The Body in the Birches: A Faith Fairchild Mystery

Written by Katherine Hall Page

Narrated by Tanya Eby

The twenty-third book in the popular Faith Fairchild mystery series, this time returning to Sanpere Island, Maine.

The Fourth of July is one of the hottest on record and even the breeze off Penobscot Bay can’t seem to cool things down for Faith Fairchild and the rest of the folks on Sanpere Island. But the fireworks are just beginning. After the celebrations are over, Faith discovers a body in the woods near The Birches, an early twentieth-century “cottage.”

The body is identified as The Birches’ housekeeper, who seems to have succumbed to a heart attack. The death is only one of the dramatic events upending the historic house. A family gathering has been called to decide who will inherit the much loved, and very valuable, estate that has been in the Proctor family for generations. With this much money involved, it’s just a matter of time before trouble arises.

Faith is juggling her own family problems. Her teenage son, Ben, has started a new job as a dishwasher at The Laughing Gull Lodge—learning things that could land him in very hot water. And her daughter Amy is worried about her new friend, Daisy Proctor. Daisy is terrified—convinced that someone is trying to eliminate her mother from getting a share of The Birches. To protect her children, Faith has to find a possible murderer—before he strikes too close to her own home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Sep 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9780063032071

Katherine Hall Page

Katherine Hall Page is the author of twenty-five previous Faith Fairchild mysteries, the first of which received the Agatha Award for best first mystery. The Body in the Snowdrift was honored with the Agatha Award for best novel of 2006. Page also won an Agatha for her short story “The Would-Be Widower.” The recipient of the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement, she has been nominated for the Edgar, the Mary Higgins Clark, the Maine Literary, and the Macavity awards. She lives in Massachusetts and Maine with her husband.

Reviews for The Body in the Birches

[marthahuntley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This prequel to The Body in the Belfry and the rest of the delightful Faith Fairchild mysteries, is a paean to NYC, and the city especially during the Christmas season. As a huge fan of the Big Apple, I loved every paragraph of The Body in the Big Apple - lots of local color and brand names of places one would like to be hanging out in December in the City. Faith Fairchild renews acquaintance with her long time, very wealthy friend Emma, now married to an up-and-coming politician. They meet at a dinner Faith is catering, and besides renewing their friendship, Emma asks Faith's advice and help about what one does when one is being blackmailed. Two murders and a couple of attempts later, Faith has cracked the case, as well as many an egg and whipping up other ingredients in her day job. It's a good read; highly recommended for all who love New York and intelligent, fun cozies.

[beth3511 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had everything I wanted in a summer story: big, rambling "cottages" on the Maine sea coast, with family and friends in and out all the time; a summer restaurant job; Fourth of July celebrations; a storm with a big build-up; a mix of locals and people from away.

[mmoj_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from Ellie Alexander, a mystery writer who was offering books in a contest she had.

Faith Fairchild is a caterer who's enjoying a summer vacation on Sanpere where she and her husband have a cottage but the cottage is being worked on so they are staying at a friends. She has two kids one of which is starting those "oh so fun for parents", teenage years. He's complaining about having to stay at the island but comes home one day to say he has a job. Faith is left to deal with the house and family while her husband goes to take care of his parents after his mother gets sick.

While hanging out Faith runs into Sophie who used to babysit for Faith's kids. Sophie is visiting because her aunt died and as part of her last wishes the family has gathered to have her Uncle Paul decide who would receive Birches, the family's cottage. Faith and the people she is staying with believe this can leave to problems, which it does. Each family member is trying to top the other in impressing Paul hoping to be the one to win. All that is except for Sophie who is only there at her parent's request. After Bev, a long time housekeeper suddenly dies of an apparent heart attack Sophie steps up to help with the management of the household. Faith feels bad for Sophie so brings food to help ease the burden. Meanwhile one of Ben's co-worker's, Mary, has disappeared after her violent father has died in a suspicious manner.

The way that Katherine Hall Page ties the story of Faith, Sophie and Mary works so well. I thought the story was great and I loved the characters. If you haven't read any of Katherine Hall Page's work, don't worry - while some of the other deaths/incidences are mentioned they don't confuse the reader or distract from this current story. Can't wait to read the previous books (and there's a lot, this is the 22nd in the series).

[marsap_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The 23rd book in the popular Faith Fairchild mystery series, the caterer and amateur sleuth is back at home on Sanpere Island, Maine, for the July 4th weekend. After the celebrations are over, Faith discovers a body in the woods near The Birches, an early twentieth-century “cottage.” The body is identified as The Birches’ housekeeper, who seems to have succumbed to a heart attack. The death is only one of the dramatic events upending the historic house. A family gathering has been called to decide who will inherit the much loved, and very valuable, estate that has been in the Proctor family for generations. This is a fun series—but not one of my favorites. I prefer the series when Faith is dealing more with her Massachusetts home and neighbors. Also, this really had little mystery—and much more family drama—but for those that enjoy the series will probably still enjoy. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.

[tututhefirst_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A murder mystery centered on a bizarre final bequest. As a result, Faith's vacation is anything but the restful sojourn she was hoping for.

[drled_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: It's supposed to be an idyllic summer on Sanpere, but the Fairchild's renovations still aren't finished and they are still living with Pix's mom. The owner of the Birches has invited all the relatives to his house to determine who will eventually inherit the estate; of course this leads to murder.Review: While the main character isn't involved directly in the solving of the murder, this is still a fairly good book to read. It was a bit confusing with the myriad of characters introduced.

[kremsa-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from the Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. After reading the description and the positive reviews I was looking forward to a good murder mystery. Several chapters into the story I was put off by the excessive chattiness. I plodded on thinking that the murder would spice things up but that was not to be. The mystery lost in all the attention paid to the family drama. I found that there were too many characters crammed into a relatively short space and I never connected with any of them. Overall I was greatly disappointed and found the novel to be quite boring. I also found the writing rather awkward.

[khiemstra631 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Faith's in Maine again for the summer, with husband Tom Fairchild back in Massachusetts with his ailing mother. Son Ben has his first job and his first love, both of which worry Faith. A remodeling project has Faith and her kids bunking with her friend Pix Miller's mother, Ursula at The Pines. Next door at The Birches, widower Paul must decide which of his wife's nieces or nephews should inherit the beloved summer home. Niece Sophie cooks all of the time while Faith cooks very little that summer. The big negative in the book for this reader was how long it took for any crime to be committed. For most of the book, the major mystery is who will inherit the neighbor's cottage. However, after a weak beginning and middle, I thought the book had a strong, dramatic finish. Fans will enjoy; others maybe not quite so much.