All mortal flesh: A Clare Fergusson And Russ Van Alstyne Mystery

Anglican priest Clare Ferguson has become a problem: her relationship with the sheriff of Miller's Kill, Russ van Alstyne, a married man, has become the stuff of gossipmongers and church officials alike. The last thing Clare wants is to lose her parish; the last thing Russ wants is to end his marriage with Linda. Then Linda's disfigured body is discovered in the van Alstyne home, and guess who comes under suspicion? Another shock isn't long in coming: Linda is alive and well. Who was the victim? Why was she murdered? The latest entry in Spencer-Fleming's intelligently written series puts the relationship between Clare and Russ on a new track while once again broaching some thoughtful questions about religion, relationships, and morality in the modern world. That's a far cry (and perhaps a pleasant surprise) from what readers will be expecting given the jacket--which would have better suited an old Victoria Holt gothic than this contemporary mystery with ethical underpinnings. --Stephanie Zvirin Copyright 2006 Booklist

Clare Fergusson, a helicopter pilot turned Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief of Millers Kills, N.Y., are suffering in the wake of their affair in Anthony-winner Spencer-Fleming's fifth mystery, her most captivating yet (after 2005's To Darkness and to Death). After Russ separates from his wife and Clare's Albany superiors chastise her, the "problem priest" vows never to see Russ again. But when Russ's wife is found murdered in the Van Alstynes' home and the New York State police deem him the prime suspect, Clare risks everything to clear his name. The high-stakes plot evolves seamlessly with totally unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a climax that surpasses the drama of previous outings. Clare and Russ continue to struggle with their feelings and the confines of their respective vocations, while interesting new characters join the familiar residents of Millers Kill. Fans, once they start reading, will hang Do Not Disturb signs on their doors. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

When Millers Kill, NY, police chief Russ Van Alstyne tells his wife that he is in love with Clare Fergusson, the Episcopal priest for St. Albans Church, she throws him out. A few weeks later, her mutilated body is found in her kitchen, and suspicion falls upon Russ and Clare. What begins as a cut-and-dried murder mystery turns into something more complex. While Russ becomes too emotional to handle the investigation properly, Clare grows stronger in adversity, displaying remarkable resilience. In her fifth book in the series (after To Darkness and Death), the award-winning Spencer-Fleming is at the top of her game. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 6/1/06.] (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The long-simmering unconsummated romance between Rev. Clare Fergusson and Millers Kill Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne comes to a boil when Russ's wife is killed. There are very few secrets in small towns, and everybody in Millers Kill knows that the chief of police has crossed the line with the local Episcopal priest. A week after Linda Van Alstyne, the chief's wife, throws him out of the house, a friend finds her stabbed to death on her kitchen floor. Russ's rage and guilt make him twice as eager to nail the killer himself, but there's no way he's going to be left in charge of his estranged wife's murder. Hard-nosed Emiley Jensen, from the New York State Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is soon on hand to sideline him from the case and threaten to arrest him. Over at St. Alban's, Clare has acquired a watchdog of her own, brightly repressive deacon Elizabeth de Groot, because her bishop has become so concerned about her uniquely activist approach to pastoral ministry. The case produces a series of well-planned shocks unusual in their intensity even for Spencer-Fleming. But its nerve center is the lacerating relationship between two people who can't live with or without each other. The fifth installment of this underrated series tops even the pyrotechnics of To Darkness and to Death (2005)--even as it leaves you wondering whether it'll be the last we'll hear of Russ and Clare. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Anglican priest Clare Ferguson has become a problem: her relationship with the sheriff of Miller's Kill, Russ van Alstyne, a married man, has become the stuff of gossipmongers and church officials alike. The last thing Clare wants is to lose her parish; the last thing Russ wants is to end his marriage with Linda. Then Linda's disfigured body is discovered in the van Alstyne home, and guess who comes under suspicion? Another shock isn't long in coming: Linda is alive and well. Who was the victim? Why was she murdered? The latest entry in Spencer-Fleming's intelligently written series puts the relationship between Clare and Russ on a new track while once again broaching some thoughtful questions about religion, relationships, and morality in the modern world. That's a far cry (and perhaps a pleasant surprise) from what readers will be expecting given the jacket--which would have better suited an old Victoria Holt gothic than this contemporary mystery with ethical underpinnings. ((Reviewed August 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne finds his small Adirondack town in an uproar over his affair with Rev. Clare Fergusson-especially when his wife ends up dead. Minotaur is marketing this title as a breakout book for award winner Spencer-Fleming, who lives in Maine. National tour. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

When Millers Kill, NY, police chief Russ Van Alstyne tells his wife that he is in love with Clare Fergusson, the Episcopal priest for St. Albans Church, she throws him out. A few weeks later, her mutilated body is found in her kitchen, and suspicion falls upon Russ and Clare. What begins as a cut-and-dried murder mystery turns into something more complex. While Russ becomes too emotional to handle the investigation properly, Clare grows stronger in adversity, displaying remarkable resilience. In her fifth book in the series (after To Darkness and Death ), the award-winning Spencer-Fleming is at the top of her game. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 6/1/06.]

Clare Fergusson, a helicopter pilot turned Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, police chief of Millers Kills, N.Y., are suffering in the wake of their affair in Anthony-winner Spencer-Fleming's fifth mystery, her most captivating yet (after 2005's To Darkness and to Death ). After Russ separates from his wife and Clare's Albany superiors chastise her, the "problem priest" vows never to see Russ again. But when Russ's wife is found murdered in the Van Alstynes' home and the New York State police deem him the prime suspect, Clare risks everything to clear his name. The high-stakes plot evolves seamlessly with totally unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a climax that surpasses the drama of previous outings. Clare and Russ continue to struggle with their feelings and the confines of their respective vocations, while interesting new characters join the familiar residents of Millers Kill. Fans, once they start reading, will hang Do Not Disturb signs on their doors. (Oct.)