Reviewed By Liz

ISBN: 0425218376

Berkley Paperback
Language: English

PREACHING TO THE CORPSE is the second Dr. Rebecca Butterman book. Rebecca gets a call from her minister in the middle of the night, triggering her worst fears. But the reverend’s call is to tell her that a fellow parishioner is dead and that he desperately needs her to take the woman’s place as head of the search committee looking for a new assistant minister. Rebecca, a psychologist, is concerned that Reverend Sandifer’s priorities are confused because he is a prime suspect in what turns out to be a murder, but does accept the position so she has an excuse to spend time with Detective Meigs. Meigs is the married detective she met the previous year and is half-heartedly trying to stay away from. But when he asks for her insider’s view of the happenings at the church…

It turns out that there is a lot more going on at the church than Rebecca was aware of. Every new piece of information she gathers for Meigs brings up more questions and concerns for Rebecca. Although Meigs warns her against investigating her fellow churchgoers, Rebecca keeps pushing forward and ends up learning a lot more about the people sitting in the pew next to her than the murderer is comfortable with and becomes a target herself.

Isleib hits her stride with Dr. Butterman in this book as she fleshes out Rebecca’s personal life. Recently divorced, infatuated with a married man, and combating her own personal demons from her childhood, Rebecca is herself a good candidate for both her advice column and her psychology practice as she tries to maintain some balance in her life and chart a new course for herself. While this might sound like a good formula for a deeply psychological book, Isleib keeps the style and plot firmly in cozy territory while giving the reader a very human and modern sleuth.

Favorite character? Rebecca - she second-guesses herself and reacts to situations in a very natural way. Did I guess it? Yes, as the book ran short on suspects near the end. Will I read another? Yes. I am curious to see where Isleib takes Rebecca next.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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