Thomas from the Sea — Mira Gibson

Summertime, 1986. A stripper is found dead on Woodland Beach and Crystal doubts that the crime is burning a hole in some detective's desk over at the local precinct. She knew the victim and because of it, Crystal is determined to find out who killed her.As news of the murdered woman sweeps through town, an entire Christian congregation is shaken. Hadn't the victim just started attending their Sunday services? And why is one of their youngest members, a boy named Seth, the only person in their small seaside town who the police have been questioning?Seth can't stand the other teenagers from the Kids for Christ program his uncle has been forcing him to go to. At home, he doesn't get along with his executioner uncle, though he thinks it's cool Robert kills people for a living. It's even cooler when Seth sees a man walk straight out of the sea and introduce himself as Thomas. Why the police have gotten it in their heads that Thomas is the prime suspect is laughable.Having no faith in the police, Crystal steps her investigation up into high gear. Even when it means getting close to the boy's uncle, who happens to be one of her regulars at the club. Even when it means infiltrating the church to find out if the killer is there. And even when it means that Crystal herself could be the next to die. THOMAS FROM THE SEA is a stand-alone novel filled with dark wit, clashing cultures, and unsuspecting tenderness. If you enjoy mystery novels, clean language, and happy endings with a twist of magical realism throughout, you will likely love this novel for its levity, sharp voice, and powerful, spiritual message.