Double Indemnity

In this lackluster mystery from Whitlow (Relative Justice), a pastor gets drawn into the orbit of a fractious, resentful couple with some troubling secrets. Matt and Elena Thompson’s luxury lifestyle might look enviable—big house, designer clothes—but marital troubles lurk beneath the surface, as do money problems and suspicions of infidelity. As the couple turns to pastor Connor Grantham for marriage counseling, Elena privately seeks legal advice in case things unravel—and her meeting with an attorney turns up some questionable details. A few weeks later, Matt is killed in what’s ostensibly a hunting accident. Connor becomes a person of interest because of his presence nearby at the time of Matt’s death, stirring up problems for him at the church where he pastors, and leaving him and Elena to clear his name. While fans of Christian inspirational thrillers will find plenty to enjoy (including a few biblical parables), the uneven pacing and lack of tension make this tough to stick with. Readers won’t miss much by taking a pass. (June)

Correction: An earlier version of this review contained an incorrect plot point.