Pricing
Paperback $9.99
More books by Mette Ivie Harrison
Suggested Reading
Description
Linda Wallheim is a devout Mormon, mother of five boys and wife of a bishop. But Linda is increasingly troubled by her church’s structure and secrecy, especially as a disturbing situation takes shape in her ward. Young wife and mother Carrie Helm has disappeared. Carrie’s husband, Jared, claims that she has abandoned the family, but L...
Linda Wallheim is a devout Mormon, mother of five boys and wife of a bishop. But Linda is increasingly troubled by her church’s structure and secrecy, especially as a disturbing situation takes shape in her ward. Young wife and mother Carrie Helm has disappeared. Carrie’s husband, Jared, claims that she has abandoned the family, but Linda doesn’t trust him. As she snoops, trying to learn more about the Helms’ circumstances, Linda becomes convinced Jared murdered his wife and painted himself as a wronged husband.
Inspired by a chilling true crime and written by a practicing Mormon, The Bishop’s Wife is both a fascinating peek into the lives of modern Mormons as well as a grim and cunningly twisted mystery.
Media
“An ABA IndieBound Bestseller.”
“The Bishop’s Wife has good reason to draw a large readership. It places heavy emphasis on domestic abuse and on the question of how dangerous fire-breathing extremists really are. The man who inveighs against women as whores and sinners may or may not be anything worse than a crank. The man who speaks sanctimoniously of them may be much worse... That’s why Ms. Harrison’s Linda is such a welcome character: In her role as Sister Wallheim, she encourages women to speak freely, at least to her, and to escape the shame that has burdened some of them since childhood. ”
–Janet Maslin, The New York Times
“Excellent ... Watching Linda Wallheim take on the church and its entitled male members as she unravels the mystery of Carrie's and Helena's disappearances is one of the chief pleasures of this richly detailed debut. ”
–The Los Angeles Times on The Bishop's Wife
“Critically acclaimed author Mette Ivie Harrison's mystery debut is an insider's nuanced look at the workings of the Mormon church. Beautifully written, and spellbinding in its unflinching examination of marriage, family and faith, The Bishop's Wife is an absolute must-read! ”
—Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of Through the Evil Days
“Set against the unusual backdrop of a tight-knit Mormon congregation, The Bishop’s Wife is both a terrific crime novel and a wrenching story of faith, doubt, and personal tragedy. ”
Michael Wallace, bestselling author of The Righteous
“Turns a critical eye toward some long-held norms of a historically patriarchal religion. Throw in a wickedly twisted mystery – actually, two – and you have the makings of a page-turner that is revealing and thought-provoking.”
–The Hutchinson News on The Bishop's Wife
“Harrison makes her adult debut with a stunning contemporary mystery set in Mormon country... [She] easily transports readers into a world most will find as unfamiliar as a foreign country. ”
–Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review on The Bishop's Wife
“The mystery surrounding Carrie drives the plot, but Linda herself is the most compelling thing about young adult author Harrison’s debut adult mystery about a world she knows well. ”
–Booklist, STARRED Review on The Bishop's Wife
“Adds twists aplenty to an insider's look at a religion replete with its own mysteries. ”
–Kirkus Reviews on The Bishop's Wife
“A novel that is comfortable with leaving us uncomfortable. Or, rather, that manages to leave us comfortable in our discomfort. Which is to say that I found The Bishop’s Wife an honest book. ”
–A Motley Vision on The Bishop's Wife
“Harrison carefully crafts the clues to lead organically to a big plot twist and a change in direction later in the book that feels earned and believable. Not every writer is skilled enough to pull that off! ”
–Unshelved on The Bishop's Wife
“A very intriguing and captivating mystery... [I] just wanted to read it without stopping. ”
–Fresh Fiction
“THE BISHOP'S WIFE has good reason to draw a large readership. It places heavy emphasis on domestic abuse and on the question of how dangerous fire-breathing extremists really are. The man who inveighs against women as whores and sinners may or may not be anything worse than a crank. The man who speaks sanctimoniously of them may be much worse ... That’s why Ms. Harrison’s Linda is such a welcome character: In her role as Sister Wallheim, she encourages women to speak freely, at least to her, and to escape the shame that has burdened some of them since childhood.”
–Janet Maslin, The New York Times
“Intelligent and wry. In Linda’s dealings with her husband’s flock, author Mette Ivie Harrison gives us a rare neutral treatment of Mormonism... Refreshing. ”
–Raleigh News & Observer
“Even without the two mysteries the book would have been an interesting read as readers follow Linda's struggles with her faith... Because of the broader scope of this book, I would strongly recommend the book for book groups – the discussions could last a lifetime. ”
–Reviewing the Evidence on The Bishop's Wife
“Eye-opening... A novel so far from my reality I needed a telescope, but I think that's why I enjoyed this debut so much.”
–Carole E. Barrowman, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on The Bishop's Wife
“Linda Wallheim is refreshing as far as LDS characters go... An excellent book club read--it is sure to bring lots of lively discussion, that's for sure! ”
–Overstuffedlife.com
“With a plot that is ripped from the headlines and an insightful look into Mormon culture, THE BISHOP’S WIFE is the perfect combination of mystery and intrigue. ”
–Bookreporter.com
“I highly recommend The Bishop’s Wife as a great work of women’s fiction. It would be an excellent choice for a book club as Mette Ivie Harrison digs deep into issues that face all women providing substantial material for discussion. ”
–Luxury Reading on The Bishop's Wife
“Poses interesting questions about community in scenes that unfold against local backdrops. ”
–Salt Lake City Tribune on The Bishop's Wife
“A great mystery... A novel that’s well worth reading, either all night long or during a particularly boring Sacrament meeting. ”
–The Standard-Examiner
“A bit like an Agatha Christie mystery: a missing woman, a detestable husband, and a little girl caught in the balance...The Bishop’s Wife takes readers behind the glossy exterior of the Mormon Church and directly into the Bishop’s private—and not-so-private—home and office. ”
–Salt Lake Magazine on The Bishop's Wife
“One of those stories you can’t stop reading until you find out what happens next ... Harrison weaves a tale of deception and treachery that takes the reader on a twisting and mysterious path. ”
–Oceana Herald-Journal on The Bishop's Wife
“The Bishop's Wife is an intriguing book in how a story might read differently for local and national audiences. ”
–Salt Lake City Tribune
“A novel so far from my reality I needed a telescope, but I think that’s why I liked it ... gives an insider’s view of a patriarchal community where strict adherence to God’s rule is the path to an afterlife (with a similar patriarchy). While investigating the disappearance of a neighbor, Linda confronts the sins of her community. ”
–Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Sane, wise, likable... [The] solution is nicely surprising, and Linda has an engrossing voice, at once modest and assured.”
–USA Today on The Bishop's Wife
“Harrison has an eye like a Nikon camera and an educated ear. I was amazed at her perfect pitch in her choice of words and gestures ... [H]er book will do well nationally. It may even spawn a series of mysteries starring the bold and benevolent bishop’s wife. But will the book be too tart for conventional LDS tastes? ”
–The Deseret News on The Bishop's Wife
“As the author offers insight into the patriarchal structure of the Mormon Church, readers also are introduced to a strong woman who strives to bring justice to those who are wronged. ”