The crowds fled, peals of thunder drowning their cries.

"Maybe he really was the Son of God?" said Alec.

"Maybe," said Simon. "Let's ask."

They cried in unison, "If you are truly the Son of God,

then save yourself! Come down from that cross!"

And Jesus said, "okay."

One Sunday night, someone tried to burn down the rectory. The adults think it was an accident, but Mary knows better. She saw. She knows who did it. So, while the pastor spins up fund drives and second collections, Mary calls upon her untested detective skills to muscle up suspects and track down clues. The investigation leads her to the boys' side of the lot, where tag is treated as a blacktop sacrament. Along the way are other rituals: detention, rosary whippings, market research, murder doors, not to mention the toughest ritual of all: new friendships. Ultimately, she's determined to uncover the truth, like any heroic detective should.

Crucifixion Tag is an earnest, hilarious literary mystery set around a suburban Catholic parish. The story is told from the points of view of three fifth-grade classmates - Mary, Simon, and Alec. A triple-bildungsroman, if you will, chocked with colorful characters and infused with religious themes the way a candy bar is chocked and infused with nougat and raisins and other god-forsaken adulterants.