[S] Don’t Upstage the Body
The fourth novel from Naomi Stephens, Don’t Upstage the Body is a witty Christian mystery that follows the Halfpennys, a family of actors who make their living as professional mourners. Their gig at reclusive Lord Basil Montfort’s service takes an especially dramatic turn when Hippolyta Halfpenny discovers another body than that of the deceased. Hippolyta joins forces with the lord’s son, Crispin, to uncover the killer hiding among them.
Set in 1957 England, Don’t Upstage the Body utilizes a classic mystery setup: The Halfpennys, the Montfort family, a vicar and other characters are confined in an isolated manor located 10 miles from any neighbors. Following the funeral, a storm floods the roads, marooning the attendees—the killer among them. This increases tension and creates a high-stakes environment.
Stephens’ characters are unique and engaging. Herbert, the Halfpenny patriarch, is struggling under the crushing weight of having lost his wife, who was his partner in business and artistic pursuits. Hippolyta’s youngest sibling, Tybalt, is a prankster who delights in finding props for the characters he is assigned. Crispin, now the Earl of Montfort, comes off as observant and determined to Hippolyta, but is reputed to be a gambler and partygoer. The growing chemistry between the two, evident in their banter, enlivens the novel.
The exploration of grief and how it impacts the characters’ lives adds depth to the story. Crispin is trying to come to terms with the pain caused by his late father’s lack of affection. Hippolyta wishes she did not have to pretend to be someone she isn’t, but she worries that if she left the family business, her father would be overcome by grief and fall apart like he did after the death of her mother. Readers will appreciate how this emotional backdrop plays into the characters’ decisions as they work to solve the intriguing mystery.
Where Wilted Flowers Bloom
Johanna Rojas Vann’s Where Wilted Flowers Bloom, is a hopeful and moving novel chronicling one woman’s move with her family from New York City to Nashville, Tennessee, for a fresh start following the devastating death of her infant daughter.
Sandra was an advertising professional in the big city, but now that her husband, Aaron, has been transferred to his company’s Nashville office, she’s transitioning to stay-at-home motherhood, parenting her two kids, Ezra and Rebekah. Their Nashville home should be a dream come true, but Sandra is reeling from grief, which makes the struggle to settle in to a new environment even more difficult. Sandra forms a friendship with her neighbor, Mark, a former pastor and widower. Through their conversations, Rojas Vann explores the value of community and the role of faith in navigating loss.
Where Wilted Flowers Bloom is authentic in its portrayal of faith and spiritual growth. Mark helps Sandra integrate her Christian faith into her life, though faith is not a quick solution for the pain she is battling. Sandra’s breakthroughs are gradual, as Mark helps her discover her unique gifts, such as her inner strength and nurturing ability as a mother, even when she feels broken.
All of the characters’ relationships are complex, marked by love, emotional vulnerability and pain. Sandra’s mother and sister are present in her life, providing invaluable support. Yet Sandra’s bond with Mark offers relief and insight that Sandra has been unable to accept from her own family. The book also explores the impact of the tragic loss on Sandra and Aaron’s relationship, and how their marriage is affected by grief.
Change and transition are skillfully woven into the plot, bringing about growth and restoration. Sandra’s shift to life at home is initially jarring, but she later learns to find fulfillment in family and community. Mark is navigating a transition from being a community leader to retirement and dealing with the changes of aging. Through these experiences, beauty and hope slowly emerge and begin to bloom for both characters in this raw and affecting novel.