In this first book, we meet Faith Fairchild, a mid 20s-something new mother of a four month old boy (Benjamin). Faith grew up in Manhattan. Her father is a minister and her mother is a lawyer. She moved when she married Tom Fairchild (also a minister) to Aleford, Massachusetts, a small town which is about as far from the hustle and bustle of her native New York as is possible – while only being a few hundred miles away. In New York, Faith had operated a catering business, “Have Faith”, but since her move to Aleford and her new baby, she has not yet re-started her business (although she plans to do so soon.)
The book opens with Faith, carrying Benjamin in a snuggie, climbing the highest hill in the town to the belfry seeking a peaceful place to eat her bagged lunch. There Faith discovers the murdered body of Cindy Sheppard slumped over on a bench. Faith does the logical thing and rings the town’s bell (an act which in itself upsets some of the town’s old-timers). The town’s police force responds, and the whodunit begins.
It turns out that Cindy was one of the least-liked, or some might say most-hated, young women in the town. Cindy had a very mean streak and most of the women and many of the men in Aleford had one reason or another to want Cindy out of the way. Just what I like: plenty of suspects!
Since Faith has yet to re-start her catering business and finds life a little slow in Aleford, Faith (naturally!) gets involved in trying to solve the mystery. Let’s face it >>> she found the body so she is already in the middle of the investigation (at least she thinks so.)
The Body in the Belfry is a very satisfying Cozy Mystery read. Being an “early” modern Cozy, it has several themes (for example, minister’s wife and culinary), but it does not dwell on them to the point of having the themes dominate the sleuthing. Aleford provides a nice small community with a number of eccentric (but not “zany”) characters. The people are richly drawn, providing a very interesting Cozy background for the mystery. And, Faith travels back to New York and to her aunt’s house in New Jersey for a few days which provides a nice, temporary change of scene.
Faith has a “small but adequate” trust fund from her grandfather. Although her new husband, Tom, normally does not want her to spend the money, Faith has re-done her kitchen to bring it up to her high standards and to get it ready for her to start her “Have Faith” catering company again.
The Body in the Belfry is a great start to the Faith Fairchild series. The series, which began in 1990, is still going strong with the 2016 release of The Body in the Wardrobe, the 23rd book in the series. I know I’m not alone in saying: Here’s hoping Katherine Hall Page keeps this series going for another 23 books!
If you’re interested in seeing more highlights of some of the most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Nancy says
First- rate series. Consistently good.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, you aren’t kidding! You know when you start one of her mysteries that you’re going to be reading a good, first-rate book.
stellans says
We moved to Jakarta, Indonesia in early 1995; my youngest child and I came back Stateside after school was out to do some shopping to take back overseas, and at the top of my list were books. Paperbacks, because I could get more in my trunk weight-wise than with hardbacks.
At this point in my life, I was mostly reading historical novels, some fantasy, some science fiction, and police/private eye type mysteries, but the detailed mayhem was starting to get to me. I was talking to the guy in my favorite little bookstore (now sadly out of business, thanks to Borders, but so are they now as well…). Anyway, he recommended something he called “cozies.” This was new to me, and when he said think “Agatha Christie and Miss Marple,” I was sold!
Elizabeth Daniels Squire, Gillian Roberts, Carolyn Hart, Joan Hess, Jean Hager and Katherine Hall Page are some of the ones I remember best, and still love today. Their way of writing made me want to make friends with their protagonists: go to their towns, to stay in their B&Bs, buy and discuss books with them, eat in their restaurants, and just plain get to know them.
TL;DR – I really like Katherine Hall Page’s books, and like you, hope she writes many more!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stellans, thank you for posting this comment. (I had to look up “TL;DR” in the urban dictionary, and I disagree >>> your comment is not too long to read!
Lane says
Wow, love your post. Great response to a fantastic review.
Thank you so much for the names of your favorite cozy authors. Gives me a nice list to check out.
Susan says
Great review, Danna. A new book and author for me. 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I hope you enjoy her books as much as I do.
Ruth says
I clearly remember reading the first book and having read the last I found I enjoyed it as much or even more than the first one Here’s hoping she’s writing the next one. while I’m here I’d like to ask a question of fellow readers. Does anyone have suggestions about Napa or Napa Valley winery stories “the two I follow have ended. One was by M. Scott and the other was by an author from the bay area who doesn’t write books any more and had a very unusual name.
MJ says
Ruth,
I, too, enjoyed Michele Scott’s Nikki Sand series. I wish it would continue.
Try Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile series. Some stories are set in San Francisco and some are in Napa Valley. My favorite are the stories set in Napa Valley because it involves her zany family! The mysteries are always good and well written. If the ‘technical book binding jargon’ is off-putting, you can easily skip over it because it doesn’t compromise the story at all.
There’s a new series written by Carlene O’Neil, ‘Cypress Cove Mystery’ series. It involves two competing wineries. Only two books so far, but I’ve enjoyed them both.
Danna has several series set in CA on her state list, but it’s not broken down by region. My all time favorite is Earlene Fowler’s Benni Harper series set in CA coastal ranch country in mid California (not wine country).
Amy says
Nadine Nettman just started a new wine series. The first book was Decanting a Murder. Another author that I LOVE is Ellen Crosby and her Wine Country Mysteries. She has several books in the series. I’ve read all of them and loved them. Nothing new had come out in several years – except she has a new one coming out later this year. You can find them on Amazon.com.
Susan* says
I only have a couple of these, but while they’re not favourites, they’re not bad. Lol!
One thing I must give Ms Page credit for is that she does manage to find something / somewhere unusual for her books. In the above mentioned first one, it’s an old bell located on a hill. (Warning bell? I’m not American, so I can only imagine / assume.)
In ‘The Body in the Bonfire’, there is, literally, a huge bonfire. A college celebration of some kind. Again an unusual element for non-Americans. (And possibly for some Americans as well.)
It’s not always a place. One book traces an old murder, through an ancient diary…
There’s always some kind of quirk, somewhere, and it definitely makes for interesting. Well Done, Ms Page.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, that’s a good point – an interesting hook, whether a great location or another unique element, can definitely make a Cozy much more memorable!
Carolyn says
I have read all her books & look forward eagerly to each new one. Love these books, they are always interesting & involving. Every time I pick up a new one I feel like I am visiting old friends, and enjoy reading and catching up with all her friends & relatives, as well as enjoying a great mystery.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carolyn, it’s always great to know that you’ll have a series you love and can enjoy looking forward to.
Sharon says
Thank you, Danna. Great review. I’m not familiar with this author, but I look forward to her The Body in the Belfry. I’ve ordered it from my library.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, one of the good things with the Faith Fairchild series is that with so many books already out, you will have a lot to enjoy if you like it!
Margaret StashEmpress says
Another old favorite series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret StashEmpress, hard to believe how long ago 1990 is, at least for me. Surely an “old” favorite now.