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261st out of 907 books
—
857 voters
A Fountain Filled With Blood (Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries #2)
by
Julia Spencer-Fleming (Goodreads Author)
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, Miller's Kill, New York is about as safe as it gets. That's why Episcopal minister Clare Fergusson is shocked when the July Fourth weekend brings a rash of vicious assaults to the scenic town. Even Clare's good friend, police chief Russ Van Alstyne, is shaken by the brutality of the crimes-especially when it appears that the victims
...more
Paperback, 385 pages
Published
April 19th 2004
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published April 8th 2003)
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I really like these books. They have a nice strong female character. It's interesting and novel that Clare is an Episcopalian priest, who used to be an Army helicopter pilot. I like the setting, a small town in upstate New York. Her best friend and forbidden romantic interest, is the already married police chief. This presents a quandary for me, because even though you'd like characters to get together, I'm not the least bit keen about the breaking up of his marriage. I assume that somewhere fur...more
Two gay men are brutally attacked in Spencer-Fleming's second Reverend Clare Fergusson mystery. Clare, a former army helicopter pilot, now a priest at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in the small Adirondack town of Millers Kill, New York, feels the attacks are related, and the police should notify the community so people can protect themselves. Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne disagrees, wanting to avoid copycat crimes, and his refusal to act creates tension between the two, further complicated by the...more
4 likes · like · see review
2nd in the Reverend Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series.[return][return]A well-respected medical examiner, who is gay, is beaten to within an inch of his life. Shocked by the appearance of such a hate crime, Clare urges Rush to warn other gays in Miller� s Kill about the incident. Russ refuses, afraid that that will merely incite copycat crimes. Within a short time, yet another gay man is severely beaten in his video rental store, ratcheting the tension between Clare and Russ higher.[return]...more
Joining Clare and Russ in Miller’s Kill is a reliable pleasure. This is the second of the series, but the fourth or so that I’ve read. Early on there are three assaults, all on men, all of whom are gay. This may or may not connect the attacks. One of those assaulted has professional connections with Russ, one, professional connections to Clare’s church functions, and one is a big player in the new development beginning in the area. The development may or may not have environmental implications....more
I liked the first book in this series, but this second one goes past the bounds of good taste, in my opinion. It seems to urge the reader towards emotions supporting the main characters either a) having an extra-marital affair or b) busting up the marriage of the character who is married. Additionally, the author rather lazily never fleshes out the character of the wife who would be adversely affected by the main characters' potential affair. She's completely absent through both books. How conve...more
Yes, I know that I said I wasn’t going to read another mystery in this series. But what is one to do in Michigan’s north woods with nothing else left to read except the labels on boxes and cans of food in the pantry? So it was on to the second volume, although this one did little to change my impression from the first.
This story involves real estate fraud and anti-gay hate crimes. But the protagonists are the same, the Reverend Clare Fergusson and Chief of Police Russ Van Alstyne. Once again Cla...more
This story involves real estate fraud and anti-gay hate crimes. But the protagonists are the same, the Reverend Clare Fergusson and Chief of Police Russ Van Alstyne. Once again Cla...more
The second in the Clare/Russ mystery series that is almost as amazing as the first (hard to beat the winner of six first-time novelist awards, which was unprecedented.) The story of Clare and Russ, their hands-off love affair continues and I was once again smitten with their desire for each other, which is subtly drawn by the author - they long for each others presence, insight, and understanding as much as for the physical. Very satisfying and keeps the reader guessing. Will they or won't they?...more
I love this series and accidentally re-read this title, having confused it with the only one not read yet. So it was a second read for this time, but still enjoyable. Cheryl and Terese commented earlier this year that Linda was not much fleshed out, and I both agree with them and don't remember that the author remedied the situation very effectively in subsequent titles. This is perplexing because she's so strong at characterization.
A note to Terese: yes, it IS possible to sew window treatments...more
A note to Terese: yes, it IS possible to sew window treatments...more
Hey, I liked this one too!
And the thing I liked, most particularly (still not the mystery) is how this relationship is between two really different people. The most obvious way is in their politics – she’s a bleeding heart liberal, he’s a head-in-the-sand social conservative in the way some people are by virtue of pretending that a lot of problems aren’t problems. And they argue about this stuff! Like grownups! In ways that make neither of them look stupid in the long term! That is so refreshing...more
And the thing I liked, most particularly (still not the mystery) is how this relationship is between two really different people. The most obvious way is in their politics – she’s a bleeding heart liberal, he’s a head-in-the-sand social conservative in the way some people are by virtue of pretending that a lot of problems aren’t problems. And they argue about this stuff! Like grownups! In ways that make neither of them look stupid in the long term! That is so refreshing...more
When I saw in the plot summary that this story took place around the Fourth of July, I decided the weekend of the Fourth would be the perfect time to read it. I had enjoyed the previous book by Julia
Spencer-Fleming,and was interested in reading more about Reverend Clare Fergusson and the goings-on in her congregation and in her town of Millers Kill, New York.
The book begins with the brutal attack on a gay man, the town's medical examiner, on his way home from a dinner party with friends. At the...more
Spencer-Fleming,and was interested in reading more about Reverend Clare Fergusson and the goings-on in her congregation and in her town of Millers Kill, New York.
The book begins with the brutal attack on a gay man, the town's medical examiner, on his way home from a dinner party with friends. At the...more
Ok, with this one, I'm hooked and impatient for the next. She does a fantastic job of creating environment, suspense and tension. I devoured the chapters involving the helicopter - because you know there has to BE chapters involving a helicopter - and I must say, they were delicious.
I was amused at the cell phone humor after all the gripes from readers about cell phones (or lack thereof) in the last book.
Clare has a few runs in the pantyhose of her common sense. It's maddening.
(view spoiler)...more
Another mystery I liked better than I thought I would. The crime solver in this series is a former Army pilot, turned Episcopal priest in upstate New York. Obviously the way she gets involved in solving the crime is a bit contrived, but otherwise the genre just doesn't work! I am enjoying the building tension between her and the police chief, although I struggle with whether he is a schlumpy, small town cop with a unsympathetic wife, 16 years her senior, or if he's a almost fit, handsome, former...more
Second in the series; liked the first, as I did the second. Waiting to get the next one. Nice series so far......
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, Miller's Kill, New York is about as safe as it gets. That's why Episcopal minister Clare Fergusson is shocked when the July Fourth weekend brings a rash of vicious assaults to the scenic town. Even Clare's good friend, police chief Russ Van Alstyne, is shaken by the brutality of the crimes-especially when it appears that the victims were chosen...more
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, Miller's Kill, New York is about as safe as it gets. That's why Episcopal minister Clare Fergusson is shocked when the July Fourth weekend brings a rash of vicious assaults to the scenic town. Even Clare's good friend, police chief Russ Van Alstyne, is shaken by the brutality of the crimes-especially when it appears that the victims were chosen...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I stayed up waaaaay too late reading this one, even though I pretty much had the mystery all figured out. What kept me up so late at night was the continuing dynamic between Reverend Clare Fergusson and the married Chief of Police, Russ Van Alstyne. After spending the remaining winter and spring studiously avoiding each other, they are together again, determined to keep attraction at bay, and figure out who's behind a series of vicious hate crimes in small town Miller's Kill, NY.
The mystery wasn...more
The mystery wasn...more
2 likes · like · see review
From one temperature extreme to the other! Wow, this book was good and kept up the same high standard for the sophomore book in the series. What I especially enjoy about Julia Spencer-Fleming is her characterization. Clare and Russ (and all the other bit part players) are 3-dimensional and real. I like and respect them, I care when they are in danger, I worry about their choices...I'm invested!
As a constant reader always searching for new books, what really 'draws me in' is characterization as s...more
As a constant reader always searching for new books, what really 'draws me in' is characterization as s...more
I don't know what it is about this series, but I don't have the desire to continue with the stories, but seem to have this incessant desire to read "just one more" to see what develops between the characters.
As was the same with the first story, I felt like it took way to long to get to the heart of the story. I think that once the story finally takes off, that it is good, but that's just not enough to make me love a story. It seems that the author really can write exciting events, but that see...more
As was the same with the first story, I felt like it took way to long to get to the heart of the story. I think that once the story finally takes off, that it is good, but that's just not enough to make me love a story. It seems that the author really can write exciting events, but that see...more
I liked this book, but not nearly as much as the first in the series. The way the second story is written makes me wonder how the police department ever solved any cases prior to Clare coming to town. Every single clue or piece of information is found out by Clare. This just makes Russ and his entire department appear incompetent. There are just too many instances where the police hit a deadend but Clare sees the one detail that they missed. She also never seems to be wrong. The one time she fee...more
At the start, this unfolded with much of the same promise as the novel in the series. It opens up a few months later, with the relationship between Clare and the Police Chief unsettled. The town of Mills Kills is unsettled as well; with a new resort being built on the outskirts of town corresponding with a rise in PCB levels in the water supplies.
And then there is a beating of the towns' medical examiner. And quickly after that, another. It appears that there is someone who is attacking gay men...more
And then there is a beating of the towns' medical examiner. And quickly after that, another. It appears that there is someone who is attacking gay men...more
I just finished reading the second in this series of mysteries by Julia Spencer-Fleming and WOW, another book that one can't put down. The title of the book sounds creepy until you read the preface where Fleming includes words of an old hymn, "There is a fountain filled with blood, ff". She begins each book with a hymn. Clare, an Episcopal Priest in a small town gets very involved with a murder while carrying on her duties as the cleric. The way the writer tells the story is remarkable, fascinat...more
This is the second in a series, but I actually am reading it after the third (Out of the Deep I Cry). I am glad that I did so, because while I very much enjoyed the story and mystery of Out of the Deep I Cry--this one was so-so.
I am very much enjoying the series though I find this book somewhat problematic. On the one hand, Rev. Clare recognizes her feelings for a married man, but we get no sense that she discusses this with a spiritual director or counselor. She seems self aware enough to seek...more
I am very much enjoying the series though I find this book somewhat problematic. On the one hand, Rev. Clare recognizes her feelings for a married man, but we get no sense that she discusses this with a spiritual director or counselor. She seems self aware enough to seek...more
Notes, 18 Feb:
Yes, I know, ME reading two mysteries in a row. I don't read mysteries much. But they were ON SALE! And I wanted a mini-break from the oh so lovely Sontag, whose work demands total attention.
Notes, 19 Feb:
A nice easy read. I like the characters, the interaction and the town & church politics.
I do have a but. Please note as I said above, I don't read mysteries often, so I am a terrible judge if the mystery part is done well. However, in both books I had figured out the 'kille...more
Yes, I know, ME reading two mysteries in a row. I don't read mysteries much. But they were ON SALE! And I wanted a mini-break from the oh so lovely Sontag, whose work demands total attention.
Notes, 19 Feb:
A nice easy read. I like the characters, the interaction and the town & church politics.
I do have a but. Please note as I said above, I don't read mysteries often, so I am a terrible judge if the mystery part is done well. However, in both books I had figured out the 'kille...more
What middle-aged woman wouldn't like a book about an Episcopal priest -- a former army helicopter pilot who drives a sports car -- who is in love with the (married) police chief in her small town? Me, apparently. Clare is just too PC to be real. The author has to bend over backwards to put her on the scene of stuff she has to witness so that the author can write those scenes from Clare's point of view. Much of the dialogue doesn't sound very natural to me. In this context, the flirtation scenes...more
First Line: The yahoos came by just after the dinner party broke up.
Small towns have a reputation for being quiet and safe that's not always deserved. The same holds true for Millers Kill, New York. The Fourth of July weekend brings a spate of vicious attacks that have Reverend Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne reeling-- not only because of the brutality but because the victims seem to have been chosen because they're gay.
When the third attack on an out-of-town developer ends in...more
Small towns have a reputation for being quiet and safe that's not always deserved. The same holds true for Millers Kill, New York. The Fourth of July weekend brings a spate of vicious attacks that have Reverend Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne reeling-- not only because of the brutality but because the victims seem to have been chosen because they're gay.
When the third attack on an out-of-town developer ends in...more
The first book of this series really impressed me. The unusual characters, an aging, former military sheriff, Russ, and a former military helicopter pilot turned Episcopalian priest, Claire, combined with a good mystery to set this up as a must read series. A Fountain Filled with Blood is the second of the series, and I thought it was just OK - a bit of a let down after the strong start. Someone is brutally beating local gay businessmen, and Russ and Claire clash on how it should be handled publ...more
It's weird to read this awesome series out of order, but this book only recently became available in a Kindle edition. The second episode in Russ and Claire's relationship finds them both trying to fight their attraction. I particularly like the way Russ and Claire take turns being the one with the knowledge and power in a particular situation. They have different skills and are both really good at what they do, so it's believable that one would know what's going on while the other is out of his...more
There were two main reasons I was disappointed in this book, especially after really enjoying the first one in the series, In the Bleak Midwinter:
1. The villain was a bit predictable and I knew what was going to happen even before the somewhat exciting climax (which I knew was going to happen as well)
2. The book was very poorly edited. I don't know if it's just my library's copy, but there were linguistic and spelling errors throughout the book (enough to the point that a prior patron took a pen...more
1. The villain was a bit predictable and I knew what was going to happen even before the somewhat exciting climax (which I knew was going to happen as well)
2. The book was very poorly edited. I don't know if it's just my library's copy, but there were linguistic and spelling errors throughout the book (enough to the point that a prior patron took a pen...more
A return to Millers Kill during a hot Fourth of July weekend also brings violence to this small town, once again showing that big city problems are never far away. Several brutal attacks, one ending in death, bring Clare and Chief Van Alstyne together again in another wonderfully written mystery. The two have their own way of looking at things, which is explored much more in this second book in the series. Clare's sense of right and social justice (and perhaps that army background) have her look...more
This is the second in a Clare Ferguson series. I got this one for free and really wasn't sure I'd be to happy with it. I decided that since it was the second in the series I'd like to read the previous novel so I'd be familiar with the characters. I quickly learned it was a stand alone novel but reading both books has been an absolute joy!
Julia Spencer-Fleming isn't afraid to tackle the most controversial issues in her books...the one includes homophobia, hate crimes, as well as chemical waste i...more
Julia Spencer-Fleming isn't afraid to tackle the most controversial issues in her books...the one includes homophobia, hate crimes, as well as chemical waste i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Wednesday, September 7
Work-In-Progress Wednesday at my Reader Space. We're up to the fifth part of the second chapter of my eighth book, which has some numerological meaning, I'm sure. http://bit.ly/p2QwJa
More about Julia Spencer-Fleming...
Work-In-Progress Wednesday at my Reader Space. We're up to the fifth part of the second chapter of my eighth book, which has some numerological meaning, I'm sure. http://bit.ly/p2QwJa
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“And as for people shunning us because of our known association with homosexuals”—here she wiggled her eyebrows, because she sounded ridiculously like Joseph McCarthy—“I say we don’t want new members who would think like that. We want people who will admire us for taking a stand and who will say, ‘Yes, that’s Christianity; that’s how I want to live it and that’s the church I want to belong to.”
—
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