Publisher's Weekly Review

Set in Newark, Del., this well-paced series launch from Bradley (Dead Air) opens at the home of Robbie Reynolds, the self-proclaimed king of Newark real estate, whose corpse lies stretched out on a black leather sofa, a blood-soaked loaf of bread resting on his chest, while the police finish up their inspection of the crime scene. Episcopal priest Candice Miller is there to provide comfort to the dead man's grieving family. But the strangeness of the bloodied loaf niggles "at the dark recesses of her mind." Meanwhile, Brian Wilder, the owner, editor, and only full-time reporter for a struggling local newspaper, also investigates. In the following days, a teenage girl and a young mother are found dead in similar circumstances. Are these deaths related to some sort of religious ritual, or is there another motivation for the crimes? The tension rises as both Candice and Brian realize they each have secrets that could make them targets for a serial killer. With so few suspects, veteran mystery readers will have little trouble figuring out whodunit, and some will wonder how Candace and Brian, both deeply damaged people, will be able to continue to function in the future. Not everyone will look forward to their return. (July)