The last person that Dr. Rebecca Butterman expects to receive a phone call from in the middle of the night is her minister, Reverend Wesley Sandifer. Her thoughts automatically turn to her family and tragedy; however, Wesley is calling for her help. Rebecca bundles up and travels to the hospital to offer support for Wesley while he talks to the police. It seems he found a member of their congregation, Lacy Bailes, unresponsive, and now he is a suspect in her murder. Lacy was the head of a committee looking for a new assistant pastor, and the reverend was meeting with her to discuss their progress. Could Reverend Wesley have poisoned Lacy? What possible motive could he have? If he didn't kill her, then who did?

The reverend asks Rebecca to fill in as chair of the committee. He is persistent, and she agrees. The committee is urged to choose a new assistant minister as soon as possible, and Rebecca is left looking for the notes that Lacy had meticulously taken on each of the candidates. They are nowhere to be found. Juggling the committee, her advice column, her regular job as psychologist, and trying to understand her feelings for the married detective on the case, leaves her little time to concentrate on her sleuthing. She is keeping a wary eye on the members of the church as more and more bizarre events occur. She never expected to become a target herself, but it is becoming more apparent that someone in the church is capable of murder. Who could possibly have killed Lacy? Why are they targeting her?

Roberta Isleib has written a fully satisfying mystery. It contains the right amount of suspense and wit to keep the reader intrigued and glued to the pages. Rebecca Butterman is a lovable heroine who is interested in Detective Meigs, a married man. Her friends and family are amusing, and there is another possible love interest thrown in the mix. Add to that the church members and the possible ministerial candidates, and that makes the perfect recipe for murder. PREACHING TO THE CORPSE is a fun and exciting mystery that will take you for a ride.

Book Summary

When Dr. Butterman's minister is charged with murder, she uncovers cutthroat church politics. It seems the "thou shalt not kill" tenet has a qualifier: "...unless thou art eliminating the competition."