The Spoken Word

When Lael Woolley, the niece of the First Prophet, the head of the Mormon church on earth, is kidnapped, Salt Lake City private eye Moroni Traveler begins his search, uncovering a subversive feminist movement within the Mormon church

This splendid mystery marks the fifth appearance of Salt Lake City private detective Moroni Traveler. Irvine ( Called Home ) further probes the knotty, affectionate relationship between Moroni and Martin, his doddering, delightful father and partner, against the background of Utah's cruel Aprils and the Mormon way of life. The tale takes off as Moroni becomes the first Gentile, i.e., nonbeliever, to enter the holy Temple. He is summoned there by the ailing First Prophet whose beloved grandniece, Lael, age 20, is being held by kidnappers who threaten to kill her unless the Prophet publishes a revelation granting women equal rights in the church, including membership in the priesthood. Battling springtime torrents, high-heeled harpies who kick him where it hurts the most, interfering churchmen and a host of convinced traditionalists, Moroni uncovers a surprising, devilish plan. The identity of the Evil One is clear early on, but that doesn't diminish the suspense in this rewarding novel.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Private investigators Moroni Traveler and his father Martin are pressed into their current assignment by Moroni's longtime friend Willis Tanner (Called Home, etc.), a trouble-shooter for the Mormon Church establishment in Salt Lake City. Lael Woolley, grandniece of ailing First Prophet Elton Woolley, the Church's head, has been kidnapped, seemingly by a group of feminists. The ransom demanded is equal rights for women in the Church, including the priesthood. Against a background of unending heavy rains and flooded roads, Moroni et pŠre explore Lael's lifestyle for clues to her whereabouts. They find her, of course--and at the same time uncover a subtler kind of chicanery at work. The inner workings of the Mormon establishment are fascinating as ever, but the author's choppy narrative style (verging at times on incoherence) dilutes any sense of urgency in this readable but uncompelling story. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.