Morgue Mama: The Cross Kisses Back

Rating:
Summary: A standout among mysteries. A must-read
Review: As an author, I tend to read books with a dissecting and unforgiving eye. "Morgue Mama: The Cross Kisses Back" passes with top grades in all categories: credible plot; wry humor; believable, well-rounded characters; skillful writing to the very end. My only complaint is that Corwin ought to write faster, because I'm eager to read the next book in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Newspaper sleuths scoop a murderer
Review: The veteran librarian of the Ohio "Hannawa Herald-Union's" morgue (newspaper archives), Dolly Madison Sprowls, or Maddy, known as Morgue Mama behind her back, teams up with ambitious rookie reporter Aubrey McGinty to prove the innocence of a convicted murderer in this clever debut.

Hannawa, "The Hallelujah City," has a lot of churches, and one of the biggest is the Heaven Bound Cathedral, an evangelical television ministry. The murder of its leader, Buddy Wing, couldn't have been more dramatic - poisoned by a kiss on live TV. At the height of the service Pastor Wing always kissed the cross on his Bible, and on the fateful day it had been painted with poison. Poison in his water pitcher added insurance.

Evidence found at the home of Sissy James, mistress of a rival evangelical leader, prompts the unhappy woman to confess. But Aubrey thinks she confessed to protect someone - maybe her family-man lover. She enlists Maddy to help her ferret out the secrets of the church turn up a generous handful of suspects. Maddy, a sharp but lonely divorcee somewhat past retirement age, welcomes Aubrey's youthful enthusiasm and guts.

Corwin, an ex-reporter, knows the insular nature of small town politicos and their sometimes frictional, sometimes cozy relationship with the local newspaper. Aubrey's tussle with the police chief hierarchy rings true, though the spectacle of a couple of evangelical preachers shoving each other around an editor's office strains credulity a bit.

The writing is witty and narrator Maddy is immediately engaging. The plot is a humdinger, almost guaranteed to surprise. Corwin has set up an intriguing duo and most readers will be avid with curiosity to see this pseudonymous author's second outing.

Rating:
Summary: Morgue Mama gets it done
Review: This mystery novel moves along at an exciting pace. Corwin brings the characters to life with realistic, every-day traits, yet doesn't bog down the reader with superfluous meanderings. I enjoyed getting to know the sleuths, and had a great time tagging along for the ride as the story raced across the pages to the fantastic ending.