For Time and All Eternities by Mette Ivie Harrison, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Linda Wallheim, the wife of a Mormon bishop, adores of her family which includes five grown sons. She is also committed to her faith, but not without some serious questions about the laws of her church. Her son, Kenneth, has recently severed his membership from the Mormon Church and has just become engaged to Naomi Carter, one of the daughters of a polygamous family. The Mormon Church had disavowed polygamy years ago, but for some Latter Day Saints plural marriage was handed down by God and is still a part of their belief. Such is the case of Stephen Carter, Naomi’s father, and patriarch of the Carter clan. Naomi wants Linda and her husband Kurt to meet her parents (her mother being Stephen’s first wife) and her whole family, consisting of four other wives and twenty-two children. Plus, being told of Linda’s investigative talents by Kenneth, Naomi wants Linda to observe and ascertain if one of her younger sisters is being abused.

Linda and Kurt agree to meet Kenneth’s future in-laws and find themselves not only confronted with a life-style in which they did not agree, but a tense argumentative family festering under the surface. Kurt, not wishing to listen to or be a part of the antagonistic surrounding decided to leave the compound. Linda, having promised Naomi she would observe the young child, would not leave with Kurt. Although she was unable find any evidence of abuse, she had a strong feeling that something was wrong. She couldn’t determine off hand just what was wrong and while she was investigating the wives separate homes on the Carter compound, Stephen was murdered: a kitchen knife plunged into his chest. The wives refused to call the police as they knew one of the wives would be arrested. Although Linda knew they were breaking the law, she abided by their rules in hopes that she could identify the killer and bring the person to justice.

For Time and All Eternities is the third mystery in this series by Mette Ivie Harrison and brings into the story the complexities of modern Mormon life. Linda is a level-headed woman and while her faith is sometimes fragile she tries to make compromises. On the other hand Kurt is more inflexible in his interpretations of their faith. Linda sometimes worries that their love will not strong enough to overcome their differences. Though a bit uneven in places, especially in terms of Linda’s investigation, on balance, this is a unique and interesting murder mystery.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of For Time and All Eternities.

Acknowledgment: Soho Press provided a copy of For Time and All Eternities for this review.

For Time and All Eternities

A Linda Wallheim Mystery by Mette Ivie Harrison