Murder in the Chapel — Mark Henry Miller

Randall Foster prefers to preach sermons, teach classes, raise funds, recruit members and make sure he visits church members before their surgery. Wants to be known for that, if anything a caring minister you can trust. Dreamer. Alas, if anything can go wrong . . . it does. Not a short list of the wrong going . . . sexual misconduct charges . . . divorce . . . congregational meeting to throw him out . . . double-homicide indictment when a church member is found slumped dead in church's front sanctuary pew. Didn't help the woman, four months pregnant, is his misconduct accuser and a noosed rope around her neck is from his pulpit robe. He has to reach up to touch bottom. Then the surprises begin. Not everyone is against him. Some figure shadows are evidence of light somewhere. He is sinking . . . fast. But not all is lost. An irascible secretary . . . a don't let them get you church member . . . a new fishing guide . . . and a salmon-stalking sea lion make for the most unpredictable sliver of hope. He'll take it. Sinking? Yep. Drown? Not sure.