The Parsonage at Treacle Creek

The Parsonage at Treacle Creek is both a murder mystery and a social and spiritual saga about a community's attempts to resist efforts aimed at bringing unity, openness and the ways of modern inclusion. Old hurts and tragedies that have been nursed through the years make true trust impossible. At first glance, the dividing factor appears to be cultural in nature. Upon further analysis, it becomes clear that this community will use any area of division to avoid dealing with past hurts and starting anew. They are so used to covering their tragedies, pain and sin that they all agree that probing is always out. To them, community involves physical aid alone, ignoring emotional and spiritual aspects thus creating a society based on appearances rooted in a conspiracy of unconscious silence. Through forbidden probing, Sheila is able to unravel the murder mystery while simultaneously discovering and treating the many long entrenched social injustices that make up their way of life. In the end Sheila's probing is recognized as the salve that catapults the community toward their unspoken, though long desired social and spiritual unity.