Out of the Dark I Cry

I’ve already reviewed three books in this 10-book series about the protagonists episcopal priest Clare Fergusson and police chief Russ Van Alstyne, so this review is my forth novel in the series. I was introduced to these characters in the 10^th book, the one that is about to be released, At Midnight Comes the Cry. I liked that 10^th book enough to choose to dive in from the start, so I began reading them in the order of publication so I would get the character development that the author chose. Once again, I was hooked by the characters, the plots, and the writing itself by both books one and two. Please review my writings about the first books. The third book in the series is Out of the Deep I Cry.

These are not your typical murder mysteries. Russ is married to a woman the reader does not meet before this book, and it occurs when there is a brief encounter between Clare and Linda van Alstyne. They meet at the hospital where Russ is staying as the result of a series of injuries. It is clear that Linda has no idea of the relationship that has been building between her husband and Clare. By this time, the protagonists have expressed their love for one another, which is a challenge for these highly ethical people.

 

The plot itself was a bit complicated as it addressed the issue of childhood vaccines, bootlegging in upstate New York during Prohibition, the depression, marital fidelity, and “black diptheria” that was a very real problem in the 1930’s but which has been eradicated by the use of childhood vaccinations. In this story, there was a man missing from the 1930’s, but until the end of the story, it was not known to the reader whether this was a matter of murder or a matter of a missing person, perhaps someone who had intentionally fled the town of Millers Kill.

 

For the most part, I was less enamored with this novel than the other three. It just seemed like the author had made things complicated enough that it took a long time and a lot of pages to bring it all together. Even the escape from an impossible situation which resulted in the heightened connection between Clare and Russ took too long to tell. Overall, it just seemed like “too much” characterized the story. I also found myself getting a bit tired of the references to Clare’s religious role in Millers Kill. But, my appetite for more of these characters has not been killed off. Rather, I will now acquire the fourth book, To Darkness and to Death. I’m eager to see the next murder that catches their attention and how they manage their attraction for each other.