The debut of a new mystery series by first-time author D.A. Bartley shows promise.
Abish “Abbie” Taylor is a widow who moved back to her hometown of Pleasant View, Utah after the recent death of her husband, Phillip. Her experience as a detective for the New York City Police lands her a job as the only detective on Pleasant Valley's small police force. It's clear she's been left well provided for, and needs the job more for something to do and as a way to reconnect with the community. Abbie is less sanguine about reconnecting with her family, who pretty much cut off all contact (except for her brother, John) when she abandoned the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and married outside the faith..
Her first major case as Pleasant Valley's detective, is the murder of a Church Elder in macabre circumstances. The victim is found in an empty house, wearing sacred temple clothing and killed in a brutal manner that replicates a ritual called Blood Atonement that the Church has disavowed. Abbie and her partner, Officer Jim Clarke, a devout LDS member begin their investigation, but soon find themselves stymied. Church leaders do not want the media to get wind of this case and the police chief is pushing for a quick closure. What is it that everyone is so anxious to prevent Abbie from finding out about Elder Steve Smith and his Celestial Times Shares development project in Costa Rico?
The book contains a great deal of historical background on the LDS Church, which ties into a key component of the mystery. However the rest of the backstory is extremely sketchy, particularly about the relationships between the characters. Instead there is a lot of snobbishness, that gives a strong impression of an affluent and controlling elite more intent on preserving their privilege than seeing justice done. The mystery is solved in a stunning conclusion. But Abbie herself is still a cipher; except she seems well on the way to becoming a closet alcoholic --- although she drinks only the best wines, of course. A second book, Death in the Covenant, is in the works. Let's hope it provides more real character development and fewer branding opportunities.
Click HERE to read an interview with the author from Thrill Begins.com.
Click HERE to read the review from Publishers Weekly.
Click HERE to read the review from Kirkus Reviews.
Click HERE to read the review from Book Reviews and More by Kathy.com.
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