Bernard William Snoop was born to be different. From the time he was a toddler, or maybe even before, he loved people, snooping and the outdoors, not necessarily in that order. Bernie never had much success in dating and soon lost interest in girls. Following seminary and ordination his peers referred to him as Father Bernard Snoop, a single, homely with a Jimmy Durante nose, six feet three inches tall, thin frame, and a vegetarian who loved small rural churches. Except for the occasional helping local authorities solve a few mysteries, murder and mayhem, he restricted his snooping to nature...

It has been ten years since Jennifer left her home in Mississippi and settled in the small community of Austen Grove, Ohio. She is looking forward to her mother coming to live with her. Jennifer left Mississippi under difficult conditions, but has found life complete in Austen Grove with Sergeant Brenner, her adopted father; Mary Beth, her best friend; her church where she is soloist; and her beautiful, unique gray cat, Saucer. Her mother, Kathryn, has lived with her brother in Meridian. Jennifer is excited to think of the things she and her mother can do together. A new pathologist will soon...

December 2, 1859 John Brown is hanged for treason. The mayor of Richmond wants Will Brunner, minister and physician, in the Richmond Volunteers. Will refuses and knows the mayor will not give up. Olivia promises him that if war comes to Richmond and he is out of the picture, she will take the children and do her best to get them to safety. Because of their views on war and slavery, Will and five friends are harassed almost daily and when they still refuse to join the Richmond Volunteers, they are imprisoned. Olivia waits, trying to carry on as if all is normal. But things are far from normal....

Jennifer left Mississippi ten years ago under difficult conditions but has found life complete in Austen Grove, Ohio with Sergeant Brenner, her adopted father; Mary Beth, her best friend; her church where she is soloist; and her beautiful, unique gray cat, Saucer. Her mother, Kathryn, has lived with her brother in Meridian. Jennifer is excited to think of the things she and her mother can do together. A new pathologist will soon take over as County Medical Examiner and Lab Supervisor - jobs that Jennifer has held as interim for the past six months. She feels her life is perfect - until...her...