Mysteries

The Lord's Prayer Mystery Series

Volume I

ISBN 978-1-60264-407-6 $14.95 (softcover)

Lead Us Not into Temptation

Arthur Blake, former NASA engineer turned minister, receives an emergency appointment to be pastor of the United Methodist Church in Parkville, a distant suburb of Chicago, following the bizarre sudden death of the church’s unusual former pastor. Pastor Blake’s attempts to unravel the mystery that shrouds his predecessor become involved with tracking the child of a possibly bigamous soldier in World War II England, art and jewelry treasures plundered by the Nazis and their sympathizers, and the eventual results of childhood sibling conflicts in combined families. Arthur’s allies in his investigation include Parkville Police Chief Bobby Andrews, County Medical Examiner Irma Custis, and the married team of Penny and Joe Gonzalez who work for a clandestine government agency. During the course of Lead Us Not into Temptation, the reader discovers how seemingly minor historical events lead to major present-day dislocations in church, village, and family relationships.

Review from the ReadWorthy Books Book Review Blog

"The hymn straggled to its raggedy conclusion..." leads us into this complex and satisfying tale. Arthur Blake is preaching to a tough audience at his new assignment, Parkville United Methodist Church. Lead Us Not into Temptation by Richard Davidson is an intricate tangle of genealogy, murder and morality. From Parkville, Illinois to war torn Germany the story moves with twists and turns that keep you turning the page.
Davidson uses Arthur's expertise as a former NASA engineer, his formidable logic, and his fascination with history to unravel the mystery of the skeletons in the closet of his new church. As the story unfolds, we meet a diverse cast of carefully drawn characters. How their decisions have impacted their lives and those of others hints at the consequences of succumbing to temptation. The novel touches on a number of moral and ethical dilemmas, from wartime romance to basic human greed.
The wealth of historical information provides a rich backdrop for this captivating tale. Thorough research is evident as the lives of a seemingly disparate cast of characters are artfully intertwined into a series of mysteries. Hats off to Mr. Davidson for a splendid first novel. I am looking forward to reading more of Pastor Blake's adventures in the future!

Reviewed by Carol Henderson, freelance writer.

Enjoy this Mystery Now!

Volume II

ISBN 978-0-9829160-0-1 $14.95 (softcover)

Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread

Arthur Blake, Pastor of Parkville United Methodist Church, has to deal with the aftereffects of a traumatic communion incident. He works to assist the authorities in investigating the cause while doing his best to convince members of his congregation that it is safe to return to church. Working with the police and federal agencies, he discovers that the terror of the initial event is minor compared with the potential chaotic impact of future disasters being planned by the perpetrator. Arthur works closely in the investigative process with Parkville Police Chief Bobby Andrews, County Medical Examiner Irma Custis, plus the married team of Penny and Joe Gonzalez, principal agents for a covert government agency. Together they seek to unmask the perpetrator and decipher his plans before they can be consummated. Formerly homeless veterans become an adjunct to the church community and contribute many valuable insights. The investigation is interwoven with several successful and failed romances that affect the final outcome.

Reviews, Endorsements, Comments:

Notes from the publisher: Three of our reviewers looked over "Give Us this Day"...and all three were hooked! They loved the story and read the entire book. One of the reviewers who is Methodist) said she is going to be a little nervous when she takes communion from now on!

From Fred Shafer, Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies: Your main character always fascinates me, in terms of his personality and beliefs, as well as the issues that are raised implicitly whenever he confronts a new problem or mystery. Since the narrators of mystery novels tend to be hard-boiled types with flawed personal histories, I've never encountered the possibilities raised by your narrator's life and background. They are an excellent case of how one of the basic plot forms can take on a new identity, in keeping with the author's choices...It has been a pleasure to read your work again and to be reminded of how well you integrate the world of the church with a compelling mystery.