Audiobook Review: One Was a Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming

One Was a Soldier
Author: Julia Spencer-Fleming
Narrator: Suzanne Toren
Series: Clare Ferguson/Russ van Alstyne Mysteries (Book 7)
Publication: Blackstone Audio (April 22, 2011)
Length: 17 hours and 31 minutes

Description: At the Millers Kill Community Center, five veterans gather to work on adjusting to life after war. Reverend Clare Fergusson has returned from Iraq with a head full of bad memories she's using alcohol to wipe out. Dr. George Stillman is denying that the head wound he received has left him with something worse than simple migraines. Officer Eric McCrea is battling to keep his constant rage from affecting his life as a cop, and as a father. High school track star Will Ellis is looking for some reason to keep on living after losing both legs to an IED. And down-on-her-luck Tally McNabb has brought home a secret - a fatal one.

Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne just wants Clare to settle down and get married - to him. But when he rules Tally McNabb's death a suicide, Clare sides with the other vets against him. Russ and Clare's unorthodox investigation will uncover a trail of deceit that runs from their tiny Adirondack town to the upper ranks of the Army, and from the waters of the Millers Kill to the unforgiving streets of Baghdad.

My Thoughts: The seventh book in the Clare Ferguson/Russ Van Alstyne mysteries sees Clare returned from Iraq and dealing with what she saw by abusing pills and alcohol. When one of her parishioners comes back from war having lost both legs to an IED, she convinces him to take part in a veteran's support group. He will if she will. The two find Dr. George Stillman there and Officer Eric McCrea from the Millers Kill police force and a young woman named Tally McNabb. Trip Stillman had a traumatic brain injury that he is claiming to be just migraines. McCrea is having trouble dealing with the constant anger that fills his life. And Tally is keeping a secret about her tour in Iraq.

When Tally is found dead by her swimming pool, Russ and most of the evidence declares it a suicide. Clare and her fellow veterans from the support group are so sure and begin an investigation. Tally was working as an accountant for Opperman's business which, besides the resort, does contracting work for the government in Iraq. And it looks like she came home with a lot of cash money - like a million dollars. 

Besides the stress of planning her wedding to Russ with more than she needs of her mother's "help," Clare has the usual stresses of her ministry and her investigation into Tally's death. No wonder she's hiding her dependence on pills and alcohol from everyone including Russ. 

I enjoyed this story. It was compelling listening. I was so involved in the problems of all of the vets in the support group and so hoping that they could find peace. I also enjoyed catching up on other members of the Millers Kill police force too. 

I got this one from Audible Plus. You can buy your copy here.