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The Psalm 23 Mysteries #4
Beside Still Waters
No matter where she goes, church secretary Cindy Preston always seems to end up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Cindy travels to Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend for her long-planned vacation. While there she discovers the body of a restaurant owner who has been murdered. Soon Cindy finds herself swept up in events beyond her understanding and is kidnapped by people who are convinced that she knows more about the murder than she is telling. When she fails to return home, Jeremiah goes looking for her. It will take all his skill to find her and all her courage to stay alive.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2012
30 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Viguié
92 books1,041 followersDebbie Viguié is the New York Times Bestselling author of more than three dozen novels including the Wicked series co-authored with Nancy Holder. In addition to her epic dark fantasy work Debbie also writes thrillers including The Psalm 23 Mysteries, the Kiss trilogy, and the Witch Hunt trilogy. Debbie also plays a recurring character on the audio drama, Doctor Geek’s Laboratory. When Debbie isn’t busy writing or acting she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, visiting theme parks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 18, 2017
Not my favorite in the series but still a very enjoyable read.
June 4, 2023
Wanted to read a mystery that took place in Hawaii. This one fit the bill. Quick & easy read, might have to read more in this series.
May 26, 2015
Cindy Preston, church secretary at First Shepherd, has gone on vacation to Hawaii by herself. It is a much needed vacation after all of the trouble she's managed to get into at home. But of course trouble seems to follow Cindy. On a suggestion from her cab driver Cindy decides to try a local restaurant. When she stumbles upon a dead body Cindy is once again plunged into murder and mayhem. When Cindy is kidnapped this may turn out to be her last case she is involved in.
Jeremiah Silverman's past life is slowly catching up with him. He has a secret and he is preparing himself to move on in order to keep that secret. Arriving at the airport to pick up Cindy from her vacation Jeremiah becomes extremely worried when she doesn't show up. Knowing that Cindy would have contacted him if something came up he immediately knows something has happened to her. He heads to Hawaii on the next flight to find her. Using his skills from his past Jeremiah is able to track Cindy's movements while on vacation. Hopefully he won't be too late to find and rescue Cindy alive.
This is the 4th book in the series. Yes, I am hooked. I just went and bought book 5. I wish I had read these as they came out and then I would have been able to spread out the cost of purchasing a bit more! It looks like so far there are 11 books in the series. I have some catching up to do, but the pocketbook may need to take a rest after book 5. So, Beside Still Waters...I really enjoyed it. Loved the suspense! I love both Cindy and Jeremiah's characters. I am definitely waiting impatiently to find out what Jeremiah's big secret is. I certainly hope I don't have to wait until the author finishes the last book of the series! Both Jeremiah and Cindy are strong characters. All that Cindy went through in this book would have done a normal person in, but Cindy was determined to get away from her captors. I love it when Jeremiah goes into rescue mode, like I said, I am definitely curious to find out exactly what or who he was in his past. I am also impressed with how the author has been able to keep each book fresh and not just regurgitating the same plot over and over again. That's definitely what keeps me buying the next book each time I finish one. So as I seem to be saying in every review of this series, "If you are a fan of suspense novels then definitely try these, they won't disappoint!"
Jeremiah Silverman's past life is slowly catching up with him. He has a secret and he is preparing himself to move on in order to keep that secret. Arriving at the airport to pick up Cindy from her vacation Jeremiah becomes extremely worried when she doesn't show up. Knowing that Cindy would have contacted him if something came up he immediately knows something has happened to her. He heads to Hawaii on the next flight to find her. Using his skills from his past Jeremiah is able to track Cindy's movements while on vacation. Hopefully he won't be too late to find and rescue Cindy alive.
This is the 4th book in the series. Yes, I am hooked. I just went and bought book 5. I wish I had read these as they came out and then I would have been able to spread out the cost of purchasing a bit more! It looks like so far there are 11 books in the series. I have some catching up to do, but the pocketbook may need to take a rest after book 5. So, Beside Still Waters...I really enjoyed it. Loved the suspense! I love both Cindy and Jeremiah's characters. I am definitely waiting impatiently to find out what Jeremiah's big secret is. I certainly hope I don't have to wait until the author finishes the last book of the series! Both Jeremiah and Cindy are strong characters. All that Cindy went through in this book would have done a normal person in, but Cindy was determined to get away from her captors. I love it when Jeremiah goes into rescue mode, like I said, I am definitely curious to find out exactly what or who he was in his past. I am also impressed with how the author has been able to keep each book fresh and not just regurgitating the same plot over and over again. That's definitely what keeps me buying the next book each time I finish one. So as I seem to be saying in every review of this series, "If you are a fan of suspense novels then definitely try these, they won't disappoint!"
February 5, 2013
OK, I think I've found a series which is an embarrassing guilty pleasure. I admit it (though not too loud), I like the movies Some Kind of Wonderful and The Cutting Edge, and I think the Psalm 23 Mysteries are falling into that category as well. Cindy takes her long awaited vacation to Hawaii and finds another dead body. I'm sure you are shocked to discover that, what with the bloody lei on the cover. The plot here is a little thinner than the first three books, but it was enough to keep me interested. The budding relationship between Cindy and Jeremiah has just about blossomed, and the author has gotten me to invest enough in the two of them to care. My biggest complaint is that
As I said, the plot on this one was a little thin, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If they could somehow get the necessary background in, I think this book would make a decent action film. And I actually mean that as a compliment.
As I said, the plot on this one was a little thin, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If they could somehow get the necessary background in, I think this book would make a decent action film. And I actually mean that as a compliment.
November 18, 2015
Wow, just wow. We have seen a little more about Jeremiah's history and Ms Viguie really knows how to write a story. I am having a really hard time waiting for the next book coming out in 2013.
April 6, 2022
This rated somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, with a couple caveats. Still, I doubt I'd re-read it, which is a 5-star rating for me. I very seldom re-read mysteries.
Exciting.
I did figure out one of the intertwined mysteries, the one with the archeologist.
I am glad that Mark faced some accountability with his unfortunate actions at the end of the last book. He should've been fired, not just suspended, though. Still, it's good to see him work through that.
My first caveat is that one of the "good" guys murdered someone who was already dying. Admittedly, part of the fight was about self-defense, but not that part. That was just brutality. But that good character did think of himself sometimes as a monster.
My second caveat was that there wasn't much depth to it, not as much depth as there has been in the series to date, not much to think about, which is why this review is so short.
Exciting.
I did figure out one of the intertwined mysteries, the one with the archeologist.
I am glad that Mark faced some accountability with his unfortunate actions at the end of the last book. He should've been fired, not just suspended, though. Still, it's good to see him work through that.
My first caveat is that one of the "good" guys murdered someone who was already dying. Admittedly, part of the fight was about self-defense, but not that part. That was just brutality. But that good character did think of himself sometimes as a monster.
My second caveat was that there wasn't much depth to it, not as much depth as there has been in the series to date, not much to think about, which is why this review is so short.
August 17, 2023
Cindy's dangerous habit of finding dead bodies continues in the fourth book of The Psalm 23 Mysteries. This time she's in Hawaii on vacation when a cabby gives her his business card and a tip to visit his uncle's restaurant following her tour of Pearl Harbor. The lack of care of the restaurant and its emptiness causes Cindy to try to find the owner. She does, but he's lying in his own blood. Later, she sees men carrying bodies at a controversial construction site. The next day someone tries to kill her, and Rabbi Jeremiah is not around to save her. Running for her life in a strange place does not give her time to contact him. When she doesn't come home, Jeremiah searches for her.
I am enjoying this series. I don't know that it qualifies as a cozy, but it's a welcome change from the more hardcore thrillers. The characters and their growing romance are likable and unusual. The secondary characters' quirks.
I am enjoying this series. I don't know that it qualifies as a cozy, but it's a welcome change from the more hardcore thrillers. The characters and their growing romance are likable and unusual. The secondary characters' quirks.
March 2, 2025
This series just keeps getting better and better. I rated the first one four stars but didn't really think I would continue reading it. I'm glad I didn't give up. The last two I read in one day each because I just couldn't put it down.
These are billed as Christian mysteries but I'm not totally sure that's accurate. True, there's some mention of praying for guidance during challenging situations and no sex, or foul language (thank you!!) But because there's so much violence in them, I think they should just be classified as clean mysteries. Whatever they're called, I can't wait to read the next installment.
These are billed as Christian mysteries but I'm not totally sure that's accurate. True, there's some mention of praying for guidance during challenging situations and no sex, or foul language (thank you!!) But because there's so much violence in them, I think they should just be classified as clean mysteries. Whatever they're called, I can't wait to read the next installment.
August 8, 2024
Great story
I really liked the story line. Showing how both Cindy and Jeremiah relied on God to give them strength. The story was interesting enough for me to finish in one setting.
I really liked the story line. Showing how both Cindy and Jeremiah relied on God to give them strength. The story was interesting enough for me to finish in one setting.
September 6, 2017
Seems like in trying to build up to the reveal of jeremiah's past, we just get farther from it?
June 8, 2018
very good
June 22, 2018
Good
this book starts with a vacation for a young woman who becomes involved by finding a person who is murdered
this book starts with a vacation for a young woman who becomes involved by finding a person who is murdered
July 28, 2020
Great book from the 23 Psalm series. The characters are very well developed. You learn a little more about them in each book. A friend recommended the series to me.
August 3, 2020
What a great series this is. I love Cindy, Jeremiah and Mark. I can’t wait to see where this goes. Always a great mystery.
August 31, 2020
I love this series!! Jeremiah is so mysterious and Cindy is growing as a character by leaps and bounds. I'm so anxious to read the next one because of how the last one ended. I read 2 in 1 day!
September 12, 2021
Romance is budding
Cindy's relaxing vacation becomes an action packed run for her life . Romance begins to bud when Jeremiah comes to the rescue.
Cindy's relaxing vacation becomes an action packed run for her life . Romance begins to bud when Jeremiah comes to the rescue.
January 23, 2023
3.5 Stars. [ebook]
October 20, 2023
Keeps pulling me in
These mysteries are so good. They just keep pulling me in until I finish the book! I enjoy the stories and Debbie's writing style.
These mysteries are so good. They just keep pulling me in until I finish the book! I enjoy the stories and Debbie's writing style.
Read
August 7, 2019Once again, she hooked me from the beginning. Debbie Viguie has done something that only a few authors have managed to do, but I love it!
This book was as wonderful, and as intense (if not moreso) as the first three in the series. Gripping storyline, interesting new characters, overall, exceptional. However, there was, again, the glaring lack of punctuation. It's unnerving to have to re-read sentences because of a lack of proper punctuation. It happened far too often in this book. There were several typos as well. She has a character named "Marie", but at one point in this book, she called her "Maria". I was wondering when this character stepped in, and who she was. Thankfully, having read the previous three novels of this series, I knew who it was referring to.
Even with the typos and lack of punctuation (plan on reading some run-on sentences), it was an excellent read. I highly recommend this series.
This book was as wonderful, and as intense (if not moreso) as the first three in the series. Gripping storyline, interesting new characters, overall, exceptional. However, there was, again, the glaring lack of punctuation. It's unnerving to have to re-read sentences because of a lack of proper punctuation. It happened far too often in this book. There were several typos as well. She has a character named "Marie", but at one point in this book, she called her "Maria". I was wondering when this character stepped in, and who she was. Thankfully, having read the previous three novels of this series, I knew who it was referring to.
Even with the typos and lack of punctuation (plan on reading some run-on sentences), it was an excellent read. I highly recommend this series.
October 5, 2013
This fourth book in Debbie Viguie's Twenty-Third psalm mysteries is the best one yet! In BESIDE STILL WATERS Cindy, a church secretary with a pension for trouble, goes on vacation to Hawaii, finding trouble there too. She is just enjoying planning on sightseeing at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, but finds a taxi ride reference to a great place for lunch starts troubles again. When she goes to the restaurant, it is empty except for a dead body. More sightseeing brings yet more troubles. How has this simple relaxing vacation turned into a trip of terror.
Jeremiah is the rabbi in the synagogue next door to Cindy's church. His mysterious past is still unknown, but his adventures with Cindy in solving past murders definitely comes into play here too. They've grown very close during all these tight scrapes, and when Jeremiah finds that Cindy is not at the airport from her return flight from Hawaii, Jeremiah just know something is terribly wrong. Without a second thought, he's off to Hawaii to find Cindy.
The tensions and emotions in this book were definitely driving my reading. I really enjoy the interplay between Cindy and Jerrimiah. The surrounding cast of characters also adds a great deal of interest and charm to these books. Definitely need to be read in order to get the full pleasure from these mysteries. Belief in the power and love of God is evident in these stories without being at all preachy. So glad there are more books to come from this talented author!
Jeremiah is the rabbi in the synagogue next door to Cindy's church. His mysterious past is still unknown, but his adventures with Cindy in solving past murders definitely comes into play here too. They've grown very close during all these tight scrapes, and when Jeremiah finds that Cindy is not at the airport from her return flight from Hawaii, Jeremiah just know something is terribly wrong. Without a second thought, he's off to Hawaii to find Cindy.
The tensions and emotions in this book were definitely driving my reading. I really enjoy the interplay between Cindy and Jerrimiah. The surrounding cast of characters also adds a great deal of interest and charm to these books. Definitely need to be read in order to get the full pleasure from these mysteries. Belief in the power and love of God is evident in these stories without being at all preachy. So glad there are more books to come from this talented author!
August 17, 2012
I have been enjoying the story and escapades of Cindy and Jeremiah since the first book The Lord is my Shepherd and have been eagerly waiting for the 4th book to come out. This is an excellent series and this book was as good as, if not better than, the others. Cindy, a church secretary, who is usually knee deep in some mystery, has gone off to Hawaii to have a well deserved rest. Needless to say she hasn't been there for long when she stumbles over a murder. Someone then tries to murder her and she ends up kidnapped. Jeremiah, the Rabbi from the synagogue next door, who has his own dark and secret past, rushes to her aid the minute he realises she is missing. The action and tension in this book had me on the edge of my seat practically from the beginning. As the action unfolds we get to know a little more of Jeremiah's past, but you will need to read the book to find out what this is as I don't want to spoil the story. Jeremiah and Cindy's relationship also develops a little and we get to see more of their feelings for each other. With regards to whether the question of Paul is settled, again you will have to read the book. No plot spoilers here. This is an excellent book. If you have read the first three you will love it. If you haven't the mystery part will still be enjoyable but the relationships between the characters and the reasons they' are like they are will not. I would advise you to read them in order. A brilliant book which I would highly recommend
October 7, 2012
This is a novel I have been waiting a long time for. Having read the previous ones, I kept putting the author's name in to see if a new novel was out...finally, came the fourth in the series, "Besides Still Waters."
The story picks up where the last book, 'Lie Down in Green Pastures' ends, with Mark, the detective trying to find out just who his deceased partner really was; Jeremiah now friends with Cindy and counseling Mark as well as his congregation at the Synagogue; and Cindy Preston taking the trip she won to Hawaii for Memorial Weekend.
Cindy is filled with happiness for a chance to get away from the murders on the mainland. Enjoy the sun and see the sites. Unfortunately for her, crime is not just in the lower forty-eight states. While taking a taxi to see the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, she meets and overly friendly taxi driver who gives her his card to get a special meal at 'Uncles.' When she gets there, Cindy finds a dead man, setting off a terrifying ordeal that has Jeremiah flying to Oahu to save her.
There are the background stories as well as I mentioned with Mark and Cindy's fears. I really don't want to say more as the story is so well written my comments will disclose vital threads. I really want you to read this book for yourselves.
Luckily, for us readers/fans we are told that the next book, "Restoreth My Soul" will be out in the winter of 2013. I, for one, can't wait.
The story picks up where the last book, 'Lie Down in Green Pastures' ends, with Mark, the detective trying to find out just who his deceased partner really was; Jeremiah now friends with Cindy and counseling Mark as well as his congregation at the Synagogue; and Cindy Preston taking the trip she won to Hawaii for Memorial Weekend.
Cindy is filled with happiness for a chance to get away from the murders on the mainland. Enjoy the sun and see the sites. Unfortunately for her, crime is not just in the lower forty-eight states. While taking a taxi to see the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, she meets and overly friendly taxi driver who gives her his card to get a special meal at 'Uncles.' When she gets there, Cindy finds a dead man, setting off a terrifying ordeal that has Jeremiah flying to Oahu to save her.
There are the background stories as well as I mentioned with Mark and Cindy's fears. I really don't want to say more as the story is so well written my comments will disclose vital threads. I really want you to read this book for yourselves.
Luckily, for us readers/fans we are told that the next book, "Restoreth My Soul" will be out in the winter of 2013. I, for one, can't wait.
November 5, 2012
I am a big cozy mystery fan so when I saw this on the giveaways here on goodreads I entered to win it straight away. I could not have been more pleased when I won it !The book was really great and begins with our main female character Cindy as she is vacationing in Honolulu. It was only by luck that she had got the ticket for this holiday, she had won a television and another man had swapped her the tv for the ticket... so she did what any sane girl did ,handed him the ticket and said hello to Honolulu..Cindy is not long on the beautiful island when she comes across a murder that is far more complicated then it first seems with more twists and turns then a bowl of spaghetti Cindy would like to know why someone killed Uncle before she goes home again. As Cindy soons find out you can't move around on the island without bumping into criminals and some of them have their eyes on her esp as they fear she may have seen something that could hurt their buisness. It's going to take bravery on Cindy's part if she is going to survive here .It looks like her friend Jeremiah is going to have to come and save the day and his girl...but will he manage it...
A wonderful, action packed mystery with plenty of bad guys thrown in for fun. I can't wait to go back and read the other three books in this series . Great story!!
A wonderful, action packed mystery with plenty of bad guys thrown in for fun. I can't wait to go back and read the other three books in this series . Great story!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
I read the first two in this series of 11 (so far) last year, and put them aside for a while. I couldn't remember why until I read #4 and #5 in the series over the weekend. Now I remember.
I really, really want to love these books. However, I am finally admitting that they are too sophomoric for me.
Not that I am a highbrow, but these are written for a different kind of reader than I am. I think they are written for older teens or younger twenty-somethings. And it's Christian fiction, which I normally eschew, but this is not over-the-top with religious doctrine. There is a complicated almost-love relationship. There is a handsome man with a secret past. There is a policeman who acts tough, but is really a big teddy bear.
And I think therein lies the rub - it is very formulaic. It is the same story in each book, regurgitated with a different crime. Plus, the sexual tension between the two protagonists is contrived and forced (after book five, they still haven't acknowledged their feelings?!).
But the real kicker here for me is the lack of proofing/editing on the books. They are riddled with errors in grammar. I may even be able to read the rest of the series, if it were not so frustrating, but the egregious grammar errors seal the deal for me.
Not recommended.
I really, really want to love these books. However, I am finally admitting that they are too sophomoric for me.
Not that I am a highbrow, but these are written for a different kind of reader than I am. I think they are written for older teens or younger twenty-somethings. And it's Christian fiction, which I normally eschew, but this is not over-the-top with religious doctrine. There is a complicated almost-love relationship. There is a handsome man with a secret past. There is a policeman who acts tough, but is really a big teddy bear.
And I think therein lies the rub - it is very formulaic. It is the same story in each book, regurgitated with a different crime. Plus, the sexual tension between the two protagonists is contrived and forced (after book five, they still haven't acknowledged their feelings?!).
But the real kicker here for me is the lack of proofing/editing on the books. They are riddled with errors in grammar. I may even be able to read the rest of the series, if it were not so frustrating, but the egregious grammar errors seal the deal for me.
Not recommended.
August 12, 2022
Cindy goes away on vacation where she stumbles upon a dead body and then gets kidnapped. Who would have ever guessed this would happened to her in Hawaii. When she doesn't arrive home when expected Jeremiah has a gut feeling that something bad has happened and goes searching for her. Cindy has grown so much in the last year and is so much stronger than she was when we first met her in book 1. I love the connection that Jeremiah and Cindy have formed. This book held my interest the whole way through, I didn't want to put it down as I needed to know Cindy was going to be safe.
May 9, 2024
I'm not sure why I always pictured Cindy as older and plumper but now I realize she's not. Anyway, I'm excited to see more and more of Jeremiah's past play a part in his present and to find out what his story really is. There's always someone who shows up (Otto this time) who we think might give us a clue. And I also like the secondary plot of the not-Paul kidnapping.
February 6, 2014
Love this series! I wish Ms Viguie wrote faster, though. =D
ADDED February 2014:
Just read this for the second time because I wanted a little reminder after 2 years before I jumped into the next book. Liked it just as much this time and can't wait to read Restoreth My Soul!
ADDED February 2014:
Just read this for the second time because I wanted a little reminder after 2 years before I jumped into the next book. Liked it just as much this time and can't wait to read Restoreth My Soul!
December 27, 2012
Loved it! I so enjoy The Psalm Mysteries series.. Very well written hard to put down, I was so excited when I finished this book and realized on the last page that another book is to appear this winter 2013! Can hardly wait!
February 3, 2014
Another book I hadn't added when I read it. I still love this series and I want to know what happens next. Will Jeremiah's secret ever come out and how will it go when it does? I need the next book!
February 3, 2013
Book 4 centers on the female sleuth, charming church Secretary Cindy and her vacation to Hawaii. The local Hawaiians are described so well, I expected the local diners from Food Network features, Sony the Samoan from Dog The Bounty hunter and characters from my own trips to Honolulu.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews