Julia Spencer-Fleming

“We none of us get what we deserve, thank God. We get what we’re given. Love. Compassion. A second chance. And then a third, and a fourth.” This comes from a blog that I read: Cakes, Tea and Dreams. I am so comforted by these words, that's grace: we don't get what we deserve. Thank God. It has been a long time since I've read Julia Spencer-Fleming novels, but I did like them all. The last one in the sereis, "Through the Evil Days" was published in 2012. The series is called Clare Ferguson/ Russ Van Alstyne, a mystery series, part police procedural and part amateur detective. I wanted to re-read this one to fully remember what I liked so much about this series. It was a fast read, with just enough setting to make you feel you feel you were there. Been through plenty of bad snow storms, always like to read about the atmosphere of a snowstorm. Not enough of Clare's real job in this one, she's a priest in the Episcopal church. The mystery is wrapped up too fast to be believable. I liked the drama of the two main characters being on the outside where no one believes them, and no one trusts them. Falling in love over the course of the first four books, they are coming to terms with what that really means for them and the people they love. Part love story, part mystery thriller, good idea to start with the first in the series, In the Bleak Midwinter.