And the shofar blew

Rivers' And the Shofar Blew 0 is about a young minister, Paul Hudson, who takes on a small, perhaps even a dying, church in central California. Paul is hardworking and ambitious, but his ambition soon overcomes the real purpose of his work, so that questionable means begin to seem justified for his laudable aims. In the mix also are Eunice, his wife, and a newly converted, reformed alcoholic named Stephen Decker, who designs Paul's brand-new church. Rivers seems to grow more moralistic with each book but as usual turns in a strong narrative, posing issues that ring loud and clear if only within church circles. --John Mort Copyright 2003 Booklist