Crooked Heart

Divine Mystery #1

by Cristina Sumners

From a luminous new voice in suspense fiction comes this wise, witty, and uplifting novel--a mystery with heart that will illuminate more than just whodunit and why. In her stunning debut, Cristina Sumners, an Episcopalian priest brings to life an unforgettable town, a less-than-perfect crime, and two flawed souls hoping to solve the mysteries of life, death...and possibly even love.

Life isn’t easy for Tom Holder. Middle-aged, appallingly married, and bored out of his wits, Tom is Chief of Police in Harton--an idyllic New Jersey town where, in spite of its eccentric cast of characters, nothing ever seems to happen. His dreary routine is brightened only by his visits to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, where he can be sure of seeing the clever Reverend Kathryn Koerney, with whom he is secretly and hopelessly smitten. Tom is quietly wishing for a nice, interesting crime, if only to have something to discuss with the lady priest, who seems almost as confused by their nonrelationship as he is. He’s about to get all that--and a whole lot more than he bargained for.

When an affluent housewife is reported missing by her clearly hostile husband, Tom not only has a bona fide murder mystery on his hands, he has a perfect excuse to enlist Kathryn’s help. The only person who may know what happened to Grace Kimbrough is a feverish child, and Tom--past master at nosy neighbors, flirtatious shut-ins, and the usual small-town neurotics--has precious little experience with children. Now, with a second woman missing, Tom’s and Kathryn’s sense of urgency to learn the truth about the disappearances--and about their feelings for each other--deepens.

Together Tom and Kathryn will unravel more than just the secrets holding together the seemingly peaceful town, secrets that may conceal a crime of passion, jealousy, and rage. They will probe the mysteries of their own all-too-fallible, all-too-human hearts. And the miracles that might, just might, occur--even after a lifetime of playing it too safe.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

CRISTINA SUMNERS holds a M.Div from the General Seminary of the Episcopal Church and an M.Phil. in Medieval English Studies from Oxford University. She has worked in two churches in Texas and as the Education Officer at a large urban church in England. Married to a scientist, she lives in Taos, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Michael McCue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always like mysteries with a clergyperson as the detective. Cristina Sumners, a clergy woman herself, has written a very readable murder mystery with a clergy woman protagonist. Episcopal priest Kathryn Koerney teams up with police chief Tom Holder when a woman disappears under suspicious circumstances in their small affluent New Jersey town. There are some surprises in store for the reader that I won't give away by saying too much. I might have given Crooked Heart just three stars until I realized at the end of the book that I really want to read the next offering from Cristina Sumners.

[Trudy Pomerantz · Rating 2 out of 5]

"She examines the hearts of her characters though the magnifying glass of theology - and she knows her stuff." From a review by Carolyn Haines on the back of the book.

I guess it depends on whether you like your theology with a dollop of liberalism. To have one of the protagonists (an Episcopalian female priest) argue that lust is less sinful (of the seven deadly sins) because it is related to love, displays an ignorance of Scripture, in my opinion. Scripture is very clear of the dangers of lust and adultery. I guess this shows why the Episcopalian church is in the sorry state that it currently is.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Holder is Chief of Police in Harton, New Jersey - where nothing ever seems to happen. Kathryn Koernry is a priest at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. Tom, although married, is smitten with Kathryn - secretly. When an affluent housewife is reported missing by her husband, Tom sees it as a chance to enlist Kathryn's help. The only person who may know what happened to Grace Kimbrough is a feverish child. Tom has no experience dealing with kids whereas Kathryn works with children in Sunday School. Before they can get to the bottom of things 2 more people go missing - including the
feverish child. Nice read.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. And for God sake, if you’re a female reverend, you can’t possibly be as liberal as she is. Ugh. I’m not very religious, and I absolutely can’t stand the whole “I’m a Christian but also a card-carrying feminist.” Shut the hell up.

[Sue Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't that bad. But it wasn't that good either. I didn't like any of the characters. Lots of thoughts (and sometimes actions) of infidelity. Did he, did she commit murder? Was it a staged accident? Who ran away? Why? Lots of loose threads.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a romance, enjoy. But if you are sick and tired of any kind of book saying it is not a romance but it IS a romance, walk away.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery with a lot of twists and turns.

[Linda Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice mystery and I did like the characters.The beginning seemed like it would be a bit gory, and confusing, but once into it I was interested . Ending was a surprise!!

[a. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not feel religious...which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it, I don't like Christian fiction, personally. That is not a comment on religion. I just prefer my books with all the seedy greatness they can have. It had strong points and weak points as well, but it was an interesting read. I went ahead and got the others in the series.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an "interesting" sort of book. Written by an Episcopal Priest it centers around a woman priest who ... would make you raise your eyebrows! Tom Holder, the Chief of Police, who's trapped in a miserable marriage, makes every excuse under the sun to visit her (Rev. Kathryn Koerney). Alas! A murder...which involves both of them and sends them scurrying to find answers to the murder and try to figure out what their relationship is! ERK! Not my normal type of reading. I pass.

[Olean Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

--A lady priest and a police chief get together to solve a homicide.

--A small town police chief and a female Episcopal priest unite to solve a very complicated homicide and cover-up. A very interesting story.

[Mossy]

This was my introduction to the author and her characters. I was somewhat dismayed in the beginning with the 'church' aspect but found myself drawn in by the Rev. Kathryn Koerney. Well developed characters and left me wanting to read more of this author and her Harton New Jersey folks!

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another author whose heroine/sleuth is a minister, who finds herself solving mysteries - at times to the disquiet of her congregation.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holder & Koerney book 1 NJ

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good light read, fun and entertaining.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick mystery was a pleasant surprise. The plot was pretty easy to unravel, but the female reverend was a very likable character. I will look out for the rest of this series.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant mystery read.

[Bebe Four · Rating 2 out of 5]

2+

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, interesting characters.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read! It was just the right kind of mystery with lots of twists and turns and a definite surprise ending!