New Mystery Combines Art and Food in One Satisfying Novel: "The Body in the Gallery"

The Body in the Gallery: A Faith Fairchild Mystery
Katherine Hall Page
William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-076367-1


Combining food and art in her latest Faith Fairchild mystery, Katherine Hall Page’s newest book, The Body in the Gallery is a yummy concoction (recipes included). This murder mystery, however, brings many things to the table, including an insider’s look at the museum world, the life of a caterer, family problems in the Internet age, and an updated take on the popular small town sleuth.

Faith Fairchild’s life is a busy one: She is a caterer, the wife of a minister, mother of two, and like most families, trying to make ends meet. When her friend Patsy (currently serving on the board of the Ganley Art Museum) suggests that Faith take over the museum’s café, Patsy has an ulterior motive. Still, it seems like the perfect fit for Faith’s talents, and she accepts. Patsy is hoping that Faith can help her uncover a case of switched artwork. However, there’s more drama on the way when, on the opening night of a new and controversial exhibit, the caterer discovers a dead body floating in one of the installations.

Just as things heat up at the museum, so too are Faith’s problems at home escalating. Her minister husband wants more of Faith’s time (even as she is stretched thin with her new business launch), and Faith’s middle school-aged son seems to be involved in secretive behavior online. All these problems at home seem to be mounting just when things seem to be getting even more dicey at the art gallery. As with most mysteries, a number of potential suspects appear on the horizon, more dead bodies appear, and events get more threatening for Faith as she gets closer to uncovering the truth behind the missing artwork and dead victims.

Whether you focus on Faith’s relationships, her home life, the catering business, or the comings and goings at the art museum, this book is one to enjoy. Katherine Hall Page’s writing seems to balance the cast of characters and competing storylines well. As readers, we root for Faith, understand her everyday trials and tribulations, and can easily follow the events surrounding the core mystery.

Just like a great meal, the variety of people and action within this novel provide a satisfying mix. It’s homey, even while being set in the elite world of art. It’s a little bit of a lot of ingredients that comes together in a satisfying whole. It’s memorable in the way a fine dinner shared with friends should be, and there’s few things more satisfying than that.


This book is part of the Gather "Read 50 Books in 2008" Group.