THE ORGANIST WORE PUMPS

THE ORGANIST WORE PUMPS
By Mark Schweizer
St. James Music Press
March 2010
ISBN: 978-0-9844846-0-7
192 pages
$12.95

Who said that reading always has to be serious? Definitely not Mark Schweizer.
THE ORGANIST WORE PUMPS is the eighth book in his set of liturgical mysteries set around the Episcopal Church of St. Germaine which features the protagonist, Hayden Konig. The books are well-written and just fun to read. Even though this is book eight, this novel can be enjoyed without reading the first seven, but you’re missing many laughs by not reading all of them.

THE ORGANIST WORE PUMPS continues the story of Hayden Konig who lives in a rural town located in the mountains of North Carolina. For an assortment of reasons, Hayden is independently wealthy but continues to be employed as the head of the local police department while also being choir director and organist at the Episcopal church. He also keeps his gun in the organ bench.

Hayden dreams of being a writer and continues his mysteries by using the actual typewriter that was also used by Raymond Chandler. His story lines are weekly edited and reviewed by the choir members during the sermon.

While the church is looking for a new leader, they discover that a former-employee who has now risen to bishop, would like to return to be the leader of St. Germaine and the congregation is grateful for the blessings of receiving Bishop Gaylen Weatherall. Reluctantly, though, the congregation also has the burden of a disagreeable new deacon, Donald Mushrat.

A car accident caused by a family of skunks injures Gaylen and Hayden. For Hayden, he cannot play organ or type for a few weeks. For Gaylen, hospitalization and recovery are slow and an inconvenience for everyone. This means that during the Advent season, he will have to listen to another organist lead the congregation into the Christmas season. Being a musician, no one plays quite any selection quite the correct, or your own, way.

These books are fun to read. They’re laughable and enjoyable. The only suggestion I would have would be to have a short synopsis of each of the previous books to refresh the memories of the characters who have been developed and better known through each novel instalment.

Mark Schweizer has a doctoral degree in vocal performance from the University of Arizona. He has worked extensively with regional opera companies and has also appeared as the bass soloist with the Robert Shaw Chorale. He currently is the director of St. James Music Press while writing this series, as well as Christmas opera librettos, choral selections, and several children’s musicals.

What will he call the next book? Let’s see we’ve had THE ALTO WORE TWEED, THE BARITONE WORE CHIFFON, THE TENOR WORE TAPSHOES, THE SOPRANO WORE FALSETTOS, THE BASS WORE SCALES, THE MEZZO WORE MINK, and THE DIVA WORE DIAMONDS. How about something with a coloratura?

Teri Davis May 10, 2010