Liesa Malik

Daisy Arthur is an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax, although much younger. Widowed and prematurely retired special education teacher Daisy casts about for a new avocation. She tries writing fiction, but real life holds more drama than her budding romance novel when murder strikes her writing group. Everyone has a motivation to kill. Even Daisy falls under the suspicion of handsome police officer Gabe. Faith on the Rocks is a debut mystery by Liesa Malik. The title and subject - a murdered priest with a tainted reputation – had me wondering what the focus of the story would be. Happily, the mystery is the heart of the novel. There is no agenda here as Malik presents good people of faith, including a kindly priest, to balance out the bad. The addition of a special needs character, and Daisy’s experience as a special education teacher, give the story added depth. I enjoyed the cast of characters, some with poignant stories and others providing comic relief. I didn’t know what to expect from this new author, and I was rewarded with a fun summer read.

… (altro)