This novel combines the best of mystery, satire, political commentary, travelogue, and old-fashioned suspense.
The setting is The Inn of the Seventy-Seven Clocks, which overlooks placid Lake Metedeconk in northern Vermont. On first encounter it appears to be a typical cozy bed and breakfast retreat where guests go for a little rest and recreation. But this charming bed and breakfast is anything but typical. Its guest list includes a missing priest who is presumed murdered; a Texas congressman and his mistress who are the objects of an intense national search after vanishing into the wilds of northern New England; and a Jewish billionaire who is mad for power and determined to make himself Pope.
Other guests include a notorious underworld figure who writes children's books when he is not working in the mob, and a famous British-born inspector, J. Pequod Dyxx and his clairvoyant wife, Evangeline. There are many twists and turns in the narration when all these characters get together inTthe Inn of the Seventy-Seven Clocks.
Excerpt
The doorbell sounded once, twice. Now who in God's name could be calling at this hour of the night, Mrs. MCGovern asked herself. She was tempted to ignore it. Father Schmidtburger had warned her about answering the door late in the evening. Even though this was a Roman catholic rectory, the world was not the way it was when they were young, he had told Mrs. McGovern. It was only two years ago that Father Arey had been murdered in cold blood in his rectory in St. Joseph's.
Soldier's Gap is a non-traditional mystery with literary elements. The high school principal is brutally murdered, but Deputy Sheriff Dave Jenkins's search for meaning and love is a much more significant theme.
"Murder isn't usually this fun
