Nicola Furlong

One of the mysteries in The Nervous Nephew seems right out of Trixie Belden, but wasn't what I expected. The other mystery was pretty easy to guess. Still, there are mysteries one reads for the plot and mysteries one reads more for the characters -- with the mystery being the frosting on the cupcake. Church Choir Mysteries belong in that second category. They are definitely cozies. They're set in the small, fictional town of Willow Bend, Indiana. The choir in the series title belongs to the Eternal Hope Community Church.

Gracie Parks is our widowed heroine. She lives with her 80-year-old Uncle Miltie (he's nicknamed for the late television comedian, Milton Berle, because he also tells bad jokes), and her tomcat, Gooseberry. She's a superb cook.

One of Gracie's many friends is a retired librarian, Anna Searfoss. Anna is diabetic and almost blind. Years ago she wrote a series of children's books that a publisher is interested in reprinting. Anna and her husband, Joe, have had no relatives around since Anna's sister died and her brother-in-law took her nephew to his parents to rear because he was in the military. Now an article about the series has Anna's grown nephew, Tom, show up. Isn't that wonderful? Gracie isn't so sure. She's even less sure when a fast-talking New York comes to pressure Anna into signing with him to get her book series turned into a television series.

A subplot that isn't a mystery involves a day to honor the surviving World War II vets in town. I enjoyed the event -- except for a man so obsessed with his feeling about one of the other subplots that he can't mind his manners.

Another subplot is sibling rivalry: an 11-year-old girl named Katie whose mother and stepfather have just given her a baby brother and she'd like the gift sent back.

The second mystery is who is setting fires around town. Most are put out quickly, but there are some injuries.

With God's help, Gracie will solve these mysteries and deal with these problems.

Readers will not have to endure swear words or sex scenes in this book. Each chapter begins with one of a set of charming drawings of a cat, presumably Gooseberry. My one real regret is the recipe chosen for the book. All those mouth-watering descriptions and what do we get? 'Gracie's broccoli-and-cheese omelet'. (At least the broccoli is no more than steamed. I fully agree with Gracie's comment about mushy broccoli.)

If you're looking for a nice, clean cozy with religious characters portrayed in a positive manner, you'll probably like this book.… (more)