REVIEW: After Church Mysteries by Will Martin

After Church Mysteries
Author: Will Martin

**I received a copy of this upcoming book via NetGalley in exhange for a fair, honest review**

Tired of his life as a pastor, Reverend Richard Burgess is eager to start a new career as a private investigator. Armed with a certificate from a fly-by-night PI course and a love for Robert B Parker's Spenser, Rev. Burgess finds himself in all sorts of new situations. This book is a collection of short chapters detailing the detective exploits of the retired reverend. Each time he finds himself faced with a new mystery, Burgess asks himself WWSD (What Would Spenser Do), and forges ahead.

A pastor as a detective is not a new idea, but Martin's book is an entertaining humor-filled peek into the life of a Spenser-loving retired clergyman. The story was enjoyable, although the writing at times was a bit rambling and apt to wander off plot a bit. It didn't hamper my enjoyment of the character and his adventures, however.  Mostly because the good reverend himself seems to be a rambling, apt to wander a bit off task, sort of person -- what's not to love? It made for an enjoyable afternoon of mystery and humor.

I would recommend another round of editing to tighten up the writing and plot a little. Not to fence in the rambling reverend, but to make it easier for readers to follow his adventures.

I would definitely like to read more about the adventures of this mystery-loving reverend. This is Will Martin's first book. I look forward to his second!

After Church Mysteries will release September 15th. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys detective novels with a splash of humor. WWSD? Spenser would read this book!

Will Martin is a retired minister living in New England. Check out his website: www.willmartinauthor.com