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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. Felicity's discernment journey takes her to Rempstone, Norwich, London, and Walsingham but her discovery of a friend's murdered body in a shallow grave, the disappearance of more icons, the shooting of a London art expert just after she visits him, the disappearance of Antony, and finally the abduction of Felicity and her mother teach her far more about motherhood, life and love than she could learn in any convent retreat. Breathtaking chase scenes, mystical worship services, dashes through remote water-logged landscapes, the wisdom of ancient holy women, and the arcane rites of The Knights of St. John of Malta keep the pages turning. And will Felicity choose the veil - or Antony?… (more)
User reviews
An anchoress is a woman who has retired into seclusion for religious reasons. In this case the seclusion is a cell build onto a church wall with the nun inside. In Crow’s book the anchoress is based on the medieval anchoress is Julian of Norwich whose writings have left a lasting impression on Christian spirituality. All Saints' Church in King's Lynn, Norfolk, still has its original 12th century Anchorhold, intact and still very much in use during the daily worship of the church.
While Felicity is going around the country on retreats to test her vocation she also becomes involved in seeking the person who is stealing church icons with Anthony and another friend. Meanwhile her mother arrives from America to further complicate matters. Throw in a murder and you have a cozy, Christian fiction mystery. Many will enjoy it just not me.
I enjoyed the mystery immensely, but I do think there are quite a few problems with it. I believe the author lost her focus on the mystery and got bogged down in the details of medieval (and Renaissance) English church history. I felt that the narrative was bogged down for about the first 2/3 of the book and then suddenly it became almost thriller-like with scenes that would make an outstanding motion picture. I love church history, so it probably did not bother me as much as it would readers who have no interest. It is certainly not a mystery for everyone. Possible spoiler ahead: One of the key players in the solution of the mystery was someone that I had trouble even identifying. The author definitely should have developed this character a bit more. Crow's writing is, as usual, a step above that of most Christian fiction writers.
This book was received through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program with the expectation that a review would be written.
Now having read it, I can say it is certainly a fast read but heavy on the Scripture to the point
I found the main character to be quite immature, shallow and frankly, not very likeable She just didn't seem able to look at things from other points of view - a fact that was very much in evidence between her relationship with her mother. Her actions and comments, even her thoughts that the reader was privy to, seemed incredibly childish and I found it almost laughable that she felt she was suddenly ready to devote herself to God as a nun with barely any real reflection about the impact of such a decision. She seemed very self-absorbed and impulsive to the point of ridiculousness and it often seemed like her sudden desire to become a nun was more about running away from problems she didn't want to deal with or face up to. Her lack of insight made her a somewhat unbelievable sleuth imo.
I did learn some interesting things from the book like the historical story of Julian the Anchoress which I found fascinating and sad. Clearly the author enjoys historical research and fitting it into her stories.
I'm not religious but often enjoy ecclesiastical mysteries and I enjoyed reading about the different retreats and different types of nuns and orders, especially since a close friend of mine has a daughter who joined a closed order of nuns in France who are only allowed to speak a few times a year. I think I always enjoy puzzling over the psychology of people who choose such a path in life.
The mystery in this book of the thefts of various religious icons, many rare and unique, was interesting, The solving of this mystery and murder was not hugely complex, nor is the author the most talented of writers, but the book kept me turning pages in spite of my dislike for the main character, although that would probably keep me from reading more books in this series. Historical buffs, especially those who enjoy theology, and readers of light/cozy mysteries might enjoy it.
This was a good read but
If you are to enjoy this series, you must be someone who will enjoy the religious history that is woven throughout the book. There are also other lessons and faith issues that are discussed. Felicity and Father Antony will return in another monastery mystery called An Unholy Communion. I will definitely want to continue to read this series.
I loved Felicity and Father Antony. There is a buzz of
The plot moves along at a great pace. Interspersing the action with some history that helps Father Antony and Felicity solve the mystery really made the book for me. I love the history of things like the Templars, and other groups associated with the church. But this is not another Da Vinci Code, it's completely different, so don't worry about that. I loved her angle and how the plot moved. I must say I didn't see several things coming and that was great as well.
Combining interesting characters, fascinating history and an interesting murder mystery, Donna Fletcher Crow was able to grab my attention within the first few pages of A Darkly Hidden Truth and I had a hard time putting the book down until I turned the very last page. I look forward to going back and reading the first book in the series and I also look forward to future books as well. Ms. Crow just has a way of writing that draws you in and makes you interested in the story and I really enjoyed that. Plus the British setting was an added plus for me. I haven't read as much British fiction so gaining a little knowledge of the countryside was great for me. If you love mysteries then I suggest you give this series a try. You can start with the first book, or start with A Darkly Hidden Truth which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Donna Fletcher Crow writes both Christian Fiction and Non Fiction, and her tremendous knowledge of history is readily apparent in A Darkly Hidden Truth. It’s filled with fascinating information from Roman Catholic and Anglican Church history, visits to important religious spots and interesting discussions of Anglican sisterhoods. And while I didn’t care for the imagined scenes from the life Julien of Norwich, she herself was fascinating and I appreciated that the fictional scenes presented were clearly stated to be speculative. Unfortunately, the mystery in this story is frankly secondary to the history and the travelogue. Readers primarily looking for a cozy mystery will probably be disappointed, but those who have a strong interest in the religious aspects of the tale probably won’t mind.
The single biggest problem I had with A Darkly Hidden Truth was the main character, Felicity. She’s idiotically impulsive, rather flaky and presented as shockingly ignorant for someone who’s spent eight months at a theological seminary. I know it’s just a device to deliver information to the reader, but I found it impossible to believe that any theological student in England, particularly a woman, would be so unfamiliar with Julien of Norwich. While I found Felicity less annoying as the novel progressed, I never really warmed to her; I don’t know what Father Antony sees in her.
Getting to visit Antony and Felicity again is like visiting some old friends, who are unlikely matched up to help in finding missing icons and eventually solving the murder of their friend. Twists and turns through old priories and visits with different types of convents make the pages come alive as if you’re standing there yourself visiting these places and people.
The book has a lot to offer even those who don’t enjoy a mystery book, as the book is also chock full of history from the Catholic Church, and even those who aren’t Catholic will enjoy the history given in this book. As all histories tend to intertwine at points and we all share a common bond. I found it fascinating how many different sects (not sure if that is a good use of the word) of convents there are – some are active and modern while some still wear habits and are secluded from society. So Donna Fletcher Crow has another hit book on her hands – full of mystery, intrigue, history and even a little romance it has something for everyone.
**I was provided a copy of this book from Kregel Publishing in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.
I love reading historical amateur sleuth books like the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters or the Hawkenlye mystery series by Alys Clare. I don't understand all of the religious information,
It was the same with A DARKLY HIDDEN TRUTH. It read just like a historical mystery, but it is set in modern times.
Since I was not raised with organized religion, I didn't get all of the religious ceremonial bits, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the mystery. It only enhanced the story, especially as Father Antony is a teacher and enjoyed relating bits of history to Felicity.
I look forward to reading more of this series and I am on the lookout for the book before this one, A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE.
Thank you to Library Thing with another fab book to read and review.
Five English beans......
This is a very good book about a somewhat immature woman coming to know herself and her mother against the background of some mother-themed religious history. Well written, good characters, nice dialog. Unfortunately, the author elected to throw in an extremely badly done mystery. I'm afraid I can't forgive a mystery where the "detectives" search for a reputable professional by printing a list of museums off the Internet and then visiting each one in person to ask if he works there. Or who "investigate" a site by taking a public tour. Or ... But you get the idea.
It's hard for me to know how to help you know whether you'll like this one. I suppose that if you are interested in England and English religious history, you might enjoy it. If you are looking for good mystery, look elsewhere.
RATING: 4
HEAT:Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
A bit of a slow start I thought, but mostly because I felt Felicity, the main character, to be rather flighty, a little over-the-top with her spontaneous changes of direction and emotions, but these become an asset later in the book. The main story takes place during Lent and the icon for their monastery must be returned by Easter. As Felicity struggles to grasp what her feelings are toward becoming a nun she tries to understand what Julian's devotion and seclusion felt. She must also question her increasing feelings for Antony. She has been advised to go on retreat to some convents of various types to learn her true feelings about becoming a nun, a "discernment" of sorts. What is her true reasoning? Is she too attached to the world? Is she running from her feelings of abandonment by her mother? And after so many years of her mother's focus on work rather than her daughter, why is she suddenly coming to visit?
This is not just a book of religion however, there is a mystery afoot, the theft of religious icons, the disappearance of a friend, history, mystery, murder and mayhem, all are part and parcel of this, the second in the Monastery Murders series. The main story takes place during Lent and the icon for their monastery must be returned by Easter. What is the meaning of the Maltese crosses on the backs of these icons? This question thrusts Felicity and Antony, her good friend and partner in Book 1, right into the world of the mysterious Knights of Malta, the Knights Hospitaller. Well researched, descriptive, compelling and creative, Donna Fletcher Crow really knows how to grab her audience. I learned some fascinating history while enjoying this fast-paced mystery.