THE BAKER'S WIFE

Image of THE BAKER'S WIFE
Author(s): 
Release Date: 
September 9, 2011
Publisher/Imprint: 
Thomas Nelson
Pages: 
300
Reviewed by: 

“The Baker’s Wife brings together unlikely characters . . . each with her own agenda and differences, to suggest that all things are possible with faith. A combination of suspense, mystery, religion, and even romance weaves this tale into a cohesive, compelling read.”

Audrey Bofinger is the epitome of the perfect pastor’s wife to husband, Geoff. She tends to the sick, dedicates herself to her husband’s work, and cares for their only son, 19-year-old Ed. When Ed is involved in a scandal, the church council, led by police officer Jack Mansfield, releases Geoff from his position.

Rather than leave the area in disgrace, Geoff and Audrey rent a building and open a bakery. With this new business, the Bofingers hope to rebuild their standing in the community as well as their family bond.

Early one morning when Audrey and Ed are driving to the bakery, they are beset by the heavy fog common to Cornucopia, their California town. Audrey accidently plows into a scooter driven by Jack Mansfield’s wife, Julie. Alighting from her car, Audrey notices a vast amount of blood and the crushed scooter, but no Julie. Sliding in the blood, Audrey gets hurt, but she is more perplexed by the accident than her injury. She and Ed search through the murky mist trying to find the officer’s wife, but the woman has vanished.

Along with Julie’s disappearance, Audrey experiences a strange illness in addition to her injuries. After she files the accident report, Geoff insists she return home to recover. Diane Hall, recently released from prison, and new employee at the bakery, rushes to Audrey imploring her to help with finding Julie.

Jack blames the Bofingers for his wife’s disappearance. He holds Geoff, Ed, employee Estrella, and two patrons hostage at the bakery, giving them an ultimatum: Return Julie or he will kill everyone.

Ed phones Julie and Jack’s daughter, Miralee, at college to notify her of her mother’s disappearance and her father’s descent into crazed desperation. Miralee returns home and she, Audrey, and Diane search extensively for Julie, knowing they have limited time to find her—if they can find her at all—before Jack takes out his rage on those in the bakery.

Audrey’s illness then manifests into a type of precognition; but will it help her find the missing woman? Through all the heartaches and hardships she and her family endure, she remains faithful to God, knowing He will see them all through this horrible incident and its aftermath.

The Baker’s Wife brings together unlikely characters—Audrey, Diane, and Miralee—each with her own agenda and differences, to suggest that all things are possible with faith. A combination of suspense, mystery, religion, and even romance weaves this tale into a cohesive, compelling read.