An engaging traditional mystery set in rural New York state. I quite liked the protagonists, a dedicated small-town cop and a woman Episcopal priest recently transplanted from Virginia, both of whom are ex-military. Both are highly driven public servants, though their approaches to service are very different, and they develop an intense, charming friendship that threatens to turn to something more. I really liked the meditations on vocation, as well as getting to watch competent people be competent (although could have done with more competence from Clare, who is a bit of a maniac whenever it serves the plot).

The mystery is decent, though not always good at disguising its red herrings, and the suspense scenes are top notch. The evocation of a wintry upstate New York is quite atmospheric, though not always nuanced - supporting characters are flat and dialogue is uneven (especially the teenagers', although as a contemporary of these kids, can report that she made a valiant effort).

A solid read, can definitely see myself picking up another of these novels.

P.S., I'm going to experiment with not rating books unless I really loved or really hated them. Let's see how this goes!

2.5 ( )

The only mystery is how the racist religious bigots are cast as "just nice people."
No wait, the only mystery is why it's acceptable for a whole community to conspire by any means necessary to take a "rare healthy white baby" and place it with a "deserving" wealthy white couple.
No wait, the only mystery is how this poorly written salacious claptrap ever won any award. ( )

Hmmm -- undecided between 3.5 and 4 stars 3.5*

I waffled for quite a while between 3½ and 4 stars for this audiobook. Suzanne Toran does a great narration (once I understood that Clare was from Virginia). I loved the setting (which reminded me of my grandparents' home in the Finger Lake region of upstate NY).

However, I had some problems with Clare as the book progressed. She is new to winter in a northern climate but insists to herself for quite a long time that people's suggestions that, for example, her coat or her car is inappropriate for the area are about image rather than practicality so 'she'll show them'. She tells parishioners things she should be telling the police and she believes everything everyone tells her. Despite all that, I did like her and Russ's interactions and will read the next one. ( )

CD