The Psalm 23 Mysteries

As you have probably gathered by now if you have been reading my blogs I have a wide taste in reading. My two favourite genres however, are Christian Literature (or fiction) and Murder Mysteries. This series The Psalm 23 Mysteries by Debbie Viguie combine both, so perfect for me then. These are mainly murder mysteries and the Christian Theme is subtle rather than in your face, about the right mixture I feel. There are 4 books in the series so far and today I am dedicating this blog to introducing you to all four books.

The first book The Lord is my Shepherd introduces you to Cindy, a church Secretary who, on going to work one morning stumbles over the body of a man, a parishioner, dead in the church sanctuary. Cindy's screams bring Jeremiah, the Rabbi from the Synagogue next door, running to her rescue. In this way the two main characters are introduced to us, and to each other. It is a fast apced opening to a book and the thrills, of what turns out to be a fast paced ride, continue from here. You never know what is going to happen next, and just when you think things are on an even keel, along comes something else which takes you completely by surprise. The characters are well drawn and completely believable. The intraction between Cindy, Jeremiah and the detective Mark is portrayed just right. We get to know enough about their background to keep us wanting to find out more in the next book. There are hints that Jeremiah is not all what he seems, enough to tantilise but not irritate.  Thre is also a frisson of interest between Cindy and Jeremiah, with enough happening to keep the reader interested, but enough left out to want you to keep reading the next book. The mystery is top notch and the scenes are described well, if a little graphically. I personally don't mind this but I have mentioned just in case it would not be everyone's cup of tea.

The second book in the series I shall not want is an excellent and certainly worthy follow up to the first.  The first body appears within the first few pages and they continue to come thick and fast. In this novel someone is murdering dog owners and stealing their dogs. The first murder is apparently unrelated to these events and this seems slightly puzzling, but the author pulls it in beautifully before the end. Cindy and Jeremiah are back in this book, although we do  hear slightly less of Jeremiah. This said we do get to see a bit more of who he really is and a little bit of insight into his mysterious past. That said it was just enough to keep you wanting to find out more. There is not so much interaction between Cindy and Jeremiah in this book either, but enough to keep us waiting for the next installment. The sign of a good writer I feel. This book would work as a stand alone with regards to the mystery element but you may be slightly confused with regards to the personal lives of, and interaction between, the main characters.

The third novel in the series is Lie Down in Green Pastures  and what a book it is. I read it from start to finish in one go barely taking a break. This is certainly a book which grabs you by the troat and holds your attention. Yet again Cindy and Jeremiah find themselves surrounded by a veritable array of dead bodies. Cindy is still in Town but Jeremiah has gone to a camp with a group of kids from both the church and the synagogue. He then gets stranded with some of the kids, and without giving the game away the tension builds rapidly from here, with of course, Cindy riding (figuratively) to the rescue. I certainly didn't guess the end or who did it. There is a cliff hanger at the end which will make you want to read the next book immediately. I, unfortunately, had to wait for some time for it to be released, but fortunately for anyone interested in reading these books it is now available.

The fourth novel in the series Beside Still Waters has only recently been released.  The continuing story  of Cindy and Jeremiah continues to delight and enthrall as have all three of the previous books which you will have seen by my reviews.  This is an excellent series and this book was as good as, if not better than, the others. Cindy, has gone off to Hawaii to have a well deserved rest, probably from the mayhem and madness and array of dead bodies which seem to litter her path and life. Needless to say she hasn't been there for long when she stumbles over, yes, another dead body and another murder. Someone then tries to murder her and she ends up kidnapped. Jeremiah, the Rabbi from the synagogue next door, who is mulling over his own dark and secret past, rushes to her aid the minute he realises she is missing. The action and tension in this book had me on the edge of my seat and breathless with excitement practically from the beginning. As the action unfolds we get to know a little more of Jeremiah's past, but you will need to read the book to find out what this is as I don't want to spoil the story. Jeremiah and Cindy's relationship also develops a little and we get to see more of their feelings for each other. With regards to whether the question of the cliffhanger is settled, again you will have to read the book. No plot spoilers here. This is an excellent book. If you have read the first three you will love it. If you haven't the mystery part will still be enjoyable but the relationships between the characters and the reasons they' are like they are will not. I would advise you to read them in order. A brilliant book which I would highly recommend.

I have not read any of Debbie Viguie's other books, but I would say from this series she is an excellent writer. She uses words to very good effect, to pull you into the story and to keep you wondering what is going to happen next. The plotlines in each and every book are superb, and highly entertaining. My only regret now is that book number five is not being released for some time. What on earth am I going to do to keep myself entertaned until then. Oh yes, I know, read some of the several thousand other books I have, and no I am not exagerating. See you next time in the bookaholics blog. Until then enjoy whatever book you are reading.