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Bowers and Hunter Mystery #1
The Psalmist: A Bowers and Hunter Mystery
Luke Bowers is in the good and evil business.
On a cold, late-winter morning in the Chesapeake Bay community of Tidewater County, Bowers discovers a dead woman seated in a pew at the church where he is pastor—her eyes open, her hands clasped as if in prayer.
Nothing at the scene identifies the woman or explains why she was at the church. And when state police homicide investigator Amy Hunter comes to town to head up the case, not everyone is pleased that a young, female outsider has the job. The only lead in solving the crime is a sequence of numbers that has been carved into the victim's right hand, which Bowers suspects may be a reference to the Book of Psalms.
With Bowers's help, Hunter follows a chain of seemingly innocuous clues to track down a deranged serial killer and unravel an elusive criminal enterprise that is more powerful than they ever could have imagined.
On a cold, late-winter morning in the Chesapeake Bay community of Tidewater County, Bowers discovers a dead woman seated in a pew at the church where he is pastor—her eyes open, her hands clasped as if in prayer.
Nothing at the scene identifies the woman or explains why she was at the church. And when state police homicide investigator Amy Hunter comes to town to head up the case, not everyone is pleased that a young, female outsider has the job. The only lead in solving the crime is a sequence of numbers that has been carved into the victim's right hand, which Bowers suspects may be a reference to the Book of Psalms.
With Bowers's help, Hunter follows a chain of seemingly innocuous clues to track down a deranged serial killer and unravel an elusive criminal enterprise that is more powerful than they ever could have imagined.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2014
134 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
James Lilliefors
20 books45 followersJAMES LILLIEFORS is a journalist and novelist who grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. His novels include THE PSALMIST and THE TEMPEST and the geopolitical thrillers THE CHILDREN'S GAME (as Max Karpov) THE LEVIATHAN EFFECT and VIRAL.
For Max Karpov, see https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
For Max Karpov, see https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 28, 2014
This is probably one of the most unusualmystery books I have read in quite some time. To be certain, I could have done without the superfluous profanity, but I can overlook this for the purposes of this review. I am happy to report that there are no bedroom nor intimate scenes--always a bonus. Though some of the descriptions might be a bit much for unduly sensitive readers, they were never gory nor excessively violent. Although the author chooses to take the realist view of mysteries like this and leave the case open and partially unresolved, I was not bothered. Typically, I prefer for all the "bad guys" to come to justice. I feel certain that in time, everyone involved will receive their just rewards (and punishments).
For me, the most intriguing portion of this story was the Psalms tie-in to the murder investigations. The inclusion of the pastor and his insights made the mystery quite interesting for me. Media fascination with serial killers makes me realize that this case is not out of the scope of reality. At times, the Biblical correlations were rather eerie and chilling.
Unfortunately, most mysteries written along these lines rarely have any comedic relief. They are typically filled with darkness and evil. This book accomplishes the amazing feat of including the dramatic elements as well as some cleverly-written comedy between the characters--I truly loved that!
For the true mystery fan that is not bothered by profanity, this book is a perfect fit. I would enjoy reading more from this author, and I can certainly recommend his work.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
For me, the most intriguing portion of this story was the Psalms tie-in to the murder investigations. The inclusion of the pastor and his insights made the mystery quite interesting for me. Media fascination with serial killers makes me realize that this case is not out of the scope of reality. At times, the Biblical correlations were rather eerie and chilling.
Unfortunately, most mysteries written along these lines rarely have any comedic relief. They are typically filled with darkness and evil. This book accomplishes the amazing feat of including the dramatic elements as well as some cleverly-written comedy between the characters--I truly loved that!
For the true mystery fan that is not bothered by profanity, this book is a perfect fit. I would enjoy reading more from this author, and I can certainly recommend his work.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
February 24, 2015
To understand the ending you need to crack open your Bible. Not sure why this was lost on some people. The entire plot was based off of verses referenced in Psalms. Go do it, read what it says, that's your ending.
October 24, 2016
The Psalmist is the first book in the Bower and Hunter series. It's about a pastor Luke Bowers who helps homicide detective Amy Hunter figure out what some numbers means a dead body that the pastor finds in his church.
He matches up the numbers on her with a book of Psalms and it relates to how the person was killed. With this new information they make some startling discovers to some past cases that were unsolved and have similar numbers referencing other scriptures in Psalms.
Now not everyone is happy to have this young detective who is an outsider come into their town and take over things. Especially the sheriff, so she doesn't get a lot of good local help so it's a good thing she has pastor Luke Bowers to help her figure out things. The trail leads to a deranged serial killer who is killing for a criminal mastermind.
They thought they had figured out who was behind things but things just don't add up and then some things goes a little haywire and don't go as they had hoped.
I am a little scatchy on the details because I listened to this one during the 24 hr read-a-thon and I should have put down some ideas because if I don't right a review right away I forget things. :(
I do know that it was a good mystery crime novel and I am curious to see how the next book will play out as I really liked Luke and Amy.
Luke Bowers is a pastor who is married and seems truly devoted to his wife and their dog. He gets wrapped up in these murders because he finds the body in his church. I don't think his wife much likes him working with the younger female detective whom she calls Nancy Drew. Amy is a state police homicide detective and she doesn't make many friends from the local police as they don't seem to like outsiders. She is single, which could be one reason the pastors wife doesn't like her, but she is hard working and very determined to see the case through to the end.
Speaking of the end, it was left a little open but it gives you a clue to look for yourself if you check out Psalms and look what Amy figures out at the end.
He matches up the numbers on her with a book of Psalms and it relates to how the person was killed. With this new information they make some startling discovers to some past cases that were unsolved and have similar numbers referencing other scriptures in Psalms.
Now not everyone is happy to have this young detective who is an outsider come into their town and take over things. Especially the sheriff, so she doesn't get a lot of good local help so it's a good thing she has pastor Luke Bowers to help her figure out things. The trail leads to a deranged serial killer who is killing for a criminal mastermind.
They thought they had figured out who was behind things but things just don't add up and then some things goes a little haywire and don't go as they had hoped.
I am a little scatchy on the details because I listened to this one during the 24 hr read-a-thon and I should have put down some ideas because if I don't right a review right away I forget things. :(
I do know that it was a good mystery crime novel and I am curious to see how the next book will play out as I really liked Luke and Amy.
Luke Bowers is a pastor who is married and seems truly devoted to his wife and their dog. He gets wrapped up in these murders because he finds the body in his church. I don't think his wife much likes him working with the younger female detective whom she calls Nancy Drew. Amy is a state police homicide detective and she doesn't make many friends from the local police as they don't seem to like outsiders. She is single, which could be one reason the pastors wife doesn't like her, but she is hard working and very determined to see the case through to the end.
Speaking of the end, it was left a little open but it gives you a clue to look for yourself if you check out Psalms and look what Amy figures out at the end.
September 30, 2015
Good start
Really liked the main characters. Story kept my attention and the ending paved the way for the next book in the series. I do have to say that I wish the ending was more definitive, since it may be quite awhile before I get to the second installment. Otherwise, enjoyable.
Really liked the main characters. Story kept my attention and the ending paved the way for the next book in the series. I do have to say that I wish the ending was more definitive, since it may be quite awhile before I get to the second installment. Otherwise, enjoyable.
June 17, 2015
Wisely Thought out and written
The writer nailed it . The book has character, keeps you thinking about how a person can manipulate the truth. And all the right moves are being played, like a game of chess only the pieces on this board are deadly. 16+
The writer nailed it . The book has character, keeps you thinking about how a person can manipulate the truth. And all the right moves are being played, like a game of chess only the pieces on this board are deadly. 16+
August 12, 2016
A little slow-moving, but very intriguing!
December 7, 2018
I thought this was a good, solid mystery. There were some things left unresolved, but as this is the first in the series, I imagine they will be answered in future books. I will definitely be reading the second one to see what Luke Bowers and Amy Hunter uncover next.
June 8, 2015
Mr. Lilliefors wove a beautiful setting, realistic dialogue and intriguing characters into a wonderful mystery. The team of Hunter and Bowers is unconventional in the genre given they don't get imbroiled romantically which was refreshing. "The Psalmist" was a page turner for me, I was enthralled from the beginning with nearly every aspect of the work. So why a 4 star rating you ask... chapter division. Chopping scenes (especially containing continuous dialogue) in the middle and then shifting to new characters in another local in the middle but not changing chapters is a big pet - peeve of mine. Overall I would recommend "The Psalmist" to anyone who likes a good crime drama and those who would but don't like the sometimes gross details and over-wrought violence.
June 6, 2015
Weak with No Ending
If this the introduction to a series, I would caution you to skip the entire series. Unfortunately, I have to agree with many previous reviewers, I found the book to be tedious, dull, and worst of all to have no ending. What? What a rotten subterfuge to pull on your readers! Plus this detective does no detecting! She complains a lot and reiterates and speaks to a very dull Pastor who seems to have come to be a Pastor by a throw at a dart board. The characters are two dimensional and lifeless save for the four-legged one. Really not worth the effort to plow through- especially when you are not even rewarded for your effort with a satisfactory end to the most basic answer to the most basic question...do they get the bad guy? Skip it.
If this the introduction to a series, I would caution you to skip the entire series. Unfortunately, I have to agree with many previous reviewers, I found the book to be tedious, dull, and worst of all to have no ending. What? What a rotten subterfuge to pull on your readers! Plus this detective does no detecting! She complains a lot and reiterates and speaks to a very dull Pastor who seems to have come to be a Pastor by a throw at a dart board. The characters are two dimensional and lifeless save for the four-legged one. Really not worth the effort to plow through- especially when you are not even rewarded for your effort with a satisfactory end to the most basic answer to the most basic question...do they get the bad guy? Skip it.
July 28, 2014
Luke and Amy are very different but they work together so well. These two are the most enjoyable characters! Pastor Luke finds a dead body in his church and the state investigator assigned to the case is Amy Hunter. The local law enforcement are not happy the investigator is a woman and they do give Amy a hard time. Luke is helpful and together they unearth something really BIG!
A great mystery with the right amount of suspense, written well, fast paced. This is an author I'm going to keep reading!
I received an ecopy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A great mystery with the right amount of suspense, written well, fast paced. This is an author I'm going to keep reading!
I received an ecopy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2015
Couldn't stop reading this book!
A strong suspense thriller, complex but intriguing, just the right blend of mystery, emotion and character involvement.
Where is the sequel. What happens next? I need to read more!
Get this book....you won't be sorry.
A strong suspense thriller, complex but intriguing, just the right blend of mystery, emotion and character involvement.
Where is the sequel. What happens next? I need to read more!
Get this book....you won't be sorry.
June 28, 2015
Great story
Intriguing story. Great character development. A good read overall. Bowers and Hunter work well together to resolve the case. Sneakers and Win s ton bring comfort to their humans.
Intriguing story. Great character development. A good read overall. Bowers and Hunter work well together to resolve the case. Sneakers and Win s ton bring comfort to their humans.
July 6, 2015
Attention to details.
I did not want to put this book down. I did not like the way it ended. I am sure there is a sequel and if so I want to read it. It offers mystery, chills and plain old detective work with just a hint of religion. Good reading.
I did not want to put this book down. I did not like the way it ended. I am sure there is a sequel and if so I want to read it. It offers mystery, chills and plain old detective work with just a hint of religion. Good reading.
November 21, 2014
I enjoyed the book until the last page and then I just was left with a huh? Also, the reference to something that happened to the detective in the past were too obtuse.
February 5, 2015
Did I miss something in the end...?
February 26, 2015
Hard to put down.
Good reading and entertainment. I love the way this book totally took me away from my every day life and into an exciting mystery. I highly recommend it.
Good reading and entertainment. I love the way this book totally took me away from my every day life and into an exciting mystery. I highly recommend it.
December 1, 2015
Very easy read. I liked this book and am looking forward to the 2nd one in this series.
May 29, 2015
Good read with twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Was not the ending I was expecting. But still worth you're reading. Will probably read more Bowers and Hunter books.
Was not the ending I was expecting. But still worth you're reading. Will probably read more Bowers and Hunter books.
June 16, 2015
Gosh this was good
I love the way that Mr Lilliefors was able to make descriptions so easy to see. I guess I am going to have to read the next book, I'm hooked.
I love the way that Mr Lilliefors was able to make descriptions so easy to see. I guess I am going to have to read the next book, I'm hooked.
June 29, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyable
Many twists and turns as Detective Hunter follows her instincts to solve this many sided murder mystery. Looking forward to Lilliefors' next book.
Many twists and turns as Detective Hunter follows her instincts to solve this many sided murder mystery. Looking forward to Lilliefors' next book.
July 25, 2016
A very disappointing ending.
August 15, 2020
First time reading Lilliefors. Great work with an intriguing premise. How does a murdered woman end up in a church and that leads to the discovery of a serial killer and conspiracy? Starting off simply this builds to a satisfying finish. Looking for more in the series.
November 3, 2025
This book kept me interested but the ending is leaving you hanging and from what I can see the second book in the Bowers and Hunter Mystery doesn't seem to continue this story at all. Unless I'm missing something this ending is bad.
November 4, 2017
Enjoyed the story & the characters! Would read another in the series.
June 13, 2018
Audiobook performed by Dan John Miller. Methodist minister helps solve serial murder case.
June 12, 2019
Well done! A good mystery is always a good read in my opinion and this was a good mystery.
December 4, 2020
Good story
It’s a very engaging tale. I would definitely recommend giving this book a read. I was drawn to it after the “carved like wet pumpkin” line. Good read.
It’s a very engaging tale. I would definitely recommend giving this book a read. I was drawn to it after the “carved like wet pumpkin” line. Good read.
January 6, 2017
A good read
Once I got into this book, I had a hard time putting it down. I really liked the plot. The connection between all the killings was great. It reminded me a little of the movie Seven, which I love. However, it was a very original story. I really liked the characters, especially Amy Hunter. It had me guessing until the end. You don't know who can be trusted and right when a character wins your trust, you second guess yourself. It was everything I look for in a good book. I will be reading more by this author.
Once I got into this book, I had a hard time putting it down. I really liked the plot. The connection between all the killings was great. It reminded me a little of the movie Seven, which I love. However, it was a very original story. I really liked the characters, especially Amy Hunter. It had me guessing until the end. You don't know who can be trusted and right when a character wins your trust, you second guess yourself. It was everything I look for in a good book. I will be reading more by this author.
October 15, 2016
Je vais commencer par ce qui m'a un peu déplu. Je m'attendais à un véritable duo Amy/Luke. J'ai trouvé que ça n'allait pas au fond des choses sur ce plan; Luke restant trop à l'écart à mon goût.
Il y a beaucoup de personnages secondaires sur l'enquête et parfois, je m'embrouillais à me souvenir qui était qui. Amy fait face à des problèmes limite politiques, on lui met des bâtons dans les roues. C'est intéressant même si j'ai eu envie de les claquer car je ne comprenais pas pourquoi tout le monde voulait expédier l'enquête en fermant les yeux.
Je reste sur ma faim concernant le grand méchant. Pourquoi les psaumes ? Au final, on n'en sait rien. J'ai trouvé dommage que l'enquête tourne autour de ça, pour qu'au final ça ne soit pas expliqué. Ce point m'a vraiment manqué car j'aime connaître la psychologie des tueurs.
La fin m'a semblé un peu trop vite expédiée. L'histoire avance lentement, puis tout tombe d'un coup et les arrestations se font en un claquement de doigts. Curieux. La tension diminue au lieu de monter en flèche et j'attends encore d'arriver aux confins du mal...
Sinon, la plume de l'auteur est agréable. Les chapitres sont courts donc ça permet de faire des pauses et de garder le fil facilement. Il donne les dates, ainsi on réalise vraiment l'avancée de l'enquête.
J'ai bien aimé Amy et Luke, je trouve qu'ils font un bon duo. Peut être qu'on pourrait les retrouver dans un autre roman ?
L'intro nous plonge directement dans le roman et l'hiver est bien présent. Ce qui ne m'a pas réchauffée pendant ces jours de pluie ahah ! Il est parfait à lire sous son plaid.
La toute fin est bien tournée. Evidemment j'ai couru voir ce que disait ce dernier psaume ! Il ouvre au questionnement : que va-t-il se passer ? Là encore, je me dis qu'on retrouvera peut-être le duo ?
Ce n'est pas un thriller qui va me marquer mais je le conseillerais à ceux qui veulent s'essayer au genre et qui ont peur de tomber dans le glauque ou trop flippant. Ce serait une entrée en matière en douceur.
Je lirais quand même un autre roman de James Lilliefors pour voir ce que ça donne.
Bisous et bon week end !
Casting ? http://lireoudormir.blogspot.fr/2016/...
Il y a beaucoup de personnages secondaires sur l'enquête et parfois, je m'embrouillais à me souvenir qui était qui. Amy fait face à des problèmes limite politiques, on lui met des bâtons dans les roues. C'est intéressant même si j'ai eu envie de les claquer car je ne comprenais pas pourquoi tout le monde voulait expédier l'enquête en fermant les yeux.
Je reste sur ma faim concernant le grand méchant. Pourquoi les psaumes ? Au final, on n'en sait rien. J'ai trouvé dommage que l'enquête tourne autour de ça, pour qu'au final ça ne soit pas expliqué. Ce point m'a vraiment manqué car j'aime connaître la psychologie des tueurs.
La fin m'a semblé un peu trop vite expédiée. L'histoire avance lentement, puis tout tombe d'un coup et les arrestations se font en un claquement de doigts. Curieux. La tension diminue au lieu de monter en flèche et j'attends encore d'arriver aux confins du mal...
Sinon, la plume de l'auteur est agréable. Les chapitres sont courts donc ça permet de faire des pauses et de garder le fil facilement. Il donne les dates, ainsi on réalise vraiment l'avancée de l'enquête.
J'ai bien aimé Amy et Luke, je trouve qu'ils font un bon duo. Peut être qu'on pourrait les retrouver dans un autre roman ?
L'intro nous plonge directement dans le roman et l'hiver est bien présent. Ce qui ne m'a pas réchauffée pendant ces jours de pluie ahah ! Il est parfait à lire sous son plaid.
La toute fin est bien tournée. Evidemment j'ai couru voir ce que disait ce dernier psaume ! Il ouvre au questionnement : que va-t-il se passer ? Là encore, je me dis qu'on retrouvera peut-être le duo ?
Ce n'est pas un thriller qui va me marquer mais je le conseillerais à ceux qui veulent s'essayer au genre et qui ont peur de tomber dans le glauque ou trop flippant. Ce serait une entrée en matière en douceur.
Je lirais quand même un autre roman de James Lilliefors pour voir ce que ça donne.
Bisous et bon week end !
Casting ? http://lireoudormir.blogspot.fr/2016/...
September 13, 2014
It’s been done before, the pairing of a police detective and a clerical (religious) civilian to solve crimes. Probably the most noted and admired of these is the series by Julia Spencer-Fleming featuring Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne and Reverend Clare Fergusson and it’s difficult to avoid comparing The Psalmist with that series…so I won’t even try ;-). Put simply, Luke Bowers and Amy Hunter may share professional occupations with their “colleagues” but that really is where the comparison should end because Luke and Amy have earned their own place in the fictional investigative world.
When Luke finds a woman’s body in his church, he’s remarkably calm, perhaps reflective of his being a pastor, and he immediately alerts the authorities. In the small Chesapeake Bay town where everybody knows everybody, the local sheriff has to turn the case over to a state homicide investigator, a woman no less, and Amy Hunter has to cope with local resentment. When she begins to develop information that may tie this murder and others to the Book of Psalms, with help from Luke, it flies in the face of the way Sheriff Calvert and State’s Attorney Wendell Stamps seem to want the case to go. Tensions begin to rise and indications that a serial killer may be at work only make things worse.
Then the FBI steps in and, suddenly, this woman’s death is part of something much, much bigger but it’s a different rush to judgement that Luke and Amy must find a way to prevent. Whether they’ll be able to do so is a good question but one thing is sure—the violence is not over yet.
Amy and Luke are both very likeable characters and I especially appreciate that Luke doesn’t insert himself every step along the way. Amy is a dogged detective with a real talent and intelligence but Luke adds to the investigation with his own special knowledge and his ability to think things through. They work well together and I plan to see what happens in their second case…or perhaps more of this one.
And, no, I won’t tell you what I mean by that ;-).
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, July 2014.
When Luke finds a woman’s body in his church, he’s remarkably calm, perhaps reflective of his being a pastor, and he immediately alerts the authorities. In the small Chesapeake Bay town where everybody knows everybody, the local sheriff has to turn the case over to a state homicide investigator, a woman no less, and Amy Hunter has to cope with local resentment. When she begins to develop information that may tie this murder and others to the Book of Psalms, with help from Luke, it flies in the face of the way Sheriff Calvert and State’s Attorney Wendell Stamps seem to want the case to go. Tensions begin to rise and indications that a serial killer may be at work only make things worse.
Then the FBI steps in and, suddenly, this woman’s death is part of something much, much bigger but it’s a different rush to judgement that Luke and Amy must find a way to prevent. Whether they’ll be able to do so is a good question but one thing is sure—the violence is not over yet.
Amy and Luke are both very likeable characters and I especially appreciate that Luke doesn’t insert himself every step along the way. Amy is a dogged detective with a real talent and intelligence but Luke adds to the investigation with his own special knowledge and his ability to think things through. They work well together and I plan to see what happens in their second case…or perhaps more of this one.
And, no, I won’t tell you what I mean by that ;-).
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, July 2014.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews