by Debbie Viguié A charity event goes horribly awry when Cindy Preston finds a body in the home of the man behind the highly publicized affair. Joseph Tyler’s idea of providing homeless people with rescue dogs to love and care for seems like a good thing, until the animals’ new owners start turning up dead, and their adopted pets disappear.
Never a risk taker, and not one who thrives on an abundance of excitement, Cindy had only just begun to relax after her last encounter with murder. (A few months earlier, she’d discovered a body in the sanctuary of the church where she worked as a secretary.) Much against her will, she finds herself inexorably drawn into this new murder investigation, which seems somehow tied to the dogs Joseph gave away at the Animals to the Rescue event.
The only good Cindy can find in the unwelcome turn of events is that it puts her back in touch with Jeremiah, the rabbi from the synagogue next door to her own church. They had worked together on the earlier murder case, and Jeremiah—not eager to get involved, for reasons of his own—reluctantly steps in to help her again.
Trouble is, neither of them are seeing any kind of sense in the murders and dognappings. Not all of the canines are purebreds, so the whole doggie value thing goes right out the window. And besides, they quickly realize the killer is releasing the animals soon after they’re taken. Yet, someone is murdered every time a dog is stolen. What is the elusive connection?
Cindy and Jeremiah follow the skimpy clues, hoping to bring the criminal to justice and stop the killing, even as Cindy grows close to a couple of homeless individuals, and Jeremiah fights health difficulties.
I Shall Not Want is the second book in the Psalm 23 Mysteries. It offers a touch of humor, a hint of romance, a suggestion of religion, and a large serving of suspense. Ms. Viguié knows how to plant a clue. She’s obviously familiar with what makes a mystery mysterious. What she finally reveals is an ingenious new spin on an all-too-familiar crime.
Having missed Book One in this series, I was relieved to find that this story works well on it own. Viguié does a good job of drawing the reader in, and making him/her a part of the story. A distinctive writing voice, delivered with wit and sensitivity, make for an interesting, easy-to-read storyline. She handles an often controversial subject with delicacy and humor, while still managing to shine a light on the hardships of living on the street. Nicely done.
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