January 2015

I am intrigued by the Mormon culture, thus when I saw that THE BISHOP’S WIFE is set in that community in Salt Lake, I was eager to read it. The bishop’s wife, Linda Wallheim, is a devout Mormon, the mother of five boys and the wife of a bishop. While tending to parishioners in their ward with meals and baked goods, Linda is seeing an undercurrent that is troubling her. There is a fear among some of the women who seem to harbor secrets in their obedient lives.

Then one night, Carrie Helm, a young wife and mother, disappears, and suspicions that Linda has had are suddenly brought to a head. She immediately suspects Carrie’s husband, Jared, and, against her husband’s wishes, sets out to investigate. Emboldened, she learns more than she wanted to know.

Mette Ivie Harrison does a brilliant job of ramping up the action and crafting the mystery. She is a practicing Mormon, so she contributes details that enrich the story, which is based on an actual crime. If you, like me, were a fan of “Big Love,” you will enjoy this look at the Mormon world, where polygamy is not the theme. And I am happy to share that THE BISHOP’S WIFE is the start of a series.