Book Review: The Body in the Moonlight

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Body in the Moonlight     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Katherine Hall Page
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Culinary   Woman Main Character
Series: Faith Fairchild # 11
Morrow, Mar 2001, $23.00, 256 pp.

In Aleford, Massachusetts, an already fully occupied Faith Fairchild and her catering business are drafted to provide the food for an upcoming church fund-raiser. As the wife of the minister, Faith agrees to help. However, the daily alterations to the murder mystery theme by the party planner Paula Pringle frustrates the caterer.

At the event everything seems to be going well except Faith feels jealous watching her husband Tom dance cheek to cheek with Gwen Lord. Still, the event is working until dessert is served and Gwen keels over dead. Someone taking advantage of the ammeretto topping poisoned Gwen. The police rule out the possibility that Faith or her Have Faith employees committed the act, but cannot find a motive. After reading about the homicide in the Globe, Faith knows her business and her professional reputation is at stake. She also realizes that rumors prevail linking Tom with Gwen. Faith begins her own brand of investigation, not yet realizing that her actions place her in danger from a maniac who will kill again.

THE BODY IN THE MOONLIGHT is an enjoyable amateur sleuth tale, starring a delightful heroine in her eleventh novel. The story line is fun in a Christie like style that will please both fans of award winning Katherine Hall Page and the great icon. The deeper insight into the relationship between the heroine and her spouse provides a bonus for the long time audience and introduce newcomers to the heroine. Although the motives of the killer require a leap of faith, the well-written cozy still thoroughly entertains the reader.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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