One Was a Soldier

Clare Fergusson, an Episcopal priest and Army helicopter pilot, returns to Millers Kill, New York, after an 18-month deployment in Iraq. She joins a veterans' support group with four other local service members who are also readjusting to civilian life. When one of the group members dies under suspicious circumstances, Clare and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne become involved in an investigation that connects to their small Adirondack town. The case forces them to confront both the shadows of war and the complexities of their own relationship. The investigation reveals hidden connections between the veterans' experiences overseas and events in their hometown. Clare must balance her roles as priest, veteran, and amateur investigator while wrestling with her own post-deployment challenges. The novel explores the impact of war on those who serve and their communities, examining how trauma and duty shape relationships and identity. Through its dual focus on mystery and character development, the story raises questions about healing, justice, and the price of military service.

Readers praise the realistic portrayal of veterans' struggles with PTSD and reintegration after deployment. Many note the authentic relationships between characters and depth of research into military experiences. The romance elements take a backseat to heavier themes in this installment, which fans of the series appreciate. Common criticisms focus on the slower pacing compared to previous books and multiple narrative threads that some found hard to follow. Several readers mention the story takes too long to get to the central mystery. A minority of reviews criticize the portrayal of PTSD treatment and veteran support groups as oversimplified. "The characters' trauma feels real without being sensationalized," writes one Amazon reviewer. Another notes: "The mystery plot gets buried under too many subplots." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.12/5 (3,824 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (366 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (187 ratings)

Still Life by Louise Penny The murder investigation in a small town reveals deep connections between community members while exploring themes of faith, trauma, and healing through the lens of thoughtful police work.

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths A forensic archaeologist works with police to solve murders in a coastal town while wrestling with personal relationships and religious history.

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming An Episcopal priest and police chief investigate crimes in a small New York town while navigating their growing connection and professional boundaries.

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny A murder at a monastery forces investigators to confront questions of faith and duty while untangling complex relationships within a closed religious community.

The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva An art restorer with a military past returns to intelligence work while balancing personal loyalty, duty, and moral obligations.

🔷 "One Was a Soldier" is the seventh book in Julia Spencer-Fleming's Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series, which is set in the fictional town of Millers Kill, New York. 🔷 The author, Julia Spencer-Fleming, worked as a lawyer before becoming a full-time writer and won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel with her series debut "In the Bleak Midwinter." 🔷 The book deals with PTSD and veterans' issues, drawing on real experiences of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and was extensively researched through interviews with combat veterans. 🔷 The protagonist, Clare Fergusson, is an unusual combination of Episcopal priest and National Guard helicopter pilot, inspired by Spencer-Fleming's observation that many clergy members have military backgrounds. 🔷 The novel's title comes from the children's nursery rhyme "Ten Little Soldiers," which has historical connections to military themes and counting songs.