I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. I wish I hadn't. I didn't know it was going to be a lesbian romance novel. It could have been a good book, but I can't get past that main issue. I wouldn't have picked this book out had I known. I also would have rather skipped reviewing, but since I promised I would, I have.

I gave this title my best shot and just didn't get going with it. I like quirky mysteries that look at contemporary issues through the lens of the genre. My issue here was that this title was just too "cozy." Lots of bonding among characters, but not real development in the mystery itself by 30% of the way through. If you want a queer version of Diane Mott Davidson, this will be exactly the right series for you. If you're more edgy, skip it.

The book was ok. Alma the main character is a pastor and is part of the LGBTQ community and she seems to fall in love very quickly and she doesn't take time to explore anything. She gets thrown into a murder investigation and she drops everything to include her job and tries to solve it all by herself knowing consequences could be deadly for herself and others but it doesn't stop her. There are a few red herrings but I figured out what was going on pretty quickly. It was a pretty good book and maybe the author can develop Alma a little more to make her more believable and likable. Received this book as an ARC, gave my honest review.

3.5 stars

This is well written and fast moving, however I expected a bit of forbidden romance and contrary views. I got this, however, in unexpected ways. The ending seems like the beginning of them though. I will be reading the next one.

This was so good. I didn't know what to expect, but a great mystery, and a great lead character. Looking forward to reading others in this series.

I had a hard time starting this review because in a way I enjoyed the book, but in some way there was a lot of excitement missing and I wished to be a little bit more entertained. However, the book is not bad and I think it's good to highlight the best parts of it!

Probably the best thing about this book is our main character - Reverend Alma Lee! She is a lovely character, an unorganized person who just can't stay away from the murder that happened a few steps outside her workplace and that beautiful rabbi she just met. It is a joy to live with Alma, trust me!

It's a cozy mystery for a nice rainy day. Although not very suspenseful, our murder had a lot of suspects, missing pieces, and a great conclusion.

But that being said, sometimes it felt like the book was really trying to push some subjects onto the readers. I am a big fan of LGBTQ representation, but I don't think a way to represent it more in books is to mention it on every page - plus I felt like there was no chemistry between our reverend and her rabbi. And books should be more about show than tell, right? Same with the veganism! It felt forced and I am not sure that is helpful. Although anything is better than no representation, right? Hmm... this sounds like a nice subject for a book discussion!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Belldene for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

The book starts out with a lesbian Reverend at a bar. And no, that’s not the beginning of a politically incorrect joke. All Things centers around Alma, a Reverend at the local church. We are along for all the drama that’s happening in her life these days. The book is primarily a murder mystery with veganism, modern day religion, and LGBTQIA+ representation playing a significant secondary role in this unique book.

The characters and inclusivity were the best part. I wanted to keep reading about some of these characters no matter the plot. The character development throughout was good too. Inclusivity and representation of people in non traditional churches is refreshing as well.

However the murder mystery was only okay. It kept me guessing, but I wasn’t as pulled into the mystery as I would have liked. Also there were so many references to veganism. To be clear, I have nothing against veganism, but the references weren’t subtle. Way too much telling instead of showing. The repetitiveness of telling us she’s vegan became annoying after awhile.

Overall, an enjoyable unique murder mystery that has a little something for everyone.

Lots of potential here and if/when further books in this series are published I suspect I will read them, despite a few flaws in the ointment in this first instalment.

Even though I myself am I total atheist I am always interested when fiction writers bring religion into their works as it's such a powerful motivator for human endeavours. (I also love it when writers allude to or mirror the language and language patterns of religions texts, e.g. [author:Ann McMan|5195639], [author:Philip Pullman|3618], William Blake). While Ms Belldene isn't quite at their level, having a Protestant minister in a relationship with a Rabbi does throw up some interesting questions. The murder mystery itself is a bit meh (I correctly picked the perpetrator far too early on for my liking) the investigation does allow Alma to 'show' us around her part of San Francisco, which is pretty cool.

Not brilliant but a curiosity I suppose!

Meet the Reverend Alma Lee as she rocks out at the final hurrah for The Carlos Club, a lesbian bar in San Francisco’s Mission District. Alma wears many hats—she’s a “vicar, agitator, despiser of 90’s dance music”—and tonight she performs secular funeral rites to the tune of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”

I blew out a breath. Much more fitting for the solemn occasion—the death of a landmark, an icon—the closing party for the city’s one and only dyke bar.

The proprietor, Cindy, is a long-time friend of Alma’s. After Alma’s bitter breakup with homicide detective Cesar Garza, Cindy got Alma drunk innumerable times, and Alma returned the favor, holding Cindy’s hand during the 90 days since the “landlord had taped an eviction notice to the door.” Cindy blamed gentrification, but Alma knows better. Her friend “had the business sense of the houseplant drooping in her office.”

Like any good wake, the party takes on a life of its own, and the cops appear. Who should it be but Cesar’s younger brother, Mario, and his partner? Mario cuts Alma some slack, warning her to keep the noise down and “wrap things up on time.” Mario’s trim blond partner is curious, wondering why Mario didn’t simply close the bar down.

Blondie tipped her head toward him as they walked out. I could practically hear him telling her, That’s my brother’s lesbian ex-girlfriend. The woman scratched her scalp beneath her tight ponytail.

Yeah, honey. Cesar and me make me scratch my head too, but that’s all over now.

Besides, Alma is intrigued by a stranger, Naomi, who quickly identifies her as a priest— “Elementary, my dear Alma” —and suddenly, Alma is back in the game, hoping to get to know her better. The intriguing Naomi is Rabbi Naomi Cohen. Complicating matters, Naomi’s brother is the new proprietor of The Carlos Club. Alma is smitten nonetheless. Their promising conversation peters out when Cindy drunkenly announces that maybe she won’t close The Carlos Club after all. The old friends quarrel, and Cindy tells Alma to get out.

The next morning, on her way to conduct Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m., Alma sees what she thinks is a transient, “curled into a fetal position.” Not an unusual occurrence in the shadow of St. Giles, a city parish. But it’s Cindy.

She was dead.

I dropped to my knees and did what every priest worth the price of her vestments would do when words failed. I recited a prayer, straight from the book.

“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend your servant Cindy. Acknowledge a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock.”

Alma calls the Mission police station. Her ex, Cesar, is assigned to the case. Cesar asks her to help him break the news to Cindy’s wife, Lynn. Lynn is distraught, and after asking a few pained questions, stumbles over to the bar cart.

She unscrewed a bottle of bourbon and poured some of its contents into a glass. I checked my watch. 9:45 a.m. But hey, it’s five o’clock everywhere when you find out your wife has been murdered.

Alma’s acerbic, gallows humor is one of the pleasures of All Things. She has kick-ass observation skills too—noting every minute change in her beloved Mission District. Alma decides to lend the police a hand in solving Cindy’s murder, whether they want her help or not. She’s the latest crime-solving minister/priest/rabbi protagonist, something she readily admits when her friends Lily and Suze accuse her of meddling. Alma says she’s “pastorally nosy” and admits to having “a lot of passions.” Is her penchant for getting to the bottom of whatever interests her a case of life imitating art?

I refilled my glass. “There’s a long tradition of clergy who solve murders.”

“Name one.”

“Brother Cadfael. Father Brown. Sydney Chambers. Clare Fergusson.”

Lily cleared her throat. “You realize those are all characters in books?”

“So? Books are true.” When they didn’t immediately agree, I tacked on, “In the deepest sense of the word.”

A fitting pronouncement for a priest who daily preaches the Biblical Word of God. Words matter to Alma.

All Things (taken from the first line of the 1848 hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful”) is the first of the Reverend Alma Lee series. Alma treads a fine line between ministering to her flock at St. Giles and living up to her reputation as the “high priestess of Mission Street.” Adding an intriguing side-note, both Detective Cesar Garza and Rabbi Naomi have a claim of affection on Alma’s heart. Readers will look forward to Amber Belldene’s next mash-up of priestly duties and forays into detection. It’s a worthy addition to the genre of clerical mysteries.

There is something about the character of Reverend Alma Lee that you will take too even though she is so haphazard in her life. You feel the care she has for her friends and local community alike. Though trying to juggle church and personal life Alma still pokes her nose into help her ex solve the murder of her friend Cindy the owner of local lesbian club Carlos.
Alma is trying to move forward with her personal life and meets Rabbi Naomi Cohen in the Carlos Club. Unfortunately Naomi brother becomes number one suspect in Cindy’s murder.
This is a good mystery that will keep you guessing but the romance was a slow burner as if set up to continue in a future story.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book introduces readers to a unique mix between a priest and sleuth, Rev. Alma Lee. Alma is a down to earth, funny, and compassionate woman who happens to be bisexual. When her friend is murdered, she feels "led by the Spirit" to find the killer and get justice for the deceased. Through an odd complication, Alma gets entangled with the sister of the police's prime suspect in the murder. Oh, and that sister happens to be a rabbi and lesbian. The story follows the budding relationship between the priest and the rabbi, while also trying to solve the murder mystery and the struggles of the parish where Alma serves. There is also the complication of the police detective assigned to the case being a former boyfriend of Alma. The romance scenes are fairly chaste and the pace is a bit uneven, but it is a fun ride. The ending hints at a sequel that will hopefully give readers a bit more insight into the depth of Alma's character.

What a different kind of read. A Reverend and a Rabbi walk into a...okay, okay. I liked the connection to the bible and the supportive community. What bothered me was the lack of connection or chemistry among the main three characters. I like the Reverend Alma Lee and her self-talk about everything. It help the reader get to know her and feel for what she was going through. Most of all I like her integrity. I liked and disliked Naomi Cohen. I appreciated her values but I did not like her mixed messages. Cesar Garza, did not like his hanging on groupie status. The mystery was good and held my attention. The ending definitely sets up a series.

I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but hoped for something really great.

Sadly, it fell a little flat for me.

But first, the positives! There was wonderful representation. I mean we have a biracial and bisexual narrator, who openly talks about her former relationship with the head detective on the murder case. She's also very open about her crush on Naomi Cohen (I'll get back to that in a bit).

Alma is honestly a super-pastor. She's all about helping. That's really refreshing to me, as many times those in religious positions tend to be portrayed as helpful to only those in their church.

She's also super-vegan, but not in a way that makes the reader feel judged for not being one. (I do want one of those blueberry muffins she mentions a few times.)

Alma would 100% be a Hufflepuff.

Now, for the not-so-rad parts in my opinion.

The book is written in a very conversational tone. That's not exactly my bag, but it doesn't really affect this review. Just throwing that out there in case it bothers you!

I mentioned that Alma is biracial, but we don't know that until about halfway through chapter four. Parts of this story just dragged along, while other things were just glossed over briefly, making it kind of an exhausting read.

Finally..good lord, all Alma could focus on was trying to get into Naomi's pants. Like, one of her best friends is MURDERED and lying DEAD on her church's front steps, and she's like, oh man I wonder what Naomi's luscious lips would feel like on mine. It's too much for me.

This was okay. Alma was a fun, nontraditional detective but the mystery itself was pretty typical. Not very suspenseful at all. I'm now curious about Belldene's romance novels than I am about any future mysteries by her, because I thought the romantic elements were better.

I loved the characters in this book.. Alma Lee and Cesar were my favourites, Naomi not so much, but still a very valid character. A murder story which kept you guessing until the end. Lots of misdirection and mayhem. Brilliant!

3.25 Stars. I would say this was a slightly better than okay read. This is a cozy mystery and I thought the mystery part was really well done. It took me much longer than normal to have any clue about who the killer actually was. I love mysteries that can keep me guessing and this book really did. My disappointment came from the small bit of romance that I found lacking. I would more say that this is a book with LGBTQ characters than labeling it lesbian fiction.

The main character Alma, is a bisexual Reverend for a church in San Francisco. She is instantly attracted to a lesbian Rabbi who is connected to the murder case. While I really liked the character of Alma, I was disappointed to feel almost no chemistry between her and the Rabbi. On top of everything the book felt like a big set-up just to get her back together with her know-it-all and moderately biphobic ex-boyfriend.

The way this book ended it looks like it could be a series. While the mystery was good enough that I would be tempted to read the next; I really could not stomach her ex-boyfriend enough to continue reading if he had a bigger role. I’m going to wait to hear more about the next book before I make a decision. If you are a cozy mystery fan you might enjoy this, just be prepared that the romance is not really there.

I really liked how this book started. The cast of characters was the most diverse I have ever read (which probably doesn't compliment the state of publishing in general) and I liked Alma's voice. The book had a very relaxed and cozy feel to it.

I was enjoying reading the story until about half way through when Alma's personality truly started to grate me. I'm basically Ms. Punctuality and since Alma was... well, not, I just couldn't stand her and her forgetfullness all of a sudden. Also I suspected the situation with the love interest was heading exactly where it eventually did and I really couldn't ship that relationship either.

So as a reading experience this was a bit of a mixed bag. I'm not sure I'll pick up the next in series. We'll see.

Alma is her own brand of priest. She’s bisexual, nosy, vegan, honest and has a crush on a lady rabbi.The story opens up at the closing of a local lesbian bar called The Carlos Club that hadn’t evolved with the community and the owner wasn’t business savvy. Once the owner turns up dead (what’s sad is I can’t remember her name) on the church doorstep, Alma has to act. Her friend has been murdered and crawled to her church as she died.
The police focus in on the new property owner, the brother to Naomi, the rabbi that Alma is crushing on. And here comes the drama. The cop in charge? Alma’s ex-boyfriend Cesar Garza. It’s obvious he hasn’t gotten over Alma and harbors some hard feelings for her. He wants her to stay out of the investigation and safe. Someone had attempted to poison her, and that should be enough to keep her away. But it’s not.

She can’t Naomi’s brother take the fall. Not when he’s innocent. So she figures out how to use her community knowledge to find the evidence she needs to find the real killer. What was really neat about this was I was debating between two people being the murderer but I was wrong. I liked that I was wrong because most of these cozy mysteries I have it figured out pretty quickly.

The romance aspect of this was not a major plot point in this. Anything other than a kiss between Alma and Naomi ended up in a fade to black type of scene. It was fitting for the type of novel this was. There’s still a part of me that really wanted more though. Like let the Reverend get some hot lady love and don’t let her go back to Cesar like what was hinted at. Keep Reverend Alma with the ladies!

I’ll totally read more in this series though. I liked her sassy self.

I don’t know exactly what to make of All Things. As a murder/mystery I think it ticked the boxes. There is a good plot, plenty of suspects, a few red herrings, a tenacious priest/amateur sleuth who tries to find justice for her murdered friend. Author Amber Belldene is a seasoned writer and as an Episcopal priest she knows her subject matter. Religion is pretty much the theme all throughout the book (sure guess this will be the backbone of the series).

The LGBTQ part of the book was a bit of a letdown for me. Main character Alma is bi, her crush, rabbi Naomi a lesbian but there was no real lesfic feel about the book. There is an odd preference for lovingly describing the beauty of the male form. And Alma still lusting and carrying an enormous torch for the ex-lover, police detective Cezar (who dumped her) gave this novel an overall too straight vibe for my liking. There was no (sexual) chemistry between Alma and Naomi and when they finally did get together it happened off camera. Meh.

The writing is good but sparse in descriptions so I didn’t get a real grip on the characters. Other than her being short, I didn’t know Alma was Chinese/Latina more than halfway through the book. I still can’t tell you what she looks like. Naomi has brown hair and a sexy mouth but that’s about all I know of her.

The vegan crusade is strong in this one, as food choices, faux leather clothing, fair trade and animal abuse issues were too prominent to ignore. I get it that our Episcopalian priest is vegan, okay? So please stop clobbering me over the head with it.

f/f

Themes: I guess I have to qualify this as a religious mystery cozy, if this book is marketed towards the lesfic community they will find it lacking, the religious part was not preachy but the vegan part was.

3 stars

* An ARC copy was provided by Netgalley and the author for an honest review.