Trying to find an author

[avis50]

Trying to remember the name of the author of a series of crime novels set in North America (lots of snow in winter!) where a local female church minister works with the local police chief to solve murders.  I have only read one, but I know that there is at least one other, possibly more.  The author is female and possibly has a hyphenated surname.

Any ideas?  I would be grateful - it is driving me mad!!

[ursula62]

Do you mean the Mother Lavinia Grey mysteries by Kate Gallison? She was a nun who solved murders and stuff.

[avis50]

No, not that one.  Sounds interesting though!  I think that the woman in this case was a Methodist minister (but do they have Methodists in the US - if not, I have got this wrong!).

[Kingaroo]

Yes we have Methodists, and the set up sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't be much help.
Did you a search for mystery book reviews? You might be able to specify "series" or "minister"

Or find a mystery book store owner who will doubtless know!

[Kingaroo]

I've read one about a MALE minister who works with a female attorney on an Indian reservation in the Dakotas or somewhere cold like that..

'course I can't remember name or title either.....

[LeMarchand]

Possibly Julia Spencer-Fleming, who has a series about the Episcopalian priest Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne.

[avis50]

YES!  That's the one!  Thank you so much, LeMarchand.  I remember thinking at the time that Spencer-Fleming seemed a very English name for an American author.

I will now write it down so I don't forget it again. Thanks to everyone who answered.