THE BODY IN THE GAZEBO by Katherine Hall Page (William Morrow)

Set in picturesque Aleford Massachusetts, Katherine Hall Page continues her Faith Fairchild mystery series featuring amateur sleuth and caterer Faith Fairchild and her minister husband Tom.

Pix Miller, Faith's best friend is reluctant to leave for South Carolina to meet her son's future in-laws. In her absence Faith has agreed  to watch over Pix's ailing octogenarian mother, Ursala. Knowing Faith's ability to solve mysteries, Ursala slowly reveals the story of an unsolved crime that occurred in the summer of 1929 on Nantucket Island. It is a story with a family secret Ursala does not yet want to reveal to Pix.

Meanwhile, church funds are missing from an account to which only Tom has access. Tom and Faith work together to clear his name before his reputation is ruined. When Faith's assistant Niki unburdens her secret, Faith is soon "sick with secrets." The reader is never lost as the author skillfully shifts between the two time periods and the voices of Faith and Ursala.



In all her books, Katherine Hall Page includes recipes for the mouth-watering meals Faith prepares. You can find more of these recipes in Page's Agatha-nominated cookbook, Have Faith in Your Kitchen. 


-- Karen Kiley

FTC Disclosure - This book was provided by the publisher.

I Knew Her When...

Just got an announcement that Diane Gilbert Madsen won an Honorable Mention Award in Fiction at the 2011 New York Book Festival for Hunting for Hemingway, the second in DD McGil Literati Mystery series. I met Diane when I judged the St. Martin Press/Malice Domestic Best First Mystery contest several years ago. Way to go, Diane!

SHAKEN, STORIES FOR JAPAN, Tim Hallinan, ed. (Kindle)

Here's an opportunity to read some great short stories by some outstanding authors and give a little to relief for the people of Japan. None of the authors included in the book will receive anything for their efforts—all profits will be given to the relief fund. I just downloaded my copy—and I hope you'll do the same. It's a steal at $3.99!

Edgar Winner Steve Hamilton in Triangle

Edgar winner Steve Hamilton will visit Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh on Tuesday night, June 14, at 7:30. His great new book, just out, is Misery Bay.

Lilian Jackson Braun

I just noticed that "Cat Who" author Lilian Jackson Braun died recently at 97. Yum-Yum and Koko fans may want to read her obit.

DUFFER AWARDS 2011: You Be the Judge

Alafair Burke writes great crime fiction. She also exhibits a great sense of whimsy. Today she's announcing the first Annual Duffer Awards... and you get to be the judge!

For the entire month of June, her website will host the first annual Duffer Awards. Each day will feature two beloved crime fiction characters, matched head-to-head for very, very serious award categories like Most Likely to Win a Hot Dog Eating Contest and Best Shoes.

Post a comment beneath your vote, and you'll automatically be entered to win weekly prizes including signed copies of my books and $50 gift certificates to your favorite bookseller! The more you comment, the more you're entered to win.

First Up? Most Likely to Marry His Ex-Wife! To see the nominees, click here and start voting today. Be sure to come back every day in June to vote on a new Duffer Award. (And please help spread the word. This should be fun for anyone who reads crime fiction!)