Scan barcode
queenoftheshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Linda Wallheim is back, still reeling from the events of "The Bishop's Wife". This time, the second counselor in the bishopric is found dead in an elaborately staged murder at the church and Linda is determined to find out why. Along the way, she continues to ruffle feathers with her liberal ideals in the peaceful, conservative, Mormon community.
As a practicing Mormon, I appreciate Harrison's attempt to share Mormon culture with the outside world. She makes a point to distinguish between culture and religion, which is refreshing. However, the story is packed with so many pulled-punches and hot-button issues, to where it feels like whiplash when you get to the end. The mystery itself is quite mundane, with the killer being so obvious from the beginning that the finale seemed somewhat staged.
Overall, it's a decent entry, but I hope the next book focuses more on the mystery, as opposed to the politics of Mormonism.
As a practicing Mormon, I appreciate Harrison's attempt to share Mormon culture with the outside world. She makes a point to distinguish between culture and religion, which is refreshing. However, the story is packed with so many pulled-punches and hot-button issues, to where it feels like whiplash when you get to the end. The mystery itself is quite mundane, with the killer being so obvious from the beginning that the finale seemed somewhat staged.
Overall, it's a decent entry, but I hope the next book focuses more on the mystery, as opposed to the politics of Mormonism.
tenteb1634's review against another edition
If I could give this negative stars, I would. The book has a number of issues. It is very poorly printed and edited. There is a sentence in one paragraph which is repeated for no discernible reason. Periodically throughout the book there are words printed in bold face type at the beginning of sentences which seemed to have no purpose for being emphasized. There are some sentences which do not even make sense nor are they complete sentences. There is too much drama going on in the lives of all the characters and, it really doesn't add to the story. The title makes no sense. It is a red herring to promote an LGBT agenda. I was surprised to learn that the author holds a PHD from Princeton. You would never guess by the quality of the work. It was also endorsed by a well-known author who said she couldn't put the book down. I am wondering if she even read it?
ninis1002's review against another edition
4.0
Just like Harrison's first book, "The Bishop's Wife," I liked this Linda Wallheim mystery very much. Actually, I'm giving this ARC 4.5 stars. I don't care much for organized religion, so it surprised me how much I enjoyed Harrison's description of life within the strict framework of Mormon rules. I kept shaking my head at yet another antiquated belief system (my apologies to any Mormon readers, especially Betsey), but I enjoyed Harrison's tackling of such highly controversial and incendiary issues as homosexuality and transgender in an intolerant and homophobic patriarchy. Granted, Harrison, or rather her protagonist Linda Wallheim, the bishop's wife, provides us with a lot of official church doctrine, but it's interesting to read how she questions it and sometimes struggles with it in an intelligent and warm-hearted manner. Oh, and the actual murder case is pretty good, too.
battog's review against another edition
3.0
while i enjoyed this sequel, i found the main character's idiosyncrasies a tad annoying and found myself skimming some of the text for the dialogue (which in my mind is what the author does best).
i feel like a bit of a voyeur reading these books. i am pretty sure i am not the intended audience: a gay ex-mormon with a phd in english literature. these books seem to written to a certain mormon audience, one that is grappling with how the church and its members live in a rapidly changing culture, specifically in regards to sex, sexuality, and sexual identity. and for that reason, i find these novels engaging and fascinating. and i am pretty sure that if they had been published 10 years ago, i would have been writing my dissertation on this topic and using these books throughout.
i feel like a bit of a voyeur reading these books. i am pretty sure i am not the intended audience: a gay ex-mormon with a phd in english literature. these books seem to written to a certain mormon audience, one that is grappling with how the church and its members live in a rapidly changing culture, specifically in regards to sex, sexuality, and sexual identity. and for that reason, i find these novels engaging and fascinating. and i am pretty sure that if they had been published 10 years ago, i would have been writing my dissertation on this topic and using these books throughout.
mataraven's review against another edition
4.0
As one who never read The Bishop's Wife, I was plunged into the story of Linda Wallheim and her Mormon community. I am very pleased that this book made complete sense and the author filled in the gaps for me as I read. In His Right Hand, Linda's husband is the Bishop and his right hand man, Carl Ashby is murdered late one night in their church. That is just the beginning - Carl had been hiding a secret that rocks his family and his community.
The pace of the book was a bit slow but I feel as thought it works for this novel. It depicts life in the Mormon community realistically and the slow pace of law enforcement from the perspective of someone who has experience assisting in investigations. I didn't feel as though the story had any highs or lows until close to the end of the book. There is a scene that is the clear climax of the book and it ends satisfactorily.
I enjoyed the characters of Linda and her husband, Kurt. Their relationship was realistic and respectful. They didn't agree on most things, but Linda was always clear in her love for her husband and her sons. The family goes through some of its own turmoil in this novel and I found the subject matter to be timely.
I have little experience with the Mormon community and I did not find the book overly "preachy". It was very descriptive and some readers might find that off-putting. The murder mystery part of this book took a back seat to the real world, every day family things that occur and managing people after a devastating loss. I didn't mind that because it was so reflective of what an actual experience is - it's not all drama and high notes. Much of it is the day-to-day relearning how to live without someone and leaning on those around you.
After reading this book, I am entertaining the idea of picking up The Bishop's Wife. This story is great for adults who are curious about the Mormon religion and who advocate for the LGBTQ community.
The pace of the book was a bit slow but I feel as thought it works for this novel. It depicts life in the Mormon community realistically and the slow pace of law enforcement from the perspective of someone who has experience assisting in investigations. I didn't feel as though the story had any highs or lows until close to the end of the book. There is a scene that is the clear climax of the book and it ends satisfactorily.
I enjoyed the characters of Linda and her husband, Kurt. Their relationship was realistic and respectful. They didn't agree on most things, but Linda was always clear in her love for her husband and her sons. The family goes through some of its own turmoil in this novel and I found the subject matter to be timely.
I have little experience with the Mormon community and I did not find the book overly "preachy". It was very descriptive and some readers might find that off-putting. The murder mystery part of this book took a back seat to the real world, every day family things that occur and managing people after a devastating loss. I didn't mind that because it was so reflective of what an actual experience is - it's not all drama and high notes. Much of it is the day-to-day relearning how to live without someone and leaning on those around you.
After reading this book, I am entertaining the idea of picking up The Bishop's Wife. This story is great for adults who are curious about the Mormon religion and who advocate for the LGBTQ community.
sanderc's review against another edition
2.0
This seemed too sensational to me. I think a lot was left unanswered and a the climactic scene was a bit of a shark jumper. I will still continue the series as I think the lens is interesting.
montanakim's review against another edition
2.0
Not a great mystery - so predictable. But definitely reminded me why I left the Mormon church.
scrapbookbug's review against another edition
3.0
interesting presentation of Mormon churches views on LGBTQ , Mormon church in general, not a bad mystery.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
2.0
RATING: 2.5
2016; Soho CRim/Soho Press
(Review Not on Blog)
I did give book two .5 more in rating from Book 1 [b:The Bishop’s Wife|21416678|The Bishop’s Wife (Linda Wallheim Mystery, #1)|Mette Ivie Harrison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436466558s/21416678.jpg|40717829]). This is because I was more engaged with the writing this time and story was really intriguing. The ending was a bit hookey, and you kind of know who the killer is midways, if not almost right after the murder. Linda was just as annoying with her "I'm not judgemental, but here is what I would think of them or this situation, if I was judgemental" attitude. I don't mind "clean" cozy mysteries once in awhile, especially after a binge of suspense or gritty mysteries, but these seem too tame and there isn't anything happening. I'm going to try book three as I am down to review all four so far in the series.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2016; Soho CRim/Soho Press
(Review Not on Blog)
I did give book two .5 more in rating from Book 1 [b:The Bishop’s Wife|21416678|The Bishop’s Wife (Linda Wallheim Mystery, #1)|Mette Ivie Harrison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436466558s/21416678.jpg|40717829]). This is because I was more engaged with the writing this time and story was really intriguing. The ending was a bit hookey, and you kind of know who the killer is midways, if not almost right after the murder. Linda was just as annoying with her "I'm not judgemental, but here is what I would think of them or this situation, if I was judgemental" attitude. I don't mind "clean" cozy mysteries once in awhile, especially after a binge of suspense or gritty mysteries, but these seem too tame and there isn't anything happening. I'm going to try book three as I am down to review all four so far in the series.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***