Murdering Ministers

By Alan Beechey

Book Overview

"Filled with clever repartee, memorable characters, and an ending as satisfying as it is unexpected."--Booklist

What holy terror spiked the sacraments with strychnine?

When a teenage girl disappears from a north London suburb a few days before Christmas, Detective Sergeant Effie Strongitharm puts would-be cult leader and reputed exorcist Nigel Tapster on her list of people to be questioned.

But when Effie witnesses Tapster's agonizing death during a church service, she needs to ask a different question: What holy terror spiked the sacraments with strychnine?

With her mentor Detective Superintendent Mallard battling forced retirement, Effie turns to children's book writer Oliver Swithin to help her in a double quest--to bring the girl home and the murderer to justice in time for Christmas.

But is there a connection between the cases? And what does any of this have to do with a Scotland Yard Commissioner's personal hygiene, a six-year-old Hell's Angel, a guide to beastly behavior featuring Finsbury the Ferret, a touch of Shakespeare, and the return of the mysterious, virtually invisible Underwood Tooth?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1464202451
• ISBN13: 9781464202452
• Release Date: May 2014
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.0" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 14 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 5

Customer Reviews

If only I could give it more than 5 stars

After I laughed my way through An Embarrassment of Corpses, I quickly sought out this, Beechey's other book. I'm happy to report that we have no sophomore slump here. You can expect funny characters, patient and sure-handed plot development, clever twists, last-minute revelations and lots of fun. Beechey packs so much into the book, between the well-developed mystery and equally crafted world of characters, that it must take him YEARS to produce such density and depth. Sadly then, I must report that there is not yet a third installment. His web site indicates that he has begun the writing, but still seeks a publisher. Crossing my fingers that he finds one!

Wit, Wisdom and Words

Alan Beechey is one of the fastest, funniest writers in mysteries today. His witty plots and his original characters never fail to make for a great read. I'd suggest his books to anyone looking for a screwball comedy approach to the genre. Dying, said Richard Brinsley Sheridan is easy; comedy is hard. Yet Beechey makes it look effortless.

finsby the ferret frolics again

Even better than the first - A compelling plot, well crafted with entertaining twists and turns. Clever repartee combined during the Christmas season make this a perfect antidote to holiday stress.

A delicious mystery with a wry wit

Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Effie Strongitharm is temporarily reassigned to the sprawling London suburb of Plumley. The brass forces Detective Superintendent Timothy Mallard to take an extended vacation leading to a retirement. Mallard was Effie's mentor and his nephew fellow officer Oliver Swithin is her boy friend.In Plumley, Oliver and Effie work on two different cases that intersect. Effie seeks a missing teen whose parents belong to the Plumley Diaconilist Church. Oliver investigates the Church's leader, Paul Piltdown who was arrested for murdering one of the church members. As they work on their respective cases, Timothy tries to help even if his beloved force wants him retired (but he has a plan that will stop that notion.)Following on the heels of the well designed first Swithin mystery (AN EMBARASSMENT OF CORPSES) author Alan Beechey provides another novel sure to receive fan and critic acclaim. MURDERING MINISTERS includes returning characters that imbue the story line with a feeling of welcome to the village of Plumley. Mr. Beachey uses misdirection to trick the reader into looking down the wrong path. The interaction between the characters feels genuine and filled with wit that turns this book into an entertaining, complex mystery.Harriet Klausner