Combine a suspenseful murder mystery with theology (the study and explanation of religious faith, practice, and experience) and you have The Rector—with an allegory of Christ’s ministry!
Martha McRae is a widow living in a small Mississippi Delta town in the 1950s. She’s obsessed with the sudden death of her Episcopal church’s young rector. A murderer could go free if she doesn’t investigate. But Martha is torn. If she pursues the suspect, her Bible study friend’s awful secret could be revealed. It would be devastating, and life-changing. When the new rector arrives, she encounters a new puzzle--one that takes her into Parchman Penitentiary, where she comes face to face with evil.
“Michael Thompson offers a tantalizing murder mystery filled with chilling explorations of hypocrisy, true faith, and small-town secrets. It’s about sin and redemption. It’s about the search for truth, in both the physical and spiritual realms. And it’s all wrapped up in a puzzle that keeps even skeptics on their toes. The writing is compelling with a plot that grows ever thicker and offers even ardent mystery fans delightfully unexpected twists and turns. The intrigue is well developed with well-placed clues and cliffhangers. The characters are multidimensional and fascinating. The faith themes are so masterfully woven in that those who aren’t religious should simply find the novel to be top-notch suspense.” Diane Gardner, ForeWord’s Clarion Review.
The Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine, writes: “Michael Thompson is an author who takes you by the hand and leads you down unexpected paths. His ability to create believable characters instantly draws you into their world. You will find yourself rooting for goodness to prevail as you follow the twists he so brilliantly weaves in this story.”
Richard L. Pratt, Th.D., Harvard, professor of Old Testament theology: “The Rector penetrates the facades of southern cultural Christianity to take us to the true gospel … There is no Savior but Jesus and no salvation from the judgment of God but faith in Christ alone.”
“Michael Thompson has brought to life the Mississippi of my youth, complete with small town scandals, murders, prison, and the powerful southern female. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy a glass of sweet tea and a romping good tale.” ~~ Carolyn Haines, author of 68 mysteries and the on-going Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series.
Industry Reviews
"Michael Thompson offers a tantalizing murder mystery filled with chilling explorations of hypocrisy, true faith, and small-town secrets. It's about sin and redemption. It's about the search for truth, in both the physical and spiritual realms. And it's all wrapped up in a puzzle that keeps even skeptics on their toes. The writing is compelling with a plot that grows ever thicker and offers even ardent mystery fans delightfully unexpected twists and turns. The intrigue is well developed with well-placed clues and cliffhangers. The characters are multidimensional and fascinating. The faith themes are so masterfully woven in that those who aren't religious should simply find the novel to be top-notch suspense." Diane Gardner, ForeWord's Clarion Review.
"Michael Thompson is an author who takes you by the hand and leads you down unexpected paths. His ability to create believable characters instantly draws you into their world. You will find yourself rooting for goodness to prevail as you follow the twists he so brilliantly weaves in this story." ~~ Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief, Southern Writers Magazine.
"Michael Thompson has brought to life the Mississippi of my youth, complete with small town scandals, murders, prison, and the powerful Southern female. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy a glass of sweet tea and a romping good tale." ~~ Carolyn Haines, author of 68 novels and the on-going Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series.
"This novel is a superbly written story involving spiritual victory in spite of murder, deceit, and
lust in a small town in the 1950â²s. High stars for a Christian story that reads like a thriller."
~~ D.S. Hale, author of YA Christian spec fiction
"The Rector penetrates the facades of southern cultural Christianity to take us to the true gospel ... There is no Savior but Jesus and no salvation from the judgment of God but faith in Christ alone." ~~ Richard L. Pratt, Th.D., theologian, author, and founder of Third Millennium Ministries, Orlando, FL.
"If you love Southern gossips and party lines and communal mail, you'll feel right at home in Solo, Mississippi ... Biblical in its proportions, with a revolving Episcopal pulpit, a moonshine-swilling postmaster and a murdering villain. Jesus, Martha, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, Satan-what a place!"
~~ Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Enchanted Evening Barbie & the Second Coming, and other books
"The murder mystery in Solo, Mississippi unfolds like a classic Agatha Christie novel. Rich with colorful characters in an unforgettable era, Michael Thompson masterfully blends the essentials that transform readers into detectives."
~~ Steve Bradshaw, Author - The Bell Trilogy
"Excellent. I never suspected the ending. I particularly like the way the author wove religion and mystery together without over doing the dogma. I'd say this is a new genre of writing!"
~~ Douglas J. Wood, author, Presidential Intentions and Presidential Declaration
"Michael Thompson has written a southern story with unpredictable twists and turns and genuine characters that provide comic relief in the midst of malevolent schemes ... a page turner ... we loved it."
~~ Janet and Reverend John Sartelle, author and pastor
"I am in awe. I loved the book. I will miss my friends Martha, Oneeda, Mary, Annie and Freddie as I feel they are like family. That is the sign of a good book! It was inspirational for me, also, as Father Davidson gave me insight into things I wonder about constantly. It fed me spiritually and I want to be more like Martha. Already looking forward to Martha's next mystery in The Solo Ladies Bible Study series."
~~ Emily Kay, ARC Reader
