Devil's Workshop

Mother Lavinia Grey #2

by Kate Gallison

The cats were missing. Mother Lavinia Grey noticed the signs pleading for the return of "Fluffy" and several other pets. But she was busy planning her first wedding at St. Bede's Episcopal Church -- for which she'd serve as the priest, not the bride -- and didn't connect the mysterious catnappings with the signs of a satanic cult. Until the other troubles began. Of course, Lucifer wasn't to blame for the return of a vengeful ex-con to placid Fishersville (or was he?). But a series of burglaries and the donation of a freezer chest to St. Bede's filled with something most macabre soon has Mother Grey researching the "Clavicles of Solomon" and looking for hexagrams. And with her companion, Detective Dave Dogg, out of town, she has only the Lord's help, and her own sharp wit, to find out who was doing the devil's handwork when a body -- headless and unnamed -- is found....

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 8, 1996

About the author

aka Irene Fleming

Kate Gallison was born in Philadelphia and grew up reading mystery stories, from Nancy Drew to the lurid paperbacks her mother kept on the bottom shelf in the sunroom. Over the years she has worked for the Washington Post, John Wanamaker's department store, the State of New Jersey, and two large software houses in Princeton, New Jersey. When she started writing mysteries of her own, the characters and the politics in these workplaces were all grist to her mill.

Kate has three grown sons and a bachelor's degree in humanities from Thomas Edison College. She lives in Lambertville with her musician husband and their cat.

Reviews

[Shereen Vedam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting evolution of the main character. I enjoyed her learning about herself as well as solving the mystery.

[Lisa Rathbun]

This was a quick enjoyable read at the airport during a two-hour delay. Mother Lavinia Grey (only 37 although her name makes her sound older) is the priest of a small, struggling church with a very old building. Add a tattooed single mother of three, missing cats, a book of spells, and a vengeful ex-con to the mix and you have a lot for Mother Vinnie to handle. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times and I was interested in how the events were going to unfold. I did think the climax in the riding stable was a little understated for an event so violent but it did fit with the tone of the book. I'd lilke to read more in this series. Some language. (P.S. For those who know me, no - I am not in favor of female clergymembers!)

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother Lavinia Grey has a lot on her mind--preparing to officiate at two weddings, starting a day-care center (if she can pass the state examination), dealing with a boyfriend who has disappeared at a funeral--but she's beginning to wonder if there is really a growing interest in Satanism among the teens in her small New Jersey town. Then there's a burglary in her church and the return of the ex-boyfriend (fresh out of prison) of one of the brides she's to marry. How can she spare attention for a murder victim?

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great, but not too shabby--I do like the main character so will probably give at least the next book in the series a try.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but not a great read. I didn't connect with "Vinnie" in this 2nd book of the series. I don't think reading the 1st would have helped and I probably won't read on in the series.