Scan barcode
novelesque_life's review against another edition
2.0
RATING: 2 STARS
2015; Soho Crime/Soho Press
(Review Not on Blog)
Honestly, if I had not listened to this on audio, I might have DNF'd this one. The mystery was a bit interesting and okay, but the main character, Linda Wallheim, was a bit of an annoying character. She is the wife of the Bishop (ha ha ha, as the title says), and now that all but one of her children have left the house she seems to be looking to keep herself busy. While the author explains the Mormon faith, sometimes the history lesson just went on for too long. The commentary on the faith is being seen as on media, layman and public was also a bit too much.
One of my favourite mystery series (Kate Burkholder) is by [a:Linda Castillo|54958|Linda Castillo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1388704028p2/54958.jpg] where it has the Amish faith/culture. Though in that series it is gritty and the main character has left the Amish and is in law enforcement, the way you learn about the Amish culture is more enjoyable, for a lack of a better word. It feels like it adds to the story, and the judgement is coming from the characters not the author. There is compassion and curiosity behind it. While Linda tries to show she is not judgemental, I find that she comes off more judgemental on what people are thinking. She tries to hard. She has a commentary about everyone and their decisions and at times, it feels like it is the author not Linda who has these thoughts. Linda elects herself on solving the case and at times it seems like a stretch. She does not have the humorous arrogance of Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin.
The one aspect I did really enjoy about this book was Anna's storyline and Linda befriending her. Linda is a mother to sons and with her husband being Bishop deals more with men. It is nice to see her interacting with women and showing a bit of what it is like for Mormon women. Though it feels like you only get a few sides. I will try book 2, as I agreed to review them, and I don't like stopping at book one. I have read series where book one was meh and the rest have been fabulous. An author usually gets better in their craft.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2015; Soho Crime/Soho Press
(Review Not on Blog)
Honestly, if I had not listened to this on audio, I might have DNF'd this one. The mystery was a bit interesting and okay, but the main character, Linda Wallheim, was a bit of an annoying character. She is the wife of the Bishop (ha ha ha, as the title says), and now that all but one of her children have left the house she seems to be looking to keep herself busy. While the author explains the Mormon faith, sometimes the history lesson just went on for too long. The commentary on the faith is being seen as on media, layman and public was also a bit too much.
One of my favourite mystery series (Kate Burkholder) is by [a:Linda Castillo|54958|Linda Castillo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1388704028p2/54958.jpg] where it has the Amish faith/culture. Though in that series it is gritty and the main character has left the Amish and is in law enforcement, the way you learn about the Amish culture is more enjoyable, for a lack of a better word. It feels like it adds to the story, and the judgement is coming from the characters not the author. There is compassion and curiosity behind it. While Linda tries to show she is not judgemental, I find that she comes off more judgemental on what people are thinking. She tries to hard. She has a commentary about everyone and their decisions and at times, it feels like it is the author not Linda who has these thoughts. Linda elects herself on solving the case and at times it seems like a stretch. She does not have the humorous arrogance of Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin.
The one aspect I did really enjoy about this book was Anna's storyline and Linda befriending her. Linda is a mother to sons and with her husband being Bishop deals more with men. It is nice to see her interacting with women and showing a bit of what it is like for Mormon women. Though it feels like you only get a few sides. I will try book 2, as I agreed to review them, and I don't like stopping at book one. I have read series where book one was meh and the rest have been fabulous. An author usually gets better in their craft.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
robint1981's review against another edition
3.0
not a cozy mystery, more chick lit - a Mormon wife and mother dealing with her youngest son leaving for college son and her inherited duties as the wife of a Bishop.
sde's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this story were overblown - for example, finding the And some of the points about the restrictive nature of the Mormon Church were hammered on over and over again, making it a bit didactic.
However, the narration was good and I listened to the entire book in a few days. I kept putting it on whenever I had a chance. And I learned something about the Mormon Church, including that they believe that Eve made a difficult choice, but the correct one, when she chose to eat the apple.
I couldn't tell whether the author was a following of the Church or a former follower. She knew a lot, but it often sounded like she was bashing the religion. I looked her up, and discovered that she has been a practicing Mormon all her life. She graduated from Brigham Young at age 19, and then when on to Princeton to earn a PhD. That explained a lot - she loves her religion, but is extremely intelligent and has been taught to question, thus the mixed messages.
I didn't know what the deal was with the small story line about her son Kenneth that was never resolved, but when I went onto Goodreads, I saw that this is labeled as book #1 in a series, so maybe it will be part of her next book.
Spoiler
body of Tobias's first wife. What did that add to the story, and the whole thing seemed far-fetched. In such a tight-knit community, wouldn't people be asking how she died?However, the narration was good and I listened to the entire book in a few days. I kept putting it on whenever I had a chance. And I learned something about the Mormon Church, including that they believe that Eve made a difficult choice, but the correct one, when she chose to eat the apple.
I couldn't tell whether the author was a following of the Church or a former follower. She knew a lot, but it often sounded like she was bashing the religion. I looked her up, and discovered that she has been a practicing Mormon all her life. She graduated from Brigham Young at age 19, and then when on to Princeton to earn a PhD. That explained a lot - she loves her religion, but is extremely intelligent and has been taught to question, thus the mixed messages.
I didn't know what the deal was with the small story line about her son Kenneth that was never resolved, but when I went onto Goodreads, I saw that this is labeled as book #1 in a series, so maybe it will be part of her next book.
judyward's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
3.0
Recommended by Andrea. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1024645906?book_show_action=false&page=1
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbishop%27s%20wife%20harrison__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbishop%27s%20wife%20harrison__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
elleye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
This is being billed as a "Mormon Mystery" but it's not really a mystery. Yes, there are mysterious disappearances (Tobias' first wife, for example) but for me the sense that this was a Mystery with a Detective (official or not) was missing. Instead we read a book about a woman who finds herself, because of her position in the community, in the middle of some family dramas and she tries to puzzle out what's going on in much the same way that many of us would if in a similar situation.
To be honest, many of the "accidental detectives" I read are less plausible than Linda so YAY!
As for the Mormon aspects, unlike several other books I've read where the focus is on the Church's history or on splinter groups, this was a pretty reasonable introduction to their lives. At times some of the traditions are even gently mocked, as Linda reflects on what outsiders must think (the comment about Twilight made me so happy). For those wondering if the religious aspects are overwhelming, they're not. They're necessary, but there's no proselytizing nor is there a superior tone about the religion.
ARC provided by publisher.
To be honest, many of the "accidental detectives" I read are less plausible than Linda so YAY!
As for the Mormon aspects, unlike several other books I've read where the focus is on the Church's history or on splinter groups, this was a pretty reasonable introduction to their lives. At times some of the traditions are even gently mocked, as Linda reflects on what outsiders must think (the comment about Twilight made me so happy). For those wondering if the religious aspects are overwhelming, they're not. They're necessary, but there's no proselytizing nor is there a superior tone about the religion.
ARC provided by publisher.
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
1.0
I only got about 20% into this book. I was not enjoying it, I could not relate to the character, and the comments about men and marriage just pushed me over.
Also, we have a woman complaining about unfulfilled ambitions. Her youngest child is a senior in high school and she's sitting on a couch reading during the day. 1) That was my dream, and I never achieved it because 2) I went back to school when my youngest started kindergarten and was working full time by the time she was in 3rd grade. Don't whinge about sacrifice and lack of fulfillment when you have ALL KINDS of opportunities right at hand.
I didn't finish the book, so maybe her husband was an oppressive jerk, an impression not given in the first 20 pages, but . . . wow.
Also, we have a woman complaining about unfulfilled ambitions. Her youngest child is a senior in high school and she's sitting on a couch reading during the day. 1) That was my dream, and I never achieved it because 2) I went back to school when my youngest started kindergarten and was working full time by the time she was in 3rd grade. Don't whinge about sacrifice and lack of fulfillment when you have ALL KINDS of opportunities right at hand.
I didn't finish the book, so maybe her husband was an oppressive jerk, an impression not given in the first 20 pages, but . . . wow.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
1.0
A mystery I heard. I love mysteries. It is set in the LDS (Mormon) community of Draper, Utah. Great I am LDS. I once lived in Utah. This sounds fun.
I put the book on hold at the local library and waited. Today it came. Hooray I have dinner planned. PI Day - all kinds of good Mormon family fun and easy frozen dinner means extra time for me to read.
Book starts off with promise. This might just be a cozy. I quite enjoy a good cozy. And then everything derails.
I still love this idea. I think it has great potential, but the author has a couple of problems. First she has to figure out who her audience is going to be. Mormons, great, they don't need all the explanation and commentary. Non Mormons, probably better, but they might need more explanation because what is a Cultural Hall or a Stake President to them? Unfortunately all the explanations bring the plot development to a halt every time they occur.
But I am still enamored of this idea, so I press forward. I am willing to put up with Linda, the Bishop's wife, running off and sticking her nose in where it doesn't belong. That is an ever present feature of the cozy mystery. I am not, however all that excited by her need to enumerate and editorialize on every point of LDS church procedure that the author feels compelled to share.
I am wearing down. Obviously the author is a Mormon feminist who has decided that hot button LDS topics will improve her mystery novel. I am okay with that. I love a story that makes a statement about hard topics and makes me think. I am willing to listen to the feelings and struggles of another human even their dissenting opinion on doctrine I hold dear, but I am starting to get tired.
Paragraphs like, "Jared Helm wasn't a danger to anyone anymore, except perhaps his own daughter. The real danger to the women in the ward was the danger they had faced yesterday and the day before that,and ever since they were married: their own husbands." caused me to raise my eyebrows and say out loud, "Really?" I am not naive enough to think that statement is untrue for some women. But I am also not naive enough to believe that I am the only Mormon woman who can call her husband and father and most of the males in her life friends, not dangers.
By page 63, I have about decided the author doesn't actually have an understanding of Mormon doctrine or else she doesn't care to stay true to the setting. FYI - Deacons can go at the Bishop's direction and offer the sacrament to members who have a reason to keep them from church, but I have never seen them carry a blessed tray down the street. If they do go they go with a Priest who blesses the bread and water in the members house. And I am not even going to deal with the comments about Relief Society Presidents and their inspiration on page 79.
At this point I am seeing a pattern. The author appears to want to put every controversial Mormon topic into this book, whether it has anything to do with her plot which revolves around male/female equality and abuse. I am finding myself unwilling to soldier onward. So I skim to the end and I won't spoil it for you should you decide to give this one a try.
Just please, if you have questions about the Mormons, don't let this be the place you use for your answers.
I put the book on hold at the local library and waited. Today it came. Hooray I have dinner planned. PI Day - all kinds of good Mormon family fun and easy frozen dinner means extra time for me to read.
Book starts off with promise. This might just be a cozy. I quite enjoy a good cozy. And then everything derails.
I still love this idea. I think it has great potential, but the author has a couple of problems. First she has to figure out who her audience is going to be. Mormons, great, they don't need all the explanation and commentary. Non Mormons, probably better, but they might need more explanation because what is a Cultural Hall or a Stake President to them? Unfortunately all the explanations bring the plot development to a halt every time they occur.
But I am still enamored of this idea, so I press forward. I am willing to put up with Linda, the Bishop's wife, running off and sticking her nose in where it doesn't belong. That is an ever present feature of the cozy mystery. I am not, however all that excited by her need to enumerate and editorialize on every point of LDS church procedure that the author feels compelled to share.
I am wearing down. Obviously the author is a Mormon feminist who has decided that hot button LDS topics will improve her mystery novel. I am okay with that. I love a story that makes a statement about hard topics and makes me think. I am willing to listen to the feelings and struggles of another human even their dissenting opinion on doctrine I hold dear, but I am starting to get tired.
Paragraphs like, "Jared Helm wasn't a danger to anyone anymore, except perhaps his own daughter. The real danger to the women in the ward was the danger they had faced yesterday and the day before that,and ever since they were married: their own husbands." caused me to raise my eyebrows and say out loud, "Really?" I am not naive enough to think that statement is untrue for some women. But I am also not naive enough to believe that I am the only Mormon woman who can call her husband and father and most of the males in her life friends, not dangers.
By page 63, I have about decided the author doesn't actually have an understanding of Mormon doctrine or else she doesn't care to stay true to the setting. FYI - Deacons can go at the Bishop's direction and offer the sacrament to members who have a reason to keep them from church, but I have never seen them carry a blessed tray down the street. If they do go they go with a Priest who blesses the bread and water in the members house. And I am not even going to deal with the comments about Relief Society Presidents and their inspiration on page 79.
At this point I am seeing a pattern. The author appears to want to put every controversial Mormon topic into this book, whether it has anything to do with her plot which revolves around male/female equality and abuse. I am finding myself unwilling to soldier onward. So I skim to the end and I won't spoil it for you should you decide to give this one a try.
Just please, if you have questions about the Mormons, don't let this be the place you use for your answers.