Dancing Dead: A Shaker Mystery

Sister Rose Callahan has returned to her Shaker community home of North Homage, Kentucky, after being called away to serve the Hancock Shakers in Massachusetts ("Killing Gifts"). Now rumors are swirling -- literally -- as the cloaked ghost of a former sister is seen dancing nightly in some of the abandoned buildings of the dwindling population. While the community is attempting to make additional money by taking in outside boarders at their new Shaker hostel, they must also deal with the intrusion of The World as the dancing ghost brings curious visitors to the site. One of the hostel guests is soon found dead, and Sister Rose is compelled (as always) to figure out who her murderer might be. She conducts her own investigation but must also protect her brethren and her youngest charges, including little Mairin, who has a tendency to go off on her own. When Mairin accidentally discovers the dead body of one of the Brothers, everyone is at a loss to explain the tragedy. Can Rose stop the murderer before someone else is lost? Can she allow Gennie, who is straddling the fence between the Shaker community and the outside world, enough free rein to decide whether or not to marry Sheriff Grady O'Neal? Will Sister Elsa be as annoying as ever, and prove to be a thwart to the investigation? Does Brother Wilhelm, the stern and regimental elder, have secrets that once revealed, explain why he came to the Shakers in the first place? And who is playing the part of the dancing sister, anyway? And are the stories about her real or invented? This episode in the series is an intriguing and enjoyable read, especially for those fans who have read the previous five books. We get to catch up with our favorite characters and disdain those who are thorns in Rose's side -- while learning even more about all of them, getting insights into their all-too-human frailties. The events take place against the background of the 1930s Depression and the fact that the Shakers are losing ground as a thriving religious sect. Deborah Woodworth is to be commended for her portrayal of these simple (ficticious) people and their way of life.