Review by K. G. Whitehurst
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Let’s be very clear—this debut novel is domestic suspense driven by generations of antipathy between the Foreman men and the Foreman women. The rage between the sexes, the murders, and the ghosts crank this dark story up to Gothic horror. The prologue is particularly gripping with its unknown, dark psychopathic voice, which sets the grisly tone for this compelling novel.
Abandon all hope, ye who enter Foreman House, for here be malevolent spirits.
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This façade gets blown to kingdom come when the diners at Peter’s fundraiser are served intestines. The Disciples blame Mary, whose snarky inner dialogue about them is pointed in the extreme. (In fact, it could’ve been toned down.) After the debacle at the time capsule ceremony, any Foreman unity breaks into the traditional acrimony between the Foreman men, all powerful, but childless members of the community, and the Foreman women. With Grandma Hannah in the nursing home with dementia, that really leaves Mary as the lone, beleaguered, and haunted Foreman woman—one who possesses few resources to save herself and her sanity. With a skull and a rosary made of teeth, the constabulary want to know what the devil is going on, too.
While this novel is domestic suspense running to Gothic horror yet a multiple murder mystery, it isn’t as gory as one might expect, despite the Foremans’ being in the funerary business. Yes, there is plenty of money in death, and the family has made plenty of enemies over the decades. Plenty of ghosts, too, whom only the Foreman women can see and speak to, such as Ms. Morse, Noose, and Raider. Joining Mary in her quest to free herself from the family curses is Tom Pearson, a handsome attorney who claims he’s haunted, too. So, have some romance to go with your murder and mayhem.
Now, Hail Mary does deal with dark themes, including rape, murder, possession, and cruelty. The Catholic Church come in for serious criticism. Tom is involved with investigating the pedophilia scandal, something only lightly touched. The nuns are characterized by their class snobbery and their cruelty to certain girls. While this is not my usual fare, it was strangely compelling. I had to know how everything fit together, who killed whom and why, and whether Mary could survive and free herself from the Foreman curse.
To enter to win a copy of Hail Mary & some extra goodies from the author, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "Hail,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 31, 2026. US & Canada residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!
You can click here to purchase this book.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.K.G. Whitehurst holds a PhD in British history from the University of Virginia. K.G. has blogged about historical fiction at DIYMFA.com; she writes both historical and science fiction mysteries. She lives with her husband, three cats, and over 100 houseplants in Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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