Corpses Say the Darndest Things is the first book in a new, off-beat detective series called the Nod Blake Mysteries. By off-beat I mean to convey that this first book is not what one would ordinarily consider a conventional murder mystery. There are some serious, even horrific elements, bordering on the paranormal, as well as some flippant silliness in the character of the detective, but that is more a character affectation than a flaw telegraphing unprofessionalism.
Nod is convinced by his Office Assistant to take a contract protecting the wife of a famed televangelist. The assignment is supposed to amount to one night of babysitting duty. Of course, when she is murdered after he went home, no one can actually vouch for him, and he must begin to put the pieces together.
It turns out the Rev.'s wife was sleeping with one of the members of the congregation. The Rev. may have had his suspicions, but he was mostly in denial. Some of the Board of Directors members were suspiciously absent from the latest junket. The clues are difficult to come by, but lately Nod is getting flashes of insight that feel unnervingly like visions from the deceased. The visions are difficult to decipher. Good thing he is getting copious amounts of assistance from his secretary, and the administrative assistant of the Rev.
I liked the story. It kept me on my toes, pointing in one direction and then surprising from the opposite direction. Really good tone that felt consistent throughout.