The Body in the Birches: A Faith Fairchild Mystery

Set on Sanpere, a resort island off the Maine coast, Page’s winning 22nd Faith Fairchild mystery (after 2013’s The Body in the Piazza) centers on who will inherit the Birches, a summer “cottage” built in the late 19th century by Josiah and Eleanor Proctor, the great-grandparents of Sophie Maxwell. A year after the death of Sophie’s childless great-aunt, Priscilla McAllister, the prospective heirs are summoned to the Birches by Sophie’s great-uncle-in-law, Paul McAllister. Per his late wife’s request, Paul must decide which Proctor descendant will get the grand house. Could the death of the Birches’ housekeeper, Bev, be related to the fierce competition among the family for Paul’s favor? Meanwhile, caterer Faith, her minister husband, and their two children are summering on Sanpere. When 15-year-old Ben Fairchild, for whom Sophie once babysat, unwittingly puts her life in grave danger, the stakes—and the suspense—rise. Tasty recipes round out the volume. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (May)