by John Lutz
First published 2000
This anthology brings together seventeen accomplished mystery writers who weave crime stories through diverse religious settings. The collection spans multiple faiths and traditions, from familiar clerical detectives like Father Dowling to explorations of Navajo shamanism and Hasidic rituals. Anne Perry opens with "The Reverend Collins' Visit," while other contributors including Nancy Pickard, John Lutz, and Ralph McInerny craft tales that range from inspirational to terrifying. The stories venture into Amish communities, explore confessional secrets, and delve into Jewish traditions. Each writer brings their distinctive style to the intersection of faith and mystery, creating a collection where religious figures become both investigators and suspects. The anthology demonstrates how spiritual communities provide rich backdrops for crime fiction, whether through the moral dilemmas faced by clergy, the closed nature of religious societies, or the ancient rituals that can conceal modern secrets. These are not simple morality tales but complex mysteries that use religious settings to examine human nature at its most vulnerable and dangerous moments.
Genres: mystery, crime, religion
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, investigators-and-suspects
Setting: Amish Communities, Hasidic Rituals, Navajo Shamanism
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
285 pages · Hardcover · Intrigue Press