A Murder in Mount Moriah

Reverend Lindsay Harding #1

by Mindy Quigley

Librarian Note: alternate cover edition for ISBN 9781492780434

For hospital chaplain Lindsay Harding, facing death is part of the job. After all, she spends her working days comforting sick and dying patients. But when the annual Civil War reenactment in her hometown of Mount Moriah, North Carolina produces a real casualty, the Grim Reaper suddenly gets a little too close for comfort. With the clock ticking, the police struggle to unravel how and why a beloved local re-enactor was shot in front of hundreds of on-lookers. As fingers point and tempers flare, another victim ends up laid out on Lindsay’s front porch.

Lindsay’s life is in danger, but her efforts to expose the century-old sins that lie at the heart of the mystery are undermined by her disastrous love life, her no-good mother, and a ninja-like squirrel—not to mention the small matter of a dangerous killer who’ll stop at nothing to keep a sinister secret. Will courage, curiosity, and Lindsay’s irreverent brand of religion be enough to catch the killer before she becomes the next victim?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction, Amazon, Cozy, Suspense

250 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2013

About the author

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series: the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin's Press) and the Mount Moriah Mysteries.

Her work has been featured in Parade and Woman's World. Her non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling.

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband and their children.

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review.

A murder in Mount Moriah works really well as an Audiobook. Holly Adams reads it perfectly. The book is fairly lengthy and has a lot of detail. The author creates a town and a community for the reader to love. This works well as an audiobook however I’m not sure it would have been as interesting if I can read the book.

Lindsay is our main character and in the centre of a storm. During a war reenactment a man is killed. Now the history of the town will be called into question to solve the case.

Lindsay works as a chaplain and feels it’s her duty to find the truth. With twists and turns at every corner it’s time to discover a scandal worth murdering for.

This is available on Kindle Unlimited also and is part of a series. Our main character is looking for her own happy ending which I’m guessing will continue through the books.

4.5 stars out of 5. *I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Audiothing · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUDIBLE EDITION

My Review
Ever been a bit confused about what defines a Cozy Mystery? Well wonder no more, this is it, right here! Author Mindy Quigley has combined all the right ingredients to produce a terrific cozy mystery with plenty of humour, mystery, murder, suspense and excitement, all perfectly seasoned with a dash of romance.
I'm not often given to laughing out loud, but that's exactly what I did within minutes of starting my listen. Lindsay and her date, Doyle Harding, had their first meeting at the Annual Civil War reenactment. My first snortlaugh came when Doyle explained his reason for being unable to enlist in the Marines, I just had to relisten to that part, it was so funny. Then of course, it becomes serious because one of the reenactors suffers a gunshot wound, poor Vernon Young was to later die in the hospital surrounded by his family.
Kimberlee, the new widow, and Lindsay were previously acquainted as they had attended the same high school, and Lindsay is asked to officiate at Vernons memorial. However, not in her ministerial role though because Kimberlee can't be doing with all that, but simply to add dignity to the occasion. While they are making the arrangements for the memorial they learn that Vernons death was no accident, it was murder!
Lindsay, of course, finds herself in the thick of the investigation, meanwhile another mystery transpires. All the while Lyndsay is also dealing with family issues, a wayward and irresponsible mother and a father who being truly repentant of his own sinful ways, is now himself a Church Minister.
This is a skilfully written story, I loved all the characters, each one is so well rounded and with just enough back story that I felt connected to them. This ability of producing great writing is another reason for ensuring that this is a stand out cozy.

Narrator
I am so pleased to have been introduced to this great series via audio, otherwise I would have missed out on a terrific narration by Holly Adams. She absolutely nailed it. She sure knows how to deliver a line, just wait until you hear her as Doyle Harding, luckily that's fairly early on, you won't have to wait too long. The story has quite a few characters, all of whom are distinctive and diverse, but Holly captured them all perfectly. It couldn't have been easy, portraying a room full of very highly strung and very indignant Southern ladies! A very impressive performance of good quality, and I hope the Quigley/Adams team continue to work together.

This audiobook was gifted to me in return for an honest review

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast, fun listen – obviously, from my five-star rating, I loved it. It did everything a cozy mystery ought to do: It introduced a main character who isn't Sherlock Holmes but isn't an idiot, is a strong woman but isn't Wonder Woman, is a career woman without being in the food industry … Lindsay Harding is a hospital chaplain, and really, that's a great way to throw a character in the path of otherwise improbably frequent mysterious deaths, isn't it? She's devout without proselytizing, effective, and very, very human. I like her a great deal.

The narration by Holly Adams was perfect for the book and the character. She is now on my list of readers to search out.

The writing is sharp, and funny – not infrequently laugh-out-loud funny, and that's uncommon. Lindsay has a depth to her that I didn't expect, so that alongside the LOL's there were also moving moments. And then would come something like the squirrel, and it would be back to giggling again.

And what a great beginning.

I received this via Audiobookblast.com in exchange for a review. With thanks!

[Valerie (Pate) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book by newcomer, Mindy Quigley. It’s one of those easily accessible novels that allows you to just sink into its pages and enjoy the journey.
Witty and sharp, the writing readily endears you to the characters; especially the down-to-earth reverend and lead, Lindsay Harding. There’s plenty of flirtation to keep you glued, but enough action and intrigue to surmount the pigeonhole of chick-lit.
Evanovich fans would most definitely enjoy this novel; which similarly has the potential to develop into a successful series. In my opinion, however, there is something just a little extra special about this character. Stephanie Plum has her good points, but Reverend Harding is a riot; and extremely relatable, despite her profession.
I wholeheartedly recommend giving this one a chance. There’s more to discover here than just the perpetrator of the murder; there’s a well-crafted and jocular book that absolutely deserves to grace the shelves of all good booksellers, everywhere.

[Susan Lee Thuener · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story

I liked this mystery. I look forward to reading more about this chaplain detective. She is more likely to blunder into clues than actually doing detecting. Enjoyed it.

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[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short review: Very good start to a series, a fun read with a great plot. Skillfully written, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. I definitely recommend giving this book a read.

Long review: This book was so good, I'm motivated to go all out and type up a long review. There will be a quiz later, so pay attention. So, anyone who has lived in the south knows you can't rush a good ol' boy telling a great story. You just have to sit back, sip your sweet tea and enjoy the tale, even if you have somewhere else you have to be. That's what this book was like. It's not a slow read, it's an unhurried read. Again, if you've lived in the southern US, you'd know the difference. (I'm a Yankee but I lived in the south for a few years. Good ol'boy stories are always worth the time.)

The author avoided so many of the potholes that make me throw down a book in disgust. (Figuratively, of course. I have a Kindle I love too much to hurl at anything). The characters are quirky and well rounded. I loved Lindsey's eating habits, the "poor excuse for an adult" cereal eating and nacho cheese loving food habits (which I share. Not ashamed.) and her cringeworthy dates. Best of all, none of the characters were the over the top annoying type that's so favored in a lot of cozy mysteries (which turns me off). The setting is beautiful, anyone who's been through North Carolina will enjoy the location porn. There's a hint of romance, which added both humor and some romantical tension and, thankfully NO LOVE TRIANGLE. The primary and secondary mysteries roll languidly though the book, leading you around the twisty mountain roads until you you get to the top and look around. The conclusion was very satisfying, left me wanting to read more without ending with a cliffhanger (I hate that. A good book will draw you in to come back for more without emotionally blackmailing you into getting the next book. This is a good book. If I want emotional blackmail, I'll watch a Sarah McLaughlin ASPCA ad.)

Remember that quiz I promised? It's an essay question: Which date was a bigger disaster? Read the book and decide for yourself.

[Karen B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a healthcare chaplain myself, how could I resist looking into a whodunit whose detective is a hospital chaplain? And a female to boot! I am glad that I got roped in, because this medley of suspense, fun and/or funny scenes, interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict, and nonstop action, was a page turner from start to finish. The author also drew me in with her powerfully evoked sense of Southern culture in North Carolina. Moreover, she spiced up her mystery novel with racial and religious conflict as well as the addition of gay characters. Not only that, I could keep track of the numerous characters and the twists and turns of the plot and subplots. That is saying a lot, because I more than most people get easily lost in complex stories (Thus I keep to writing mostly short stories myself). My only quibbles with Ms. Quigley are first, her depiction of how chaplains provide spiritual care, as this reinforces stereotypes that can discourage the sick from seeking them. But this is a truly minor complaint, as those scenes did not interfere with the plot and won’t interfere with the reader’s pleasure. My other quibblein tandem with the other one accounts for the loss of a star: the lack of line-editing (grammar,extra spaces, incomplete sentences,etc.)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a nice cozy mystery, and a strong start to a series. Often, the first in a series is a little shaky since the author must introduce the setting and several characters, leaving little room for a plot. Not the case here. While Lindsay Harding is a chaplain, the book doesn't devolve into proselytizing; perhaps this is because she's a hospital chaplain, where they cater to the needs of many faiths, depending on their shift. Having worked in a (catholic) hospital myself, I know the pastoral care department gets quite a bit of work, no matter what the chaplain's religion. They're on-call (just like Harding and her coworkers) and often as harried as the nurses and doctors, and their roles spread out further than just praying at bedsides.

Lindsay Harding is a well-rounded character, not without flaws. That makes her well-suited to her role as chaplain and pseudo-detective, and very relatable to readers. This novel has a bevy of characters, some of whom will no doubt show up in subsequent books (Warren, Ron, Anna, even Dean). A pleasant surprise. I'll be following the series as I can.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysteries aren't really my bag, but I liked this quite a bit! Interesting plot and characters, and a bunch of North Carolina–specific geography and history. I look forward to reading more of Mindy Quigley's books. (Full disclosure, Mindy is a friend, but I would have enjoyed this book even if she wasn't.)

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this wasn't a "can't put it down" story for me, it did have an intriguing mystery and some interesting characters. I was left wondering what was meant in a conversation that Lindsay overheard that led the police to arrest two people who were later exonerated only because someone else revealed himself as the killer.

[Shirley Steiniger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Suspense filled kept me guessing on who the killer was and was very surprised when I found out who did the killing!!

[Bonnie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reenactment

I enjoyed reading about Lindsey and the murder of the confederate soldier. It told how someone can let a lie go by without telling the truth can destroy a family

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

introducing a Chaplin investigator . . .

Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars

Cozy. Cute. Squirrely. My favorite mysteries are usually small-towns, female investigator, and one that would not be your typical choice to investigate. Mindy had just what I was looking for. I very much enjoy chaplain Lindsay Harding. She was someone that dealt with death and dying as part of her everyday. Now, she was in a role as investigator. The mystery was not overly complicated, but gave you just enough to get you wheels turning and you wanting to know more.
Narrator Holly Adams had the voice that could pull of mystery and still give you that feel of being right there as all the danger, suspense, and comedy took place. I found that this was a good start/introduction to a new series for me to look at.

*****
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Mindy Quigley. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[Isabelle | Nine Tale Vixen]

Recommended by Ruby @ Ruby's Books.

[MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this first book in a series.
The unique career of the main character, a fun group
of supporting characters, lots of positive diversity,
and several LOL scenes make it a top read of this
year for me.

I recommend it to all cozy readers, especially all
with an aversion to swearing, blatant sex or talk,
and positive diversity.

This is a trilogy and I plan to read them all.

[Denise Zendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was leery to start this book, because sometimes “mysteries” involving ministers are just proselytizing in mystery clothing. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, however. The heroine, Lindsay Harding, is a chaplain at the local hospital in Mount Moriah, North Carolina. She views organized religion with a big tent philosophy, using whatever will reach patients, whether they’re in the ER or circling the drain. I like that she meets people where they live, rather than forcing a particular spiritual belief on them. It’s about helping patients for her, not espousing a particular dogma.

I like this book for the very reasons others were offended by it – Lindsay “lives” in the real world. She occasionally curses. She has a love/hate relationship with her parents and still struggles with how much to disclose to them. She struggles with her beliefs, but keep putting one foot in front of the other. She doesn’t judge, but supports her friends, gay or straight. The religious angle is organic to the plot, and the author doesn’t hammer you over the head with her beliefs. The religious discussions are just a part of the plot and add realism to the story, rather than trumpeting a particular belief or course of action.

The mystery beings when she attends a Civil War reenactment with a blind date who turns out to be a not-quite-out-of-high-school 18-year-old re-enactor. Lindsay’s embarrassed because at 30, she feels like she’s robbing the cradle. Turns out you just can’t trust those online dating sites. The day really takes a turn for the worse when another re-enactor, the husband of Lindsay’s high school friend gets shot for real and dies a few days later. The police want to pin it on the wife to quell a potentially racially explosive situation (the dead man is Black and his wife is white). Lindsay gets involved in the investigation because of her connection to the wife and because her personality is built on a compulsion to ease the suffering of others.

Lindsey has an interesting back story – her parents were small-time marijuana growers who got arrested. Her father found religion in jail, her mother booked town and Lindsay grew up rebelling from her father’s jailhouse conversion, but ended up choosing a path similar to his – he’s a revival tent preacher and she ends up a chaplain. Her boss and bff is a gay Asian who’s partner is a local man with a nutty father, her other bff is a Yankee transplant ER doctor, and the detective investigating the case is another high school friend. The book reminded me of the line from “Doc Hollywood” where a character says something like “You can’t poop in this town without everyone knowing the color.”

The ending was satisfying and a great lead-in to book 2. I liked this book enough that I bought Book 2 in the series a couple of days after I finished the first.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY: For hospital chaplain Lindsay Harding, facing death is part of the job. After all, she spends her working days comforting sick and dying patients. But when the annual Civil War reenactment in her hometown of Mount Moriah, North Carolina produces a real casualty, the Grim Reaper suddenly gets a little too close for comfort. With the clock ticking, the police struggle to unravel how and why a beloved local re-enactor was shot in front of hundreds of on-lookers. As fingers point and tempers flare, another victim ends up laid out on Lindsay's front porch.

Lindsay's life is in danger, but her efforts to expose the century-old sins that lie at the heart of the mystery are undermined by her disastrous love life, her no-good mother, and a ninja-like squirrel--not to mention the small matter of a dangerous killer who'll stop at nothing to keep a sinister secret. Will courage, curiosity, and Lindsay's irreverent brand of religion be enough to catch the killer before she becomes the next victim?

REVIEW: This first in the series cozy mystery held enough twists and turns to keep the reader's attention. It did include some light hearted humor as well as romance which added to the plot. The characters were indeed a mixed-bag of "southern" characters but were easy to keep track of. The main character is a female hospital chaplain which I found interesting. Lots of problems as well as a mystery as Lindsay wound her way in and out of the dating scene, assisted several families with problems of their own (including the widow of the murder victim), dealt with her own family problems, and tried to play detective along with an old high school buddy now detective. The murder mystery was also spiced up with both racial and religious conflict. Overall a good cozy mystery.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "She gestured to the Bible, "Any answers in there?" All the answers are in there, honey, as you well know."

"Oh, honey, church can't save us from bad things. But God can be there when bad things do happen. God can be here for you right now."

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As a southern young(ish) single female hospital chaplain myself, I relate so much to Lindsay Harding, the protagonist of the story. The author does a wonderful job of recreating the world of a hospital chaplain, both in the mundane details and in the holy moments of ministry. The murder mystery at the heart of the story gives Lindsay plenty of chances to shine in various roles, and it kept me guessing until well near the end. Some readers may think that the connections of so many characters to the murder is a little too convenient, but having grown up in a very small southern town, I didn't find it all that unrealistic. There are some laugh-out-loud funny moments (particularly in Lindsay's dating life, which, again, I found so relatable) and genuinely touching ones as well, especially in the protagonist's complicated relationships with her parents. A chase scene near the end had me nervously scanning down the page, and the fact that I was so worried about Lindsay even though I knew she must survive since this is the first book in a series says a lot for what a good storyteller Mindy Quigley is. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Timothy Coplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically fun read.

I entered in to the book fully expecting weakly developed characters, a flimsy plot, and half-hearted editing, but the book was free so I decided to utilize it to pass some time.

What I found was something akin to what I've come to expect, and thoroughly enjoy from some of my favorite cozy mystery authors: Tamar Myers, Joan Hess, JoAnn Carl, Cleo Coyle, and Laura Childs.

As alluded to, this title is a cozy mystery with touches of Southern romance, race and religion. Centered in North Carolina and encompassing Civil War re-enactments and their participants, murder knocks on Mount Moriah's front door and comes crashing in.

What does the history of race relations, romance and religion have to do with the victim, the perpetrator, and the solution to Mount Moriah's latest social stain? Read the book and find out. You will not be disappointed.

Don't worry about not knowing the author, she will grow on you just as quickly as Mount Moriah's well constructed populace. And don't worry about the religion; it will by no means knock you up side of the head and hold you hostage.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a well-written book and a good mystery to boot. After reading a really bad one this was a great surprise. Both books were Amazon specials, either free or very low priced Kindle reads by authors new to me. Unlike the last one I look forward to reading more in this series (this was #1).

The protagonist, Lindsey Harding, is a hospital chaplain, a new twist on careers in this genre. Another chaplain is a gay, UU minister and one of Lindsey's best friends. I loved the very beginning when the victim turns out to be a black Civil War reenactor on the Confederate side married to a white Southern woman from an old North Carolinian family. The history of race relationships in the South plays a part in the story but ultimately in a hopeful way. I recommend this book and the author Mindy Quigley.

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hospital Chaplain with parental issues and relationship anxiety gets involved into a murder case - a very interesting plot, and I expected something along the lines of the Father Brown stories, or Kemelman's Rabbi.
The story developped nicely, supported by a good fluent narration style, although occasionally it seemed to drag a bit. The characters were likeable as well, however, sometimes I found their behaviour difficult to understand, if not downright impossible to believe. The side issues in the story did not really have anything to do with the actual solving of the murder, but helped round up the main character's reactions and behaviour. The case itself and the solving of it were well presented, with several red herring leading the reader in the wrong direction.
Overall, a well presented murdery mystery with likeable characters, good dialogues and all in all a good narration style.

[Jeanne Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that is set in North Carolina. It centers around the re-inaction of Civil War. I guess that I should have know, by the title of the book, that there would be a death. And of course, it was during one of the re-actions. A real bullet was used instead of the fake kind. Now all we need to do if find out who and why. Since it is the south, it is obvious that it is over the land. Who really owns it? Was someone cheated out of their land? How do the servants fit in to ownership? With two big families involved, there are tons of people that could have killed. And they all have good reasons and all have opportunity. I love the southern names and the actions, especially the women. Nothing more exciting than southern women on a rampage. The ending just may surprise you. Enjoy.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and humorous

I got this for free from an Amazon deal and decided to give it a try. The protagonist is a hospital chaplain and I was worried that the story would be filled with more God than mystery-solving. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the religious aspects were not at all over-the-top and were treated as just another part of the story.

The story itself is a quick and light read, and has some pretty good twists in it. Not too many lanterns are hung as foreshadowing, which I appreciate. The characters are amusing and believable, at least in the context of this sort of tale.

I'll be trying out the second book in the series and see how the characters develop now that we have introductions and some establishing stories out of the way.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a romantic sense of North Carolina having vacationed there in 1984...can't believe it was that long ago! So there are dense forests, small towns, down home-type people and a certain southern comraderie. I like learning more about places like this. While the heroine of the series is a hospital chaplin, she is also a down to earth young woman. No preachiness or holier than thouness in this series. Again, it is a cozy mystery, but I have only read the first book, so I am not certain how formulaic it is. Lots of action, friendly banter, and heart-stopping action...so it was an enjoyable read.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I downloaded this book to my Kindle because the price was right with Kindle Unlimited, free. What an excellent find this author turned out to be! Cozy mysteries are my favorite..and now Ms. Quigley has been added to my list of "go to" cozy authors! Loved the characters in the book...even though the main character, Lindsey Harding, is a hospital chaplain, it is not preachy in the least! The writing is good, the characters are well developed...If you are looking for a good, cozy mystery, I highly recommed this one...I do not think you will be disappointed!

[Teresa Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A Murder in Mount Moriah' was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved this book, which introduced me to sleuth and hospital chaplain Lindsay Harding. The writing is excellent, and I became thoroughly engrossed in this intelligent, compelling and exciting story. Lindsay is a very likable protagonist and her world is vividly and realistically portrayed. I was rooting for her to solve this well-thought-out mystery, and am looking forward to reading her next adventure.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant mystery without detailed gore. The story moves along well, and maintains the reader's interest well. Some behaviors and customs are more familiar to Southern readers, but this is not really a problem for others. The characters are clear and some of them are just too much fun! I really enjoyed it and will look for the others.
HA did a good job of delineating personalities and providing Southern accent, but just a bit too hammy for my taste.

[Patricia Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Kind of Whodunit

This is my kind of whodunit . No explicit sex or graphic violence. Just the right amount of humor and suspense and surprise to keep you wanting to turn the pages. My only complaint are the typographical errors. Not that there were a lot of them but there was enough to irritate me. What happened to proofreading? You would think because these books are electronic they could fix the
typos. This book is well worth the read.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!It had just the right amount of murder,mystery and romance!Lindsey is a hospital chaplin who gets herself mixed up in a murder investigation.She had a crappy childhood and everything she does seems to backfire on her.
Holly Adams does a wonderful job of narrating this book.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com."

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has chosen a rather unusual "hero" for this cozy mystery , a hospital chaplain, but the plot works. The story interested me right from the start . Nice quirky characters, Lots of small comical moments lighten the story. The red herrings in the story keeps you guessing throughout. Very enjoyable .
Well narrated by Holly Adams , her voice suited the audiobook very well
I recieved this audiobook in return for an unbiased and honest review via Audiobookblast dot com