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The Liturgical Mystery #13
The Maestro Wore Mohair: A Liturgical Mystery
Why do people keep dying in the mountain town of St. Germaine? It’s hard to say, but as the police chief of the “Murder Capital of Western North Carolina,” Hayden Konig has his work cut out for him. As a detective, Hayden is famous for solving crimes. As the organist at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, he’s renowned for his musical skills. As a crime novelist, he has no peer — no peer, and no discernible talent. Still, he is not deterred. With Raymond Chandler’s old 1939 Underwood typewriter for inspiration, he continues to inflict his efforts upon whoever will read them.
— "Dirk cracked his knuckles, then moved in like an unwanted relative, not that unrelated uncle that used to live in the basement, but has now moved into the den and put up a bed sheet to define his space, but a worse one, like Dick Cheney or Marie Osmond." —
Autumn is drawing nigh, and when a skeleton turns up in the woods, it’s all anyone is talking about. That is, until the Maestro and her minions come to town. Now there’s another dead body, a thirty-year-old murder mystery, and all the usual suspects. Can Hayden, Nancy, and Dave figure it all out before another victim is found? Is there any doubt?
Hayden Konig's 13th mystery
It's not what you expect...
it's even funnier!
— "Dirk cracked his knuckles, then moved in like an unwanted relative, not that unrelated uncle that used to live in the basement, but has now moved into the den and put up a bed sheet to define his space, but a worse one, like Dick Cheney or Marie Osmond." —
Autumn is drawing nigh, and when a skeleton turns up in the woods, it’s all anyone is talking about. That is, until the Maestro and her minions come to town. Now there’s another dead body, a thirty-year-old murder mystery, and all the usual suspects. Can Hayden, Nancy, and Dave figure it all out before another victim is found? Is there any doubt?
Hayden Konig's 13th mystery
It's not what you expect...
it's even funnier!
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
27 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Mark Schweizer
37 books84 followersIn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 26, 2021
This book is, for me, the next to the last of the lengthy series of novels about Hayden Konig, the chief of police in Saint Germaine, North Carolina, and the organist-choir director of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. The last one -- "The Choir Director Wore Out" -- still unread on my shelf, concludes the series. The author, Mark Schweizer, apparently aware of his terminal illness, wrapped the series up for his dedicated flock of readers, of which I am certainly one. All the usual stuff is here -- Raymond Chandler’s old 1939 Underwood typewriter, Romeo y Julieta cigars, Baxter the Swiss Mountain Dog, an alto with a flask in the choir. And some new and unusual stuff is here -- Tennessee Fainting Goats, the bear sausage pizza at the Bear and Brew restaurant, Ralph Vaughan Williams "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis", hanky panky at Camp Possumtickle, the naughty bits in the Song of Solomon, Deacon Kimberly Walnut's "cuddling ministry" explained in her forthcoming book "Fifty Nifty Thrifty Ministries for Growing Your Congregation. "The book is funny and engaging and irreverent and delightful and like an old friend. It is going to be so hard to read the last one of these; I'm not sure I can bring myself to it.
February 3, 2018
Another really good book in this series. Unfortunately for me, I have read all the books that are available as an ebook (the next one is out). Maybe it will be available soon.
January 22, 2016
If you think that liturgical codpieces, Tennessee fainting goats, and bagpipes don't belong in the same novel, obviously you haven't been reading the previous 12 novels about the quiet little town of St Germaine, policed by Chief Hayden Konig, who also serves as choirmaster at St Barnabas Church. The congregation is looking for a full-time rector, but the real prep work is being done by Chief Konig and his wife Meg as they await the arrival of Abishaig Rose Konig, due in a few months. The codpieces, goats and bagpipes are just distractions. Oh, and a murder or two as well.
January 27, 2020
This is the second to last book in a series.
And the funny situations are aplenty in this book.
I chuckled my way through the book!!
And the funny situations are aplenty in this book.
I chuckled my way through the book!!
June 3, 2020
I've recently reread every book in this series - that is up to this title. I have #14 and #15 in my Kindle, but it had been long enough that I wanted to refresh my memory. Most are (in my opinion) hilarious! Great characters, pacing, plots - I love everything about these books! My hubby and I used to share them - and nearly fall out of our chairs laughing. The only drawback is that I didn't know about the last two books before my hubby died.
BTW, though these all "liturgical" mysteries, there is no preaching. Heck, I don't understand most of the musical references, but that doesn't impair my enjoyment a bit.
BTW, though these all "liturgical" mysteries, there is no preaching. Heck, I don't understand most of the musical references, but that doesn't impair my enjoyment a bit.
September 10, 2019
Truly Genius
Such clever humor and dialogue always makes me ADORE Mark's books. His absurdly funny detective noir story, within the main story, is delightful once you get used to it! Through the colorful characters he humorously and succinctly analyzes our humanity as it sometimes sneaks into our spirituality. I will read these books again and again.
Such clever humor and dialogue always makes me ADORE Mark's books. His absurdly funny detective noir story, within the main story, is delightful once you get used to it! Through the colorful characters he humorously and succinctly analyzes our humanity as it sometimes sneaks into our spirituality. I will read these books again and again.
January 14, 2026
Just like Cabot Cove Maine, the little town of St. Germaine North Carolina is jam-packed with devious murderers. And the police Chief has his hands full in his second job as choir director in the incestuous and eccentric town Episcopal church. This story is populated with wacky characters, wild twists and funny moments. A nice lightweight read.
January 26, 2020
This was an interesting addition to the series, with a few new characters I loved to hate because they were so over the top annoying. Very glad they are only sticking around for one book, and excited for some new developments in St. Germaine with fun new situations and characters!
August 25, 2020
Cracks me up
As a cradle Episcopalian, member of the choir as a child, because my mother was organist And a music major, what's not to love? Cracks me up every time I read one of his books.
Thanks
As a cradle Episcopalian, member of the choir as a child, because my mother was organist And a music major, what's not to love? Cracks me up every time I read one of his books.
Thanks
June 30, 2017
I really love these books. Have now read them all - waiting for the new one.
November 5, 2017
More mayhem in St. Germaine!
March 9, 2018
This mystery is weaker than some, and many of the developments in town feel like setting up for a future installment, but it's still fun.
July 30, 2023
Another enjoyable tale and mystery solved in a small NC town. Light-hearted reading to give the reader a break from reality.
January 10, 2026
Nicely complex cold case crime and, as always, amusing similes. The segments of the novel within the story can be confusing, but my advice is to just go with it.
March 20, 2017
Fainting Goats and Bagpipes make for lots of fun.
February 2, 2016
A perfect afternoon on the beach read! I even attracted some attention with my hearty guffaws in a couple of places. Just imagine, a new St Barnabas ministry, Sarah's Snuggery led by the intrepid Kimberly Walnut who has now earned her doctorate in Christian formation. Then add in Helen Pigeon's valuable Fainting Goats, a candidate for rector of the church who not only plays the trumpet badly, but wears latex gloves while serving Communion, a newly discovered 30 year old skeleton, and a few other goodies, and you're all set for an enjoyable read.
December 21, 2016
Another fine addition to the Liturgical Mystery series.
An skeleton is found in the woods near town, and is determined to be about thirty years dead. Who was it, when did this person die, and how? Slowly, one clue after another is revealed.
Meanwhile, St. Barnabas Church has their big stained glass window damaged in a storm, the search for a new priest continues, and fainting goats become a problem.
Just another month or so in the town of St. Germain, NC.
An skeleton is found in the woods near town, and is determined to be about thirty years dead. Who was it, when did this person die, and how? Slowly, one clue after another is revealed.
Meanwhile, St. Barnabas Church has their big stained glass window damaged in a storm, the search for a new priest continues, and fainting goats become a problem.
Just another month or so in the town of St. Germain, NC.
August 2, 2015
Schweizer hasn't produced a liturgical mystery for nearly two years but this one is worth the wait. The mystery is compelling and the solution subtly telegraphed. There is a hilarious back story involving various inept clerical figures, and the usual cast of St Barnabas church and its host town of St Germaine (a thinly disguised Blowing Rock, NC) are at their comic best.
September 12, 2015
Another fun read by Mark Schweizer. Several parts are laugh out loud funny.
Nice that the author can maintain a level of humor in his stories where other can't.
Only bad thing is that I have to wait a full year to find out if this priest is a winner or
a dud!!!!!
Nice that the author can maintain a level of humor in his stories where other can't.
Only bad thing is that I have to wait a full year to find out if this priest is a winner or
a dud!!!!!
December 18, 2015
This was as much fun as I was expecting...maybe more. I love this series. They're short, hilarious, and compelling. If there were a hundred more in the series I would just sit and binge read them for weeks.
January 15, 2016
Another winner
Start at the beginning of the series, or here. The series is addictive. Seriously. Some musical knowledge is helpful, and a wry appreciation of church life in the Anglican-American mold. Or not. After all, humor is universal.
Start at the beginning of the series, or here. The series is addictive. Seriously. Some musical knowledge is helpful, and a wry appreciation of church life in the Anglican-American mold. Or not. After all, humor is universal.
March 6, 2016
What an outstanding imagination Schweizer has! Fainting goats, a cuddling ministry, and a mystery to boot. This series is a must read for all Episcopalians who can laugh at themselves and the upper echelon of the church. Truly entertaining and a break from everyday life.
August 11, 2015
Although not quite as funny as his early works, this book has some great comedic moments and a solid cozy mystery.
December 14, 2015
Love this series. Can't wait till the next book is published. Laughed so hard.
October 4, 2016
Laugh out loud funny!
February 13, 2016
Fun. Laughed out loud three times. No belly laughs.
February 26, 2023
Loved this one.
March 23, 2016
I've read every book in the series and this is everything I expected and more. Laugh out loud funny.
April 13, 2016
I've read all his Liturgical Mysteries and enjoyed them all. This one is another winner.
May 9, 2016
A nice addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews