March Book Club: Penance on the Prairies by R. L . Syme

Penance on the Prairies by R. L. Syme

Penance on the Prairies by R.L. Syme is like nothing we’ve read before. Imagine this: Vangie, a part-time pastor with a bit of a mysterious past, gets exiled to this tiny Montana town as a sort of punishment from her church superiors. She ends up running a bakery. As the Matchbaker, she’s all about finding the perfect cookie for her customers based on their personalities (whom she’s very good at reading). But then, plot twist—her macaron ends up with a dead body, and suddenly she’s in the middle of a murder mystery. (Maybe not-so-good at those people skills, after all.)

Now, Vangie’s dealing with the grumpy sheriff next door (adding layers of tension and humor), trying to clear her name, and getting tangled up in all sorts of drama. The town’s got that cozy vibe, but with plenty of side-eye from the locals who aren’t sure about their new pastor. The small-town setting provides a vivid backdrop for the unfolding mystery and Vangie’s budding friendship with a neighboring shop owner.

What I really enjoyed was Vangie’s voice throughout the book. Her internal monologue, brimming with wit and insight, occasionally escapes into the open, landing her in hot water and endearing her to readers. 

The mystery wraps up nicely, but I’ve got questions and want to know more about everyone, especially Vangie’s backstory. Penance on the Prairies is not just a mystery; it’s a journey of self-discovery, community, and the power of a well-baked cookie to unearth the truth. It’s a solid read if you want something that feels like a chat over coffee (or cookies) about life’s big mysteries.

There are six books in the Vangie Vale Mystery series. The first one is free if you want to try them before committing to reading the whole series.