The Treble Wore Trouble

The Liturgical Mystery #11

by Mark Schweizer

(No. 11 in the Liturgical Mystery series) Police Chief Hayden Konig is right at home in his little mountain town of St. Germaine, North Carolina. As a detective, he's first rate. As the organist and choir director at St. Barnabas Church, he is par excellence. But, as a crime writer, he's a far cry from his hard-boiled hero, Raymond Chandler. Still, he is not deterred. Why should he be? He owns Mr. Chandler's typewriter. It's Ash Wednesday, and with the season of Lent and St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, it seems the perfect time for the new Lutheran-pastor-turned-Episcopal-priest to put her own stamp on the worship style of St. Barnabas. After all, what could possibly go wrong? With a dead body and a kidnapping to sort out, Hayden doesn't have much time to worry about the Reverend Rosemary Pepperpot-Cohosh. Maybe he should. Hayden Konig's 11th mystery
The Treble Wore Trouble
It's not what you expect...
it's even funnier!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor

207 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

In 1974, Mark Schweizer, a brand-new high-school graduate decided to eschew the family architectural business and become an opera singer. Against all prevailing wisdom and despite jokes from his peers such as "What does the music major say after his first job interview?" (answer: You want fries with that?), he enrolled in the Music School at Stetson University. To his father, the rationale was obvious. No math requirement.

Everything happens for a reason, however, and he now lives and works as a musician, composer, author and publisher in Tryon, North Carolina with his lovely wife, Donis. If anyone finds out what he’s up to, he’ll have to go back to work at Mr. Steak. He actually has a bunch of degrees, including a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Arizona. I know! What were they thinking?

In the field of bad writing, Mark had the distinction of receiving a Dishonorable Mention in the 2006 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, an annual contest in which the entrants compete for the dubious honor of having composed the worst opening sentence to an imaginary novel. In 2007, his sentence now found on page 17 of The Mezzo Wore Mink was runner-up in the Detective Category. This, and two other of his entries, were featured in It Was A Dark and Stormy Night: A Collection of the Worst Fiction Ever Written, edited by Scott Rice and published by The Friday Project.

In varying stages of his career, Mark has waited tables, written articles for Collgehumor.com, won opera competitions, sung oratorios, taught in college music departments, raised pot-bellied pigs and hedgehogs, directed church choirs, sung the bass solo to Beethoven’s 9th with the Atlanta Symphony, hosted a classical music radio show, taught in a seminary, sung recitals, started a regional opera company, published choral music, built a log cabin, written opera librettos, directed stage productions, helped his wife to raise their two children and managed to remain married for thirty-two years. He also owns several chainsaws.

“Well,” Donis says, “it’s never boring.

In the fall of 2001, I began what I hoped would be a funny little book about an Episcopal choir director/ detective that had a flair for bad writing. Now, nine years later, that book, The Alto Wore Tweed, has had its ninth printing and the rest of the books (bad writing aside) are winning awards and working hard to catch up. Thanks to you, the Hayden Konig adventures continue to make their way into the hands of mystery lovers and across church choirs, one reader and singer at a time.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

all Schweizer's books are fun. This one is no exception. Parts are laugh out loud, tears running down my cheeks funny. Others you just need to breeze through.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who enjoy the adventures of the good people of Saint Barnabas' Church in Saint Germaine, North Carolina, every new book in the series is a delight. "The Treble Wore Trouble" does not disappoint. Set in Lent, the author takes every opportunity to lampoon some of the remarkably stupid things which pass for liturgical innovation in the Episcopal Church. He is well assisted by a new priest at Saint Barnabas': the Rev. Rosemary Pepperpot-Cohosh who wants to create "blended services" which depart from the Anglican Way like burglars fleeing an intrusion alarm. There is a bit more whodunit in this "Liturgical Mystery" than in some of the others in the series which is a treat for this who prefer a little mystery in their mysteries. The book contains a text, purportedly written by the protagonist-chief of police-organist/choir director-noir novelist, which is a setting of Kyrie eleison especially for Lent as part of his "Missa di Poli Woli Doodle." It begins:
Lord have mercy, now we pray
Singing Poli Woli Doodle, Kyrie;
Lord have mercy, now we pray
Singing Poli Woli Doodle, Kyrie;
Kyrie, Kyrie, Kyrie, I've gone astray;
Hear my reverent confession,
and forgive me my transgression,
Singing Poli Woli Doodle, Kyrie.
It seems reasonable that, after writing a dozen of these novels, Mark Schweizer may tire of them and decide to write books instead about a locksmith or a taxidermist or an obstetrician ... but one may hope not.

[Catherine Leggitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun journey to St. Germaine, North Carolina. Always a pleasure to visit Police Chief Hayden Konig, detective, choir director and organist at St. Barnabas Church, and author of Raymond-Chandleresque crime novels. In this episode, Konig investigates the odd murder of a diminutive Native American along with a kidnapping. Although they don't appear to be connected, from the beginning, Konig is convinced they are. And once again, his skill as a detective leads him to a satisfactory conclusion.

In typical Mark Schweizer style, the hunt is populated with an assortment of odd characters--this time including a $6000 truffle pig--and the prose is peppered with comical similes and metaphors--"ears that stuck out like two open doors on a VW beetle" or "repartee that rivaled Sylvester Stallone's cocktail banter" or one of my favorites "in a voice like flat Guiness." Plus I groaned at a few made up but highly descriptive words like "antiphonally," "purruped," and "flatulenzas." I love Schweizer's wit. It keeps me chuckling while I turn pages as fast as I can.

Looking forward to my next trip to St. Germaine, where you never know what might happen.

[Julia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, great fun!

[Lana Reigart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story

Schweitzer always makes me laugh out loud. This one also brought me to tears with Gawthrop's lush lyrics. For those who love the mystery noir in this series, this one was more fully developed than in past stories. Definitely a good read.

[Barbara McClellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the funniest of ALL

I adore Schweitzer's books. Each time I read one, I think it's the funniest of all. One problem though:I cannot read these books in public, especially in a waiting room. I laugh so loud it bothers my fellow impatient patients.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have entirely too much fun with these books! I recently re-read the first 13 in the series in preparation for reading the last two. I know I'll reread these again and again - they entertain me and make me laugh out loud!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Lent, and the one thing for sure that St. Germaine is not giving up is murder. Throw in a kidnapping and a design show, and you've got yourself a new liturgical mystery.

[John Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, a fun, breezy, snarky read. The series is definitely to the 'hanging around with friends' stage rather than being a compelling plot, but that's not a bad thing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun series to read!!! This book starts off slow and reminds the reader of all the people and history of the town. But once things get started, it picks up the pace!!

Fun read!!

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another hilarious entry into Mark Schweizer's Liturgical Mystery series.

[Pastor Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimately The Treble Wore Trouble is just fine. My only quibble is that this one seemed to take its sweet time laying the table with backstory. Once it got moving I liked it very well.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is zany and fun. The highlight of this one is the Kyrie with special lyrics set to the tune of Polly Wolly Doodle -- and the children's contributions to the Lenten services.

[Bob Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amusing tale from St Germaine NC by Mark Schweitzer.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Lent

Thumping good read. Humorous as all get out. Who knew truffles and pigs and leprechauns were so funny. Raymond Chandler

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eleventh book in the Liturgical Mystery series and it is just as much fun as the others. Police Chief Hayden Konig is also the organist and the choir director of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in St. Germaine, North Carolina. He is less than thrilled with the new priest, the Rev. Rosemary Pepperpot-Cohosh, who was a Lutheran minister before becoming an Episcopal priest. It seems that Mother P. wants to change the service and the approach to worship at St. Barnabas and it is causing much comment, confusion, and chaos. For example, she has a big screen rolled into the nave where she plans to project the words of the hymns for the Sunday service. As an Episcopalian, I can tell you that lives have been lost for less. Hayden was particularly upset when a huge stuffed eagle was placed on top of an American flag on the communion table, but, unfortunately, he had decided to give up liturgical snarkiness for Lent so he was unable to voice his concerns. Did I mention that Hayden wants to write hard-boiled detective novels in the manner of Raymond Chandler? And why not? After all, he owns Raymond Chandler's manual typewriter and he composes detective stories that he shares with members of the the choir. Anyway, this book has everything--Mother P. getting arrested by federal agents for violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, church politics, the "everyone knows your business" life in a small town, a baby who becomes an evangelist, a truffle-hunting pig (from France, no less), and, oh yes, a couple of murders. A fun read for Lent--and, as every Episcopalian knows, those are few and far between.

[C is for **censored** · Rating 4 out of 5]

The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’.

1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing

I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.

Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.

Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.

It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another liturgical mystery bites the dust with an air of satisfaction. Long may Mark write these silly, funny, and sardonic books. Portia, the truffle-sniffing pig is a character worthy of her own series. 1/15/2013

So it's three years later, and I'm rereading the series. They are just as much fun the second time around. I don't know how Mark Schweizer can continue to produce these frothy, light-hearted stories filled with puns and piffle, but I'll keep buying and rereading them as long as he does

[Bob Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest story in Schweizer's Liturgical Mysteries is perhaps his best yet. Once again, our hero Police Captain/Organist-Choir Director of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church finds himself in a murder involving a parishioner as well as a kidnapping, a second murder and a Federal Investigation regarding a stuffed American Eagle. All the while, he is again struggling to imitate Raymond Chandler as a mystery author with his own style of Chandleresque metaphors. Highly recommended for lovers of satire.

[Jessie Verino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! This book reminds me of his earlier books. The truffle pig was great and not as out there as the gorilla of an earlier work. Looks like Mother P may be staying awhile, as it seems that she learned her lessons with the children's moment and the "ill-eagle." Or at least some lessons. (Hayden's Kyrie).

The only complaint I have is that it takes too long to get through all the who's who's at the beginning of the book (30%) and the first murder.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mix Hayden Konig, a truffle pig, a Baby Evangelist, and Rev. Rosemary Pepperpot-Cohosh, season with a murder or two, and sprinkle with a new mass written by St. Barnabas' organist, and you have a hilarious new offering in The Treble Wore Trouble. I feel for the St. Barnabas congegration as they suffer through Mother P's experiments with blended worship! Hayden's Kyrie has become an earworm too!

[Bill Kuhlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Liturgical Mysteries are great fun. Mr. Schweizer does a very accurate job of purveying the work of a liturgical musician in an Episcopal church setting. But beyond that, the protagonist of his pieces is a detective/chief of police in a small town in the southeast and goes about solving various mysteries in somewhat unorthodox ways. Along the journeys there is lots of fun to be had, and a lot of "satire" regarding church choirs, parish pastors and so forth. Good reads.

[David R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 11th in the series of "liturgical mysteries" in the hamlet of St Germaine, NC is a fine romp. The mystery (actually a set of multiple crimes) is tight and plausible), the characters are vivid and entertaining, and the side stories are a hoot, including one about a truffle-sniffing pig and another about a stuffed Bald Eagle. This is definitely one of Schweizer's best!

[Janet Keeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected, this book delivered its usual joy. I laughed out loud several times and had to seriously refrain from reading the whole book aloud to my husband. I wish I lived in St. Germaine, and small towns are not my cup of tea. Highly recommended to anyone who needs an escape and a laugh.

[Ann Busbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on the "Recommended" shelf at the library and since I'm always looking for new authors, I decided to pick it up. Although the plot wasn't spectacular, the writing was witty and made me laugh. I especially related to the liturgical choir aspect of the story. I will definitely read other books in the series.

[Beth Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you haven't read any of the liturgical mysteries by Mark Schweizer, you are in for a treat. They are really funny, and contain wonderful portrayals of both the Episcopal church and small-town North Carolina. As an added layer, the main character, Hayden Konig, writes really, really bad noir detective stories, bits of which are included in the larger story.

[Becky Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depiction of the Children's Moment based on Psalm 91 should be required reading for every pastor, cantor and especially CYF or minister of Faith Formation EVER. It ranks right up there with the Christmas pageant scene in "Prayer for Owen Meaney". Even without Bernadette and Moosey.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a member of a liturgical church, reading this between Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday of Lent made for some interesting comparisons, since that is the time period of this story....I was especially amused when we sang 'On Eagles Wings' for the first Sunday after Lent!!

[Minor F. Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for winter

Another delightful book by Mark Schweizer. His characters, locale and storyline are just perfect for some light reading. Once you begin this series you will be hooked.