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Willa Hinshaw #2
Echoes of Mercy
Moments after Elva Kingfield placed flowers beside her late husband's tombstone, an explosion sent associate pastor Willa Hinshaw dodging chunks of hurling granite. Later, when Elva, who believes her dead husband's ghost is roaming the halls of her estate, falls mysteriously ill and her housekeeper is stabbed to death, Willa can't accept that the violence is simply random.
Upon discovering that someone is looting Elva's valuables, plus the strange behavior of the widow's feuding family members, Willa is convinced that somebody wants Elva dead. Determined to do whatever she can to keep the kind woman out of harm's way, she ignores ominous threats telling her to mind her own business…or else. Willa's got all the help she needs from Above—it's the danger below that's got her worried.
Upon discovering that someone is looting Elva's valuables, plus the strange behavior of the widow's feuding family members, Willa is convinced that somebody wants Elva dead. Determined to do whatever she can to keep the kind woman out of harm's way, she ignores ominous threats telling her to mind her own business…or else. Willa's got all the help she needs from Above—it's the danger below that's got her worried.
- GenresMystery
253 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 27, 2016
2.5 stars
Here it is, the first book I finished for the new year. Was an easy, simple, mystery - ideal for reading through the Christmas holidays where I don't have much time to read.
This is the second mystery book I've read from a series that involves a woman associated with church ministry. The other series (name escapes me now) was where the woman was the pastor's wife. For this one, she is a minister of the local methodist church. Not much is discussed theology wise but there are several times in the book where - of course- it's mentioned she is doing a quick prayer. She also spends time with people at the hospital, and that helps feed the mystery.
Willa was an amiable enough heroine. Trent made a bland love interest, although it was amusing he was baptist and she UM. The elderly Elva was probably the bright spot in the book. 'Echoes of Mercy' suffers mainly through unrealistic characterization. They're not real enough, more of a cardboard stereotype than a character.
And the dialogue! So phony. Thankfully the author calmed down the overuse of repetitive names in dialogue after awhile, but it's just not standard conversation. When between friends it could be too goody-goody, but when the villain spoke at the end, it was just weak. I wasn't surprised at the villain, kind of had him pegged from early on since there weren't many likely culprits. The reasoning was rather weak, too.
Overall a decent mystery and I think others may be better - either this is where the author was new or else tired of the series.
Here it is, the first book I finished for the new year. Was an easy, simple, mystery - ideal for reading through the Christmas holidays where I don't have much time to read.
This is the second mystery book I've read from a series that involves a woman associated with church ministry. The other series (name escapes me now) was where the woman was the pastor's wife. For this one, she is a minister of the local methodist church. Not much is discussed theology wise but there are several times in the book where - of course- it's mentioned she is doing a quick prayer. She also spends time with people at the hospital, and that helps feed the mystery.
Willa was an amiable enough heroine. Trent made a bland love interest, although it was amusing he was baptist and she UM. The elderly Elva was probably the bright spot in the book. 'Echoes of Mercy' suffers mainly through unrealistic characterization. They're not real enough, more of a cardboard stereotype than a character.
And the dialogue! So phony. Thankfully the author calmed down the overuse of repetitive names in dialogue after awhile, but it's just not standard conversation. When between friends it could be too goody-goody, but when the villain spoke at the end, it was just weak. I wasn't surprised at the villain, kind of had him pegged from early on since there weren't many likely culprits. The reasoning was rather weak, too.
Overall a decent mystery and I think others may be better - either this is where the author was new or else tired of the series.
July 21, 2014
This was a terrific read. Only took me maybe 6 hours, well plotted, well-paced. By being a preacher the author kind of has the whole city of people to use in her mystery --- and all of the ones in this one are great characters, each unique in their own way. Look forward to the next one!
November 2, 2021
Editors, can you please go back to helping writers "show, don't tell"? There are only so many minutes in a day, and I don't want to spend them reading every step of making breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Plot was okay, no real surprises, so it was fairly predictable.
Characterization was also okay, if a tiny bit heavy-handed.
Since I am not a churchy person, I picked this up for a different viewpoint mystery, and it served that purpose well enough.
Plot was okay, no real surprises, so it was fairly predictable.
Characterization was also okay, if a tiny bit heavy-handed.
Since I am not a churchy person, I picked this up for a different viewpoint mystery, and it served that purpose well enough.
May 18, 2017
After starting this book I discovered it was the second book featuring this heroine and her colleagues and friends. It did nicely as a stand alone story though. The murder plot is well thought out and presented and I hope there will soon be a follow up. After all, we want to know if Willa said "yes" to Trent's proposal,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2021
I wish this author would continue this series.
August 8, 2014
Echoes of Mercy - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and a Dish
"As I said, I noticed you bring the flowers for your husband's grave," I was grappling for words to explain the situation. She nodded and I went on. "Shortly after you left, there was a disturbance in the graveyard. Something exploded and I'm afraid Mr. Kingsfield's tombstone was destroyed in the mayhem." "Oh my goodness." She put a dainty hand at her throat, "What caused the explosion?" "We're not sure." I looked at her expecting more of an outburst. When it didn't come, I went on. "We felt sure you'd want to know about it." "Of course I do, and it was kind of you to come tell me." "The grave is fine. There will have to be some soil added and grass planted but other than that, it will be ok." "That's good. I wouldn't want to think that Leo's body was disturbed." She picked up the teapot. "Would you like more, Willa?" I shook my head and sipped the tea already in my cup. I was trying to understand what was going on in Elva Kingfield's mind. She was taking the news awfully well.
Reverend Willa Hinshaw had the duty of informing Elva Kingsfield that there was a bomb in the flower basket that she had placed on her deceased husband's grave. From the way this aging lady was acting, could she possibly have been the one to place the bomb in the basket or is someone else simply trying to do away with this little lady with hopes of inheriting her rather large estate? After getting to know Elva, Willa is sure she had nothing to do with the bombing. But when Elva starts insisting that her deceased husband is paying visits and her niece Penny tries to solicit her help to have Elva committed, Willa knows that there is someone sinister behind the scenes. And this all proves true when Willa starts receiving warnings to stay away from the family or face death herself. Now she has the responsibility of helping save this lovely woman from her own family.
This is my first reading of this author's work and I must tell you that I'm hooked. The reading is easy, not too many characters to get them confused, and the mystery keeps you guessing. I loved every word of it and can't wait to get my hands on another of her books.
"As I said, I noticed you bring the flowers for your husband's grave," I was grappling for words to explain the situation. She nodded and I went on. "Shortly after you left, there was a disturbance in the graveyard. Something exploded and I'm afraid Mr. Kingsfield's tombstone was destroyed in the mayhem." "Oh my goodness." She put a dainty hand at her throat, "What caused the explosion?" "We're not sure." I looked at her expecting more of an outburst. When it didn't come, I went on. "We felt sure you'd want to know about it." "Of course I do, and it was kind of you to come tell me." "The grave is fine. There will have to be some soil added and grass planted but other than that, it will be ok." "That's good. I wouldn't want to think that Leo's body was disturbed." She picked up the teapot. "Would you like more, Willa?" I shook my head and sipped the tea already in my cup. I was trying to understand what was going on in Elva Kingfield's mind. She was taking the news awfully well.
Reverend Willa Hinshaw had the duty of informing Elva Kingsfield that there was a bomb in the flower basket that she had placed on her deceased husband's grave. From the way this aging lady was acting, could she possibly have been the one to place the bomb in the basket or is someone else simply trying to do away with this little lady with hopes of inheriting her rather large estate? After getting to know Elva, Willa is sure she had nothing to do with the bombing. But when Elva starts insisting that her deceased husband is paying visits and her niece Penny tries to solicit her help to have Elva committed, Willa knows that there is someone sinister behind the scenes. And this all proves true when Willa starts receiving warnings to stay away from the family or face death herself. Now she has the responsibility of helping save this lovely woman from her own family.
This is my first reading of this author's work and I must tell you that I'm hooked. The reading is easy, not too many characters to get them confused, and the mystery keeps you guessing. I loved every word of it and can't wait to get my hands on another of her books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews