Title: All Mortal Flesh
Author: Julia Spencer-Fleming
First published October 3, 2006
322 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312312640 (ISBN10: 0312312644)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
A chilling murder. A love that could destroy everything.
Julia Spencer-Fleming delivers a gripping tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne and Reverend Clare Fergusson should never have fallen for each other.
Their attraction is forbidden, but they can’t resist the pull. When Russ’s wife is found brutally murdered, everyone believes he’s the culprit.
The state police are convinced, the townspeople are whispering, and the church hierarchy sees an opportunity to control Clare. Russ and Clare must fight to clear his name and protect their love, but in a small town like Millers Kill, secrets are hard to keep.
All Mortal Flesh is a heart-stopping novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
About the Author
Hey there! Today is Wednesday, September 7th, and I’m happy to share with you my latest progress on my eighth book. At my Reader Space, I’m currently working on the fifth part of the second chapter, which I find quite interesting as it holds some numerological significance.
If you’re curious to learn more, feel free to check out my latest update at http://bit.ly/p2QwJa.
Editoral Review
In “All Mortal Flesh,” author Julia Spencer-Fleming continues to impress fans of the mystery genre with her gripping and emotionally charged writing style. As the fifth installment in the Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne series, this novel caters to readers who enjoy complex stories that combine action, suspense, and a generous helping of moral conflict.
Set in upstate New York during the winter months, the story revolves around the aftermath of a shocking event that affects the town of Millers Kill in more ways than one. When a local teenager dies in a car accident, everyone is quick to pass judgment on the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
However, as Clare Fergusson, an Episcopalian priest, and her friend Russ Van Alstyne, the police chief, dig deeper, they realize that things are not as straightforward as they seem. To add to the intrigue, Spencer-Fleming introduces a number of subplots that help to flesh out the characters and their relationships.
For instance, there’s the ongoing tension between Clare and Russ, who share a mutual attraction but are afraid to act on it due to the complications it would entail. This is compounded by the fact that Clare is committed to her vocation, while Russ is a divorced father struggling to come to terms with his own shortcomings.
What makes “All Mortal Flesh” stand out is Spencer-Fleming’s ability to weave all these elements together into a cohesive and compelling whole. She has a knack for writing dialogue that rings true, portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of her characters with sympathy and insight.
Furthermore, her descriptions of the harsh winter landscape and the emotional terrain of her characters are vivid and evocative, setting the perfect tone for a mystery that is both harrowing and uplifting. That said, the book is not without its flaws.
At times, the pacing can feel a bit sluggish, and some of the minor characters could have been fleshed out more fully. However, these critiques are minor in the grand scheme of things, and do little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, “All Mortal Flesh” is a worthy addition to Spencer-Fleming’s canon of work, providing a satisfying blend of suspense, drama, and emotional resonance. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and newcomers would do well to start here and work their way back.
This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page a true gem of the mystery genre. As such, it earns four out of five stars.
