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The Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries #4
To Darkness and to Death
Millicent van der Hoeven has decided to sell her family's Adirondack estate to a nature conservancy. But on the day of the land transfer, her brother frantically calls the police. Millie has disappeared in the cold November forest…
Reverend Clare Fergusson gets an early morning phone call to join the Millers Kill search and rescue operation. As a former Army helicopter pilot trained in survival skills, she can't refuse the request—even though it's the day of the bishop's annual visit. Worse for Clare, the search operation will link her up with Russ Van Alstyne, the very married local police chief who is her greatest temptation. Now, as Clare and Russ race time to find Millie van der Hoeven, they soon discover the secrets of someone who is desperate to stop the sale...and a deadly madness waiting to destroy them all.
To Darkness and to Death is a stunning mystery from award-winning author Julia Spencer-Fleming.
Reverend Clare Fergusson gets an early morning phone call to join the Millers Kill search and rescue operation. As a former Army helicopter pilot trained in survival skills, she can't refuse the request—even though it's the day of the bishop's annual visit. Worse for Clare, the search operation will link her up with Russ Van Alstyne, the very married local police chief who is her greatest temptation. Now, as Clare and Russ race time to find Millie van der Hoeven, they soon discover the secrets of someone who is desperate to stop the sale...and a deadly madness waiting to destroy them all.
To Darkness and to Death is a stunning mystery from award-winning author Julia Spencer-Fleming.
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 26, 2005
477 people are currently reading
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About the author
Julia Spencer-Fleming
27 books1,878 followersWednesday, September 7
Work-In-Progress Wednesday at my Reader Space. We're up to the fifth part of the second chapter of my eighth book, which has some numerological meaning, I'm sure. http://bit.ly/p2QwJa
Work-In-Progress Wednesday at my Reader Space. We're up to the fifth part of the second chapter of my eighth book, which has some numerological meaning, I'm sure. http://bit.ly/p2QwJa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
December 11, 2018
Russ: I love you, but we can't do anything about it. I'm married, and you're a priest.
Clare: I know. All we can do is make eyes at each other when we think nobody is looking. It's exciting and frustrating at the same time. But wait! Here we are alone in my living room! Maybe . . . .
Russ: Maybe . . . but no! I can't!
Clare: Whoops! Sorry!
Russ: I still love you, Clare.
Clare: I love you, too.
Russ: OK then. Let's enjoy the limited contact we have while we have it.
Clare: [This relationship is doomed.:]
All this in the midst of four other sub-plots that come shooting at you in small clips instead of long chapters. This is the kind of TV-screenwriting style that I really hate, so it took me a while to warm up to this book. In the end, however, the premise worked great: a large tract of wooded land is being sold, and the sale affects the lives and livelihoods of four families. Not to mention our star-crossed lovers. Exciting cliff-hangers throughout.
Clare: I know. All we can do is make eyes at each other when we think nobody is looking. It's exciting and frustrating at the same time. But wait! Here we are alone in my living room! Maybe . . . .
Russ: Maybe . . . but no! I can't!
Clare: Whoops! Sorry!
Russ: I still love you, Clare.
Clare: I love you, too.
Russ: OK then. Let's enjoy the limited contact we have while we have it.
Clare: [This relationship is doomed.:]
All this in the midst of four other sub-plots that come shooting at you in small clips instead of long chapters. This is the kind of TV-screenwriting style that I really hate, so it took me a while to warm up to this book. In the end, however, the premise worked great: a large tract of wooded land is being sold, and the sale affects the lives and livelihoods of four families. Not to mention our star-crossed lovers. Exciting cliff-hangers throughout.
June 7, 2025
4.5-5⭐️ reread.
October 20, 2019
Let’s face it, those of us who are still reading this series at volume four are probably reading it more for the Claire/Russ relationship dynamics than for the mysteries. Not that the mysteries are bad, they just aren’t really the main point of this series to my way of thinking.
In fact, there are a couple of turns in this particular book that I didn’t find realistic. The villains are just too impulsive, one beating a young woman almost to death, then running in a panic and the other accidentally killing a man, then trying to bend events to benefit himself. The first situation is the most believable of the two--I can see that happening to someone with poor impulse control, which fits the author’s characterisation of him. I’d like to think that people are less cold blooded than the accidental killer, but perhaps I’m a hopeless optimist. However, if one is going to accept those actions as possible, the way the author linked them together was well done.
I’m definitely going to be reading the next book, because Claire and Russ either have to do something about their attraction or quit tormenting each other. Russ seems to have some idea of what he’s going to do by this book’s end, and Claire has found someone to talk to about the situation, so I’m sure that things are going to shift in the next volume. However, I have reading goals to meet before the end of 2019, so I’m not sure when I will get back to this series. Rest assured that I’ll be back to check on the situation in Miller’s Kill as soon as I can.
In fact, there are a couple of turns in this particular book that I didn’t find realistic. The villains are just too impulsive, one beating a young woman almost to death, then running in a panic and the other accidentally killing a man, then trying to bend events to benefit himself. The first situation is the most believable of the two--I can see that happening to someone with poor impulse control, which fits the author’s characterisation of him. I’d like to think that people are less cold blooded than the accidental killer, but perhaps I’m a hopeless optimist. However, if one is going to accept those actions as possible, the way the author linked them together was well done.
I’m definitely going to be reading the next book, because Claire and Russ either have to do something about their attraction or quit tormenting each other. Russ seems to have some idea of what he’s going to do by this book’s end, and Claire has found someone to talk to about the situation, so I’m sure that things are going to shift in the next volume. However, I have reading goals to meet before the end of 2019, so I’m not sure when I will get back to this series. Rest assured that I’ll be back to check on the situation in Miller’s Kill as soon as I can.
June 11, 2015
To Darkness and to Death starts out with a bang and more potential than the first three I've read in this series. Somewhere, though, the mystery and plot get bogged down and I found myself just wanting it all to wrap up and get on with it.
Spoiler Alert
Though not truly a spoiler I don't want these comments to ruin the story for anyone. One of the things I've always liked about this series is the romantic tension between the two main characters, the Rev and the Sheriff. It's definitely still here but seems off, a bit immature and wrong. I actually was getting annoyed with the whole thing. The two trade nothing more than a few kisses and declaration of love but an affair nonetheless. After much back and forth, Russ states he intends to tell his wife that he loves Clare. Clare asks "What do you think her reaction is going to be?" Russ answers "Damned if I know. Somewhere between shooting me, and giving me her blessing, I think." My eyebrow raises a bit at this.
I'm still committed to read the rest of the series. I hope the next offers me more.
Spoiler Alert
Though not truly a spoiler I don't want these comments to ruin the story for anyone. One of the things I've always liked about this series is the romantic tension between the two main characters, the Rev and the Sheriff. It's definitely still here but seems off, a bit immature and wrong. I actually was getting annoyed with the whole thing. The two trade nothing more than a few kisses and declaration of love but an affair nonetheless. After much back and forth, Russ states he intends to tell his wife that he loves Clare. Clare asks "What do you think her reaction is going to be?" Russ answers "Damned if I know. Somewhere between shooting me, and giving me her blessing, I think." My eyebrow raises a bit at this.
I'm still committed to read the rest of the series. I hope the next offers me more.
August 27, 2015
I'm almost ashamed to admit that there were large sections of this book that I found deeply amusing. The villains did so much scrambling to try to cover up their sins that had that scrambling not resulted in death and battery, it really would have been the stuff of slapstick. I had some trouble with the idea that it all took place over a period of one very long day, just because there was so much activity crammed into it (not even a full 24 hours, even), but when I stopped looking at the timestamps and just let it ride, I enjoyed myself much more.
One of the things I like about this series is that it's fairly well balanced between conservative and liberal viewpoints. Both the environmentalists buying the property to return it to its "natural" state (Ed Castle makes the point that it's been cultivated for over three hundred years, back to the Iroquois, so what exactly do they mean by "natural"?) and the people whose livelihoods are being affected by that sale have their sympathetic points, something highlighted further by having the latter be split into two groups, one of whom is less sympathetic than the other. I'm not sure if I was meant to feel sorry for Shaun Reid, desperate to save his business simply because it's been in his family forever and he wants his son to take over (said son having no interest in doing so), but I didn't really, which worked out great since he ended up being a villain, sort of. I liked the complexity of the plot and the introduction of one of Clare's superiors--her officiating at the homosexual commitment ceremony comes back to bite her, and I thought that was extremely effective.
The best funny/awful scene, though, has to be the banquet/dance at the climax, in which Clare and her date have to share a table with Russ and his wife, and great awkwardness ensues. I don't think I've ever felt more sorrow and sympathy for Russ and Clare than I did at that point, and I especially loved that the incident provided a way for Clare to finally find someone to talk to about this awful mess she's ended up in.
Spoilers, now:
It's interesting, the few glimpses we get of Russ's subordinates and their perspective--they know their boss's interest in the priest is more than just friendly, but they keep quiet about what they observe, aside from the occasional snark about how their boss seems to be getting religion. I wonder where they're going to come down when the truth eventually comes out. And that goes double for Clare's parishioners. I hate that I have to wait for the next book; I'm ready to read it now.
One of the things I like about this series is that it's fairly well balanced between conservative and liberal viewpoints. Both the environmentalists buying the property to return it to its "natural" state (Ed Castle makes the point that it's been cultivated for over three hundred years, back to the Iroquois, so what exactly do they mean by "natural"?) and the people whose livelihoods are being affected by that sale have their sympathetic points, something highlighted further by having the latter be split into two groups, one of whom is less sympathetic than the other. I'm not sure if I was meant to feel sorry for Shaun Reid, desperate to save his business simply because it's been in his family forever and he wants his son to take over (said son having no interest in doing so), but I didn't really, which worked out great since he ended up being a villain, sort of. I liked the complexity of the plot and the introduction of one of Clare's superiors--her officiating at the homosexual commitment ceremony comes back to bite her, and I thought that was extremely effective.
The best funny/awful scene, though, has to be the banquet/dance at the climax, in which Clare and her date have to share a table with Russ and his wife, and great awkwardness ensues. I don't think I've ever felt more sorrow and sympathy for Russ and Clare than I did at that point, and I especially loved that the incident provided a way for Clare to finally find someone to talk to about this awful mess she's ended up in.
Spoilers, now:
It's interesting, the few glimpses we get of Russ's subordinates and their perspective--they know their boss's interest in the priest is more than just friendly, but they keep quiet about what they observe, aside from the occasional snark about how their boss seems to be getting religion. I wonder where they're going to come down when the truth eventually comes out. And that goes double for Clare's parishioners. I hate that I have to wait for the next book; I'm ready to read it now.
November 29, 2021
4 Stars
I enjoyed this one, but the ending was a little frustrating after the time I invested. The ending wrapped up the main mystery (although it wasn't really a mystery, more suspense/thriller,) but it didn't tie up all of the subplots that were intertwined. Or, at least not in a satisfactory enough way for me. I wanted more details about how the entire convolution of different characters and their hasty, irrational decisions wrapped up in the end. It ended with me feeling extremely sad for one character while curious about all the rest.
On the romantic thread that weaves itself through each book, as well as steadily progresses, Russ makes a pivotal decision in regards to his ongoing friendship (relationship? love?) for Claire that will most likely have some serious repercussions.
While I’m frustrated with some pieces of the ending, I like how the construct of each book in this series is different. So far, each is unique in its presentation and execution, rather than using a redundant formula. It makes me excited to get to the next book.
January 14, 2020
This book is dominated by a complex plot, pivoting around the independent but interlocking actions of three men, each of whom uses violence, mostly against women, to defend things that they see as central to their sense of self.
It also pushes the relationship between the Priest and the Sherrif beyond any pretence of being platonic.
If this hadn't been the fourth book in the series, I might have set it aside after the first chapter.
It opens with a woman awakening alone and finding herself bound and with no knowledge of where she is or how she got there. It was scenes like that that led to me abandoning "Criminal Minds". It's too close to turning horror into either banality or voyeurism.
The book righted itself quickly, coming back to characters and a writing style that I recognised but it left me wondering if this was going to be another book looking at the bad things that men do to women in a way that revels a little too much in the power the violence gives to the men.
I should have had more faith in Julia Spencer-Fleming. She delivered a book which is about men who commit acts of violence against women and sometimes men, but the focus isn't on the violence but on the process by which these men convince themselves that what they are doing is, if not right, then necessary, especially if they can get away with it. I found myself being impressed by the way each of the men, with different perceived threats, different hopes and different social situations trod, independently, the same path to violence, or, as the title has it, to darkness and to death.
The plot that interlocks the stories of these three men is intricate. The linkages are complex and clever, The reveals kept me guessing and cranked up the tension with the actions of each man amplifying the damage done by the others.
In the midst of all of this, we have Claire and Russ, the Priest and the Sheriff, bringing humanity to the story and preventing it from degrading into a clever but mechanical thriller. Seeing people through Claire's eyes or Russ' eyes makes them more real. It allows us to see them as more than plot devices.
The book also moves forward the story arc of the unlooked-for but inescapable attraction between Claire and the very married Russ. I thought this part of the story was very well done. Clichés and moral judgements were both avoided. Instead, we were shown too fundamentally good people who want something that they can't have without becoming different people than the ones they want to be. It seems clear that Claire and Russ have reached a point where they will have to make a decision. I think it shows how well this was written that I found myself unable to say what should happen next and was only certain that they can't stay as they are.
I'll be back for book five and hoping that Claire and Russ find a path and that the next plot is a little less violent.
It also pushes the relationship between the Priest and the Sherrif beyond any pretence of being platonic.
If this hadn't been the fourth book in the series, I might have set it aside after the first chapter.
It opens with a woman awakening alone and finding herself bound and with no knowledge of where she is or how she got there. It was scenes like that that led to me abandoning "Criminal Minds". It's too close to turning horror into either banality or voyeurism.
The book righted itself quickly, coming back to characters and a writing style that I recognised but it left me wondering if this was going to be another book looking at the bad things that men do to women in a way that revels a little too much in the power the violence gives to the men.
I should have had more faith in Julia Spencer-Fleming. She delivered a book which is about men who commit acts of violence against women and sometimes men, but the focus isn't on the violence but on the process by which these men convince themselves that what they are doing is, if not right, then necessary, especially if they can get away with it. I found myself being impressed by the way each of the men, with different perceived threats, different hopes and different social situations trod, independently, the same path to violence, or, as the title has it, to darkness and to death.
The plot that interlocks the stories of these three men is intricate. The linkages are complex and clever, The reveals kept me guessing and cranked up the tension with the actions of each man amplifying the damage done by the others.
In the midst of all of this, we have Claire and Russ, the Priest and the Sheriff, bringing humanity to the story and preventing it from degrading into a clever but mechanical thriller. Seeing people through Claire's eyes or Russ' eyes makes them more real. It allows us to see them as more than plot devices.
The book also moves forward the story arc of the unlooked-for but inescapable attraction between Claire and the very married Russ. I thought this part of the story was very well done. Clichés and moral judgements were both avoided. Instead, we were shown too fundamentally good people who want something that they can't have without becoming different people than the ones they want to be. It seems clear that Claire and Russ have reached a point where they will have to make a decision. I think it shows how well this was written that I found myself unable to say what should happen next and was only certain that they can't stay as they are.
I'll be back for book five and hoping that Claire and Russ find a path and that the next plot is a little less violent.
January 29, 2014
This could have been a good book. I was expecting to enjoy a fun, relatively uncomplicated mystery. What I got was a domestic abuse soap opera.
The moral of the story appears to be "under enough pressure, any nice man can be pushed to beat, kidnap, or kill a woman." The first time the author presented a man beating a woman almost to death as an "accident," an "understandable mistake," it was disgusting and disturbing. The second time, when another "nice, normal" man kidnapped another woman, again an "understandable accident," it was getting old. And then the third time? The fourth? Sick.
Similarly, presenting the narrative of the abusive, violent men ON THE SAME LEVEL as the narrative of the victims put them as equally valid. She would talk about the horrible pain experienced by the victim, and next paragraph be going on, and on, and ON about how scared THE ABUSER WAS FEELING. It was extremely obvious, and extremely disturbing.
The disgusting, despicable, CONTINUAL presentation of the actions of violent and abusive men as sympathetic and understandable "accidents" ruined the book.
Also, the unending, unexplainable, unsustainable drama of Claire and Russ, STILL not having sex but continuing to want to, just needs to stop.
The moral of the story appears to be "under enough pressure, any nice man can be pushed to beat, kidnap, or kill a woman." The first time the author presented a man beating a woman almost to death as an "accident," an "understandable mistake," it was disgusting and disturbing. The second time, when another "nice, normal" man kidnapped another woman, again an "understandable accident," it was getting old. And then the third time? The fourth? Sick.
Similarly, presenting the narrative of the abusive, violent men ON THE SAME LEVEL as the narrative of the victims put them as equally valid. She would talk about the horrible pain experienced by the victim, and next paragraph be going on, and on, and ON about how scared THE ABUSER WAS FEELING. It was extremely obvious, and extremely disturbing.
The disgusting, despicable, CONTINUAL presentation of the actions of violent and abusive men as sympathetic and understandable "accidents" ruined the book.
Also, the unending, unexplainable, unsustainable drama of Claire and Russ, STILL not having sex but continuing to want to, just needs to stop.
July 2, 2013
I am not normally a fast reader. However, I am in danger of a speeding ticket in Julia Spencer-Fleming's Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series. The action at points gets so intense that I can't help but hit soar through the intensity to the other side. Not to say that there is ever quite a lull in the action. Im the culminating action of To Darkness and to Death, I literally felt my pulse quicken. I believe that is a clear indication of a well-written story.
In this latest addition to the series, Clare and Russ find themselves caught up in the drama surrounding the sale of the 250,00 acre Great Camp. The land from which local loggers and a local pulp mill depend on the lumber from it is being sold to an organization that plans to preserve its natural state and disallow any additional harvesting. The day of the signing by the land owners, one of the owners, a young woman, goes missing on the land. Thus begins a snowballing effect of conflicting interests and fights for survival. It is an important time in Clare's ministry, too, as her Bishop is due to visit, and she must ensure all is at the ready for him. Clare and Russ are still trying to deal with their feelings for one another, and, with another suitor waiting in the wings for Clare, some decisions will have to be made.
So, jump in, buckle your seatbelt, and enjoy yet another great ride in this sensational series.
In this latest addition to the series, Clare and Russ find themselves caught up in the drama surrounding the sale of the 250,00 acre Great Camp. The land from which local loggers and a local pulp mill depend on the lumber from it is being sold to an organization that plans to preserve its natural state and disallow any additional harvesting. The day of the signing by the land owners, one of the owners, a young woman, goes missing on the land. Thus begins a snowballing effect of conflicting interests and fights for survival. It is an important time in Clare's ministry, too, as her Bishop is due to visit, and she must ensure all is at the ready for him. Clare and Russ are still trying to deal with their feelings for one another, and, with another suitor waiting in the wings for Clare, some decisions will have to be made.
So, jump in, buckle your seatbelt, and enjoy yet another great ride in this sensational series.
June 26, 2011
This book is the first book I have read in the series and it has nothing to recommend itself. Many of the characters start out as normal people and then suddenly they are killing people for flimsy reasons. I can see this happening once, but multiple times? There is not one person with any kind of moral base including the "heroes" who are a church priest and police chief. Also there isn't even a mystery. This book is almost unreadable.
March 16, 2014
That's a three for the story overall, which I liked a lot less than the earlier books in the series, but it's a three with bonus points galore for the author's timing wrt the Clare-and-Russ story arc.
If you haven't read up to this point in the series, you'll be safe with the following paragraph, and I'll pinpoint where there'll be a degree of spoiling for the slow relationship development but nothing more than what you'd get from the blurb. Proper spoilers will be hidden.
The reason I didn't like this one so much is that it takes place over the course of just one (very, very) long day. As a result, there are multiple POV sections, rather than just switching between Russ and Clare's, with the odd lacing of another perspective, in the prologue, for example. I wouldn't have minded this except for the people themselves, who go from fine or not-totally-loveable, to a totally nasty shower of -- well, they're nasty. Unfortunately it's easy enough to feel sorry for them while simultaneously hating what they do and how they respond to their own actions, and that's just depressing.
On to Russ & Clare, with my middle-level warning! Linda hasn't miraculously absconded, leaving proof of her criminal activities and extra-marital affairs or anything so cheerful, so you know there's still woe aplenty for our favourite non-couple couple. I have some serious reservations about how things were said, but while still holding that the author is an evil genius manipulator, I greatly admire her sense of when to call time on what's going on, rather than letting the relationship drag on unchanged for too many books. Before taking myself off behind spoiler-veil, I'm going to put up this one wonderful quote, which just killed me. (I actually lifted it from Katie's review, as she had quoted it as well!)
Finally, my other quibbles, behind a cut.
If you haven't read up to this point in the series, you'll be safe with the following paragraph, and I'll pinpoint where there'll be a degree of spoiling for the slow relationship development but nothing more than what you'd get from the blurb. Proper spoilers will be hidden.
The reason I didn't like this one so much is that it takes place over the course of just one (very, very) long day. As a result, there are multiple POV sections, rather than just switching between Russ and Clare's, with the odd lacing of another perspective, in the prologue, for example. I wouldn't have minded this except for the people themselves, who go from fine or not-totally-loveable, to a totally nasty shower of -- well, they're nasty. Unfortunately it's easy enough to feel sorry for them while simultaneously hating what they do and how they respond to their own actions, and that's just depressing.
On to Russ & Clare, with my middle-level warning! Linda hasn't miraculously absconded, leaving proof of her criminal activities and extra-marital affairs or anything so cheerful, so you know there's still woe aplenty for our favourite non-couple couple. I have some serious reservations about how things were said, but while still holding that the author is an evil genius manipulator, I greatly admire her sense of when to call time on what's going on, rather than letting the relationship drag on unchanged for too many books. Before taking myself off behind spoiler-veil, I'm going to put up this one wonderful quote, which just killed me. (I actually lifted it from Katie's review, as she had quoted it as well!)
Her shoulder sagged. “I don’t know what I want. Absolution, I guess. For someone to tell me that I can sustain this tightrope act with you without hopelessly compromising my standards. For someone to confirm that what I feel for you isn’t wrong, that it’s a gift from God.”Poor, poor Russ. Poor both of them, but unlike Clare, he doesn't have any reason to believe that it is a gift, except in that tragically ironic way. And also he doesn't have anyone to whom he can talk about Clare - his difficulty with friendships is mentioned and he loses one he'd valued over the course of the day.
“Some gift.” They rounded the corner and saw the Washington County Hospital sign glowing white and blue in the darkness. “ ‘Here, here’s your soul mate, the person who completes you. Whoops, did I mention you can’t actually be together? Have a nice day.’ ”
He glanced down at her. She was looking ahead, a complicated smile on her face. “That’s the nature of His gifts. He wants to see what you do with them.”
“Thanks, but I’ll stick to stuff from stores that take a return with receipt.
Finally, my other quibbles, behind a cut.
November 6, 2021
As with the first three in the series I listened to this novel in short snippets via Audiobook in my car rather than read it. This is a suspense thriller, not a mystery, that worked really well. I like how strongly character driven the series is becoming. Spencer-Fleming plunges her characters into interesting situations. First, and foremost, there's the protagonist, a female Episcopal priest who falls in love with a married small town sheriff. Both are too ethical to act on their love, but the love is too strong to deny too. It's a riveting dilemma maturely told.
Then there's all the crimes being committed as small lumber holdings get bought out by conglomerate interests, complete with a little eco-terrorism thrown in to muddy the waters. It's a challenge to track all of it, but it might be easier if reading it rather than hearing it. This novel was stronger than the second and third entries and as strong as the first because it adhered closer to reality. People acted and reacted in realistic ways to more probable scenarios than in some of the past books, but the interest level didn't have to be turned down to achieve this effect.
I didn't like the ending in some respects in that I would not have had some of the characters die who did. However, as in life, what we see is not always what we want to see. The apparent randomness of who ultimately became victims mirrors the way it happens in real life and thus enhanced the verisimilitude of the novel. The fact I didn't like the ending thus perversely makes me like it more. The plot was unpredictable and not formulaic, just like life. Good stuff!
Then there's all the crimes being committed as small lumber holdings get bought out by conglomerate interests, complete with a little eco-terrorism thrown in to muddy the waters. It's a challenge to track all of it, but it might be easier if reading it rather than hearing it. This novel was stronger than the second and third entries and as strong as the first because it adhered closer to reality. People acted and reacted in realistic ways to more probable scenarios than in some of the past books, but the interest level didn't have to be turned down to achieve this effect.
I didn't like the ending in some respects in that I would not have had some of the characters die who did. However, as in life, what we see is not always what we want to see. The apparent randomness of who ultimately became victims mirrors the way it happens in real life and thus enhanced the verisimilitude of the novel. The fact I didn't like the ending thus perversely makes me like it more. The plot was unpredictable and not formulaic, just like life. Good stuff!
December 14, 2020
I was in such a hurry to read this one after #3 in the series. The hurry had to do with Clare's and Russ's relationship and the way that #3 ended. For that reason alone, volume #4 is worth it. The rest of the story confused me for the longest time, although, I figured out two plot points before they were revealed. The problem has to do the author dividing this book into minute increments of one day which starts with a young woman disappearing. Subsequent units of the day introduce characters that I had trouble keeping straight for a long time. Eventually, I keep people straight in my mind, but when I read something lighter, for relaxation, I don't want to work this hard to keep tract. I'm still eager to go on to #5, but first, I'll take a little break and catch up on the pile forming in the corner of my bedroom.
May 11, 2022
Found it hard to put this 4th book in the series down!
November 16, 2008
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, so far, but I found this one to be the most gripping. The overall tone of the book feels a little darker in some ways, and yet some of the plot twists seemed almost farcical. the love affair between Rev. Claire and Russ is becoming more open, too, with a startling declaration at the end of the book. . . .
December 19, 2018
This book was a mess, the mystery completely farcical, and though we are given a little bit of hope for Clare & Russ's relationship, this is quickly destroyed if you read the description of the next book.
I think I'm done with this series.
I think I'm done with this series.
May 14, 2020
Stayed up past my bedtime finishing this one! This was very similar to all the other books in this series, with lots of characters (kind of hard to keep track who was with who) and lots of murders.. but I always enjoy these as “guilty pleasure” reads and it always hooks me by the end.
March 6, 2009
This one was really tight and fast paced. Took place in 24 hours and it helped that I read it in about the same amount of time. Might be the best of the series so far.
August 29, 2025
I really enjoyed re-reading this 4th book in Julia Spencer-Flemings "Rev. Clare Ferguson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries" series!
October 7, 2023
I’m loving Clare Fergusson. Her take on her Christian faith is real, her personal struggles are real. Great!
October 22, 2018
I read this out of order; I thought it was Book #2, so now I need to backtrack, duh.
October 28, 2013
So I started off enjoying this was one less than the others. It's different. It takes place all in one day and there are so many plotlines and point of view characters that I felt like Clare and Russ were barely there--separately or together. And there's so much going on and it's just all about people making the wrong choices and ohhh. That was so hard to read. But I ended up really liking and appreciating it by the end.
September 29, 2021
3.5 stars
I'm not a big fan of a horrific comedy of errors (as in the style of Fargo) and this volume of the Clare/Russ mysteries certainly followed that example. It got a bit better in the last third of the book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I have with the earlier books.
And I will continue to complain about Suzanne Torin's narration. Sadly, she narrates the entire series. She is just wrong for the characters - her interpretation of Clare is two decades too old and way too southern, Russ sounds like he's 70 rather than barely 50, and Clare's suitor from NYC sounds remarkably like Roddy McDowell. Huh??? I'm finding that I'm more and more bothered by her narration, but luckily it's not bad enough to keep me from continuing with the series.
I'm not a big fan of a horrific comedy of errors (as in the style of Fargo) and this volume of the Clare/Russ mysteries certainly followed that example. It got a bit better in the last third of the book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I have with the earlier books.
And I will continue to complain about Suzanne Torin's narration. Sadly, she narrates the entire series. She is just wrong for the characters - her interpretation of Clare is two decades too old and way too southern, Russ sounds like he's 70 rather than barely 50, and Clare's suitor from NYC sounds remarkably like Roddy McDowell. Huh??? I'm finding that I'm more and more bothered by her narration, but luckily it's not bad enough to keep me from continuing with the series.
October 2, 2020
This fourth book in Spencer-Fleming's series with Clare Ferguson, rector of the Episcopal Church in Millers Kill, N.Y all takes place in one day. Clare is called to help search for missing woman who is believed lost in the large estate owned by her family. Spencer-Fleming interweaves this search with several other subplots that make for exciting reading. And Clare and Russ face the reality of their mutual attraction to each other. I really like this series and Spencer-Fleming's writing.
November 21, 2021
Clare and Russ are pulled into a highly convoluted mystery related to timber land sales and wilderness conservation. Kidnapping, murder, arson, and eco-terrorism. This one was hard to follow and had a sad ending.
August 13, 2021
I should like a mystery featuring a female (!!) Episcopal (!!) priest, right? I started this book in July and now (trying to clean up the 100 books in my living room) gave it another look, but no. No. No. No.
I got to page 31. I'm not sure I've ever so unceremoniously dumped a book that few pages into it. But by page 31 I have no idea who was kidnapped, drugged, gagged, bound, and left somewhere unknown.
I still have no idea why we care about Ed Castle and his wife Suzanne are, even though I know they have a daughter named Bonnie and own a business they've put up for sale [later edit: also! a daughter named Becky? I think? Becky and Bonnie! How cute and utterly confusing for the reader, who hears about them many pages apart]. I didn't even know who Russ was until I read the back of the book again and some of the reviews, which claim that the relationship between him (the sheriff) and Clare Fergusson (the female! Episcopal! priest) is one of the delights of the series. I know Russ goes hunting with Ed Castle.
Who is Gene, and who is his mother? (page 1) Then there's John Opperman (developer) and Eugene van der Hoeven and his sister Millie (maybe she's the kidnapped one?) Officers Duane (no last name) and Mark Durkee, Mike Yablonski, then Mark's wife's sister who married the loser, Randy, Mike's brother, and Mark's wife Lisa. On page 26 Shaun Reid and his wife Courtney are introduced and by then, I really don't give a flying fig. And Terry McKellan (page 27) and then we start in from Becky's perspective and . . . AAAAAAAAGGHHHHHHHHH!
I do know who John Huggins is (Millers Kill Search and Rescue) because he identifies himself on the phone.
Seriously, that's by page 31. And do I care enough to go back pages to remember who is who, by page 31? Nope. Not at all. This is not the first in the series, to be fair to the author; however, it makes zero sense to someone who hasn't read the first three, and even if I knew the characters from the first 3 I'd be confused by now.
Terrible. Just terrible. I only spared it the one-star rating because I save that for books that simply should not have been published. This book might appeal to hard-core fans of The Rev. Clare Fergusson -- but even those readers seem to be a little tired of the dynamics between her and the sheriff (who is nuts about his stunning, sexy wife, but apparently he and the fine Rev. have a lot of sexual tension -- which sounds about as unappealing as anything else about this book).
I'll have to ask my friend who has this as "to-read" to let me know if it has any redeeming virtues form pages 32-308, but I'm not willing to read those extra 277 pages at this point.
I got to page 31. I'm not sure I've ever so unceremoniously dumped a book that few pages into it. But by page 31 I have no idea who was kidnapped, drugged, gagged, bound, and left somewhere unknown.
I still have no idea why we care about Ed Castle and his wife Suzanne are, even though I know they have a daughter named Bonnie and own a business they've put up for sale [later edit: also! a daughter named Becky? I think? Becky and Bonnie! How cute and utterly confusing for the reader, who hears about them many pages apart]. I didn't even know who Russ was until I read the back of the book again and some of the reviews, which claim that the relationship between him (the sheriff) and Clare Fergusson (the female! Episcopal! priest) is one of the delights of the series. I know Russ goes hunting with Ed Castle.
Who is Gene, and who is his mother? (page 1) Then there's John Opperman (developer) and Eugene van der Hoeven and his sister Millie (maybe she's the kidnapped one?) Officers Duane (no last name) and Mark Durkee, Mike Yablonski, then Mark's wife's sister who married the loser, Randy, Mike's brother, and Mark's wife Lisa. On page 26 Shaun Reid and his wife Courtney are introduced and by then, I really don't give a flying fig. And Terry McKellan (page 27) and then we start in from Becky's perspective and . . . AAAAAAAAGGHHHHHHHHH!
I do know who John Huggins is (Millers Kill Search and Rescue) because he identifies himself on the phone.
Seriously, that's by page 31. And do I care enough to go back pages to remember who is who, by page 31? Nope. Not at all. This is not the first in the series, to be fair to the author; however, it makes zero sense to someone who hasn't read the first three, and even if I knew the characters from the first 3 I'd be confused by now.
Terrible. Just terrible. I only spared it the one-star rating because I save that for books that simply should not have been published. This book might appeal to hard-core fans of The Rev. Clare Fergusson -- but even those readers seem to be a little tired of the dynamics between her and the sheriff (who is nuts about his stunning, sexy wife, but apparently he and the fine Rev. have a lot of sexual tension -- which sounds about as unappealing as anything else about this book).
I'll have to ask my friend who has this as "to-read" to let me know if it has any redeeming virtues form pages 32-308, but I'm not willing to read those extra 277 pages at this point.
January 31, 2022
If you want a book that will have you glued to your reading chair, this is it. But wait! You can't just read this engrossing, gripping mystery/who-done-it by Julia Spencer-Fleming until you have first read the three that precede it in the now nine-book series.
The premise of all the books is simple but effective: the unusual collaboration of a small town's chief of police and the local Episcopal priest, who work together to solve crimes.
It is not quite dawn when the Rev. Clare Fergusson, the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Millers Kill, New York in the Adirondacks, receives a phone call urging her to join a search-and-rescue team for a missing heiress who has apparently gotten lost in the deep woods on her family's massive estate. Within hours, there is also a dead man and a young woman who was beat up within an inch of her life. What is going on? Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne is on all three cases even as he and many others in the town prepare to attend a gala dinner dance that night celebrating the transfer of hundreds of acres of wooded land to a conservation group. The entire novel with its intricate, twisty, and multilayered plot takes place in 21 hours.
One of the most endearing plot points in the series is the friendship—now veering on something more as the sexual tension is really building—between smart, pretty, single Rev. Clare and the very married and much older Russ. Oh, it's getting quite interesting! (The No. 1 reason you need to read the books in order is to understand the evolution of their relationship.)
This is not great literature, but it is a fabulous story—one that grabbed me in the first chapter and had me reading long past my bedtime.
The premise of all the books is simple but effective: the unusual collaboration of a small town's chief of police and the local Episcopal priest, who work together to solve crimes.
It is not quite dawn when the Rev. Clare Fergusson, the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Millers Kill, New York in the Adirondacks, receives a phone call urging her to join a search-and-rescue team for a missing heiress who has apparently gotten lost in the deep woods on her family's massive estate. Within hours, there is also a dead man and a young woman who was beat up within an inch of her life. What is going on? Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne is on all three cases even as he and many others in the town prepare to attend a gala dinner dance that night celebrating the transfer of hundreds of acres of wooded land to a conservation group. The entire novel with its intricate, twisty, and multilayered plot takes place in 21 hours.
One of the most endearing plot points in the series is the friendship—now veering on something more as the sexual tension is really building—between smart, pretty, single Rev. Clare and the very married and much older Russ. Oh, it's getting quite interesting! (The No. 1 reason you need to read the books in order is to understand the evolution of their relationship.)
This is not great literature, but it is a fabulous story—one that grabbed me in the first chapter and had me reading long past my bedtime.
June 21, 2019
Does the proposed sale of a 25,000-acre Great Camp have anything to do with Millicent van der Hoeven’s disappearance? What will the sale of the property mean to the town’s last lumber mill when the nature conservancy planning to purchase the land refuses to allow any further tree harvesting?
Millicent’s disappearance . . . on the day she is to sign the paperwork for the sale . . . creates a chain reaction that, over the course of a single day, reveals long-held secrets and exposes the power of greed. What is the future for the town? For the Great Camp? And will Millicent be found before something even more tragic occurs?
This story, the fourth in the series, has a surfeit of characters, many of whom are unlikable, unsympathetic, and selfish. It’s complex, flawed, and dark. Just like real life. As a counterpoint, there’s compassion, bravery, and hope. Just like real life. Human frailties abound; the intriguing plot brings the chaos of desperation to the fore as the poignant relationship between Clare and Russ races toward some sort of revelation or decision or??
As always, the major plot points are resolved, but there remain a few loose ends left to serve as an enticement for readers to pick up the next book in the series. Although each story is a stand-alone, reading the books in sequence keeps events in the proper perspective for readers and helps them understand and fully appreciate the town, its people, and the developing relationship between Clare and Russ.
Highly recommended.
Millicent’s disappearance . . . on the day she is to sign the paperwork for the sale . . . creates a chain reaction that, over the course of a single day, reveals long-held secrets and exposes the power of greed. What is the future for the town? For the Great Camp? And will Millicent be found before something even more tragic occurs?
This story, the fourth in the series, has a surfeit of characters, many of whom are unlikable, unsympathetic, and selfish. It’s complex, flawed, and dark. Just like real life. As a counterpoint, there’s compassion, bravery, and hope. Just like real life. Human frailties abound; the intriguing plot brings the chaos of desperation to the fore as the poignant relationship between Clare and Russ races toward some sort of revelation or decision or??
As always, the major plot points are resolved, but there remain a few loose ends left to serve as an enticement for readers to pick up the next book in the series. Although each story is a stand-alone, reading the books in sequence keeps events in the proper perspective for readers and helps them understand and fully appreciate the town, its people, and the developing relationship between Clare and Russ.
Highly recommended.
November 2, 2017
The format of this entry in the Rev. Clare series makes it unique among the four that I've read so far: it takes place in less than 24 hours, and is organized first by the offices of prayer in a Christian religious community (beginning with Morning Prayer at 5:00am and ending with Compline at 2:00am) and then by time, jumping as little as five minutes between elements from different characters' points of view. I'm very far from a Christian but I happen to absolutely love the choral music associated with these prayer services, so I'm going to give anything with "Compline" in it a chance.
That said, I found it a little distracting to have the voices of so many characters telling the story, and I missed hearing Rev. Clare much of the time. The crimes to be solved are dramatic; the autumnal setting is appealing to this New Englander; and Clare's tentative (and yet intense in its own unique way) relationship with Police Chief van Alstyne takes another step... whether forward or backward is yet to be determined!
I've already ordered #5 from the library.
That said, I found it a little distracting to have the voices of so many characters telling the story, and I missed hearing Rev. Clare much of the time. The crimes to be solved are dramatic; the autumnal setting is appealing to this New Englander; and Clare's tentative (and yet intense in its own unique way) relationship with Police Chief van Alstyne takes another step... whether forward or backward is yet to be determined!
I've already ordered #5 from the library.
February 2, 2020
RE-READ (audio) 31 Jan 2020 (★★★½)
TL;DR: Millers Kill & its environs hit significant pothole in road of life = gears slip in some residents & they gradually lose their shite in different yet intertwined ways = unfortunate consequences & outcomes, whether intended, foreseeable or otherwise.
As w/ #3, rating mostly for mystery (still not on board w/ rom subplot). Now firmly into series re-read/catch-up, remembering more & more of certain IMs w/ buddy during initial reads. If not for certain HD failure, could c&p some bits here :(
Anyhoo, already half-way thru #5 ALL MORTAL FLESH & Super Bowl LIV fest officially started, so quick notes for now...
Format for TO DARKNESS AND TO DEATH reminded me of TV show ‘24’ (ya know, w/ Kiefer Sutherland? No? ... *crickets*). In beginning, timestamps (in lieu of chapter headings) & multi POVs were somewhat confusing via audio, so gave up keeping track of timeline & simply listened.
Altho certain events teetered on slapstick, more had flavour of Pulp Fiction-like dark humour so that 50% of time, I simply shook my head. A mental health pro would have field day w/ certain characters here—stress test, final straw, last critical drop... by whatever term, some reach their tipping point to calamitous &/or ruinous effect.
Lastly, ending = alternating betn hard eyerolls & disgruntled mutterings. TSTL for several reasons, IMO :/
[timeline = 8mos after #3 (YR2/Nov). Social issue = logging/de-forestation & small-time vs. corporate.conglomorate.]
TL;DR: Millers Kill & its environs hit significant pothole in road of life = gears slip in some residents & they gradually lose their shite in different yet intertwined ways = unfortunate consequences & outcomes, whether intended, foreseeable or otherwise.
As w/ #3, rating mostly for mystery (still not on board w/ rom subplot). Now firmly into series re-read/catch-up, remembering more & more of certain IMs w/ buddy during initial reads. If not for certain HD failure, could c&p some bits here :(
Anyhoo, already half-way thru #5 ALL MORTAL FLESH & Super Bowl LIV fest officially started, so quick notes for now...
Format for TO DARKNESS AND TO DEATH reminded me of TV show ‘24’ (ya know, w/ Kiefer Sutherland? No? ... *crickets*). In beginning, timestamps (in lieu of chapter headings) & multi POVs were somewhat confusing via audio, so gave up keeping track of timeline & simply listened.
Altho certain events teetered on slapstick, more had flavour of Pulp Fiction-like dark humour so that 50% of time, I simply shook my head. A mental health pro would have field day w/ certain characters here—stress test, final straw, last critical drop... by whatever term, some reach their tipping point to calamitous &/or ruinous effect.
Lastly, ending = alternating betn hard eyerolls & disgruntled mutterings. TSTL for several reasons, IMO :/
[timeline = 8mos after #3 (YR2/Nov). Social issue = logging/de-forestation & small-time vs. corporate.conglomorate.]
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