Book Description: Felicity has decided to become a nun. She departs to visit convents in spite of her mother's imminent arrival and Fr. Anselm's request that she and Fr. Antony recover a missing priceless Russian icon before the Patriarch of Moscow arrives at the community for Holy Week.
My Review: Not having read the first book, A Very Private Grave, I thought this read might leave me wondering what was going on...not so!
This read begins with Felicity embarking on a journey to become a nun. Felicity reminded me of Maria in the movie, The Sound of Music. Felicity loves life and likes change. Sometimes Felicity changes her way of life, like wanting to become a nun, just because the notion overtakes her at the time or going off to another convent just because of the adventure. Even though, at the time, Felicity is totally convinced that it is the right thing to do, never thinking of consequences or life results. One cannot help but love Felicity!
Being Protestant I was slightly confused at the being of this read...I thought this was about the Catholic church but then I realized that Felicity and Anthony are Anglican (like the Episcopal church). A Catholic priest takes a vow not to marry; whereas, an Anglican priest can marry. From a protestants view point, I found all of the church history very enlightening and informative.
This is one read that won't leave you hanging! The mystery of sacred icons being stolen and murders abounding makes for a grand gothic read! Ms. Crow writes with a dynamic mix of intellect and realism! The reader can "feel" the chill of the monastery or the blandness of the dreary sky.
Then there is the emotion of family dynamics between Felicity and her mother which is so true to life or the sweet hint of romance whenever Anthony is around Felicity. Loved the ending to this story!
This stand.alone.read is not to be missed! And will make you wanting more...waiting impatiently for The Unholy Communion book #3 in the Monastery Murders.
*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*
About the Author:
Donna Fletcher Crow, who lives in Idaho with her husband of 46 years, is the mother of four adult children, grandmother of 10 and author of thirty-some books, mostly novels dealing with British history. Her best known book is the epic historical novel Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, which was awarded First Place, Historical Fiction, by the National Federation of Press Women.
After almost 10 years in the publishing wilderness Donna is reentering the fray with The Monastery Murders, a series of ecclesiastical mysteries featuring Felicity Howard, an American woman studying for the Anglican priesthood in a monastery in remote Yorkshire. When Felicity's favorite monk is bludgeoned to death she finds herself learning about a lot more than theoretical theology. A Very Private Grave, the first in the series will be released by Monarch Books (Lion Hudson) in May 2010 in the UK and next Sept. in the US by Kregel Books.
She says, "I write historical novels and contemporaries that draw heavily on historical background, because I believe it is vitally important that we not loose touch with our rich historical heritage. Those who have gone before us have worked too hard and suffered too much to preserve the privileges we enjoy for us to forget their stories. Reading of the triumphs of the faithful in ages past can inspire and strengthen us for our own challenging times."
Donna is an enthusiastic gardener, enjoying the challenge of growing an English cottage garden in the Idaho desert. You can visit her garden at http://novelgarden.blogspot.com/She also enjoys drinking tea with family and friends and hearing from her readers. You can write to her at DonnaFCrow@aol.com.
- Paperback: 366 pages
- Publisher: Monarch Books (December 1, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0857210505
- ISBN-13: 978-0857210500
Tammy, thank you so much for the delightful review! And Felicity thanks you, too. Fr. Antony, being English, is a bit shyer, but is pleased. smile. And thank you for making it clear about it being all right for Anglican priests to marry. I know that can be confusing to readers.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is gorgeous!