From the Bookshelf of Tyler Public Library…

[close] This title is the 8th in a mystery series based on Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson & Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne in upstate New York. The book picks up a few months after the end of "One Was a Soldier" (#7), when Clare stunned Russ with news of her pregnancy. The entire story takes place over one week, a time Clare and Russ planned on spending their belated honeymoon at a lake house. Of course everything gets turned on its ear due to a double homicide, the kidnapping of a child in need of medical attention, and one of the worst ice storms seen in years. On top of that, they both have complications with their jobs, as if their pregnancy is not causing enough upheaval in their lives.

Kevin Flynn and Hadley Knox, characters introduced in "All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" (#6), are back, and Spencer-Fleming’s development of them is very satisfying. As officers under Chief Van Alstyne, they play a big part in the murder and kidnapping investigation. In addition to personal dilemmas, their time working together stirs up emotions from their previous relationship that they hoped were dormant.

Readers will enjoy this story best if they start at the first book in the series, "In the Bleak Midwinter," since so many characters reappear from book to book, while weaving the story of a small town and its residents. This book follows suit with others in the series as a highly recommended tale of mystery and suspense. As with her other Fergusson/Van Alstyne books, there is a cliff hanger, so we will want to hear more from these familiar characters in the future.