A Fountain Filled with Blood: A Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery

Spencer-Fleming is, I think, one of those writers who will get better as she continues, not one of the writers who has one good book and then it's all downhill from there. This book had few of the problems that bothered me with the first.The "detective" of this series is Claire Fergusson, former Navy helicopter pilot turned Episcopal priest and living in a resort area in upstate New York. Claire is a brave, gutsy priest -- perhaps too much -- who doesn't back down. She can't help but get involved in a series of attacks when she herself discovers one of the third person to be attacked -- and he's dead. Since all the victims are gay, the murder appears to be a hate crime, but perhaps not -- perhaps there's another explanation for this similarity. Maybe it has something to do with a resort that's being built in the community. Claire is ably abetted in her detective work by the Chief of Police (Russ Van Alstyne), with whom there is considerable sexual tension. He is, after all, married, and she is, after all, an Episcopal priest. This time around, they are making more of an effort to stay out of too much proximity with each other and any compromising situations. You can't help but wish she's find someone more available and wonder why the author set up such an apparently hopeless situation to begin with (maybe something unfortunate will befall the Chief's wife?).The plot moves right along -- hardly a dull page in this book -- and although I wasn't particularly surprised at the outcome, it was an entertaining trip to get there. Spencer-FLeming describes location very well, so well that you could imagine being there, but some of the helicopter stuff was a bit too involved for my taste.I look forward to reading the third book in the series.

I am a tough to please reader and have been reading a lot more mystery/suspense books in the last two years. I like reading about female cops, detectives ect..I wasn't sure if I would like these mysteries when they were recommended to me. A female Episcopalian priest as the lead character? What? Well, Clare Ferguson is one of the best heroines that I have been privledged to read in a very long time. I love the relationship between Clare and everyone she comes into contact with. She is a very modern priest. She is smart, witty, strong and interesting. Who knew?This author gives Clare and Detective Russ a lot to grapple with. Death, murder and a budding, albeit "off-limits" relationship since Russ is married. This is one series that I can highly recommend to everyone. I wish there was more than one book a year. I have lent these "Clare Ferguson" books out to several friends and family and every person is hooked. Bravo Ms. Spencer-Fleming...keep them coming.

Julia Spencer-Fleming has caused me some serious insomnia over the past week, during which I stayed up way too late reading first "In the Bleak Midwinter" followed immediately by "A Fountain Filled with Blood." It has been many a moon since I've encountered characters as interesting as those that people the pages of JSF's books, to say nothing of her nicely polished prose and well-developed plots. The books' greatest strength is the unique (almost-but-not-quite implausible) background of the female protagonist, a former Army helicopter pilot turned Anglican priest assigned to a tiny parish in the Adirondacks. JSF has a good eye for detail - I've done a fair amount of hiking in those mountains and she neatly captures the rocky paths, oppressive humidity, and relentless mosquitoes. I can't speak for the accuracy of her description of flying a helicopter, but in any event the read makes for a wild ride. The attraction between Reverend Clare and the town's police chief is also deftly handled. More, please - and soon!

I was so anxious to read the next book in this series and I was NOT dissapointed! The characters continue on in this exciting and fresh story. I have everyone in my town reading these books. I can't wait for the next one!