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Faith Fairchild #7
The Body in the Bog
Faith Fairchild is momentarily shocked to find her husband, the Reverend Thomas Fairchild, embracing Lora Deane -- and relieved to discover the distraught nursery school teacher is merely seeking solace and advice. Lora has been receiving threatening phone calls. And she's not the only resident of tiny Aleford, Massachusetts, who is being terrorized. Ever since local environmentalists have begun protesting the proposed housing development that will destroy Beecher's Bog, the more vocal opponents have become targets of a vicious campaign of intimidation-which is more than enough reason for Faith to launch into some clandestine sleuthing. But when a body turns up in the charred ruins of a very suspicious house fire, Faith is suddenly investigating a murder -- and in serious danger of getting bogged down in a very lethal mess indeed!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
51 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Hall Page
54 books462 followersKatherine Hall Page is the author of twenty-five previous Faith Fairchild mysteries, the first of which received the Agatha Award for best first mystery. The Body in the Snowdrift was honored with the Agatha Award for best novel of 2006. Page also won an Agatha for her short story “The Would-Be Widower.” The recipient of the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement, she has been nominated for the Edgar, the Mary Higgins Clark, the Maine Literary, and the Macavity Awards. She lives in Massachusetts and Maine with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2018
An unpleasant contractor — really the man was begging to be murdered! — turns up dead partway through this so-so novel. Some of the particulars are pretty implausible, but what makes The Body in the Bog lackluster is how reckless our sleuth, minister’s wife and caterer Faith Fairchild, insists on being. Faith attended an exclusive New York City private school (like Dalton or Nightingale-Bamford), so she’s no fool. I wish author Katherine Hall Page didn’t treat readers as if they were fools.
February 14, 2025
A great book! My loyal followers will be unsurprised to hear that I knew who dunnit. I wish there had been a bit more BOG involved
February 13, 2022
Love this series, but this installment bored me to tears. I slept through it and had to repeatedly backtrack. I normally love this series and these characters; for whatever reason, I had to toss this into the bog.
January 28, 2016
Seventh in the Faith Fairchild amateur sleuth mystery series revolving around a caterer married to a man of the cloth in Aleford, Massachusetts.
My Take
It's another lovely murder mystery with Faith providing the tasty comfort food against a homey background of motherhood and Reverend Tom with his sermons and bedside comfort. Seems Faith is a little too worried about that "comfort".
A look behind-the-scenes at Aleford's reenactment of the encounter between the British lobsterbacks and the patriots' for the annual Patriots' Day event provides an interesting look at how reverence for the event overtakes everyday resentments and yet side still plays a part.
Hmmm, Faith seems to be concerned about Pix's success at mystery solving as she wants that particular spotlight for herself.
With all the nasty incidents, there's all sorts of finger-pointing going on, and we get all sorts of red herrings between the teacher's secret life and the nasty phone calls she's getting along with the brick through her window. Then there are the poison pen letters that members of POW! are receiving — and that ex-boyfriend of Miss Lora's come under a great deal of scrutiny.
The Story
The town of Aleford is up in arms when they discover one of their own is planning a McMansion development paving over what the town has always thought was conservation land with the access road running between the Fairchilds' house and the church!
Naturally, Millicent puts together a committee to combat this excrescence and the fight is on. Only the fight we see is not the fight that's fought.
It's all too confusing when murder visits both sides of the debate.
The Characters
Faith Fairchild is her usual self. Too nosy for words and a healthy respect for the reality of childraising. Not as secure as she could be with her worries about Tom fooling around and a deep appreciation for quality clothing…Faith seems to be absorbing the New England thrift when she states that their daughter, Amy, will probably be wearing her Donna Karan mini when fashion cycles 'round to it again. Ben is their son.
Pix and Sam Miller are neighbors and friends with Faith and Tom. They have three kids: Mark, Samantha, and Daniel. Nikki is still fighting her family's expectations of a wedding...with anyone.
Millicent Revere McKinley and her ancestors (including Paul Revere) have been in Aleford since time began, and she isn't shy about taking over. She's a pain in Faith's backside. I think POW! is the committee against the development. Lora Deane is Ben's nursery school teacher. Charley MacIsaac is the town police chief while John Dunne is a detective lieutenant with the state police force.
Joey Madsen is a housing developer from Aleford. Deane Construction Company.
The Title
I must confess to being a bit disappointed that cranberries didn't make the menu anywhere…it is in a bog after all! But then again, with The Body in the Bog, maybe the cranberries wouldn't be quite so appetizing.
My Take
It's another lovely murder mystery with Faith providing the tasty comfort food against a homey background of motherhood and Reverend Tom with his sermons and bedside comfort. Seems Faith is a little too worried about that "comfort".
A look behind-the-scenes at Aleford's reenactment of the encounter between the British lobsterbacks and the patriots' for the annual Patriots' Day event provides an interesting look at how reverence for the event overtakes everyday resentments and yet side still plays a part.
Hmmm, Faith seems to be concerned about Pix's success at mystery solving as she wants that particular spotlight for herself.
With all the nasty incidents, there's all sorts of finger-pointing going on, and we get all sorts of red herrings between the teacher's secret life and the nasty phone calls she's getting along with the brick through her window. Then there are the poison pen letters that members of POW! are receiving — and that ex-boyfriend of Miss Lora's come under a great deal of scrutiny.
The Story
The town of Aleford is up in arms when they discover one of their own is planning a McMansion development paving over what the town has always thought was conservation land with the access road running between the Fairchilds' house and the church!
Naturally, Millicent puts together a committee to combat this excrescence and the fight is on. Only the fight we see is not the fight that's fought.
It's all too confusing when murder visits both sides of the debate.
The Characters
Faith Fairchild is her usual self. Too nosy for words and a healthy respect for the reality of childraising. Not as secure as she could be with her worries about Tom fooling around and a deep appreciation for quality clothing…Faith seems to be absorbing the New England thrift when she states that their daughter, Amy, will probably be wearing her Donna Karan mini when fashion cycles 'round to it again. Ben is their son.
Pix and Sam Miller are neighbors and friends with Faith and Tom. They have three kids: Mark, Samantha, and Daniel. Nikki is still fighting her family's expectations of a wedding...with anyone.
Millicent Revere McKinley and her ancestors (including Paul Revere) have been in Aleford since time began, and she isn't shy about taking over. She's a pain in Faith's backside. I think POW! is the committee against the development. Lora Deane is Ben's nursery school teacher. Charley MacIsaac is the town police chief while John Dunne is a detective lieutenant with the state police force.
Joey Madsen is a housing developer from Aleford. Deane Construction Company.
The Title
I must confess to being a bit disappointed that cranberries didn't make the menu anywhere…it is in a bog after all! But then again, with The Body in the Bog, maybe the cranberries wouldn't be quite so appetizing.
July 7, 2016
The little town of Aleford is roiled at the possibility of developing Beecher's Bog, all the moreso when one of the opponents of the plan is found bludgeoned in a burning building. Caterer Faith Fairchild and her husband Tom, the local minister, don't like the development plan, which will put a road in their back yard, but understand the Deane family's desire to use property they have bought, especially since Lora Deane is their son's much-loved pre-school teacher. When Faith finds a second body, the town goes into virtual shutd0wn.
March 13, 2024
This mystery is another one which hinges on commercial development of natural land, in this case a bog which used to be a cranberry farm and borders a national park. Unfortunately, the town is split over proposals and more than one murder occurs.
I don't know if it's just the writer's way of telling her story, or an accurate portrayal, but everyone becomes totally polarised except the narrator, the clergyman's wife, who tries to see both sides (while taking one side). No third options are proposed, like running a cranberry farm.
I also note that the town is annually obsessed by re-enacting a minor battle from hundreds of years previously. While it's great to celebrate heritage, I do have to wonder if the American obsession with gun violence even at this level, is what leads to so many horrendous mass shootings.
The narrator has a young child and is expecting another, so in general we see family friendly activities, except for the crimes of course. The details of town meetings and committees do go on a bit and slow down the action, but each one advances the characters and their plans.
I read this book from Raheny Library. This is an unbiased review.
I don't know if it's just the writer's way of telling her story, or an accurate portrayal, but everyone becomes totally polarised except the narrator, the clergyman's wife, who tries to see both sides (while taking one side). No third options are proposed, like running a cranberry farm.
I also note that the town is annually obsessed by re-enacting a minor battle from hundreds of years previously. While it's great to celebrate heritage, I do have to wonder if the American obsession with gun violence even at this level, is what leads to so many horrendous mass shootings.
The narrator has a young child and is expecting another, so in general we see family friendly activities, except for the crimes of course. The details of town meetings and committees do go on a bit and slow down the action, but each one advances the characters and their plans.
I read this book from Raheny Library. This is an unbiased review.
January 7, 2018
BK 7 in series finds Faith and all the residents of Aleford preparing for their annual Patriots’ Day reenactment when the town explosively divides over the building of a development of expensive homes on Beecher’s Bog. POW!, Preserve Our Bog! Is established to fight the development. Faith and her children are surprised on the Bog nature path by a middle aged couple dressed in camouflaged ski masks. Poison pen letters, threatening calls and a brick thrown through a Deane granddaughters window incite fear and anger. When an unfinished McMansion burns down and a body is found inside, fury ignites at the builders, the Deane family. Then Faith trips over a Deane daughter’s murdered husband in the Bog. Murder seems rampant in Aleford and local police Charley and state policeman John Dunne aren’t happy with Faith’s involvement or endangering herself.
September 24, 2018
Reverend Tom is found embracing Laura Deane, much to Faith's dismay. Turns out it was just comfort as she had been receiving threatening phone calls. Many of the town residents are being harassed because they do not want a big developer to destroy Beecher's Bog. It takes half of the story to get to the murder. If Faith were not such a snob and stuck on NYC, it would be better. She is a bit too fashion conscious for a minister's wife.
November 14, 2020
These are cozy mysteries with lots of specific New England detail. Faith has gotten less Martha Stewarty as the series has gone on and although the structure is a touch formulaic (do we always end up with the murderer imperiling the amateur detective?) All that being said, I find this series an enjoyable read.
February 14, 2018
It was nice to read such an eclectic book and have it be almost entirely free of innuendo with only mild swearing. Plus, the cooking stuff is always attractive to someone as food-centric as me. I would read more.
March 26, 2018
Most Enjoyable
This is another series where the characters are as interesting as the mystery. This book actually had several mysteries within in the larger mystery. The conclusion to all were quite satisfying.
This is another series where the characters are as interesting as the mystery. This book actually had several mysteries within in the larger mystery. The conclusion to all were quite satisfying.
April 26, 2022
Several Mysteries
These stories are always fun. I especially enjoy hearing about life in Aleford. Small town life sounds great. Reading about the children as they are growing up is always fun. I haven't read the books in order so I this story the kids are young.
These stories are always fun. I especially enjoy hearing about life in Aleford. Small town life sounds great. Reading about the children as they are growing up is always fun. I haven't read the books in order so I this story the kids are young.
January 20, 2024
I always enjoy a Faith Fairchild mystery and have a number on my Kindle. I'll probably do some rereading of ones I read before Goodreads. Sometimes it's just nice to read good mystery that makes you hungry with all the talk of food.
August 14, 2017
a bit slow paced. I liked Faith's character, but not near as nosy as most of the amateur sleuths are that I read about.
September 14, 2017
Murder mystery brain candy. 254 pages, plus recipes (lots of meat, so not much interest for vegans) and author's note.
March 8, 2018
Too much same ol' same ol'. Didn't finish.
January 4, 2019
This one felt clunky and overwrought. The tone and writing both seem different than previous books.
June 19, 2019
4 1/2*
March 19, 2020
Read this and was almost scared. That guy was a real psycho (the murderer)
November 17, 2022
This is the first one I have read in the series. Okay. Kept my interest. Will go back and start series with #1.
December 8, 2023
As the blurb on the book cover says..... "Another delightful installment in a charming series."
And more good recipes included!
And more good recipes included!
February 14, 2025
Not one of her best in this series I'm afraid.....
January 2, 2016
Better than the previous one (The Body in the Basement)--Faith is just more interesting than Pix--but Page went back to the whole Faith and Tom don't seem to like their kids and shouldn't be parents thing, which is annoying. Faith is also a bit snobby.
Note: I've read this entire series up to The Body in the Attic, and the best rating I've given any of them is 2 stars, which is sad and says a lot about the series. I kept reading because it really has potential but it never lives up to it, so save yourself the trouble and agony and try a a different series, such as Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series, most of which are fun and enjoyable, or stop after The Body in the Cast, which was probably the best of the series. That's my recommendation, anyway.
Note: I've read this entire series up to The Body in the Attic, and the best rating I've given any of them is 2 stars, which is sad and says a lot about the series. I kept reading because it really has potential but it never lives up to it, so save yourself the trouble and agony and try a a different series, such as Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series, most of which are fun and enjoyable, or stop after The Body in the Cast, which was probably the best of the series. That's my recommendation, anyway.
May 21, 2014
This book was a bit of a slog to get through. There's a controversy in Faith's small town about development on some wetlands. A group wants to save the wetlands, many of whom are receiving threatening anonymous notes. Strangely, however, the sister-in-law of the land developer is also receiving the notes. Faith wants to investigate, without letting the police know, because they are unhappy with her meddling in previous cases.
The plot is slow moving. There are two deaths in the book. The first takes place about 1/3 to 1/2 wa through the book and with this death, it's unclear whether it is an accident. The actual "body in the bog" doesn't happen until 2/3 of the way through. So really, very little seems to happen. The central suspense seemed more to surround the sister-in-law and Faith's son's teacher, Lora Deane, and her sexy double life.
The outcome is somewhat interesting, but it took me forever to read this book because it just wasn't that engaging.
The plot is slow moving. There are two deaths in the book. The first takes place about 1/3 to 1/2 wa through the book and with this death, it's unclear whether it is an accident. The actual "body in the bog" doesn't happen until 2/3 of the way through. So really, very little seems to happen. The central suspense seemed more to surround the sister-in-law and Faith's son's teacher, Lora Deane, and her sexy double life.
The outcome is somewhat interesting, but it took me forever to read this book because it just wasn't that engaging.
February 13, 2014
I've read other books in this mystery series that I've enjoyed much more than this one. It seems to have a lot of irrelevant statements and references to many things that I just didn't understand. Maybe the things referenced were important when the book was published in 1996, but I just didn't get them.
Aleford citizens are up in arms- Joey Madsen is planning on building estate homes in Beecher's Bog. Then some people get anonymous letters outlining their biggest secret or shame. Throw in a murder or two. Faith Fairchild goes into her sleuth mode and finds that the least likely person did it- just as she is about to be the next victim.
Aleford citizens are up in arms- Joey Madsen is planning on building estate homes in Beecher's Bog. Then some people get anonymous letters outlining their biggest secret or shame. Throw in a murder or two. Faith Fairchild goes into her sleuth mode and finds that the least likely person did it- just as she is about to be the next victim.
August 3, 2011
I was disappointed with the ending, but I enjoyed the Author's Note. In it, KHP discusses the many mystery authors who combine food and crime. "Food is important. It makes a statement on its own. Whodunit is irrevocably joined to whoateit."
Now I have read all of KHP's published Faith Fairchild Mysteries. I look forward to reading the next one, which will be published this spring. I hope she publishes many more beyond it.
Now I have read all of KHP's published Faith Fairchild Mysteries. I look forward to reading the next one, which will be published this spring. I hope she publishes many more beyond it.
March 30, 2013
Faith Fairchild wife of the town's minister and caterer gets involved in the celebration of Patriots day. But to her dismay a few bodies show up in town but unfortunately they are dead. She gets involved in several mysteries going on in town as well as murder. Clearly she does have an ability to investigate and solve.
Read
August 21, 2013It was a fun little pastiche. Caterer Faith Fairchild is back in form, in her tiny historic Massachusetts town, where it's time for the annual re-enactment of the start of the American Revolution. But there's an evil developer about to destroy a near-by bog habitat. The usual colorful characters are up to their necks in it, and Faith has to sort it all out before the killer gets to her.
May 25, 2014
This one was ok, but not the best in this series. I think there were some publishing errors since in several places I had to read a few sentences multiple times, and they still did not make sense. Overall the book felt dated (mid-90s) - maybe due to a lot of the "current" references for that time period.
March 29, 2015
All the Faith Fairchild Series books are great. Although murders occur there are only vague descriptions not gruesome details.The characters in her book could be my neighbors who I enjoy learning about. I wish I could read her series in order. As I acquire more of this Series, I'll get some of the earlier ones to fill in some details.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews