Secular murder mystery

Weycombe by G. M. Malliet

American Jillian White lives with her titled English husband in the exclusive little village of Weycombe.  When a real estate agent is found murdered, the village is shaken.  Jillian, at loose ends because of losing her job at the BBC, works on solving the murder.  Her investigation gives the reader an intimate glimpse into the lives of the people living in Weycombe and turns up a very surprising conclusion.

The characters were well-drawn and their motivations were studied.  The author kept me guessing as to who had “done it.”  She saved the best twist until the end and then still left me wondering what Jillian would do.

I enjoyed this book even though it is a different genre from what I usually read, which is Christian fiction.  Although the language was a bit crude, the plot was good.  Readers who enjoy a good murder mystery with a surprise will enjoy this one, too. 

 

    

Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

Dana Newell, a 911 dispatcher, returns to Copper Falls hoping to find a more peaceful life away from her abusive ex-fiancé.  She moves in with her step-brother and looks forward to life with her old friends in Rock Harbor.  But her past is beginning to haunt her and threatens the future she had hoped for.  She has weathered many storms and is stronger for it, but will she be able to survive the storm headed her way now?

Beneath Copper Falls is a continuation of the Rock Harbor novels.  The series was vaguely familiar to me (I had read an earlier book in the series), but I could still follow the plot twists.  The book did manage to surprise me with a few turn of events, too.  I enjoyed getting reacquainted with the characters and look forward to seeing what happens in their future.

 There was a nice blend of romance and suspense, which is Colleen Coble’s trademark.  I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in return for my honest review.  

Perennials by Julie Cantrell

Forty-five year old Eva seemed to have an idyllic childhood with her sister Bitsy and parents in rural Mississippi.  But when she was old enough to leave home, she fled and returned home very seldom.  Now her parents are asking her to come home—in the middle of the most important deal of her career.  They are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary and want her help with the arrangements, even if her sister Bitsy does not.  Eva reluctantly gives in and goes, despite knowing that Bitsy will make life there miserable for her.  As it turns out, this is a life-changing trip for Eva.

This book explores the relationship between two sisters and the past that made it so.  The author does a good job of developing the sisters’ personalities.  Their sibling rivalry isn’t always understood, but the author keeps peeling away at the layers of the past until the reader and the characters finally understand it.

Besides the complexity of the sisters’ relationship, the book also explores marriage relationships.  Eva’s parents have an enviable marriage, while both Eva and Bitsy struggle unsuccessfully to replicate it.  Eva is recovering from an abusive relationship and Bitsy’s husband is chronically unfaithful. There is hope, however, for Eva to have a happy marriage with Fisher.

Yoga figures prominently in this book, which surprised me.  Eva is a yoga instructor for seniors and she teaches her parents some of the poses.  Her ninety year old friend, Marian, practices yoga with her and is also a spiritual guide, walking her around a medicine wheel.  Given that opinions on yoga are a bit contentious in some Christian circles, I am surprised that the author included it so prominently.

 

Perennials is well-written like the other of Cantrell’s novels.  It addresses family and relational issues that many readers are sure to identify with.  If you are a fan of Julie Cantrell, don’t miss this one!  I received this free copy from the publisher for my honest opinion.