But for the Grace (Molly Piper Mysteries)

Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenching mystery
Review: At 4'9", Molly Piper stuns people when she insists she is a private investigator. Most individuals do not take Molly seriously even though Washington State has licensed her as a professional sleuth. Molly has an office on Prince Island just off the coast. She has previously solved a homicide (see FALLING FROM GRACE) and is highly regarded by individuals who populate the valuable island real estate.

Posters anonymously appear throughout the community proclaiming that Edmund Bercain, President of the East Island Chamber of Commerce, is guilty of crimes against the people. The aspiring politician is livid. He hires Molly to uncover the identity of the person behind the smear campaign. However, before she can begin, someone kills her client. The spouse of the deceased retains Molly, but her task is to learn who murdered her husband. As she digs into the victim's life, Molly learns he made many enemies due to his ruthless business methods, several of who had the motive to kill him.

If one word is used to describe BUT FOR THE GRACE, grim would be the choice. The island weather is dark and damp. The heroine is alienated from her lover and her best friend. The murder suspects are more pitiful than feared. In spite of all that gloom, the story line contains a cleverly designed who-done-it with a shocking climax that will grab reader empathy. The characters seem like genuine individuals who enjoy being islanders so that they can avoid mainstream American life (whatever that is). Fans who enjoy unabashed realism will fully relish Patricia Brook's dark but compelling drama.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenching mystery
Review: At 4'9", Molly Piper stuns people when she insists she is a private investigator. Most individuals do not take Molly seriously even though Washington State has licensed her as a professional sleuth. Molly has an office on Prince Island just off the coast. She has previously solved a homicide (see FALLING FROM GRACE) and is highly regarded by individuals who populate the valuable island real estate.

Posters anonymously appear throughout the community proclaiming that Edmund Bercain, President of the East Island Chamber of Commerce, is guilty of crimes against the people. The aspiring politician is livid. He hires Molly to uncover the identity of the person behind the smear campaign. However, before she can begin, someone kills her client. The spouse of the deceased retains Molly, but her task is to learn who murdered her husband. As she digs into the victim's life, Molly learns he made many enemies due to his ruthless business methods, several of who had the motive to kill him.

If one word is used to describe BUT FOR THE GRACE, grim would be the choice. The island weather is dark and damp. The heroine is alienated from her lover and her best friend. The murder suspects are more pitiful than feared. In spite of all that gloom, the story line contains a cleverly designed who-done-it with a shocking climax that will grab reader empathy. The characters seem like genuine individuals who enjoy being islanders so that they can avoid mainstream American life (whatever that is). Fans who enjoy unabashed realism will fully relish Patricia Brook's dark but compelling drama.

Harriet Klausner