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Title: In the Bleak Midwinter (A Rev. Clare Ferguson Mystery) by Julia Spencer-Fleming ISBN: 0-312-98676-9 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 14 March, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.62 (8 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A True Blessing!
Comment: Not familiar with the author, I was hesitant to pick up this book. The fact that it had won so many awards for first novel put me over the edge and I am delighted that it did. The author's heroine, an Episcopal priest by the name of Claire Ferguson finds herself in the middle of a mystery that evolves into murder in the upstate New York town of Miller's Kill. She finds a newborn baby on the doorstep of the rectory and that sets in motion a quest to find who left the child, and, in turn, a series of murders that makes it evident that the truth is not meant to be known. The book is a quick read and the relationship between Claire and the town's police chief makes for interesting reading. I will not miss the next book in the series.
Rating: 5
Summary: A truly remarkable multi-award winning debut
Comment: As a reviewer of first novels, it is hoped that at least once or twice a year we are sent a book that appears to have it all- great characters, compelling plot and a superb rendition of the locale. I am pleased to report all that and more is contained in this truly remarkable debut of the 2001 St. Martin's Press/Malice Domestic Award Winner, Julia Spenser-Fleming.
The place is Millers Kill in upstate New York during the bleak midwinter as the title proclaims. A newborn baby is left on the steps of the local church with a note claiming the child should be given to a local couple, The Burns, who desperately want to adopt a child. Claire Fergusson, a newly ordained Episcopal priest found the child and wants to discover who the mother is. Local police chief, Russ Van Alystyne also wants to get to the bottom of the case especially when people start turning up dead. Claire and Russ make an unlikely team as they attempt to find the answers and to stop the killing as suspects abound in this small town community.
Malice Domestic tends to conjure up images of cats and eccentric little old ladies in funny hats sitting around solving bloodless crimes. That is just not true. Malice Domestic refers to the traditional mystery. In this case this traditional mystery has a definite hardboiled edge. It is quite universal in its appeal. Characters are beautifully rendered and are wholly sympathetic to the reader. The relationship between the married Police Chief and the local priest is one that is quite dynamic and their mutual attraction will always be a source of conflict. The crimes are a true puzzlement and their solution quite clever. Clues come to us throughout the book and it is this that keep the pages flying. As readers of my reviews are aware, I have a problem with long expositions with the cliché of the villain telling all before a catastrophic event. This is used here. It works but I still don't like it. The book is also a bit lengthy. However, these are minor complaints when one considers how truly excellent the work is as a whole. This is definitely an early favorite for the best of the year lists.
Rating: 5
Summary: Let it snow!
Comment: When a vicar, new to a small rural New York State town finds a newborn bundled in blankets on her church's doorstep, the web of greed, abuse & murder begins to unravel.
Make way for a new crime-solving duo in the world of mysteries. The modern priest & police chief are richly drawn characters with histories to tell.
I agree with everyone else's observations about inappropriate blunders, however, they detract only a tad from a well-written story.
Julia Spencer-Fleming's debut IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER has a wry sense of humor, hair raising adventures while telling a tale of what moves people to do horrible & brave things.
RebeccasReads recommends IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER for a fine, thoughtful mystery
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Title: A Fountain Filled With Blood (A Rev. Clare Ferguson Mystery) by Julia Spencer-Fleming ISBN: 0312995431 Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks Pub. Date: 06 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Out of the Deep I Cry : A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming ISBN: 0312312628 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 26 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: The Tentmaker (Lily Connor Mysteries (Paperback)) by Michelle Blake ISBN: 0425176681 Publisher: Prime Crime Pub. Date: 12 September, 2000 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Earth Has No Sorrow by Michelle Blake ISBN: 0425185230 Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group Pub. Date: 04 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Book of Light by Michelle Blake ISBN: 0399150463 Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group Pub. Date: 08 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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