The Narrow Gate

Amid the quaint backdrop of Victorian mansions; rolling hillsides; cobblestone walks; and the placid St. Thomas River in Havendale, Wisconsin, Sophie Stangler is making a name for herself as an investigative crime reporter for the Minneapolis Daily in near-by Minneapolis. Blessed as a talented journalist with the God-given gift of keen insight for solving crimes, her columns and blogs are hugely popular. She has become somewhat of a celebrity in her beloved, little hometown.

Shockingly, a check-up scheduled with her family friend and doctor, reveals she has a malignant brain tumor. Dr. Densmore painfully gives her about 6 months to live. Sophie prays to God for strength and the answers to the questions bombarding her: How do I live out my final days in service to God? How will I make each day count as the gift that it is? As she moves forward in acceptance of her diagnosis, her focus becomes that of eternal estate planning.

But then Marcus Crandall, a young husband and soon-to-be, new father, is found dead in Havendale. Sophie is called in to work the case with local detective, Park Sims. Marcus’ adoring widow, Molly Crandall, is grief-stricken and needs answers to her questions. Sophie desperately wants to solve the case and provide those answers, but she is running out of time.