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The Isle of Wesberrey #1-8
Rev Jessamy Ward Investigates: The Isle of Wesberrey Mysteries
'A remote island location, a hint of magic, a touch of romance ... a wonderfully written and heartwarming cozy mystery.'
Wrongdoers, it’s time to say your prayers!
**Complete series in one boxed set**
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
‘Funny, thrilling’ and a little bit spooky, this new mystery series had me from page one.’
‘Surprisingly heartwarming and enticingly written. I could almost taste the food being served.’
Read Holy Homicide and seven more thrilling tales plus a bonus short story in this wonderful boxed set of heartwarming mysteries.
Wrongdoers, it’s time to say your prayers!
**Complete series in one boxed set**
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
‘Funny, thrilling’ and a little bit spooky, this new mystery series had me from page one.’
‘Surprisingly heartwarming and enticingly written. I could almost taste the food being served.’
Read Holy Homicide and seven more thrilling tales plus a bonus short story in this wonderful boxed set of heartwarming mysteries.
- GenresMystery
1466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2023
278 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 20, 2023
The series had a interesting premise, but from the opening, it was clear that there wasn't going to be any real attempt at worldbuilding or character development. It's absolutely unbelievable that an author would choose to have a vicar as their main character and yet clearly know so little about the life of an Anglican church that they *completely avoid it* in the book: from the vicar's installation to services to pastoral visits. I mean, this is a vicar who sobs, 'How can I be there for [a childhood friend?' *You're a vicar, it's your flipping job* (Oh, and btw, she isn't there for that friend). Yet at the same time, the writer decides that vicar needs to pontificate about how religious she is, talking to G-d (not that we get the words); claiming she's going to be chaste till marriage, but not judge others; and her faith is so infantile it still poops meconium. We never attend a proper PCC, baptism, funeral, etc. So, why bother? Just make her a teacher or something you know about.
The inanity of these passages is a caricature of faith from someone who doesn't understand it:
It was crazy to think that the gurgling bundle wrapped in white satin and lace in my arms, was but a twinkle in his father’s eye when I first arrived back on Wesberrey. Welcoming a new brother or sister in Christ to the fold always gladdens my heart. The symbolism of light and cleansing water. The loving declarations of the godparents to provide moral and spiritual guidance to this fragile human being, throughout their time here on earth, is my favourite moment of the ceremony.
God will decide if Ernest pulls through this battle. I had faith in his divine wisdom. It was my duty to offer a reassuring word, and the offer of practical support and care, as much for his partner, Tom, as for Ernest himself.
I closed my eyes and said a prayer for his safe return to us, and threw in a couple of words for Tom and Ernest, too. It was all I could do. I had to believe it had some effect.
There is little character development - we mostly have caricatures with idiosyncrasies & apparently all women are eternal teenagers; no relationship development - who knows where her sudden passion for her beau comes from & if people don't develop, relationships can't; no real engagement with religion, magic, or spirituality; and the writing is simplistic enough for 10 year olds. And that's leaving aside some real clangers in English usage.
There's no real worldbuilding either. It all feels embryonic, like an author's first outline so they can think everything and everyone through and realise, oh yeah, I need to talk to/shadow a priest or change the main character. I need to talk to some people who are involved in magic, and to people who hold both. The author seems to have confused 'cosy' with 'shallow'.
Having said all that, there is potential - some genuine laugh out loud dialogue, which is a strength of the author and some glim
The inanity of these passages is a caricature of faith from someone who doesn't understand it:
It was crazy to think that the gurgling bundle wrapped in white satin and lace in my arms, was but a twinkle in his father’s eye when I first arrived back on Wesberrey. Welcoming a new brother or sister in Christ to the fold always gladdens my heart. The symbolism of light and cleansing water. The loving declarations of the godparents to provide moral and spiritual guidance to this fragile human being, throughout their time here on earth, is my favourite moment of the ceremony.
God will decide if Ernest pulls through this battle. I had faith in his divine wisdom. It was my duty to offer a reassuring word, and the offer of practical support and care, as much for his partner, Tom, as for Ernest himself.
I closed my eyes and said a prayer for his safe return to us, and threw in a couple of words for Tom and Ernest, too. It was all I could do. I had to believe it had some effect.
There is little character development - we mostly have caricatures with idiosyncrasies & apparently all women are eternal teenagers; no relationship development - who knows where her sudden passion for her beau comes from & if people don't develop, relationships can't; no real engagement with religion, magic, or spirituality; and the writing is simplistic enough for 10 year olds. And that's leaving aside some real clangers in English usage.
There's no real worldbuilding either. It all feels embryonic, like an author's first outline so they can think everything and everyone through and realise, oh yeah, I need to talk to/shadow a priest or change the main character. I need to talk to some people who are involved in magic, and to people who hold both. The author seems to have confused 'cosy' with 'shallow'.
Having said all that, there is potential - some genuine laugh out loud dialogue, which is a strength of the author and some glim
May 15, 2024
A must have collection!
Let's face it, loads of people love reading good, clean mysteries. The problem is, there's not a ton of them out there these days. There's a lot of sex, innuendos of sex and just plain filth, at times. This set is such a fabulous find that your entire family could read these books and really enjoy them. I actually love this series so much that I'm certain I will be re-reading this one. I love reading books that fill me with joy, peace and excitement. Each story is filled from the get-go with mystery and intrigue, and the lead character is a parish priest, no less. So get your tray set up with a lovely pot of piping hot tea and snacks set close to hand, grab a blanket and snuggle in for one of the best reads you will come across. Reading is my sanity, how about you? :-)
Let's face it, loads of people love reading good, clean mysteries. The problem is, there's not a ton of them out there these days. There's a lot of sex, innuendos of sex and just plain filth, at times. This set is such a fabulous find that your entire family could read these books and really enjoy them. I actually love this series so much that I'm certain I will be re-reading this one. I love reading books that fill me with joy, peace and excitement. Each story is filled from the get-go with mystery and intrigue, and the lead character is a parish priest, no less. So get your tray set up with a lovely pot of piping hot tea and snacks set close to hand, grab a blanket and snuggle in for one of the best reads you will come across. Reading is my sanity, how about you? :-)
March 30, 2023
This is a great series! Worst part was reading through to the end of book eight. Sure hope there will be more to come.
July 29, 2023
delightful
I read all of these one after the other. Well drawn gentle plots and characters.
Relaxing reading, a nice change.
I read all of these one after the other. Well drawn gentle plots and characters.
Relaxing reading, a nice change.
April 16, 2024
Great reading
All of the characters were interesting, I loved the way Vicar Jess tried to merge her Christian beliefs with her newly found beliefs
All of the characters were interesting, I loved the way Vicar Jess tried to merge her Christian beliefs with her newly found beliefs
July 30, 2024
Loved it.
I wish there was more. Kind of in limbo about Muriel and how the vicar can help her. Other than that the series was intriguing.
I wish there was more. Kind of in limbo about Muriel and how the vicar can help her. Other than that the series was intriguing.
August 13, 2024
This is a great series. All the stories/mysteries were well written. The characters are witty and lovable. Totally entertaining read. Wish there were more books. Highly recommend!!
May 31, 2023
Finished book one (Holy Homicide) today. 4/27. Really enjoying this series.
Book two (Mausoleum Madness) done. 4/30.
Book three (Pious Poison) done. 5/8.
Book four (Divine Death) done. 5/11.
Book five (Consecrated Crime) done. 5/17.
Book six (Vestry Vice) done. 5/21.
Book 6.5 (A String of Perils) done. 5/22.
Book seven (Sacred Slaying) done. 5/26.
Book eight (Enshrined Evil) finished today 5/30.
Excellent mix of pagan and christian mysteries.
Book two (Mausoleum Madness) done. 4/30.
Book three (Pious Poison) done. 5/8.
Book four (Divine Death) done. 5/11.
Book five (Consecrated Crime) done. 5/17.
Book six (Vestry Vice) done. 5/21.
Book 6.5 (A String of Perils) done. 5/22.
Book seven (Sacred Slaying) done. 5/26.
Book eight (Enshrined Evil) finished today 5/30.
Excellent mix of pagan and christian mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews