Preacher Finds a Corpse

Evan Wycliff Mysteries #1

by Gerald Everett Jones

A lapsed divinity student who is fascinated by astrophysics finds his best friend shot dead in a cornfield. It looks like suicide. Having returned to his farm roots near Lake of the Ozarks, Evan works as a skip tracer for the local car dealer. He learns his friend was involved in a dispute over farmland ownership that goes back two centuries - complicated now by plans to make an old weapons facility a tourist attraction. First in a new Mystery-Thriller series.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Gerald says, "I write mystery-thrillers and literary fiction for adult readers who seek insight, fascination, and delight in the adventures of their own lives."
Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner is his eleventh and most recent novel. From 2020-21 he won ten book awards - one in business, four in literary fiction, and five in mystery-thriller. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, Women's National Book Association, and Film Independent (FIND), as well as a director of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton (Stone Island), F.D. Reeve (The Red Machines), and Jerzy Kosinski (The Painted Bird, Being There). Learn more at geraldeverettjones.com.

Reviews

[Paula Berinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preacher Finds a Corpse is an absolute pleasure to read. Reminiscent of Charlaine Harris’s mysteries and Barbara Kingsolver’s early novels like Animal Dreams and The Bean Trees, it’s full of quirky characters who animate the small town in which they live. Evan Wycliff is a complex and compelling protagonist, conflicted and lost in his own life but nevertheless fiercely dedicated to uncovering the truth about his friend Bob Taggart’s death.

Jones manages to infuse a deceptively simple story with suspense, angst, and whimsy as well as surprise. His command of setting, history, and behavior is beyond exceptional. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won from a Goodreads Giveaway, which did not affect my rating.

3.5 rounded up t on a 4.

This a good start to a new series. Preacher Evan finds the body of his best friend, while heading to meet him and a couple friends for an early morning turkey shoot. It seems his friend Bob has committed suicide, but there is definitely more than meets the eye. Evan is left to figure out what has really happened to his friend along with some items his friend was handling.

At times it did get a bit boring, but this may have been the mood I was in as well. Overall, I enjoyed reading the novel and I look forward to the next.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book!!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you found your best friend dead in a cornfield from suspected suicide, then discovered the cause of death might not be so obvious, what would you do? In Preacher Finds a Corpse, lapsed divinity student Evan Wycliff's discovery leads straight into danger when a turkey shoot turns into a murder investigation.

But, what could a dispute over land ownership that holds two centuries of history have to do with his friend's demise? Evan uncovers a series of clues that indicates these centuries of battle are not over and that his friend likely got mixed up in the modern version of the war, complicated further by plans to turn an aging, abandoned facility into a tourist attraction.

The first thing to note about Preacher Finds a Corpse is that it comes steeped in Ozark culture. Against the backdrop of turkey shoots and rural personalities lies the efforts of a man who has not only failed at being a full-fledged preacher, but who feels he has botched being a good friend.

Among the puzzles he uncovers is the role wife Edith Taggart played in that life, the possibility of Cora's involvement with his quiet friend, and a series of convoluted relationships among small-town individuals who may have had special influences on Bob Taggart's life or death.

Each clue opens the floodgate to historical connections, small-town facts, and secrets that might be worth killing for. As Evan begins to suspect that something more than suicide has occurred, he finds himself in the crosshairs of the sheriff's department, suspected of being a thief and possibly worse, when he winds up in an ambulance, having been clobbered by an investigator who suspected him of looting the local pharmacy during a storm.

From the secret contents in a rusty tin fishing box to clues that lead Evan further into danger, Gerald Everett Jones weaves a tense thriller peppered with references to Evan's ongoing relationship to God and prayer.

When the clues boil down to a final surprise, will forgiveness be possible?

Jones does an outstanding job of crafting a murder mystery that romps through a small town's secrets and various lives. His main protagonist is realistic and believable in every step of his investigative actions and setbacks; but so are characters he interacts with; from his boss Zip to a final service which holds some big surprises.

With its roots firmly grounded in an exceptional sense of place and purpose, Jones has created a murder mystery that lingers in the mind long after events have built to an unexpected crescendo. Murder mystery fans will find it more than a cut above the ordinary.

[Gabrielle Dahms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Great fun. Preacher Finds A Corpse weaves a plot that keeps you reading, guessing and chuckling. Great perspective and even philosophical at times, all delivered via Evan, the freelance preacher turned detective. Who would have thought that a whodunnit it would deliver this much!

[Marvin Wolf]

Wonderful, finely drawn characters, an intriguing mystery. This is literature masquerading as a genre mystery. Highly recommend.

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I must acknowledge that I received this e-book in a Goodreads Giveaway program.
Evan Wycliffe finds his friend's body in a cornfield. Originally, it appears to be a suicide. However, Wycliffe is not so sure.
PREACHER FINDS A CORPSE by Gerald Everett Jones is a mystery as you can guess, but I wouldn't actually call it a thriller. I had a hard time staying interested in the story. There seems to be a lot of characters that just don't appeal to me.
If you like, light hearted mysteries, you might like this book.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the cast that populated this book, they were unique and memorable. I really liked that Evan had personal conflict to deal with along with trying to solve the mystery of his friend's death. The pacing was a little uneven, but overall the story moved along decently. The setting was well described, and easy to imagine. A unique mystery that I enjoyed reading overall.

[Tammy Corn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As mystery books go, I like it when I can't guess who committed the crime. When Jake searches for answers to his friend's death, it seemed like I had guess the ending but I was surprised because it was not what I expected. It was a good surprise.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

After growing up in southern Missouri, Evan Wycliff went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to earn a master's from Harvard Divinity School and do graduate work in physics at MIT. Now he has moved back home, where he is working as a skip tracer for a Ford dealer and occasionally preaching at local churches.

As this novel opens, Evan finds the body of a childhood friend, Bob Taggart, who has shot himself. Evan knew that something had been troubling Bob, but he hadn't pressed him on the matter.

Bob's widow asks Evan to make the funeral arrangements, giving Evan temporary power of attorney to do so. This gives Evan a chance to try and find out why his friend has committed suicide. Bob's dilemma seems to have revolved around the disposition of a farm that his Aunt Molly had owned---or thought she did. More than one local businessman is interested in acquiring that property, so Evan is not sure whom to trust as he makes some discreet inquiries. But he is determined to learn what Bob's wishes were and carry them out faithfully, while he struggles with his own personal faith.

This is a gripping mystery with well-drawn characters, a great opening for the series.

[Ruth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel. It had a few too many characters and too many 'considerations' that clouded the plot to earn 5 stars in my opinion. I'm still trying to understand how some of the facts of the plot tied into the story. Or even if the various facts were necessary to the plot. As a retired minister, I really enjoyed and appreciated the theological pieces to the story. I also liked the fact that Evan's thoughts were written in italicized font making it easier to separate his thoughts from the action of the story. I must admit, the ending presented more questions than it answered...such as, "Is this all there is?" I thought maybe the last few pages of the book had been torn out and thrown away. Is this any way to end a story?
This is the first novel by Gerald Everett Jones that I have read and I'm not sure if I'll pick up another one of his novels or not.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasnt going to continue reading this book. But I dont like to not finish a book - in case it starts to get better later on in the book. A man commited suicide in a field and his friend Evan happened to find him. Evan was a preacher but not ordianed . He decided to look into the death. It also consists about some land that Bob the deceased man was to own - but there were conflicts whether he owned it or not. Evan looked into that to. But this land was to be cleared and the renters to be evicted. But who really owned the land and what was the mystery behind it all. I think the story was drawn out way to long for me to enjoy the book.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Preacher Fakes a Miracle: An Evan Wycliff Mystery (#2) but since there was only one before it I felt I needed to read it first, so I bought Preacher Finds a Corpse. I enjoyed this book. Evan is a different type of person than I am used to. His versions of the Lord are a little different because of his Science? I do love the people who seem to just fall into investigating and are really good at it, like Evan! And I LOVE how Evans speaks to Naomi! That is sad! Brownie! I am so glad they talked about Brownie and different forget him like I did! Next will be Preacher Fakes a Miracle. I hope I enjoy it and all the little quirks it may have that this book had! This book makes sense!

[Charlotte Pawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evan is a freelance Preacher. On a morning shoot he found the body of his friend Bob. Suicide thought the police. This is one man’s quest to find why his friends life had collapsed. Chase a secret will. Find who is friend or foe on his journey to the truth.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros
solid protagonist
interesting storyline
good setup for series
good audio production
good mystery
narrators voice crisp, smooth, clear

Cons
the monotone narration at times made for a sleepy listen
anti-climatic resolution; could be due to the narration
details that added no value to certain scenes i.e. step by step instruction of skeet shooting
full review at kaybeesbookshelf

[David Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brownie To The End

Bob Taggert is shot, how or why? Preacher Evan, as his best friend tries to locate these answers. Not everyone is pleased with these turn of events. Eventually things come into focus, Bob is mourned and circumstances turn to the right. A fine chronicle to the end.

[Toriana Zeyzus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent soft mystery

Very well written, interesting characters, mild suspense, highly recommended. Very entertaining. Interesting theology but not preachy. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's twisty, dark, gritty, gripping and exciting, the characters are eclectic, complex, sinister, and deeply flawed.. Preacher Finds A Corpse is a Righteously compulsive read !!

[T Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's an interesting story with very good characters, but as there's no suspense it gets rather boring.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing mystery from a first time author for me Can’t wait to read more.

[Christine Schommer halvorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story telling along with intelligent dialog and some humor. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty darn good. Just a little offbeat. Small town intrigue. A bunch of odd characters spice it up.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing

Doesn't reach out and grab you, but subtly pulls you in and firmly holds your attention. Excellent writing and well developed plot with believable characters

[Naznin Azeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did go on forever... it leads you to think the culprit is someone else. Wild goose chase.

[Henry O'Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This read had everything. A good story, good pacing. It was not at all easily for seen. Very pleasant, the best read I've seen this year.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read following a guy called Evan who would have become a minister but has become disillusioned with God.On his return to his home town he finds the body of his boyhood friend. He has spent some time away studying.. His love-life has ground to a halt and he is recovering from a broken heart. Evan is drifting a bit but is now determined to find out what happened to his friend.
From this point on the book twists and turns and moves between being a possible murder who-done-it, to a thriller with chasing possible killers, to searching family history and several dead ends, misleading people who take Evan on a wild goose chase, to a legal plot with various implications for the main characters and a fair amount of personal angst and introspection along the way.

The people that should be sad about the death clearly are not. The will is in dispute. The means of death is in dispute. Evan has no one to trust and we follow him as he tries to unravel this mystery.

The author lays a scene very well and allows the reader inside the head of the protagonist. This means that the story is mostly seen from his point of view allowing the reader to try to solve the mystery.along with him. I found that the story changed momentum and focus several times which slowed the pace at times but was also quite effective in building tension. For instance there are scenes when Evan and his friend are back in their childhood and we are shown how their relationship develops. This means we begin to care more about the dead man. Similarly the focus moves away from the mystery at times to explain Evan's earlier relationship with a girlfriend. I felt this was handled well and helped flesh out the characters.

I think this book sits between a 'cosy' and a small-town type mystery, with plenty of sidelines along the way. It is quite literary in places and therefore isn't easily categorised into one genre or another - which I liked. . .

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Kindle Copy Win

A divinity student finds a body of a friend shot which leads him on a journey for answers. What at first seems to be a suicide turns out to be more than meets the eye. An old land disputes comes to light as plans to make an old weapon factory into a tourist landmark.

It is an interesting start to a new series. It has potential needs a little more plot.