Never Preach Past Noon

Saints, sinners, and snoops!

Leigh Koslow's thrice-married Aunt Bess always was the black sheep of the family. That's why when Bess breaks her ankle falling down a flight of stairs in the middle of the night, Leigh isn't too surprised to discover that the stairs were someone else's. But when she discovers that the stairs belonged to Bess's happily wedded pastor, and that his house was burning down at the time, she can't help but be concerned.

The First Church of the New Millennium has problems -- and Bess, with Leigh as her reluctant aide, is intent on solving them. Is the charismatic reverend Reginald Humphrey a saint among men, or a soulless con artist? With arson, burglary, and a possible abduction on the bulletin, Leigh enlists the aid of her favorite detective, Maura Polanski, to keep her aunt from becoming the next offering. But Bess isn't one to give up on a good cause, even when the postlude is murder.

"A very well told story with a great deal going on... if you enjoy light mysteries with lots of puzzles, you will enjoy this book." --I Love a Mystery

"The slightly cynical Leigh and her persistent Aunt Bess are engaging characters that add to the charm of the book." --Romantic Times

"Edie Claire is a bright new mystery writer who appears already to be a master of characterization...The fast-paced story line retains a serious tone with humorous interludes to ease the tension and turn the sleuthing relatives into real people. NEVER PREACH PAST NOON is a winning amateur sleuth tale that showcases a new talent." --Midwest Book Review

"This is a tough one to put down." --Pittsburgh Magazine

Originally published in mass market paperback by NAL/Penguin, Putnam, Inc. in 2000.