Book Review: Butterfly Sunday

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Butterfly Sunday     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
David Hill
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Gothic
Delacorte, Nov 2000, $24.95, 276 pp.

In Orpheus, Mississippi, Leona Sayres mourns the loss of her newborn who died in a mysterious manner. While slowly physically healing, Leona flashes back on her life before concluding that the devil, her spouse, the morally correct Reverend Averill Sayres killed her daughter. As she loses her mind to her grief, Leona vows to send her husband on a one way ticket to the brimstone that he always sensually preached his patrons will one day reside in if they failed to change. She adds rat poisoning as a flavoring to his meals.

When Averill dies, many of the townsfolk sing Hallelujah in private. However, many females who found solace in his arms weep at his death even as they cheer the demise of the serpent. Sheriff Blue Hudson investigates the death of the local preacher and his infant. However, he makes the classic mistake of falling in love with the prime suspect, Leona.

BUTTERFLY SUNDAY is a powerful regional mystery that is quite good because of the depth to the key players. Readers feel for Leona’s loss, comprehend (through flashbacks) what drove Averill, and even know why the sheriff’s name is apropos. The mystery is entertaining, but it is the insight into the Mississippi mud that turns this gothic-like novel into a winner. David Hill is a talent worth reading and many of this novel’s audience will wisely seek out his previous story, the fabulous SACRED DUST.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner