Quaker Silence: An Elizabeth Elliot Mystery

Elizabeth Elliot is the clerk of the Quaker Meeting in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has recently been elected to this position and she wrestles with the many complexities of guiding the Meeting through worship services and business decisions. When a prominent member of her meeting is killed, she feels that someone is being unjustly accused of the crime and she begins a quiet invesigation in order to find the real murderer. I found the Quaker background of the book to be very interesting and informative, and I enjoyed the main character of Elizabeth Elliot because of her compassion and dedication to her faith. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

As a Quaker, I greatly enjoyed this book ... sort of Miss Marple the Quaker (member of the Religious Society of Friends), about an elderly woman who feels Led to help solve a murder involving her Meeting. My only quibbles are that the author tried a wee bit too hard to make Friends appear unusual ... e.g., writing such things as "The two Friends walked down the street," etc., which no one would ever say or think. (One of the tenets of our faith is that we do not pass judgment on others -- so we're known for fitting in and getting along, despite not drinking, swearing, dancing, etc. As such, we do not stand out that noticeably, and you would no more say "The two Friends walked down the street" than you would "There goes a Baptist!") Likewise, we have unprogrammed worship wherein we sit quietly, waiting for the spirit of God to touch us and often inspire us to share something with the group. Although outsiders call it silent worship, *WE* don't. Also, the main character complained so much about her arthritis that I thought it related to the case's solution ... In the real world, however short of the mark we may fall, we nonetheless strive to be thankful for all that we have, rather than whining about what we lack.However, that's just quibbling -- and probably something with which only a Quaker would find fault. If you enjoy comparatively light mysteries (no profanity, sex, vulgarity, or fast-paced, high-level spy themes) with a Miss Marple type of elderly woman thrust into the role of sleuth) and would like a glimpse of the Quaker beliefs, you should greatly enjoy this book. I certainly did!

No blood and guts, no drooling perverts, no wisecracking cardboard characters -- just a really good mystery written with a careful eye and a sort of spare simplicity that's appealing and fun to read. Less discerning readers may find Elizabeth Elliot a bit pedestrian -- but, what do they know? I love the way Elizabeth applies her deep faith, as well as her mature and healthy skepticism, to solve the mystery. Put the kettle on the stove and lose yourself with this wonderful book.

I appreciated the information on the Quaker tradition, and that the heroine is not a super hero or private sleuth. She is an interesting person dealing with the modern world. I look forward to reading more about Elizabeth.