TRIED BY FIRE

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By William J. Bennett, Thomas Nelson Books $32.99

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Bill Bennett makes clear his intention at the outset that “it is time to tell more fully this bloody part of the church’s story.” So readers should not be surprised to find that the persecutors of the early church resembles greatly today’s ISIS. Bennett illustrates this early history “through the lives of the most compelling figures in the first millennium after Christ.” Included are St. Paul, Constantine, Augustine, Jerome and many others. And, the many martyrs who willingly died for their faith. The apostle Peter, addressing a church suffering persecution urged, “the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” This is a wonderful and illuminating book, easily accessible by all.

NO SHREAD OF EVIDENCE

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By Charles Todd, William Morrow $25.99

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The talented mother and son team writing as Charles Todd have created another puzzling mystery featuring Inspector Ian Rutledge. When four young, respectable women are seen struggling with a man in their small boat, a local farmer dives in to assist, but later accuses the women of attempted murder. The Scotland Yard inspector assigned to the case soon suffers a suspected heart attack and is replaced by inspector Ian Rutledge who finds the accusing farmer hard pressed to deal with and begins his investigation by looking for clues in a much older case. 

 ANOTHER ONE GOES TONIGHT

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By Peter Lovesey, Soho Crime $27.95

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Author Lovesey is one of the brightest lights in police procedural novels and this one, his 16th in his Peter Diamond series, is one of his best. Inspector Diamond is called on to investigate the auto crash of a police car on an emergency call. One cop is dead, the other unconscious in the hospital. Diamond discovers still another victim, a senior citizen who had operated a motorized tricycle and who had lain, unseen, on the side of the road for hours. Diamond administers CPR and has the man hospitalized. As his investigation continues, however, Diamond believes he may have saved the life of a serial killer.