J. R. Mathis

Ten years ago, his wife died in his arms. God saved him for Himself. Now, he wants his first love to catch her killer. Father Tom Greer is playing with fire. Tom Greer left Myerton six months after his wife Joan’s death, determined to leave the painful memories behind. Ten years later, now-Father Tom Greer returns for a four-month assignment as the temporary pastor of Saint Clare's Parish in Myerton. His only desire is to serve God's people quietly then leave again. But the past won't leave Father Tom alone… When he uncovers Joan’s long-buried secrets--secrets he believes point to her killer--Father Tom seeks help from the local police. But Detective Helen Parr is a woman he once loved--and whose heart he broke twenty years before. She refuses to reopen the investigation, so Father Tom turns to an ambitious reporter with her own agenda. When the reporter winds up dead, he must work with Helen to catch her killer--and potentially Joan’s. But Father Tom has secrets of his own, secrets about the night his wife was murdered. The closer he gets to the truth, the closer gets to confronting what he’s avoided for ten years… His own guilt. Don’t miss this first book in a new murder mystery thriller series in the tradition of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, introducing Father Tom Greer, a 21st Century Father Brown. Now includes a preview of The Framed Father, Book 2 of The Father Tom Mysteries! Free, Murder, Mystery, Contemporary, Small Town, Forbidden Romance, Taboo, Priest, Amateur Sleuth, Woman Detective, Catholic Church, Celibacy, Sierra Simone, Father Brown, Platonic Friendships, Second-Chance, Body Positive, Cold Case, Mental Illness, Bipolar Disorder, Family Secrets

A Free Contemporary Small Town Murder Mystery Thriller Introducing Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr

The Penitent Priest

Susan Mathis

Enjoy This Contemporary Small Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series ﻿ I take his head in my hands and force him to look at me. “Nate,” I say again, this time more forcefully, “where did all this blood come from?” This seems to get through, and his unseeing eyes struggle to focus on mine as one whispered word escapes his lips. “Her.” When the body of Ashley Becket is found naked, tied up, and butchered in Nate Rodriguez’s bed, Father Tom can’t believe the young man’s responsible. Then, it’s discovered Ashley was a prostitute . . . and Nate was a frequent customer. As the rumors fly around Saint Clare’s and the gamer group fractures, Father Tom finds himself trying to keep his parish together and repair Nate’s relationship with Gladys. He soon discovers that Nate is keeping a huge secret from the woman he loves--a secret that led him to hire Ashley in the first place. Then, Gladys finds evidence that points away from Nate--and to someone who couldn’t possibly be responsible. Because, after all, Richard Davenport is safely behind bars . . . The Perfect Patsy is the ninth book in The Father Tom Mysteries series, a contemporary small town mystery series. It features Father Tom Greer, a Catholic Priest who is also an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Father Brown. If you enjoy the works of Rhys Dylan, Andrew Mayne, and Mary Stone, you will enjoy this novel.

A Contemporary Small Town Amateur Sleuth Murder Mystery

The Perfect Patsy

A Small-Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Romance Series boxset This is a boxset of books 7-9 in The Father Tom Mysteries. Meet Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr, former lovers reunited after twenty years, as they solve crimes old and new--and explore the profound mysteries of the human heart. The Purloined Paintings (Book 7)--Detective Helen Parr is recovering from being shot in Leslie Williams’ basement and is anxious to get back to work. With the police department in the hands of Acting Chief Detective Dan Conway, Father Tom Greer is determined that his fiance follows her doctor’s orders and rests. All that’s needed for this to happen is for life to be quiet and peaceful. But this is Myerton, and this town nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland is far from quiet and peaceful. First comes the murder of Bethany Grable, owner of The Painted Lotus art gallery and old friend of Father Tom. Dan’s convinced she was the victim of a robbery gone wrong. Father Tom, on the other hand, is not so sure. Then comes the wave of overdose deaths of young students at Myer College. Someone is selling fentanyl at prices college kids can afford. They’re all art majors, and all of them happen to have had pieces displayed in Bethany’s gallery. Coincidence? Or is there a connection between the ODs and Bethany Grable’s murder? And if so, what is the connection? Father Tom decides to try to find out for himself who killed his old friend and why. But doing so could put the life of a young man in danger, and irreparably harm his friendship with Dan. Along the way, Father Tom learns that Helen wasn’t the only person wounded in that basement . . . The Slain Saint (Book 8)--When a beloved older priest is found murdered in the Rectory's guest room, Father Tom and Helen try to find the person who wanted him dead. But they find that even saints have secrets . . . and those secrets may have gotten him killed. The Perfect Patsy (Book 9)--When the body of Ashley Becket is found naked, tied up, and butchered in Nate Rodriguez’s bed, Father Tom can’t believe the young man’s responsible. Then, it’s discovered Ashley was a prostitute . . . and Nate was a frequent customer. As the rumors fly around Saint Clare’s and the gamer group fractures, Father Tom finds himself trying to keep his parish together and repair Nate’s relationship with Gladys. He soon discovers that Nate is keeping a huge secret from the woman he loves--a secret that led him to hire Ashley in the first place. Then, Gladys finds evidence that points away from Nate--and to someone who couldn’t possibly be responsible. Because, after all, Richard Davenport is safely behind bars . . . The Father Tom Mysteries, Books 7-9 is the third book in The Father Tom Mysteries Boxset series, a contemporary small town mystery series. It features Father Tom Greer, a Catholic Priest who is also an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Father Brown. If you enjoy the works of Rhys Dylan, Andrew Mayne, and Mary Stone, you will enjoy this novel.

A Contemporary Small Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Boxset

The Father Tom Mysteries: Books 7-9

Enjoy this Contemporary Small-Town Murder Mystery Featuring A Unique Sleuthing Couple There are few things worse than the loss of a child. When Sally Mayfield, Vincent Trent’s fiance, has a miscarriage, their grief is palpable. As a priest, it’s my job to comfort in times of loss like this. But Sally didn’t simply have a miscarriage. Blood tests find an abortion-inducing drug in her system. Vincent is hurt and angry. Sally swears she didn’t take anything, and claims someone must have given her the drug without her knowledge or consent. Not only that, she points the finger at the one person she can think of who hated her baby so much. Her own mother, Samantha. Under the fetal homicide law, the death of Sally’s unborn baby at fourteen weeks isn’t murder. But the stabbing death of her mother definitely is. Now, the grief-stricken father stands accused. Everyone who knows Vincent says he couldn’t possibly be guilty. I firmly believe that he’s innocent. But I’ve been wrong before . . . There are few things worse than the loss of a child. When she loses her baby and an abortion-inducing drug is found in her system, Sally points the finger at her mother, Samantha. After Sally secretly records her mom admitting to slipping her the drug without her knowledge or consent, I have no choice but to arrest her. In doing so, I ignite a controversy that threatens to divide our small community–a controversy fanned by Samantha herself, who twists the facts to her own advantage. It doesn’t help that the woman’s an old friend of my boss, the Mayor. The case against Samantha falls apart due to lack of evidence. Soon after, she’s found dead in her home, stabbed to death. Vincent Trent is identified as the young man seen running from the scene. I have no choice but to arrest him. The evidence is circumstantial, but damning. In my heart, I know he’s innocent. But proving that is another story . . . The Heavy Hearts is book ten in The Mercy and Justice Mysteries, a contemporary small town mystery series. The series is a sequel to The Father Tom Mysteries that begins with The Penitent Priest and includes the same cast of characters. It features Father Tom Greer, a Catholic Priest who is also an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Father Brown, and his wife Helen Greer, female Chief of Police and detective in the tradition of Kinsey Millhone. If you enjoy the works of Rhys Dylan, Andrew Mayne, and Mary Stone, you will enjoy this novel.

A Contemporary Small Town New Adult Murder Mystery

The Heavy Hearts

A Small-Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Romance Series My wife’s killer finally caught, I was content to leave Myerton to serve in the isolation of the same monastery where I found my call to the priesthood. The temptations of the past still occupy my mind, but behind these walls I’m safe from them. A call from the Archbishop sends me back to Saint Clare’s, to find out if a young priest has broken his vows.Confident I’ll find nothing wrong, I’m content to return. Then a young woman is murdered, and the priest stands accused. Helen is on the case, and I must work with her again to find the truth. But the feelings we left unspoken before are harder to avoid, and I find my heart struggling with my head. Can I save a young man’s life without risking my soul? Keywords: Murder, Mystery, Contemporary, Small Town, Forbidden Romance, Taboo, Priest, Amateur Sleuth, Woman Detective, Prostitution, Catholic Church, Celibacy, Father Brown, Platonic Friendships, Second-Chance, Suicide, Family Secrets Authors: G.K. Chesterton, Louise Penny, Melissa Storm, Solomon Carter, Veronica Black, Levi Fuller, Christy Barritt, Dominika Best, Willow Rose, Clare Chase, Sage Parker,

A Contemporary Small Town Murder Mystery Romance

The Framed Father

A Small-Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Romance Series Boxset The Reluctant Rector is a boxset of the first three books in The Father Tom Mysteries. Meet Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr, former lovers reunited after twenty years, as they solve crimes old and new--and explore the profound mysteries of the human heart. The Penitent Priest (Book 1)--My wife died in my arms, the victim of a nameless killer's bullet. I should have died with her. But God had other plans for me. Fifteen years later, I'm back where it all happened. I just want to forget, but the past won't leave me alone. Now, I'm asking a woman who I left broken-hearted twenty years before to catch my wife's killer. I'm Father Tom Greer, a Catholic priest, and I'm playing with fire. The Framed Father (Book 2)--My wife’s killer finally caught, I was content to leave Myerton to serve in the isolation of the same monastery where I found my call to the priesthood. The temptations of the past still occupy my mind, but behind these walls I’m safe from them. A call from the Archbishop sends me back to Saint Clare’s, to find out if a young priest has broken his vows. Confident I’ll find nothing wrong, I’m content to return. Then a young woman is murdered, and the priest stands accused. Helen is on the case, and I must work with her again to find the truth. But the feelings we left unspoken before are harder to avoid, and I find my heart struggling with my head. Can I save a young man’s life without risking my soul? The Redemptive Return (Book 3)--My faith lies in tatters after the events of the summer. I’ve neglected my prayers. I’ve avoided my priestly duties. I am questioning everything about myself--except my feelings for Helen. When my estranged sister goes missing, I fly home to look for her--with Helen surprising me on the plane. My sister’s dead when I arrive. I’m too late to save her. But I swear to find her killer. But emotions are fragile things, and in the depths of my despair, my love for Helen bursts forth in a grief fueled frenzy of passion and longing. In coming home, what have I found--my damnation, or my redemption? Keywords: Murder, Mystery, Contemporary, Small Town, Forbidden Romance, Taboo, Priest, Amateur Sleuth, Woman Detective, Catholic Church, Celibacy, Father Brown, Platonic Friendships, Second-Chance, Suicide, Family Secrets, Later-in-life, box set, boxset, anthology, collection, church sex scandal, cold case, human trafficking, prostitution Authors: G.K. Chesterton, Louise Penny, Melissa Storm, Solomon Carter, Veronica Black, Levi Fuller, Christy Barritt, Dominika Best, Willow Rose, Clare Chase, Sage Parker,

A Contemporary Small-Town Mystery Romance Boxset

The Reluctant Rector: The Father Tom Mysteries Books 1-3

When his sister is murdered, Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr are plunged into the seedy world of human trafficking to find her killer. Doing so puts them both in mortal danger as they seek to break up an organization intent on exploiting young women. But that’s the least of their problems. The six months since Father Leonard’s suicide have left Father Tom an emotional and spiritual wreck. He’s neglected his duties in the parish. He’s alienated most of the members of his congregation. His secretary and ex-mother-in-law Anna is increasingly worried about him. His prayer life is non-existent. Increasingly, he’s questioning his very calling to the priesthood, even the very existence of God. The only thing he’s not questioning? His growing love for Helen. After a frantic late-night call from his estranged sister begging for his help, his mother informs him his sister is missing. Tom and Helen travel together to his Florida hometown to search for her. But his sister’s already dead, murdered, his boyhood friend the local Sheriff says, as part of a drug deal gone wrong. But something doesn’t ring true about the story. For one thing, Tom’s sister was found miles from where she apparently called him. For another, Tom’s convinced that his old friend the Sheriff is hiding something. With these doubts in mind, Father Tom and Helen work to unravel the mysteries surrounding his sister’s life and how they led to her murder. With help from Helen’s assistant, the precocious genius Gladys Finklestein, they uncover a human trafficking ring and go undercover for answers. But a brief explosion of grief-fueled passion in an old cabin during a Florida thunderstorm complicates things, as Father Tom and Helen are finally forced to confront the most profound mystery of all. The mystery of love and friendship. Murder, Mystery, Contemporary, Small Town, Forbidden Romance, Taboo, Priest, Amateur Sleuth, Woman Detective, Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Catholic Church, Celibacy, Theology of the Body, Sierra Simone, Father Brown, Platonic Friendships Second-Chance, Body Positive

J. R. Mathis

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