Peril & Prayer

by Olivia Matthews

Overview

How do you solve a problem like Marianna?
 
This year's Advent retreat has been booked for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Hermione of Ephesus at the pastoral Briar Coast Cabin Resorts in New York. But when the combative Sister Marianna practically loses her religion arguing over minor details with resort co-owner Autumn Tassler, Sister Louise “Lou” LaSalle blessedly steps in as peacemaker.
 
Only days later, Autumn is found strangled in her office, and hot-headed Sister Marianna becomes the sheriff’s deputies’ prime suspect. They believe her missing scarf may be the murder weapon, but Sister Lou believes Sister Marianna’s being framed. If she has a prayer of keeping Sister Marianna out of prison, she’ll need to once again put her faith in her nephew Chris LaSalle and reporter Shari Henson to help her solve the case. As the trio tries to cross suspects off the list, Sister Lou has no choice but to stick her neck out—if she’s going to unveil who was desperate enough to resort to murder . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496709400
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	06/26/2018
Series:	A Sister Lou Mystery , #2
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	435,202
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym of award-winning author Patricia Sargeant. A voracious reader, Patricia first realized she wanted to be a published author at the age of nine. She’s been inspired by writers such as Walter Mosley, Dick Francis and Tami Hoag, who put ordinary characters in extraordinary situations. Her Sister Lou character was inspired by Catholic sisters whose courage, determination and faith have helped build communities and formed rich, lasting legacies. Raised in New York City, Patricia lives in Ohio with her husband. She loves to hear from readers. You can reach her at [e-mail]. Visit her Olivia Matthews website, AuthorOliviaMatthews.com, and sign up for her enewsletter to learn about upcoming releases and events.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Olivia Matthews’ previous Sister Lou mystery, Mayhem and Mass:

“The possibility of romance between two of the characters provides a pleasant foil to Sister Lou's pursuit of the truth for the sake of her old friend…in this debut of a saintly sleuth with some very human failings.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Although Sister Lou took the vow of obedience, she doesn’t always play by traditional rules, as readers of this first-in-the-new-series will soon find out. “Mayhem & Mass” is a promising addition to the cozy mystery genre, and its protagonist is delightful!” —Suspense Magazine
 
“Kudos to Olivia Matthews, who has created a new “hook” to draw in readers.”—Mystery Scene Magazine

“A spunky leading lady—who just happens to be a nun. Lou will go to the ends of the earth to uncover the truth. The plot is fast-paced and believable….A worthwhile mystery series here that fans will adore.”—RT Book Reviews

From the Publisher

07/01/2018
Sister Lou thought she'd moved on from murder investigations, although Sister Marianna is enough to make anyone consider homicide. When the two meet with resort owner Autumn Tassler, a minor discussion about the menu for the Advent retreat for the congregation of sisters becomes a battle involving Marianna and Autumn. Lou has to step in as peacemaker. But Autumn's killer forces Lou to join forces again with her nephew Chris, a college administrator, and reporter Shari Henson. Marianna may be the primary suspect for two disgruntled deputies, but Lou's small team sees better suspects in Autumn's business partner, her ex-husband's second wife, her jealous cousin, and even employees. It seems not everyone loved Autumn. The second "Sister Lou" cozy (after Mayhem & Mass) offers a character-driven mystery with lively amateur sleuths led by the thoughtful, determined sister, whose actions and beliefs are guided by faith. VERDICT Readers of Christian or Amish mysteries, or those who enjoy the small-town setting of the Murder, She Wrote series, will appreciate Sister Lou. However, the entertaining story could benefit from better editing that avoids repetitive pet phrases.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Library Journal

2018-05-01
A second case of murder nearly as close to home as her debut (Mayhem & Mass, 2017) gives Sister Louise LaSalle another chance to show off her sleuthing chops.When the 63 Sisters of St. Hermione of Ephesus put out a request for bids for their annual retreat, the lowest price came from the Briar Coast Cabin Resort. It promises to be a great event if only Sister Marianna Tuller, whom prioress Sister Barbara Yates has put in charge of the arrangements, will drop her commendable ascetic insistence on inedibly healthful meals for the whole event. Sister Lou doesn't relish her position as the person who has to keep coming up with compromises in Sister Marianna's negotiations with Briar Coast principal owner Autumn Tassler. But matters get much worse when Autumn is choked to death in her office early one morning, throwing much more than the retreat plans into disarray. As even short-tempered Sheriff's Deputy Ted Tate acknowledges, there are oodles of suspects with strong motives for killing Autumn. Her cousin January Potts is convinced that Autumn is breaking the sixth commandment with her husband, Sherrod Potts. Her ex-husband's pregnant wife, Isabella Fortney, wants her to stop accepting alimony. Her minority partner, Rita Morris, is salivating at developer Montgomery Crane's offer to buy the resort, which Autumn insists isn't for sale. And her accountant, Gary Hargreaves, is convinced that someone's embezzling from the company. With so many juicy possibilities, Tate and his partner, Fran Cole, naturally zero in on Sister Marianna, who certainly has the right temperament and who left a scarf behind in the office that may have been the murder weapon. So Sister Lou, joined again by her nephew Chris and reporter Shari Henson, resolves to clear Sister Marianna's name despite the accused sister's best efforts to direct the investigation herself.Despite some pointed dialogue between right-minded people who happen to disagree about important matters, there's very little here to disturb readers' faith or their mental repose.

Kirkus Reviews