On the surface, the plot of First Murder in Advent may remind readers of an Agatha Christie whodunit, with a small group of suspects within a confined area and a murder or murders to solve. But First Murder in Advent story is much darker, with more complex and troubled characters, occasional coarse language, and a harder edge. Sharon Wildwind does an absolutely stunning job of creating a sense of place and time – a Catholic convent about to close and the Vietnam War era with its confusing politics and horrible heartbreak. That’s to be expected as the author herself is a nurse and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Sharon Wildwind has a talent for writing a top-notch mystery. First Murder in Advent is the second in a planned five-book series. Although I hadn’t read the first, it easily stood alone – and made me want to read more of Pepper’s, Avivah’s and Benny’s adventures.

By Diana. First published in the Cozy Library December 13, 2006