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Irene Allen: Elizabeth Elliot — Quaker
Veronica Black: Sister Joan — Catholic
Michelle Blake: The Tentmaker
Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy Schulz — Episcopal
Margaret Frazer: Sister Frevisse — medieval, Catholic
Kate Gallison: Mother Lavinia Grey — Episcopal
Paul L. Gaus: Ohio Amish community
Faye Kellerman: Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus — Orthodox Jewish
Laurie R. King: To Play the Fool, O Jerusalem
David Manuel: Faith Abbey — Christian, ecumenical
Charles Meyer: Rev. Lucas Holt — Episcopal
Sharan Newman: Catherine LeVendeur — medieval, Catholic
Sister Carol Anne O'Marie: Sister Mary Helen — Catholic
Ellis Peters: Brother Cadfael — medieval, Catholic
Father Brad Reynolds: Father Mark Townsend — Catholic
Peter Tremayne: Sister Fidelman—seventh century, Celtic Catholic
Years ago as a break from what I considered serious books, I began reading religious murder mysteries — ones that use religious settings or characters. Much to my surprise, that leisure reading quickly became a source of spiritual nurture and guidance. The characters in these books struggle with the same things I do. They are repeatedly forced to redefine for themselves, and for me, the boundaries between what is sacred and what is secular. And so this reading I once labeled "mind candy" has become an important part of my spiritual life. My Jewish, Amish, Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Celtic and Quaker mysteries encourage me to wrestle with my understandings of faith and religious practice. Here are some of my favorites and the themes you'll find within their covers.
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