Thieves Break In

Divine Mystery #2

by Cristina Sumners

The Reverend Kathryn Koerney is looking forward to guiding a group of her New Jersey parishioners through historical Oxford, England. She's also eager to visit her cousin, Richard, who works for a baronet at Datchworth Castle. But just before she departs, Kathryn gets word that Richard has fallen to his death from a castle tower. The police are calling it murder--yet they don't have a single lead. Fortunately, her friend, Chief of Police Tom Holder, is anxious to accompany her to the scene and lend his expertise. Secretly smitten with the divine lady priest, there's nothing the crime-deprived, unhappily married cop would like more than to conduct an investigation with her by his side. But his enthusiasm quickly fades when a certain marquis captures Kathryn's attention.

Datchworth has a wealth of secret treasures--and dark secrets. And when Kathryn stumbles upon what could be the most sensational find of the century, Tom and Kathryn are caught in a web of greed and madness that will require all their courage and faith--not just to save their friendship, but their lives.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 26, 2004

About the author

CRISTINA SUMNERS holds a M.Div from the General Seminary of the Episcopal Church and an M.Phil. in Medieval English Studies from Oxford University. She has worked in two churches in Texas and as the Education Officer at a large urban church in England. Married to a scientist, she lives in Taos, New Mexico.

Reviews

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading mysteries with a clergywoman as the amateur sleuth and a budding relationship with the law enforcement professional. This cozy mystery book 2 of 3, set in England was less enjoyable than those set in the U.S., but it was interesting. Very slow starting out, but picked up. Didn't figure it out until the last 30 pages because the "who done it" was a character that had been in the story's shadows.

[Sarah "Kat" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written a step above most cozies if I do say so myself as much as I am addicted to the genre.

I found that this author has only written 2 other books :(

Even though I rarely put this book down, it was quite confusing with the number of characters and how they were all related. She must have realized it because there are two family tree drawings in the book but a cast of characters at the beginning would be real helpful.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

What bothered me about this story is the author left the murderer so far out of the story line that i couldn't have even suspected them if I tried.

[Michael McCue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do really enjoy reading mysteries with a clergyperson as the detective. This is the second Cristina Sumners mystery with Kathryn Koerney, an Episcopal priest, as the protagonist. There is something uneven about these novels. I found each one to begin sort of dull and then really pick up as I read along. In the beginning I was about to give it up when it did get interesting and I had to finish. Kathryn is young and attractive and has many admirers. Chief among them is the police chief of her town in New Jersey, Tom Holder. Tom is considerable older and married. Unhappily married perhaps. Are these books leading toward the two getting together? Thieves Break In has a bit of a Jane Austin/Mr. Rochester element. The story takes place mostly in a castle in England where Kathryn's cousin has been murdered by being pushed off the top of the parapet. The characters are likable. I will probably read the next one.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, especially for a mystery loving Anglophile. I probably would not have enjoyed it so much had it not taken place in England, so I likely will not be searching for the other books in this series.

[Julie Golding Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this second book of Sumners' series about a female cleric.

The story seemed melodramatic to me, involving tragic accidents, a British baronet and other aristocrats - all against the backdrop of a luxurious British estate. None of that would be off-putting, as all elements are present in many of the great Agatha Christie's stories. However, considering that the main character is an American priest, who was only to be on holiday in Britain, and she just happened to have a cousin murdered on said British estate before she headed out, and she just happened to meet said British aristocrat on the train and become attracted to him....the entire story seemed unbelievable to me. I also didn't really believe that the priest, described as 30-something and exceptionally beautiful, would fall for a pudgy, unremarkable and very married balding policeman instead of for the handsome Brit. However, that is where the author hints the series is going.

In addition, the main character was forever impressing her British hosts with British ways of speaking, that were inevitably explained for the benefit of her American friend. This was tiring and came across as pompous.

I will likely read the 3rd and final (as far as I know) book in the series, to finish it off, but it is with the hope that it will be far better than this one.

[Dorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had much more trouble with this book, the second of the series, because it jumped around several different time periods. Two I can handle, but more than that is confusing and annoying to me. Still, I like the characters.

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first in the series, and with a very predictible villain.

[a. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am marking this one DNF. I'm not enjoying it yet. I'll come back to it someday.