile, Morton is faced with his own alarmingly close DNA match which itself comes with far-reaching implications for the Farriers.​

Historical Fiction:

Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star

(Mrs McDougall Investigates #1)

Sussex, 1919. The Great War is over, but for Harriet Agnes McDougall its effects endure. Plagued by the need to understand how her middle son, Malcolm came to meet his death in the Belgian trenches, Harriet must embark on a voyage of discovery to retrace her son’s movements. With peace now prevailing across Europe, her investigations lead her to Flanders, still scarred by the effects of the recent war. As she uncovers the circumstances surrounding Malcolm’s death, she encounters various dispossessed young men, who are returned from war only to find that they seem no longer to have a place in this altered society; something which Harriet determines to address.

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