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Description
To keep quiet about something so important... well, it's almost a lie, wouldn't you say?' When Father Anselm meets Kate Seymour in the cemetery at Larkwood, he is dismayed to hear her allegation. Herbert Moore had been one of the founding fathers of the Priory, revered by all who met him, a man who'd shaped Anselm's own vocation. The idea that someone could look on his grave and speak of a lie is inconceivable. But Anselm soon learns that Herbert did indeed have secrets in his past that he kept hidden all his life. In 1917, during the terrible slaughter of the Passchendaele campaign, a soldier faced a court martial for desertion. Herbert, charged with a responsibility that would change the course of his life, sat upon the panel that judged him. In coming to understand the court martial, Anselm discovers its true significance: a secret victory that transformed the young Captain Moore and shone a light upon the horror of war.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member literarytiger
An intricate and beautiful book. Although it follows along from the other Father Anselm novels, this one stands out for its language, humanity and thought. It is the story of how death brings meaning to life and discovery and forgiveness as Father Anselm hunts for the meaning of a mysterious court
The book jumps between 1917 and present day, but all of the characters have life and depth. There is a great deal to think about with this book - it is a book I would recommend re-reading.
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martial during the War in 1917. One of his late colleagues, Father Herbert, was deeply involved and it is up to Anselm to discover what happened. The book jumps between 1917 and present day, but all of the characters have life and depth. There is a great deal to think about with this book - it is a book I would recommend re-reading.
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LibraryThing member vaitele
Graphic depictions of the slaughter on the Western Front with the insanity of war highlighted by the court martial and execution of an innocent man accused of desertion. A moving book by a fine writer whose wisdom and compassion shows through on every page.
LibraryThing member wrensong
A Whispered Name is so full of grace and mercy in the midst of terrible war time events it essentially becomes about the human capacity for rising above the things we do to a higher place.
LibraryThing member smik
I decided to read this title because my face-to-face book group have chosen a later one in the Father Anselm series for discussion next month.
Father Anselm realises from his brief discussion with Kate Seymour, a visitor to Herbert Moore's grave, that there are great many things he does not know
So at the Prior's request Anselm begins to investigate what Herbert Moore had done during the war, and to see if he can carry out Herbert's final request. Anselm solves one mystery to find that there is yet another. The final mystery is not revealed until the very last pages.
The structure of the story is interesting: the results of Anselm's investigations parallel a "real-time" narration of what happened to Herbert Moore in the first World War, and in particular in an "event" he was involved in during 1917. Not a day goes past for the rest of his life that Herbert does not think about his role in that event.
The novel also covers issues like what happened on the front during the war: the inequity of punishments for desertion for example due to timing, rank, and nationality; the horrific effects of bombardments on both sides; the effects of battlefield cleanup and burial duties on those who remained; the decimation of battalions; the differences in how soldiers and commanding officers were treated, accommodated, and fed; and the reasons why men enlisted.
Fascinating stuff. A reminder that at the end those who fought in the First World War were, first and foremost, people, who sometimes just found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Father Anselm realises from his brief discussion with Kate Seymour, a visitor to Herbert Moore's grave, that there are great many things he does not know
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about Father Moore. Anselm takes his disquiet to the Prior who reveals that before Herbert died he had given the Prior some army tags to be handed on to a Joseph Flanagan. For the last fifteen years of his life Herbert had awaited a visit by Joseph Flanagan but he never came. The Prior hands over to Anselm a box of Herbert's possessions containing among other things an envelope addressed to a Private Harold Shaw. The army tags belong to yet another name.So at the Prior's request Anselm begins to investigate what Herbert Moore had done during the war, and to see if he can carry out Herbert's final request. Anselm solves one mystery to find that there is yet another. The final mystery is not revealed until the very last pages.
The structure of the story is interesting: the results of Anselm's investigations parallel a "real-time" narration of what happened to Herbert Moore in the first World War, and in particular in an "event" he was involved in during 1917. Not a day goes past for the rest of his life that Herbert does not think about his role in that event.
The novel also covers issues like what happened on the front during the war: the inequity of punishments for desertion for example due to timing, rank, and nationality; the horrific effects of bombardments on both sides; the effects of battlefield cleanup and burial duties on those who remained; the decimation of battalions; the differences in how soldiers and commanding officers were treated, accommodated, and fed; and the reasons why men enlisted.
Fascinating stuff. A reminder that at the end those who fought in the First World War were, first and foremost, people, who sometimes just found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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LibraryThing member janerawoof
Engaging mystery-thriller series with a likable monk [previously lawyer]. One day, keeping his bees at the abbey the good Father Anselm is approached by a young lady, Kate, and old man who implicate the now-deceased Fr. Herbert in a mystery. Herbert had been in the British army in World War I and
A real page-turner, a cerebral mystery-thriller. I hope to read more about Anselm by this author. Highly recommended.
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had been one of the officers at a court martial of a young Irish soldier, Joseph Flanagan, for desertion. What was the meaning of the court martial to the young man? Kate feels there had been a good reason. When Anselm starts to investigate, some of the official papers are missing. Why? The story has several subplots: present-day and the investigation and two in the past involving Joseph and another involving the different officers who pursue his case. The World War I background involves the horrible Battle of Passchendaele.A real page-turner, a cerebral mystery-thriller. I hope to read more about Anselm by this author. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member ritaer
Only read about half--just couldn't get involved for some reason.
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Winner — 2009)