N R. (Moonpie) reviewed The Body Under the Bridge (Father Gilbert, Bk 1) on + 1170 more book reviews
This past year I was introduced to Father Gilbert audio CD's I purchased at our library sale with 3 of the mysteries. I knew I was hooked! I was very happy to see a new mystery in paperback! After reading it though, I have somewhat mixed feelings.
Father Gilbert is not your average priest. He once worked for Scotland Yard as a detective and turned to the serve in the church after the death of his wife. I think his present vocation really adds to the stories. I mean who wouldn't believe a man of the cloth? Especially one held in such high regard in the town where he lives.
The murder being investigated involves the present and the past, 200 years past that is. The deeper the case is probed, the more complicated it becomes. A young man jumps from the church tower after giving Father Gilbert a very old medallion. Not long after a bog body is found on nearby land with witnesses making it clear that the jumper could not have been at the church when he was. Was what the priest saw real? Yet the relic he held in his hands was very real.
As the story unfolds, the baffled cleric has more visions and paranormal experiences. There is a great deal of occult activity and even description of satanic rituals. It was definitely a battle between good and evil, but I did not feel as a Christian mystery that it should have been so graphic in areas of evil and violence. I do not deny that they author is a talented writer, but I was disappointed.
The audio books I listened to had mildly paranormal suggestions but were wholesome and in good taste. His past with Focus on the Family gave this book instant credibility for me, as I know their Christian standards are high. I have not given up on Mr. McCusker, because I did so enjoy his previous Radio Theater series, but I cannot recommend this one as Christian reading material.
I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have written are my own.
Father Gilbert is not your average priest. He once worked for Scotland Yard as a detective and turned to the serve in the church after the death of his wife. I think his present vocation really adds to the stories. I mean who wouldn't believe a man of the cloth? Especially one held in such high regard in the town where he lives.
The murder being investigated involves the present and the past, 200 years past that is. The deeper the case is probed, the more complicated it becomes. A young man jumps from the church tower after giving Father Gilbert a very old medallion. Not long after a bog body is found on nearby land with witnesses making it clear that the jumper could not have been at the church when he was. Was what the priest saw real? Yet the relic he held in his hands was very real.
As the story unfolds, the baffled cleric has more visions and paranormal experiences. There is a great deal of occult activity and even description of satanic rituals. It was definitely a battle between good and evil, but I did not feel as a Christian mystery that it should have been so graphic in areas of evil and violence. I do not deny that they author is a talented writer, but I was disappointed.
The audio books I listened to had mildly paranormal suggestions but were wholesome and in good taste. His past with Focus on the Family gave this book instant credibility for me, as I know their Christian standards are high. I have not given up on Mr. McCusker, because I did so enjoy his previous Radio Theater series, but I cannot recommend this one as Christian reading material.
I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have written are my own.
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed The Body Under the Bridge (Father Gilbert, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
I found The Body under the Bridge to be an intriguing read pretty much out of my comfort zone, but really good. Paul McCusker's writing is excellent, characters are very well developed, and the plot not only entertains, but gives readers much upon which to reflect from a spiritual standpoint.
I doubt anyone loves small-village English settings for cozy murder mysteries and police procedurals as much as I do and with the "amateur" detective of Father Gilbert, that's just what I was expecting. Indeed, Paul McCusker does the small-village setting extremely well. But while this story has the picturesque setting of Stonebridge in Sussex, England, there were a few surprises along the way. Foremost of these was the paranormal element a secret Society, pentagram symbol, the unmistakable presence of evil, an ancient curse, and demon possession. Amidst all this, Paul injects a subtle humor that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I found Father Gilbert to be a very appealing character. At some point in the past, he resigned his position with Scotland Yard to become an Anglican priest, and as such, brings a unique combination of investigative skills and spiritual intuition. This book is preceded by nine Father Gilbert Mysteries produced as audio dramas by Focus on the Family, and I imagine more of his back story can be found in these programs.
Father Gilbert has fascinating visions that are unexplainable, vivid scenes that he perceives to be real, and are relevant to events that are about to unfold. I don't presume to understand anything about spiritual warfare, yet I know that Satan is constantly at work and that spiritual warfare is very real. Father Gilbert sees evil as a personal and supernatural force and that the powerful motivators of greed, power, lust, and glory have always been and always will be in play.
I appreciated how strong the spiritual themes were throughout, one particular example being the struggle with temptation that we all face, reflected in Father Gilbert's words: "The line between temptation and action was razor thin and easily passed over without resistance, control, or reasoning. Deliver us from evil... that I so readily embrace."
Paranormal is a genre I almost always avoid, yet I enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more of Father Gilbert's stories. Recommended to all who enjoy a good mystery with supernatural elements.
Thank you to Kregel/Lion Hudson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I doubt anyone loves small-village English settings for cozy murder mysteries and police procedurals as much as I do and with the "amateur" detective of Father Gilbert, that's just what I was expecting. Indeed, Paul McCusker does the small-village setting extremely well. But while this story has the picturesque setting of Stonebridge in Sussex, England, there were a few surprises along the way. Foremost of these was the paranormal element a secret Society, pentagram symbol, the unmistakable presence of evil, an ancient curse, and demon possession. Amidst all this, Paul injects a subtle humor that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I found Father Gilbert to be a very appealing character. At some point in the past, he resigned his position with Scotland Yard to become an Anglican priest, and as such, brings a unique combination of investigative skills and spiritual intuition. This book is preceded by nine Father Gilbert Mysteries produced as audio dramas by Focus on the Family, and I imagine more of his back story can be found in these programs.
Father Gilbert has fascinating visions that are unexplainable, vivid scenes that he perceives to be real, and are relevant to events that are about to unfold. I don't presume to understand anything about spiritual warfare, yet I know that Satan is constantly at work and that spiritual warfare is very real. Father Gilbert sees evil as a personal and supernatural force and that the powerful motivators of greed, power, lust, and glory have always been and always will be in play.
I appreciated how strong the spiritual themes were throughout, one particular example being the struggle with temptation that we all face, reflected in Father Gilbert's words: "The line between temptation and action was razor thin and easily passed over without resistance, control, or reasoning. Deliver us from evil... that I so readily embrace."
Paranormal is a genre I almost always avoid, yet I enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more of Father Gilbert's stories. Recommended to all who enjoy a good mystery with supernatural elements.
Thank you to Kregel/Lion Hudson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
