Hope, Faith, & a Corpse

Hope Taylor has a new job in a new town, a great opportunity to be the first female pastor of a quaint chapel, which would allow her to share her faith, help people, and be involved in the community. She doesn’t start off on the best foot when she finds the body of a church member. It certainly doesn’t help her make a good impression when she becomes a suspect in his murder. Searching for suspects gives her a chance to get to know her fellow townsfolk, although the secrets she uncovers will paint the dead man in a not so heavenly light. It turns out everyone in her church had a motive for killing him. To clear her name and win over her parish, Hope must catch a killer before the killer catches her.

This cozy mystery makes for a fun and quirky read. Hope is deeply appreciated as she’s the first female preacher at this church and she has a strong personality that is great from the beginning. Laura Jensen Walker explores the mixed reactions and struggles that Hope encounters through her role as a preacher, but never strays from her strength and dedication to her job. The mystery creates a unique way for Hope to get to know the congregation, which creates humorous moments while allowing her to figure out suspects. Hope, Faith, & a Corpse explores the workings of a quaint church from the perspective of its first female pastor, who tackles a murder with faith, humor, and heart.