Hope, Faith, and a Corpse
Hardcover, 298 pages
Published January 12th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Goodreads synopsis:
In the tradition of M. C. Beaton, Hope Taylor, pastor of a small-town California church, tries to find out who sent a church elder to Heaven.
Hope Taylor arrives in Apple Springs to start her new life as the first female pastor of Faith Chapel Episcopal Church. The northern California town's quaint cottages, bungalows, and shops promise a fresh start for the 42-year-old widow and Bogie, her scruffy black Labrador. But where is Father Christopher? The kindly old rector who hired Pastor Hope was supposed to meet her upon her arrival, but he's nowhere to be seen. Hope's faith springs eternal, so she explores the little white church hoping to find Father Christopher. But when she enters the columbarium, she instead finds church elder Stanley King--his skull crushed by a fallen burial urn.
Hope had made Stanley's acquaintance before, and had struggled to take a charitable view of his character. Stanley was as wicked as he was wealthy, as petty as he was pious. His soul may have been holy, but his behavior was wholly rotten. The last time Hope had seen him, he had shouted drunkenly that she would preach at Faith Chapel over his dead body.
Many of the townsfolk witnessed the altercation, so Hope finds herself as the prime suspect in Stanley's murder. With Bogie's four-footed assistance, Hope is determined to find the real killer and clear her name...even if it will require a bit of divine intervention.
***
4.5 stars
This is the first book in the Faith Chapel mystery series by Laura Jensen Walker.
This book had a unique protagonist I had not come across before. Not only was she a sleuth in the making, she was a pastor! What a great idea for a story concept. Just totally loving it!
There is a lot going on in this sleepy little town, so you better pay attention. The first thing Pastor Hope does is find a dead body and immediately become suspect number one. What a way to start off a new job in the ministry. The minor characters are out of this world awesome. Just loving the heck out of this new series by Walker. Can’t wait for more tales and adventures.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
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