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It’s Sunday, June 16th and John Smyth, editor of the Christian magazine, Grace, is on his way home to Manitoba when he glances out the window of the plane and sees a murder many miles below. Although he can’t be exactly sure he saw what he thinks he saw, he decides to tell the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on airport duty. Immediately, senior officer Sergeant Robert Prestwyck takes charge of the case. Sgt. Prestwyck is curious about the little tag hanging from the editor’s bag –which bears one simple word, GRACE.
This word – GRACE - becomes the thread that ties all players and elements of the crime together.
In Manitoba the RCMP are in charge of provincial crimes, but if a crime takes place in the city of Winnipeg the local police are in charge. Out of courtesy, Sgt. Prestwyck tells Manitoba city detective Alexander Devorkian about Mr. Smyth’s claim. Until a body is found, of course, they can’t be sure who is in charge, or what really happened.
Mr. Smyth soon learns that there’s a certain stigma to being a religious person. He becomes embroiled in what quickly becomes the case of Grace’s. And, when a body is found with a necklace bearing the name GRACE, he becomes a suspect. His faith never falters though and he continues to look to God for help.
Mr. Coggins writes a great cozy mystery in Who’s Grace. I love the Canadian setting and the lead character Mr. Smyth is quirky and warm. We like him immediately. The mystery itself is well written although at times I got a little lost in all the players, but a quick run through reminded me of who was who. The use of subtle humor is wonderful because in the midst of decoding the crime the reader finds himself laughing.
Mr. Coggins has a knack for drawing the reader into his story and keeping us there until the end. This is the first Moody fiction I’ve read but I am definitely ready for more.
Who’s Grace is a must for anyone who likes a little humor, mystery and hope that God will work all things for good. I’ll be searching for more John Smyth Mysteries.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
March 12, 2004
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