The Face of Evil — Patricia Doherty

In their headlong flight from the city, many contemporary Americans seek refuge in the myth of the benevolent suburb. With childlike faith they endow their bucolic neighborhoods -- and their suburban parishes -- with all the cozy attributes of the English country village of the 1930's. But like the English village of yesteryear, the modern parish can nurture vindictive and restless souls who do not shrink from doing murder.

Thwarted in her desire to live in San Francisco, an unhappy corporate wife decides to make a splash in the bucolic suburb of Santa Marta. Driven and ambitious, she sees the town's plans to establish a half-way house near her posh new home as a call to battle. A status-hungry friend tells her that the best way to collect support is to join St. Francis Church. This drowsy, semi-rural parish is both pastored and loved by Father Dismas Shaunessey. With its beautiful grounds and hallowed traditions, like the Fall Frolic and the blessing of animals, it fits him like a well-worn sweater.

Moving quickly and with consummate skill, the lovely newcomer establishes herself in the parish, immediately assuming leadership of the Frolic Committee. Blinded by her single-minded rush to succeed, however, she underestimates the deep currents of feeling that run in the parish. Despite Father Dismas's best efforts, friendships and marriages crumple as events take on a life of their own. Once the protection of comforting traditions is stripped away, parishioners must face their own unexpected demons, and some aren't equal to the task. Two murders are committed, transforming the parish into a bleak war zone. With a mixture of Irish intuition and spiritual insight Father Dismas flies in the face of authority to trap a killer.

The author draws on her observations -- both as a former parish secretary and the wife of a church musician -- to depict the ungodly aberrations all too present in the house of God. This is a story for murder mystery fans as well as for those who have either survived or fled the Catholic Church, or for whatever reason find it fascinating.