Book excerpt: A Small-Town Amateur Sleuth Mystery Romance Series boxset This is a boxset of books 7-9 in The Father Tom Mysteries. Meet Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr, former lovers reunited after twenty years, as they solve crimes old and new--and explore the profound mysteries of the human heart. The Purloined Paintings (Book 7)--Detective Helen Parr is recovering from being shot in Leslie Williams’ basement and is anxious to get back to work. With the police department in the hands of Acting Chief Detective Dan Conway, Father Tom Greer is determined that his fiance follows her doctor’s orders and rests. All that’s needed for this to happen is for life to be quiet and peaceful. But this is Myerton, and this town nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland is far from quiet and peaceful. First comes the murder of Bethany Grable, owner of The Painted Lotus art gallery and old friend of Father Tom. Dan’s convinced she was the victim of a robbery gone wrong. Father Tom, on the other hand, is not so sure. Then comes the wave of overdose deaths of young students at Myer College. Someone is selling fentanyl at prices college kids can afford. They’re all art majors, and all of them happen to have had pieces displayed in Bethany’s gallery. Coincidence? Or is there a connection between the ODs and Bethany Grable’s murder? And if so, what is the connection? Father Tom decides to try to find out for himself who killed his old friend and why. But doing so could put the life of a young man in danger, and irreparably harm his friendship with Dan. Along the way, Father Tom learns that Helen wasn’t the only person wounded in that basement . . . The Slain Saint (Book 8)--When a beloved older priest is found murdered in the Rectory's guest room, Father Tom and Helen try to find the person who wanted him dead. But they find that even saints have secrets . . . and those secrets may have gotten him killed. The Perfect Patsy (Book 9)--When the body of Ashley Becket is found naked, tied up, and butchered in Nate Rodriguez’s bed, Father Tom can’t believe the young man’s responsible. Then, it’s discovered Ashley was a prostitute . . . and Nate was a frequent customer. As the rumors fly around Saint Clare’s and the gamer group fractures, Father Tom finds himself trying to keep his parish together and repair Nate’s relationship with Gladys. He soon discovers that Nate is keeping a huge secret from the woman he loves--a secret that led him to hire Ashley in the first place. Then, Gladys finds evidence that points away from Nate--and to someone who couldn’t possibly be responsible. Because, after all, Richard Davenport is safely behind bars . . . The Father Tom Mysteries, Books 7-9 is the third book in The Father Tom Mysteries Boxset series, a contemporary small town mystery series. It features Father Tom Greer, a Catholic Priest who is also an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Father Brown. If you enjoy the works of Rhys Dylan, Andrew Mayne, and Mary Stone, you will enjoy this novel.