Mette Ivie Harrison is the author of numerous books for young adults, including her critically acclaimed The Princess and the Hound series. She holds a PhD in German literature from Princeton University and is a nationally ranked triathlete. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she lives in Utah with her husband and four children.
Praise for The Bishop's Wife
A National Bestseller
An ABA IndieNext Selection for January 2015
An ABA IndieBound Bestseller
A PLA LibraryReads Selection for January 2015
A Publishers Weekly Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2014 "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 "Sane, wise, likable . . . [The]
solution is nicely surprising, and Linda has an engrossing voice,
at once modest and assured."
--Charles Finch, USA Today "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."
--Los Angeles Times "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, New York Times and USA Today bestselling
author of Through the Evil Days
"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, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel "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."
--The Raleigh News & Observer "Poses interesting questions about
community in scenes that unfold against local backdrops."
--The 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 "[The] Linda Wallheim novels are worth
reading, and not only for their uncompromising plot lines and
compelling conclusions. They should raise important and necessary
questions about Mormonism itself in every thinking Mormon's
mind."
--Association for Mormon Letters "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, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling
author of The Righteous "Don't be deceived by the unassuming
heroine and quiet start of The Bishop's Wife. In this gripping and
contemplative mystery, a woman who most people would identify as
living an ordinary life discovers she is the only one willing to
pursue a dangerous puzzle. As she uncovers layers of deceit she
struggles to remain true to her deeply courageous self."
--Kate Elliott, bestselling author of the Spiritwalker Trilogy
"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 . .
. Her 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 "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."
--Missourian
"A great mystery . . . A novel that's well worth reading, either
all night long or during a particularly boring Sacrament
meeting."
--Standard-Examiner "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 "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 "A very intriguing and captivating mystery . .
. [I] just wanted to read it without stopping."
--Fresh Fiction "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 "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 "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 "Do not avoid reading this book because you fear
being bogged down by theological rambling. You won't be. Instead
you'll be drawn into a story about a very interesting woman whose
conscience will not let her stand idly by. Like so many other
characters in crime fiction, Linda will not rest until she's found
the truth."
--Kittling Books "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 "A wonderfully written mystery . . . The
Bishop's Wife is not only a great story, but a revealing look at
Mormonism and its followers."
--New York Journal of Books "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 "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 "Adds twists aplenty to an insider's
look at a religion replete with its own mysteries."
--Kirkus Reviews "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 "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
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