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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Happy to be back in Miller’s Kill. Another excellent installment in this series.
emotional
mysterious
tense
I’ve waited so long for this book! Fortunately it was just like catching up with old friends. I don’t remember all the details from the previous books but I don’t need to either.
For this latest Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne offering the book picks up with Russ and Clare dealing with a new born and Clare’s sobriety. Already stressful when an unknown woman is found dead. In the same spot as two other dead women from 1972 and 1952.
I really liked this book. I liked the jumping between decades and police chiefs. I didn’t guess the killers or the reasons.
I think the biggest thing that bugged me about this book is that, if I understand the timeline right, this book is still set in the early 2000s considering they say Russ is in his early 50s and was born in 1952, but I’m present day there’s talk of everyone being on a cell phone and dating apps and things that feel more more present present day and not book present day. If the book takes place in 2006 like it seems to then the iPhone wasn’t around yet. Not everyone would have a cell phone and even if they did they were still only really good for taking pictures, listening to music, taking calls and texting. And not texting quickly. So that took me out of it a little because I’d be reading and think ok that’s fine there would be dating apps and then remind myself the book is set in 2006. There were dating websites but not really dating apps.
Other than that I’m glad there’s a new book and since it ended on a cliff hanger I hope the next one comes out soon.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins/Minotaur for an advance copy.
For this latest Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne offering the book picks up with Russ and Clare dealing with a new born and Clare’s sobriety. Already stressful when an unknown woman is found dead. In the same spot as two other dead women from 1972 and 1952.
I really liked this book. I liked the jumping between decades and police chiefs. I didn’t guess the killers or the reasons.
I think the biggest thing that bugged me about this book is that, if I understand the timeline right, this book is still set in the early 2000s considering they say Russ is in his early 50s and was born in 1952, but I’m present day there’s talk of everyone being on a cell phone and dating apps and things that feel more more present present day and not book present day. If the book takes place in 2006 like it seems to then the iPhone wasn’t around yet. Not everyone would have a cell phone and even if they did they were still only really good for taking pictures, listening to music, taking calls and texting. And not texting quickly. So that took me out of it a little because I’d be reading and think ok that’s fine there would be dating apps and then remind myself the book is set in 2006. There were dating websites but not really dating apps.
Other than that I’m glad there’s a new book and since it ended on a cliff hanger I hope the next one comes out soon.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins/Minotaur for an advance copy.
** Disclosure: I was given an Advanced Readers Copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
If you’re reading this review but you haven’t read the first eight Clare/Russ books, you must stop reading. Right now. Go straight to your source for books and get the first one, [b:In the Bleak Midwinter|113002|In the Bleak Midwinter (The Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries #1)|Julia Spencer-Fleming|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558669830l/113002._SY75_.jpg|265055]. You’ll thank me, I promise! :)
There’s so much to enjoy in HID FROM OUR EYES. It was a pleasure getting to know Russ as a young man, Margery as both a young woman and a middle-aged one, and one or two of Clare’s parishioners in their youth as well. The mystery was especially good: how can three almost-identical murders over a 30-year span possibly be committed by the same person? Yet how can they not, with so many similarities?
I absolutely do not want to spoil anything, but I will say that my 5-star rating was firmly sealed by one heck of a spectacular, cliff-hanging ending. I do hope the next book comes quickly!
If you’re reading this review but you haven’t read the first eight Clare/Russ books, you must stop reading. Right now. Go straight to your source for books and get the first one, [b:In the Bleak Midwinter|113002|In the Bleak Midwinter (The Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries #1)|Julia Spencer-Fleming|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558669830l/113002._SY75_.jpg|265055]. You’ll thank me, I promise! :)
There’s so much to enjoy in HID FROM OUR EYES. It was a pleasure getting to know Russ as a young man, Margery as both a young woman and a middle-aged one, and one or two of Clare’s parishioners in their youth as well. The mystery was especially good: how can three almost-identical murders over a 30-year span possibly be committed by the same person? Yet how can they not, with so many similarities?
I absolutely do not want to spoil anything, but I will say that my 5-star rating was firmly sealed by one heck of a spectacular, cliff-hanging ending. I do hope the next book comes quickly!
Clare and Russ are back after a long hiatus, and Spencer-Fleming in this book reminds me of why this has been one of my favorite series.
The series takes place in a small upstate New York town. Clare is a military vet (flying helicopters) who has become a rather liberal Episcopal priest in conservative Miller’s Kill. Russ, also a military vet, is the town’s chief of police. In this ninth book in the series, they are married and have a four-month-old son.
The main mystery involves a young woman left dead in a party dress on a lonely county road, a death that is almost identical to two unsolved cases from 1952 and 1972. The cause of death is not apparent, and Russ actually was considered a suspect in the 1972 case. (I tend to keep a timeline in my head while reading books, and this one makes no sense unless “present day” actually is 2006. But I love the series so much I am willing to ignore the inconsistency.) The narrative jumps between the times of the three cases, giving insight into some characters whose lives span those years. In addition to the murder cases, the town, as a budget measure, is considering dissolving the local police department in favor of the state police, and the department is facing a lawsuit from the disgruntled ex-husband of one of their officers. It’s a stressful and hectic time for everyone.
While the mystery in this case was interesting, what really makes this series stand out are the characters themselves. All are multidimensional and seem real. Clare struggles with PTSD and addiction problems as well as with the more everyday challenges of her priesthood and being a new mother. Russ also deals with issues from his past as well as the problems of both job and private life. Other likable and interesting characters like a female officer with a sordid past, a Boy Scout-like young officer who makes some surprising decisions, etc., also enrich the series. While solving the main case, the denizens of Miller’s Kill also juggle a lot of personal issues that endear them and the series to me.
The book ends with the main issues resolved but with some big changes and a smaller mystery that I hope promise an interesting new book in the future. I wish the author all the best and hope she is back on track to give us that next story soon.
The series takes place in a small upstate New York town. Clare is a military vet (flying helicopters) who has become a rather liberal Episcopal priest in conservative Miller’s Kill. Russ, also a military vet, is the town’s chief of police. In this ninth book in the series, they are married and have a four-month-old son.
The main mystery involves a young woman left dead in a party dress on a lonely county road, a death that is almost identical to two unsolved cases from 1952 and 1972. The cause of death is not apparent, and Russ actually was considered a suspect in the 1972 case. (I tend to keep a timeline in my head while reading books, and this one makes no sense unless “present day” actually is 2006. But I love the series so much I am willing to ignore the inconsistency.) The narrative jumps between the times of the three cases, giving insight into some characters whose lives span those years. In addition to the murder cases, the town, as a budget measure, is considering dissolving the local police department in favor of the state police, and the department is facing a lawsuit from the disgruntled ex-husband of one of their officers. It’s a stressful and hectic time for everyone.
While the mystery in this case was interesting, what really makes this series stand out are the characters themselves. All are multidimensional and seem real. Clare struggles with PTSD and addiction problems as well as with the more everyday challenges of her priesthood and being a new mother. Russ also deals with issues from his past as well as the problems of both job and private life. Other likable and interesting characters like a female officer with a sordid past, a Boy Scout-like young officer who makes some surprising decisions, etc., also enrich the series. While solving the main case, the denizens of Miller’s Kill also juggle a lot of personal issues that endear them and the series to me.
The book ends with the main issues resolved but with some big changes and a smaller mystery that I hope promise an interesting new book in the future. I wish the author all the best and hope she is back on track to give us that next story soon.
Not my favorite, to be honest, of one of my favorite series. It was a long time between the last one and this but I picked right up with the characters and the atmosphere of the small-town upstate New York location.
The plot involved 3 different murders decades apart but all seemed to be linked. It was a very unusual motive and that was a pleasant and imaginative change from the standard. All in all, an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. Several thread left dangling and that is one thing I really don't like although that has become more common with series, it seems to me.
The plot involved 3 different murders decades apart but all seemed to be linked. It was a very unusual motive and that was a pleasant and imaginative change from the standard. All in all, an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. Several thread left dangling and that is one thing I really don't like although that has become more common with series, it seems to me.
Took me forever to pick it up again, but it was great, as usual!!
Three suspicious deaths that span from 1952 to current day. Three different investigations and still no closer to figuring out how these women were killed. Russ Van Alstyne is investigating the current case but it comes at a time that budget cuts are threatening to close their department. Small town rumors are running rampant and with the help of his wife, Reverend Claire Fergusson, Russ is trying to navigate his way through. Can he figure out the connection that spans over decades will trying to save his department?
I have not read the others in this series but I didn't have any trouble figuring what was going on with the characters. I thought this was a realistic stories with real struggles from the characters. I have to admit the mystery had me perplexed, I kept trying to figure out how the mystery was connected and it had me guessing until the end. I need to go back and start from the beginning but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down.
I received a free copy of Hid From Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read the others in this series but I didn't have any trouble figuring what was going on with the characters. I thought this was a realistic stories with real struggles from the characters. I have to admit the mystery had me perplexed, I kept trying to figure out how the mystery was connected and it had me guessing until the end. I need to go back and start from the beginning but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down.
I received a free copy of Hid From Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so happy to have been finally reunited with my dear friends from Miller’s Kill. Worth the wait, but now I have to wait again until the next book comes out to find out what happens!
Julia Spencer-Fleming has done it again: written a wonderful book set in Millers Kill. Three cases turn out to be intertwined, an intern starts at Clare’s parish, and much else happens that I will avoid describing due to the risk of spoiling future readers!
The author does a great job of making everybody real. In most ways, that is one of her strengths. But it may also be the reason I can’t give this book five stars. The ending wraps up the story well, but leaves me with concerns about a number of different characters for a number of different reasons. And I don’t want to worry about those characters until the tenth book is published!
If you ask me in a week, I might have bumped it up to five stars, but since the ending comes at the end (which I know is self-evident), it colors my perception of the book at its end. I hope I’m not being too harsh to a book I really enjoyed!
The author does a great job of making everybody real. In most ways, that is one of her strengths. But it may also be the reason I can’t give this book five stars. The ending wraps up the story well, but leaves me with concerns about a number of different characters for a number of different reasons. And I don’t want to worry about those characters until the tenth book is published!
If you ask me in a week, I might have bumped it up to five stars, but since the ending comes at the end (which I know is self-evident), it colors my perception of the book at its end. I hope I’m not being too harsh to a book I really enjoyed!