A Wasp in the Beehive (The Brigid Reardon Mysteries)
In 1881, Brigid Reardon is newly settled into the Cutter home in Salt Lake City after leaving Cheyenne, where she left her brother Seamus, and the love of her life, Padraic, ranching on the Great Plains in Wyoming. She’s working in the Deseret (honey bee) Bookstore, exactly what suits her, and the owner, Mr. Cutter, a wealthy Saint and respected figurehead, has offered her room and board in his extravagant home. Upon first arriving at the house, she was a little taken aback by Mr. Cutter’s five wives and seven children, with number eight on the way. But Brigid, a devout Catholic, looks objectively at life as a plural wife. The Cutter wives are unfailingly welcoming and kind, and there’s a lot to take in about the unique customs and culture of the Latter-Day Saints. Brigid diligently reads The Book of Mormon, at the Cutters’ request. She respectfully reasons for us that this is not the life she would want, and many precepts are strange to her, which has her longing for Padraic even more. She is sure she couldn’t share him with others. The shocking murder of Mr. Cutter brings utter chaos, as the wives rely heavily on Brigid for support.
Logue’s third cosy mystery is a female-oriented story, but not at all one of repression or resentment. Cutter’s wives are happy with their lot and grateful for each other’s companionship, and there are good comparisons drawn between their personalities as Brigid learns their individual strengths. Brigid develops maturity and confidence as she reconciles her own faith and ideas with Mormonism. Her journey from Ireland to escape the Great Famine has been long and eventful, but so far, she has been unable to settle. Apart from some instances of stiff dialogue, I enjoyed this leisurely uncomplicated read and look forward to following Brigid west.
