Rhapsody in Red

Title: RHAPSODY IN RED
Author: Donn Taylor
Publisher: Moody Press
2008
ISBN: 978-0-8024-5116-3
Genre: Inspirational/suspense

Professor Preston Barclay became reclusive when his beloved wife died. Now he is sort of the University campus weirdo, and content to live a quiet life teaching history and grieving. But when a colleague, Mara Thorn, barges into Press’s office with complaints about a female teacher inappropriately touching her, she begs Press to go with her to talk to this other teacher, Laila. But when Press and Mara go to Laila’s office, instead, they find the teacher murdered. And the local homicide detective, an enemy of Press’s is determined to pin the murder on Press. Or Mara. Or both.

Determined to prove their own innocence if the local police won’t, Press and Mara start questioning the few other suspects hoping that if they find the murderer on their own then they will be found innocent. Instead they find that hit men have them on their hit list, all the other suspects are threatening them, and incriminating emails, allegedly from their computers were sent to Laila shortly before her death.

Will this investigation turn up the real murderer, or will Mara and Press find themselves behind bars—or worse?

RHAPSODY IN RED is the first book in the Preston Barclay Mystery series. I enjoyed getting to know this rather droll professor, and his group of unlikely friends, and even the suspects. The humor was rather dry, but did cause a smile a time or two. Preston is a lovable hero that the reader can’t help but fall in love with.

I am looking forward to reading any other books that might come out in this series. The faith message is rather weak at first as the professor is floundering in his faith, but it does get stronger toward the end of the book. Don’t miss this page-turner. RHAPSODY IN RED is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out who the real murderer is. $13.99. 364 pages.