The Body in the Bookcase

Faith Fairchild #9

by Katherine Hall Page

Stretched almost to the limit by the capricious demands of a Boston Brahmin bride-to-be, caterer and minister's wife, Faith Fairchild, faces real tragedy when she discovers the body of an elderly friend. Sarah Winslow had apparently surprised burglars ransacking her Aleford, Massachusetts, house. No sooner has Sarah been laid to rest than the Fairchilds find themselves the next target -- the parsonage is stripped of all their most precious possessions. Devastated and furious, Faith takes action, scouring pawnshops, antique marts, and auctions. As she turns up some of their stolen property, she is drawn onto a dangerous path of larceny and corruption in New England's venerable antique business -- a path that soon leads Faith straight to a killer!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Cooking

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Katherine Hall Page is the author of twenty-five previous Faith Fairchild mysteries, the first of which received the Agatha Award for best first mystery. The Body in the Snowdrift was honored with the Agatha Award for best novel of 2006. Page also won an Agatha for her short story “The Would-Be Widower.” The recipient of the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement, she has been nominated for the Edgar, the Mary Higgins Clark, the Maine Literary, and the Macavity Awards. She lives in Massachusetts and Maine with her husband.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“.The robb’d that smiles steals something from the thief”. Shakespeare. Aleford, MA. 1998. Katherine Hall Page’s The Body in the Bookcase (Faith Fairchild Mysteries, #9) has Have Faith catering service which is run by Faith Fairchild, a transplant from Manhattan to Aleford (fictitious place), MA. catering a ‘blue blood’ Bostonian wedding. This bride definitely put ‘zilla’ in a word so very often found in stories about brides preparing for their nuptials. Faith being the minister’s wife pays calls to parishioners. When she arrives at Sarah Winslow’s, Faith finds Sarah gagged and tied tightly to a chair which is laying on the floor as Sarah tried valiantly to reach the phone. Sarah’s house is turned upside down as burglars had searched for what they wanted. Unfortunately, being elderly and having been treated brutally, Sarah does not survive this ‘invasion’ of her home. Faith has lost a close friend and chooses to find these criminals. Then Faith’s home is ‘hit’ so she puts her investigation into high gear and learns how antiques are big and at times illegal business in New England. Ultimately. Faith ends up completely out of her ‘comfort zone’. The author produces a too harried Faith with too much happening too quickly. Possibly this is because the author’s house was robbed a few years prior. Really! The end will catch one off guard. At least, it caught this reader ‘off guard’, but l liked how this mystery ends. 3.5-4 stars.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Faith Fairchild! Caterer, mom and minister’s wife, Faith keeps finding those bodies in quiet, out-of-the-way Alesford, Massachusetts. In this, the ninth book in this cozy series, a kindly retired librarian dies during a robbery of her home. But the robbery isn’t a one-off; several homes are hit, including the Fairchild parsonage.

Faith, dissatisfied with the progress on catching the robbers, launches her own investigation. (Hey! What do you expect? Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a novel!) I haven’t read a book in this series since 2018, but I didn’t remember Faith being quite so whiny, demanding and emotional. I almost gave this book a three-star review —but that twist on the last page made all the difference. Ready to read No. 10, The Body in the Big Apple.

[Richard Gombert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not really enjoy this book. O found Faith Fairchild too unbelievable as a protagonist.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - a good "who done it" - not scary but intriguing - and well written. I've already gone to my library to get the first book in the series and I plan to read them all.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. Faith is a great mom

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book mentions my hometown - Pepperell MA (p. 127)
It's a real trip down memory lane for me, since I grew up in the area where the book is centered. Lots of New England culture and references. Good story, too!

[Sandy Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick read. The novel's strength comes from the author's personal experience with her own home robbery. The emotions that come from a violation like that was well written. Enjoyable characters, but would have liked a little more depth. A delightful cozy mystery.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Winslow, a beloved librarian in fictional Aleford, Massachusetts, dies minutes after Faith Fairchild, a minister's wife, finds her. Home invaders ransacked Sarah's house, targeting her antiques and valuables. When they found her, they tied her to a chair and gagged her. Sarah, in a desperate bid for help, tipped her chair to reach the phone, but her heart gave out. She died soon after in a hospital.

Faith, devastated, vows to find the killers. Her resolve is strengthened when burglars strike her own home, stealing irreplaceable treasures and leaving her and her husband, Tom, reeling from the violation.

Driven by anger, Faith hunts for her stolen items, finding some success in pawn shops before diving into the world of antique dealers and shows. Each recovered piece fuels her determination.

But her catering business demands attention, especially with Stephanie Bullock-a textbook bridezilla-whose mood swings and indecision force Faith to juggle her personal mission with professional chaos.

This story hit home. I've never had my house burgled, but thieves broke into my cars years apart, and the violation left me shaken for days, wrestling with sleeplessness and rage. I felt Faith's pain deeply. The author's note that her own burglary inspired this book adds authenticity. It's a solid four-star read, and Faith's practical, can-do spirit makes this series shine brighter with every book.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burglars specializing in private homes antiques are targeting Aleford. Elderly Sarah Winslow dies from being left tied behind them. Faith Fairchild, caterer, sleuth, and minister’s wife paying a parish call, discovers Sarah’s body. Faith is heart-broken over Sarah’s death and then devastated when her own home is robbed. She begins to search for her family treasures and mementos in antique shops in the area.

Faith searches shops on the North Shore and into New Hampshire. Her cooking skills keep her alive, but the crime moves along up to the last second. Book #10 in the series. Recipes included.

Readalikes:
Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen mysteries; Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series; M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin mysteries; Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy cozies; Carolyn G. Hart’s Death on Demand mysteries; Sarah Graves’ Home repair is homicide mysteries; Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles series; Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear mysteries; Jane K. Cleland – Ornaments of Death.

Pace: Leisurely paced
Characters: Consistent; likeable; loyal
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging; detailed
Tone: Atmospheric
Frame: Aleford MA; Contemporary
Theme: Amateur sleuth

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read several really heavy, somewhat depressing books and felt the need for something light and airy. This border on tediousness. It is 9th in a series, yet I didn't feel I missed anything by not reading the first 8. I must admit I had no idea who done it and was caught completely by surprise when all was revealed. Our dashing and daring heroine had absolutely no common sense and no conception of danger. She rushed in where angels feared to tread in spite of the fact she was repeatedly warned of the dangers and experienced several episodes first hand. She was willing to risk life and limb for her stolen treasures. And before you jump all over me and say, "Well, if it had ever happened to you..." It has. And I still grieve the loss, but I remind myself they were just things.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

#9. A string of house burglaries hits Aleford. Faith on a parish visit discovers the beloved Retired town librarian, Sarah Winslow, tied and gagged to a chair, quite dead. A week later her own home is hit, taking all the valuable old silver and jewelry, but leaving expensive electronics. Local police and State Detective Dunne attribute the burglaries to knowledgeable pros. They can’t contain Faith’s fury or determination to find who stole her possessions or murdered Sarah, and bones up on antique dealing, despite catering the wedding from hell. First book in series that really scared me at one point. As usual, Page comes up with clever twists in Who Done It!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had actually read this book before but did not record that I had. I recognized the plot immediately. Faith Fairchild, minister's wife, mother, and caterer to the Boston bridezilla Stephanie Bullock is attempting to solve the murder of her dear friend and a series of related robberies. Her own home is robbed and some family heirlooms taken. She organized a community group to investigate the robberies and then proceeds to visit pawn shops and antique stores to look for missing items. Despite warnings from the police that she would likely never recover her items, she does locate quite a few of them. All clues point to two men who were once partners in an antique business.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The body is found quite early in the book. This book deals with Faith getting ready for a bridezilla's wedding, and the robberies of an elderly friend (and her death) and the Fairchild's of antiques. It starts out slowly, but picks up and keeps you guessing. Even tho the constant name dropping by Faith is present, it wasn't as bad as some of the books. And, as usual, she inserts herself into the investigation and gets caught.

[Anne Libera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as complex as some of the previous outings of this series but notable for the fact Faith has a deeply personal reason for pursuing the "case" - I kept thinking that the "body" at the beginning of the book was necessary only so that it could be in the title, this was less about solving a murder than it was about Faith getting her stuff back. Also, it is possible that I read this series only for the nostalgia of what was hot in the food industry in the past.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I have read. But it didn't make a difference. I still felt like I got to know the characters and I didn't miss out on anything. I would like to read the others I have missed.

Great character development. The outcome was a little predictable towards the end.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others. Faith just seemed so much more obsessed with solving this crime and she gives little thought to the people she's involving in her quest. I didn't like this Faith. I see where the Author had a break-in at her home so maybe this is more true to life. Overall, though the book was still a good one and I will definitely read the next.

[Lois Carkhuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright

There are some surprises which are appreciated. I really enjoyed the last chapters where each of the main characters were given a chance to end their experience in the story and move to or back to their lives before all the excitement.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but the ending I thought was just silly so it lowered the rating for me.

[Chris Leuchtenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of her better efforts, but with a bit too much of the rich and famous lifestyle: gourmet food, expensive clothes, luxury cars,...

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different aspect of Faith Fairchild.

[Brenda Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series to read. I especially like all the food that is involved, and there are recipes at the end.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith was on her own this time solving crimes in Aleford. Good book!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith came across as a pig-headed fool in this one for me. Red herrings galore.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen jewelry and antiques, a murdered friend and bridezilla and her family make for interesting interactions in this murder mystery.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, especially the food descriptions and the treatment of children’s conversation

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess in the end I didn’t care that much about the robbery and attachment to stuff.

[Betsy Fatzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story...and I didn’t figure out the guilty party until the end. Never did learn why the book is called The Body in the Bookcase!

[Peggy McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith was an interesting character, smart and like a bulldog holding onto her investigation.
This story was ok, but didn't really grab me.

[Lou Gordon]

I kind of liked it.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only in a book or film, would a person have enough time and energy to do all that Faith did!