Travellin’ Shoes: An RJ Franklin Mystery

Early one morning, St. Joseph, Ind., police detective RJ Franklin, the narrator of this promising series debut from Burns (The Plot Is Murder), is out for a jog when he hears sirens and smells smoke. When he sees flames, he runs toward the source, which turns out to be the house of Thomas Warrendale, the choir director of First Baptist Church, which RJ sometimes attends. Inside, Warrendale is found dead; evidence at the scene suggests arson. The First Baptist pastor, Hilton Hamilton, informs RJ that Warrendale, who was a CPA, was looking into the possible embezzlement of church funds. Ella “Mama B” Bethany, a fellow parishioner, tells RJ that Warrendale was involved with several women from the church, but the real shocker comes when RJ learns that his real name was Tyrone Warren and he was married to a woman in Cleveland. RJ finds plenty of suspects, including the church financial secretary and Ty’s attractive widow, along the way to the satisfying ending. Burns nicely portrays the close-knit ties among the members of the vibrant church community. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary Agency. (July)