Kathleen K. (katydid597) -
I love Alice Loweecey's books. I'm a "cradle Catholic", no longer practicing, and I think she does a great job portraying both the laity and the religious in her novels.
In this installment, Giulia finds herself headed back to the convent as an undercover agent when Sister Bridget (a novice relocated to the Motherhouse with her fellow nuns when 4 communities of Sisters of St. Francis were combined), allegedly commits suicide. Bridget's family is suing the order for wrongful death, and Giulia's former Superior General, Sister Mary Fabian, hires Driscoll Investigations to determine why Bridget had killed herself, and she is the one who suggests that Giulia return to the Motherhouse ostensibly to attend the Saint Francis Day reunion. In reality, she wants Giulia because, as a former nun under Sister Fabian's thumb, she thinks she can get Giulia to agree with Sister Fabian's version of the reason for Bridget's suicide. For some odd reason, Sister F. has completely forgotten that Giulia is her own person, and sheep-like obedience isn't in her make-up.
As Giulia dons the habit and returns to the scene of the crime, she finds herself immersed in all the old feelings that had her opting out of the sisterhood 14 months before, and now she has to fight off not only that angst, but keep her guard up because it looks like there is an awful lot that has contributed to the young novice's death.
I really appreciate the way that the author keeps the story moving. This isn't a book that I could put down and go back to in a day or two. I had to keep reading because the story grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.
If you like thrillers, I think you'll like Giulia's story, but I would suggest that you start with book 1 - Force of Habit - so that you are better acquainted with the characters. Now I'm on to book 3 - Veiled Threat!
In this installment, Giulia finds herself headed back to the convent as an undercover agent when Sister Bridget (a novice relocated to the Motherhouse with her fellow nuns when 4 communities of Sisters of St. Francis were combined), allegedly commits suicide. Bridget's family is suing the order for wrongful death, and Giulia's former Superior General, Sister Mary Fabian, hires Driscoll Investigations to determine why Bridget had killed herself, and she is the one who suggests that Giulia return to the Motherhouse ostensibly to attend the Saint Francis Day reunion. In reality, she wants Giulia because, as a former nun under Sister Fabian's thumb, she thinks she can get Giulia to agree with Sister Fabian's version of the reason for Bridget's suicide. For some odd reason, Sister F. has completely forgotten that Giulia is her own person, and sheep-like obedience isn't in her make-up.
As Giulia dons the habit and returns to the scene of the crime, she finds herself immersed in all the old feelings that had her opting out of the sisterhood 14 months before, and now she has to fight off not only that angst, but keep her guard up because it looks like there is an awful lot that has contributed to the young novice's death.
I really appreciate the way that the author keeps the story moving. This isn't a book that I could put down and go back to in a day or two. I had to keep reading because the story grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.
If you like thrillers, I think you'll like Giulia's story, but I would suggest that you start with book 1 - Force of Habit - so that you are better acquainted with the characters. Now I'm on to book 3 - Veiled Threat!
