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Ministry is Murder #2
Let There Be Suspects
Let There Be Suspects by Richards, Emilie. Published by Berkley,2006, Mass Market Paperback
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 5, 2006
33 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Emilie Richards
189 books945 followersI'm the author of seventy-something novels, including romance, women's fiction and mystery. When We Were Sisters debuted in June 2016, a stand alone novel about two foster sisters traveling back into their past together. I loved writing it and love the cover my publisher chose.
I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.
I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.
Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.
Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.
I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.
I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.
Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.
Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 15, 2025
12/1/20
The opening scene in this wonderful book is superb! Emilie Richard has drawn her characters so well that I can see them. I love the whole series but must admit that this story has a special place in my heart. And as strange as it might seem (for a book with a murder mystery) I felt that this story was the perfect one to try to get into a sort of Christmas feeling. The whole family portrayed were enchanting, captivating.
The story can be read as a stand alone, although I do recommend the whole series!
The opening scene in this wonderful book is superb! Emilie Richard has drawn her characters so well that I can see them. I love the whole series but must admit that this story has a special place in my heart. And as strange as it might seem (for a book with a murder mystery) I felt that this story was the perfect one to try to get into a sort of Christmas feeling. The whole family portrayed were enchanting, captivating.
The story can be read as a stand alone, although I do recommend the whole series!
February 23, 2014
This is book two in a series featuring minister’s wife Aggie Sloan-Wilcox, who cannot help but snoop whenever she feels her family is threatened. This time a Christmas Open House is overshadowed by a family reunion got awry. Without consulting her, Aggie’s mom, Junie, has invited a former foster sister to join the festivities. Ginger has always been a manipulative liar, and her target was always the youngest sister, Sid. But they are adults now, and Ginger arrives with her new husband, and tales of her success as a TV personality and cookbook author. Sid’s old jealousy won’t be easily assuaged, however, especially when she catches Ginger kissing her boyfriend. A screech, a shove, and a shattered punch bowl quickly end the party. But before Ed and Aggie can help everyone arrive at a reasonable truce, Ginger turns up dead, and Sid is the logical suspect.
This is a pretty typical cozy. I like Aggie and Lucy (her best friend and sleuthing sidekick). In fact I like all the recurring characters and wouldn’t mind knowing more about them. However Richards took a very long time to set up the relationships in this book; the murder doesn’t happen until page 90, and not much exciting happens after that. Still, it’s a fast read. There are plenty of suspects and clues, including some red herrings to lead the reader astray. I definitely guessed the murderer several times (each time wrongly), before all was revealed. The ending felt rather anti-climactic, however.
This is a pretty typical cozy. I like Aggie and Lucy (her best friend and sleuthing sidekick). In fact I like all the recurring characters and wouldn’t mind knowing more about them. However Richards took a very long time to set up the relationships in this book; the murder doesn’t happen until page 90, and not much exciting happens after that. Still, it’s a fast read. There are plenty of suspects and clues, including some red herrings to lead the reader astray. I definitely guessed the murderer several times (each time wrongly), before all was revealed. The ending felt rather anti-climactic, however.
January 23, 2014
I had truly enjoyed the first book in the series, and thought it was a very well written mystery with all the right elements. However, this one in comparison felt like it dragged.
I thought the murder took longer than I had hoped for it to take place. I was reading through the chapters trying to anticipate when it was going to occur, but then again, I may be unfair in comparing it to the first book where the body was found in the first chapter.
That being said, I still enjoyed trying to figure out who the murderer was. I enjoyed the interactions between Aggie and her family. I love the dynamic between the sisters and the mom, and I especially like being surprised. Just when I was about ready to get truly angry at Aggie's mother for her favoritism, she goes and surprises me by making quite a good analytic break down of her daughters, and makes me realize and remember that no one - absolutely no one - understands children as much as a mother does.
The mystery itself was a bit bland, I'm afraid. When Ginger, Aggie's foster sister, is found dead, one of the sisters becomes the prime suspect for the murder. It becomes Aggie's mission to find out who the real murderer is in order to save her sister. Amusing as always, I find myself delving into Aggie's interactions with everyone - including a very jubilant gay assistant at a company, her best friend Lucy who takes her clubbing, and a sweet neighbor who Aggie suspects might have committed the crime. It was more interesting for me to find out more about the victim's background and how disliked she really was.
Ginger was something else, at one point, even I wanted her dead - and at that point she already WAS dead! She knows how to get under people's skin, even if after her death. She has made a lot of enemies, which makes finding the real killer that more complicated.
I wasn't a huge fan of how it ended, or who the murderer was. However, I still thought it was a very well-written story with great characters and character development. Makes me look forward to reading the third in the series and seeing what Richards is going to throw at Aggie this time around.
I thought the murder took longer than I had hoped for it to take place. I was reading through the chapters trying to anticipate when it was going to occur, but then again, I may be unfair in comparing it to the first book where the body was found in the first chapter.
That being said, I still enjoyed trying to figure out who the murderer was. I enjoyed the interactions between Aggie and her family. I love the dynamic between the sisters and the mom, and I especially like being surprised. Just when I was about ready to get truly angry at Aggie's mother for her favoritism, she goes and surprises me by making quite a good analytic break down of her daughters, and makes me realize and remember that no one - absolutely no one - understands children as much as a mother does.
The mystery itself was a bit bland, I'm afraid. When Ginger, Aggie's foster sister, is found dead, one of the sisters becomes the prime suspect for the murder. It becomes Aggie's mission to find out who the real murderer is in order to save her sister. Amusing as always, I find myself delving into Aggie's interactions with everyone - including a very jubilant gay assistant at a company, her best friend Lucy who takes her clubbing, and a sweet neighbor who Aggie suspects might have committed the crime. It was more interesting for me to find out more about the victim's background and how disliked she really was.
Ginger was something else, at one point, even I wanted her dead - and at that point she already WAS dead! She knows how to get under people's skin, even if after her death. She has made a lot of enemies, which makes finding the real killer that more complicated.
I wasn't a huge fan of how it ended, or who the murderer was. However, I still thought it was a very well-written story with great characters and character development. Makes me look forward to reading the third in the series and seeing what Richards is going to throw at Aggie this time around.
Read
December 17, 2014As all the Ministry Series featuring Aggie Solan Wilcox this an excellent cozy mystery. A couple weeks before Christmas Aggie plan an Open House for her Church. Unknown; her Mother Junie plan a family reunion. Aggie and sisters are dismay when their Mother arrives with their foster siste, Ginger. It meant trouble especially for Sid. Altercation between Sid and Ginger spells lemonade all over the Church's special punch bowl is broken. Ginger buys Christmas presents for the children that parents said they couldn't have. Ginger is found MURDER in front of Nativity scene and Sid placed the Baby in his crib and Sid is the only suspect. It up to Aggie to find other suspects so Sid is not arrested. This an is an excellent Christmas story with plenty of moral issues cover.
March 3, 2014
A strong second entry finds Aggie solving the murder of her foster sister on Christmas Eve. Strong characters and a great plot.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 2, 2023
I almost didn’t read this book. “Too religious” I thought, but I was pleasantly surprised. The main character, Aggie (short for Agate) is the minister’s wife and yes, it is just before Christmas, a busy time for a church... but Aggie is NOT the typical minister’s wife! She grew up in an amazingly unconventional family. Her mother, Junie, was – and still is – a cheerful, unorthodox free-spirit, wearing weird costumes and a never-ending smile. ---Aggie and her sisters had a foster sister Ginger who was able to beguile Junie and bother the sisters – especially Sid. Ginger became a star cook on TV and now they all would be in town for Christmas family reunion .... --that is until Ginger turned up dead and Aggie’s sister Sid became the main suspect. .......... I enjoyed this story just because although it was about a murder, the characters were all slightly off-beat but in a good way. The minister actually played a very minor role in the story. He did not get “preachy” and his family was normal. It was simply a good fun read that made you feel like life was good. –Not great literature, but a good story that could be shared by anyone.
August 27, 2021
3.5 Aggie and her minister husband and family are getting back to normal after having a body across their doorstep but now a new scenario begins. Holiday time in Emerald Springs Ohio and Aggie has to prepare for celebrations for the parish as well as her own family. Aggies two sisters are spending the time with the family and are expecting their mother to join then but Junie also brings an unwanted guest a former foster sister who never got along with Sid and made her life miserable when they were growing up., Ginger is now married and supposedly a successful TV cooking star and author of a cookbook but things are always what they seem and Ginger is found dead after an argument with Sid and Aggie knows Sid will be the main suspect. Once again Aggie is sleuthing and is determined to proved her sister Sid is not the murderer.
August 28, 2021
This is the second book in the series. Aggie is hosting a reunion with her two sisters and her mother for Christmas. To their shock, their mother also invites their foster sister, Ginger. This causes quite a stir, particularly with her sister, Sid, who always bore the brunt of Ginger’s schemes and sociopathic behavior. Sid does get some revenge at the open house party, when she dunks Sid in the punch bowl, but this turns out to be a big mistake when Ginger turns up murdered. In order to clear her sister, Aggie has to investigate Ginger’s past to see who else might have wanted to kill her. She finds that Ginger’s great career and fame are all smoke and mirrors and there are many potential suspects. Aggie must figure things out before things fall apart for her family.
August 11, 2023
This book by Emilie Richards took me until Chapter 3 to get hooked then I could not put it down.
Aggie and her two sisters get a surprise at Christmas when their mom invites their crazy foster sister Ginger to join them. The girls never got along but their mom chose never to see that.
Ginger is murdered and at first Aggie's sister Sid is a suspect due to Ginger "falling" into the punch bowl. The police determine quickly that she is not a suspect.
Aggie is determined to find the killer but she and Sid are almost the next victims. The murderer was Ginger's husband.
I cannot wait to read more of her books
Aggie and her two sisters get a surprise at Christmas when their mom invites their crazy foster sister Ginger to join them. The girls never got along but their mom chose never to see that.
Ginger is murdered and at first Aggie's sister Sid is a suspect due to Ginger "falling" into the punch bowl. The police determine quickly that she is not a suspect.
Aggie is determined to find the killer but she and Sid are almost the next victims. The murderer was Ginger's husband.
I cannot wait to read more of her books
May 21, 2023
I love these Emilie Richards Ministry is Murder books. They are such fun reads and the cases are not as clear cut and easy to solve as you might think. I love that the main character is so relatable (as are all the characters). If you are looking for a fun mystery read, consider this series. My only dismay is that I cannot locate the rest of the series at the library.
March 26, 2020
This is the first Emilie Richards book I've read...probably the first of many. I enjoyed reading a simple, wholesome cozy with likable characters and an interesting plot. I figured out "who done it" early-on, but I still loved the story.
May 13, 2021
A fun cozy crime novel centring on the murder of a very hard to like former foster child. There’s quite a lot of plot going on so there’s not always a lot of depth but it’s still a real page Turner and very easy to enjoy.
October 27, 2017
Delightful, clever and definitely an enjoyable read. Love the relationships depicted.
May 19, 2019
Mystery.
July 4, 2019
Adding in Aggie’s family brought an interesting complexity to this charming sequel. Would definitely read the third book based on this story.
September 12, 2019
When malicious foster sister Ginger shows up for a Christmas family reunion, Aggie has trouble on her hands including murder. Love these characters-- they are so real.
September 3, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After reading the first one, it was a but predictable. However, it was still a great read and I would definitely recommend!
After reading the first one, it was a but predictable. However, it was still a great read and I would definitely recommend!
November 18, 2023
It was ok. Too many characters!
November 20, 2023
I enjoyed this and like this series. This was a true cozy, and even had cameos from two different Guinea pigs!
February 14, 2025
Pretty good book. Aggie finds herself mixed up in a murder investigation trying to help her sister. Who could have done it?
March 11, 2016
Opening Sentence: “…Given a chance to make a Christmas wish, most people ask for peace on earth...”
With the yellow crime scene tape finally gone from their front porch after the end of Blessed Is The Busybody, Aggie Sloan-Wilcox and her minister husband think they can resume their lives. That’s why in an attempt to put that whole finding a naked body on the front porch thing behind her, She is hosting a Christmas open house for everyone in the congregation. Unfortunately her two sister’s and her mother are coming – and her mother brings the despised “Ginger” with her. Ginger is a foster sister who has a way of making enemies wherever she goes. She manipulative and controlling while appearing sweet on the outside and Aggie’s sister, Sid, was at the receiving end of most of the nastiness.
When Ginger turns up dead in the Nativity scene – Sid becomes the main suspect. Aggie is not sure that the police understand that Sid could not possibly be a murderer so she decides to look into the case herself.
I love this series – Emilie Richards combines unique believable characters with a page-turning plot and lots of humour. Love the series!!!!
With the yellow crime scene tape finally gone from their front porch after the end of Blessed Is The Busybody, Aggie Sloan-Wilcox and her minister husband think they can resume their lives. That’s why in an attempt to put that whole finding a naked body on the front porch thing behind her, She is hosting a Christmas open house for everyone in the congregation. Unfortunately her two sister’s and her mother are coming – and her mother brings the despised “Ginger” with her. Ginger is a foster sister who has a way of making enemies wherever she goes. She manipulative and controlling while appearing sweet on the outside and Aggie’s sister, Sid, was at the receiving end of most of the nastiness.
When Ginger turns up dead in the Nativity scene – Sid becomes the main suspect. Aggie is not sure that the police understand that Sid could not possibly be a murderer so she decides to look into the case herself.
I love this series – Emilie Richards combines unique believable characters with a page-turning plot and lots of humour. Love the series!!!!
April 19, 2014
I really liked this book and would rate it 4.5 stars if I could. This, the 2nd in the Ministry is Murder Series, was much more enjoyable than the first, probably because we knew most of the characters and didn't have to rehash the introductions. Although this is a cozy mystery and there is murder involved, the book has such a warm feeling that I'm relaxed throughout and really enjoy the characters. They just seem like plain old good people, caring about others and building a warm and loving home. Even when there are problems within the family, they care about each other and always try to present a united front and stick up for each other. Aggie, as the minister's wife, struggles with some of the members of the congregation and she and Ed have to deal with teenage daughters, teachers, other parents, and everything that everyone else has to deal with, doing so with charm and grace (most of the time). Aggie is really the star of the show, with Ed a supportive figure in the background. Secondary characters of Roussos (police detective), Junie (Aggie's mom) and Lucy (Aggie's friend) are all enjoyable and fun. There's a bit of fun and clever writing, and I was drawn into the story from the beginning. The mystery was OK, didn't totally surprise me, but it was interesting all the same and had a satisfying ending. I'm definitely continuing with this series.
December 21, 2009
Ahhhh...another new-to-me cozy series that I have fallen in love with. I do like when this happens. It's well written with excellent dialogue and characters. Agate (Aggie) is the main character and mystery solver in this series and is a hoot. She is the mother of two nifty daughters (one who is currently doubting the existence of angels), wife to a very patient minister and daughter to a lovely kooky mother, Junie, who is a nomad at heart and who loves all in her sphere of existence, whether deserving of it or not. I think she might be my favorite..she is someone I would love to aspire to, but I think I am more like Aggie, nosey and smartass.
I plan on looking for the rest of this series, starting with the beginning. It looks like Aggie might be trying her hand at different career choices. First book had her working in a mystery bookstore, this one has her and her friend Lucy rehabbing houses and flipping them for sale. I am curious to see what she will try next, but I hope she keeps with this one for a bit.
Four bucolic holiday beans.....
I plan on looking for the rest of this series, starting with the beginning. It looks like Aggie might be trying her hand at different career choices. First book had her working in a mystery bookstore, this one has her and her friend Lucy rehabbing houses and flipping them for sale. I am curious to see what she will try next, but I hope she keeps with this one for a bit.
Four bucolic holiday beans.....
January 12, 2016
Dies ist der 2. Band der "Aggie Wilcox-Detektiv-Reihe". Auch wenn ich den 1. Band vorher noch nicht kannte, hatte ich keine Probleme der Handlung zu folgen. Die Charaktere wurden in diesem Band detailliert vorgestellt.
Leider konnte das Buch meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllen. Aufgrund des Covers und des Klappentextes oben habe ich eine Krimigeschichte mit einer sympathisch-kauzigen Hauptfigur erwartet. Dazu vielleicht noch etwas schwarzen Humor dazu. Bekommen habe ich eine Familienzusammenkunft verschiedenster herzlicher Charaktere. Der eigentliche Mord passierte erst ab ca. der hundertsten Seite, davor wurden eingängig alle Familienmitglieder, Freunde und Feinde vorgestellt. Auch passierten die "Nachforschungen" der Hauptfigur Aggie sehr geradlinig, es gab keine dramatischen Wendungen, der Aha-Moment blieb somit aus.
Mein Fazit
Dieses Buch empfand ich als sehr zäh und langweilig. Da fehlte mir eindeutig die Krimi-Geschichte.
Leider konnte das Buch meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllen. Aufgrund des Covers und des Klappentextes oben habe ich eine Krimigeschichte mit einer sympathisch-kauzigen Hauptfigur erwartet. Dazu vielleicht noch etwas schwarzen Humor dazu. Bekommen habe ich eine Familienzusammenkunft verschiedenster herzlicher Charaktere. Der eigentliche Mord passierte erst ab ca. der hundertsten Seite, davor wurden eingängig alle Familienmitglieder, Freunde und Feinde vorgestellt. Auch passierten die "Nachforschungen" der Hauptfigur Aggie sehr geradlinig, es gab keine dramatischen Wendungen, der Aha-Moment blieb somit aus.
Mein Fazit
Dieses Buch empfand ich als sehr zäh und langweilig. Da fehlte mir eindeutig die Krimi-Geschichte.
December 18, 2016
It's Christmas time. A busy time for minister, Ed, and his wife, Aggie. Then Aggie's mom surprises her - with a family reunion. At Aggie's house. Of course Aggie is thrilled to see her sisters and they are even able to help her with the open house she is hosting, but then Junie arrives with another surprise in the form of a foster sister. Ginger was never loved by anyone in the family except Junie, and Aggie still considers her a candidate for Sociopaths Anonymous. However when Ginger turns up dead on Christmas Eve, Aggie kicks into sleuth mode to protect her family from suspicion.
I love Aggie and her family. Junie is an awesome character. She's a clever amateur sleuth who isn't afraid to ask pointed questions. Also, the town police aren't arrogant or bumbling the way they are in so many mysteries. It was a cleverly crafted mystery. I thought I had figured it out, but I was surprised at the end and I love that.
I love Aggie and her family. Junie is an awesome character. She's a clever amateur sleuth who isn't afraid to ask pointed questions. Also, the town police aren't arrogant or bumbling the way they are in so many mysteries. It was a cleverly crafted mystery. I thought I had figured it out, but I was surprised at the end and I love that.
January 18, 2017
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
March 21, 2009
I read this last Christmas. It's the second book in the Ministry is Murder three-book (so far) series about the wife of a minister in a small Ohio town. It's cozy and liturgical, yet right up to date. It's Christmas and Aggie's sisters and wacky mother come for the holiday, plus Ginger, who grew up with them as a foster child. Ginger is a bit too much and somebody finishes her off at the town's manger display. The ensuing mystery is clever and fun and, at one point, Aggie dolls up and attends a wild club in Cincinnati as she searches for clues. A nice mix of old-time Xmas and the modern world of today.
October 3, 2014
I absolutely enjoy the stories about Aggie Sloan-Wilcox, and her family. She handles people so very well, she has such great replies even to the most difficult of the parishioners that are in the church her husband is the Minister of. It is sort of a lesson in dealing with difficult people. To the point replies but totally unoffensive!
This book expands her family to include her two Sisters and her Mom.
All of whom are interesting, and have stories of their own. Great fun story. The murder....included.
This book expands her family to include her two Sisters and her Mom.
All of whom are interesting, and have stories of their own. Great fun story. The murder....included.
March 25, 2008
I really enjoyed Emilie Richards' "quilt" books about the Shenandoah Valley. A Librarian who also enjoyed them recommended the first of the "Ministry Is Murder" series to me -- a book entitled "Blessed Be The Busybody." That was a fun, quick read. "Let There Be Suspects" is equally entertaining. The series has interesting, odd characters, and now I'm looking forward to the next one: "Beware False Profits." If you are interested in a simple, fun "who-done-it" this will fill the bill.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews