A Fountain Filled with Blood

I really enjoyed "In The Bleak Midwinter" and knew I'd found a good new series. Coming up with a second book in a series that had such a strong start has to be a challenge but Julia Spencer-Fleming manages it well.

She continues to use two strong, likeable main characters, Clare the ex-army helicopter pilot turned Episcopalian Priest and Russ the Vietnam vet turned local Chief of Police, to power the story. She uses a regular pulse of humour makes to keep this a fun read and ups the cuteness factor by adding two Berneses Mountain dogs to the mix.

Yet the book isn't a cosy mystery. Like its predecessor, it confronts tough social issues, in this case, violence against gay men, the pollution of the Adirondacks by PCBs and the tension show more between providing local jobs and destroying local land. The crimes in this book are darker and more brutal than in the first book, but despite the rather off-putting title (a quote from a William Cowper hymn about washing away sin), the violence is not gratuitous and mostly takes place off-stage.

The we're-attracted-but-can't-let-ourselves-do-anything-about-it-except-feel-guilty-without-being-any-less-attracted relationship between Clare and Russ develops in a grown-up, slightly repressed but completely believable way that doesn't take over the plot but does deepen the characters. Russ's wife remains physically absent, even when the story has to be twisted a little to achieve it, which actually increases the strength of her presence as a source of guilt to both of the main characters. Russ' mother, a die-hard activist since the sixties, adds some spice to the story and rounds out Russ a bit.

I admired the ingenuity used to keep the Clare plausibly involved in the action around the crimes. It worked, even when I could see it coming. The scene with the helicopter was exciting but required an extra-special effort at suspending disbelief and some fairly heavy-handed plot-work. On the whole though, this was a well put together mystery that kept me guessing most of the time.

I'll be staying with this series and hoping that the quality stays high and the titles get better. show less

It's been six months since Clare Ferguson, former army helicopter pilot and current Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief of Miller's Kill worked together on their first crime. They've been studiously avoiding one another ever since in an effort to keep their mutual attraction from gaining ground. During the Fourth of July holiday, two gay men are attacked and badly beaten in a manner that appears to be a hate crime. Clare is convinced Russ should warn the gay members of the town but Russ isn't convinced it's a specific hate crime. When the third attack kills a developer involved in a high profile land development deal, Russ suspects there may be more to these attacks than anti-gay grievances. Many people in town are show more involved in the protests against the land development deal since contaminated PCB ponds have been found in the area. Economic supporters want the jobs and the environmentalist want to stop the development.

Maybe I should be uncomfortable with the growing attraction between Russ and Clare but I'm not. Russ is happily married to a woman who we never hear from in the books and is kept “off stage” in a clever move. They both want to be friends but that is so difficult when they are such soul mates, to use a corny phrase. They use a lot of humorous dialog and their characters are so different and interesting. The character development is never done at the expense of a well plotted mystery. The small town of Miller's Kill will be familiar to any reader who ever lived in one. The author has a good eye for detail and there's a fabulously exciting, well-written helicopter scene in this story.

If you are worried about reading a preachy type story rest assured these are not religiously themed mysteries. While Clare is an Episcopal priest the books don't focus on religion. The prayers and Episcopalian rituals are added for atmosphere and I find them completely unobtrusive. Great series of mysteries. I'm already on book three and have picked up the others, as well. show less

In this second of the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mysteries, a series of hate crimes against gays brings the duo together again. Clare is a thirty-ish Episcopal priest; Russ is the 48-year-old Chief of Police in Millers Kill, a small town in New York's Adirondacks region.

Clare is still relatively new to the community and while she has demonstrated an ability to inspire, counsel, and lead her congregation, she has also unsettled them with some of her liberal views. In this book she provides pastoral counseling to gay assault victims and their partners, and takes up the cause of gay rights issue within her congregation by organizing a vigil. Through her profession Clare gains entry into unusual situations that provide insight to the show more crimes, and then can't resist going one step further (some might say one step too far) with further investigation. Armed with clues, she constantly badgers Russ to acknowledge a link between each case. Russ initially rejects Clare's involvement but as the crimes escalate, their collaboration becomes essential.

Where the first book in this series drew more on Russ' talents as a law enforcement officer and Clare was the error-prone but well-intentioned assistant, this story is all about Clare. In a hilarious party scene, Clare gleans important clues but not without making a fool of herself. She also takes charge during a thrilling chase near the end, drawing on her Army training. Russ remains, as always, a dependable friend ... or perhaps something more? Russ is married, but his wife is always absent. Each character acknowledges their feelings for the other, but only to themselves. This is definitely a side story, but every time the two were alone together, I found myself wondering if this would be the big moment. Nah ... maintaining this dramatic tension is all part of the fun! show less

Brutal assaults mar the July Fourth celebrations in Millers Kill, New York as the attack on an out-of-town developer ends in murder. Could this have something to do with the plans for an upscale spa or does the blame belong to something . . . or someone . . . far more sinister?

The strong sense of place evident in the first book in the series anchors the continuing story of Reverend Clare Fergusson and police chief Russ Van Alstyne. In this, the second book in the series, plot twists and unexpected reveals keep the suspense building as the narrative unfolds but the well-developed, believable characters are the strength of this series. Clare and Russ, at first glance, would seem to be an unlikely duo but their realistic banter and the show more ever-growing tension between the two characters pulls readers into the telling of the tale. There is much for readers to appreciate in this page-turner story that explores relationships and thoughtfully addresses important social issues.

Highly recommended. show less

It's been six months since Clare Ferguson, former army helicopter pilot and current Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief of Miller's Kill worked together on their first crime. They've been studiously avoiding one another ever since in an effort to keep their mutual attraction from gaining ground. During the Fourth of July holiday, two gay men are attacked and badly beaten in a manner that appears to be a hate crime. Clare is convinced Russ should warn the gay members of the town but Russ isn't convinced it's a specific hate crime. When the third attack kills a developer involved in a high profile land development deal, Russ suspects there may be more to these attacks than anti-gay grievances. Many people in town are show more involved in the protests against the land development deal since contaminated PCB ponds have been found in the area. Economic supporters want the jobs and the environmentalist want to stop the development.

Maybe I should be uncomfortable with the growing attraction between Russ and Clare but I'm not. Russ is happily married to a woman who we never hear from in the books and is kept “off stage” in a clever move. They both want to be friends but that is so difficult when they are such soul mates, to use a corny phrase. They use a lot of humorous dialog and their characters are so different and interesting. The character development is never done at the expense of a well plotted mystery. The small town of Miller's Kill will be familiar to any reader who ever lived in one. The author has a good eye for detail and there's a fabulously exciting, well-written helicopter scene in this story.

If you are worried about reading a preachy type story rest assured these are not religiously themed mysteries. While Clare is an Episcopal priest the books don't focus on religion. The prayers and Episcopalian rituals are added for atmosphere and I find them completely unobtrusive. Great series of mysteries. I'm already on book three and have picked up the others, as well. show less

First Line: The yahoos came by just after the dinner party broke up.

Small towns have a reputation for being quiet and safe that's not always deserved. The same holds true for Millers Kill, New York. The Fourth of July weekend brings a spate of vicious attacks that have Reverend Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne reeling-- not only because of the brutality but because the victims seem to have been chosen because they're gay.

When the third attack on an out-of-town developer ends in murder, Clare and Russ begin thinking outside the box. Could these attacks be connected to the murder victim's plan to open an upscale spa outside of town? What Clare and Russ don't know is that their thinking is going to lead them straight into show more danger.

It hasn't been that long since I read-- and fell in love with-- the first book in this series, In the Bleak Midwinter. I wasn't even halfway through that book when I began ordering all the rest of the volumes in the series. I honestly try to pace myself through series, especially when they're as good as this one started out being. After all, the faster I gobble them up, the longer I'll have to wait for the next book to be published. However, I don't feel quite so guilty about reading A Fountain Filled With Blood so soon after the first. You see... I told my husband about In the Bleak Midwinter, and as of the writing of this review, he's already finished all the books in the series. When he found out I was only on the second book, two words came to mind to describe his facial expression: "cat" and "canary."

As I read this book, I see that Clare and I are doomed to disagree about her choice of transportation, but as long as her choice doesn't put her life in danger again, I'll just smile and shake my head. One of the things about this series that has grabbed me by the throat is the sheer power of Spencer-Fleming's characterizations. Clare and Russ are real. I catch myself talking to them as I read. (This time I remember yelling, "Check the helicopter!" several times.) They have wonderful senses of humor. They make mistakes and wonder how they're going to make things right. And neither one is about to stand idly by when someone is in trouble. A Fountain Filled With Blood shows both of these characters in action: Russ in his protective police chief best, and Clare putting her Army helicopter pilot training to good use.

I know I've been praising the characters in this book to the skies, but that's not the only good thing to be found. Spencer-Fleming provides some excellent misdirection throughout as to the true motivations behind the crimes. I didn't put all the pieces together until the action was gearing up for the grand finale.

As much as I've enjoyed the first two books in this series, I'm going to make myself slow down. I don't want to be a whiner, impatiently waiting for the next book to be published. And if you haven't read any of Julia Spencer-Fleming's books, I have only one question for you: What on earth are you waiting for? show less

This is the second book in the Clare Fergusson series and I am getting to like this series more and more. This time around, the former Army helicopter pilot turned Episcopal priest helps police chief Russ Van Alstyne uncover the criminals responsible for recent attacks on three gay men in the community of Miller's Kill in upstate NY. The case gets complicated due to the fact that one of the men was the head of a company involved in the development of a property that has caused some controversy in town. This complication makes the pool of suspects increase exponentially.

I like the author's writing style very much and love the sense of humor that she brings to the narrative. The interaction between Clare and Russ makes me want to say, "So show more when will he get divorced and take this relationship with Clare to the next level?" It's getting there and they both are feeeling the vibes:

"They walked through the fading light, the long grass rustling around them. Over the mountains, the sky was the color of bruised flesh. The Berns coursed ahead, black-and-white flashes amid the grayed gold and darkening green. The fence, rusty barbed wire and weathered posts, stopped them. They stood side by side, looking at the mountains and the sky. They did not touch. He took his glasses off and polished them on his shirtfront. 'Remember when you were getting me out of the helicopter? You told me to hold on tight?' He replaced his glasses and looked back to the high horizon. 'I'm still holding on.' He glanced down at his hand. 'I don't know how to let go.' 'Holding on...' she bit her lip. Cleared her throat. 'Doesn't do you much good when the person you're holding is falling too.'" (Page 320)

Oh my, murder, mayhem, hate crimes with a little romance thrown in. Quite delectable and highly recommended. show less