The Saints of God Murders

by Charles Meyer

Taking over an Episcopalian church in Austin, ex-prison chaplain Reverend Lucas Holt personally oversees the rehabilitated ex-cons of his new parish, until a serial killer begins plaguing the community. Original.

Genres: Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by my friend Carina, who like me is an avid mystery-reader. It is the first in a series of three mystery novels written by Rev. Charles Meyer an Episcopalian priest, who unfortunately died after writing the third book.

This is a mystery in the "classic" tradition. There are no psycho-sadistic killers, bizarrely mutilated corpses, or hints of supernatural happenings. This is a mystery in the tradition of writers like Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey, and Dorothy Sayers. A murder occurs. It is a puzzle to be solved and throughout the book, the "detective" tries to solve the problem (along with the reader), with "red herrings" strewn along the way of our forensic paths.

The hero/detective of Meyer's books is a rather renegade Episcopal priest, Lucas Holt, who previously a prison chaplin, has just been assigned (by a Bishop who desperately hopes he will fail) to a financially troubled church in downtown Austin. The book is filled with delightfully eccentric characters including a rag-tag group of "saved" ex-cons (The God Squad) and a conservative,by-the-book female cop with whom Holt has a sparring, platonic/romantic relationship.

The plot for this little mystery is very well executed. There are murders to be explained, a church to save from bankruptcy, a treasure trove of religious artifacts, and clues that relate to a church hymn. And they all relate to each other.

The only reason I did not give this book five stars is that sometimes the writing is a bit trite or rough around the edges...dialogue that sounds like dialogue rather than conversation, incidents that happen that seem just a "tad" too convenient in order to reveal a clue, save a character from an awkward situation, etc. However, for a "first" mystery novel, I think these things are minor flaws...and I am looking forward to seeing a bit more polished writing in the next two novels.

Thank you for sharing, Carina!

[rinabeana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books are set in Austin, Texas, and Lucas Holt's church is modeled after the church I attend. Holt is considered somewhat of a renegade by the conservative diocese (and bishop), and perhaps his methods are somewhat unorthodox (using ex-cons to gather information), but he's very human and endearing. Sadly, Charles Meyer died in a car accident, so there will be no more Lucas Holt stories, and these books are out of print, but can still be found at used bookstores. They're fast, interesting reads, though, from a different angle than most murder mysteries. I definitely recommend them! I got them for my mother for Christmas and she (and all her friends) loved them!

[David Allen White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Austin, Texas, in the old downtown Episcopal church, which in real life is called St. David's. Good story. Episcopal priest as amateur detective.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this author, and there was no information about him at the end as there often is for any author. if i were to compare this book to other mysteries i have read, i'd have to say that it was 'murder light'--a slim volume with interesting enough characters but not up to Jonathan Kellerman or John Lescroart.

it doesn't take long to read, and is rather pleasant.