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Theodora Braithwaite #1
Clerical Errors
Julia Smith's first day of work in the diocesan office of St Manicus did not unfold as she might have hoped. Confused by the ecclesiastical intrigue of the Dean and Chapter, the shocked Julia is taken under the wing of the young deaconess, Theodora Braithwaite.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
820 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Greenwood
14 books14 followersDr D(iane) M Greenwood described herself as "a low level ecclesiastical civil servant". Coming originally from Norfolk in England, she took a first degree in classics at Oxford, then, as a mature student, a second degree in theology at London University. She taught at various schools before working for the diocese of Rochester. She was described by an ex-pupil as "a classics teacher of terrifying erudition and eccentricity". She retired as diocesan director of education for the diocese of Rochester in 2004. She published nine Theodora Braithwaite novels between 1991 and 1999. She was last heard of living in Greenwich with her lurcher bitch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 22, 2023
Not for me.
The premise sounded interesting, and I’m in such an English cosy mood. However, I found this tedious. I did not enjoy any of the characters, and the atmosphere was very bland. I’m honestly surprised Wheeler lasted as long as he did as he was on a power trip, and used his interactions with the staff (disciplinary incidents, belittling, misogyny, etc.) to bolster his own ego, and he was just a creep. Very heavy on the religious life, so if you were hoping for a cosier style, forget it. In all, I wasn’t a fan, but I know this will appeal to other readers who enjoy this style of cosy.
The premise sounded interesting, and I’m in such an English cosy mood. However, I found this tedious. I did not enjoy any of the characters, and the atmosphere was very bland. I’m honestly surprised Wheeler lasted as long as he did as he was on a power trip, and used his interactions with the staff (disciplinary incidents, belittling, misogyny, etc.) to bolster his own ego, and he was just a creep. Very heavy on the religious life, so if you were hoping for a cosier style, forget it. In all, I wasn’t a fan, but I know this will appeal to other readers who enjoy this style of cosy.
July 14, 2015
A severed head in the font and a missing clergyman not to speak of excessive use of altar candles are the main ingredients for this intriguing ecclesiastical mystery novel. Deaconess Theodora Braithwaite and new employee Julia Smith team up in an unofficial way to try and uncover what on earth is going on in the diocese. A Bishop who seems to be absent in spirit if not in body and a Canon who deletes in keeping everyone in their place by bullying them as well as the severed head provide them with plenty of material to work on.
I enjoyed reading this novel again having first read it about twenty years ago. I like Theodora as a character and I find the Church of England background interesting. The plot is well constructed and the suspense builds up nicely towards the end. If you enjoy mystery novels with no graphic violence and no bad language then these may be one for you. This is the first book in a nine book series.
I enjoyed reading this novel again having first read it about twenty years ago. I like Theodora as a character and I find the Church of England background interesting. The plot is well constructed and the suspense builds up nicely towards the end. If you enjoy mystery novels with no graphic violence and no bad language then these may be one for you. This is the first book in a nine book series.
December 14, 2019
The best things about this book are the moral seriousness and the author’s skill at introducing characters. I think the plot was unnecessarily overcomplicated with new characters and elements still being introduced late into the story. In some ways, including the crashing snobbery, the tone is very reminiscent of Ngaio Marsh, but alas no Roderick Alleyn, though the quietly competent deacon Theodora Braithwaite has potential.
April 10, 2013
I'm afraid, because I don't understand church politics or its hierarchy, I found this story a bit on the confusing side and I'm not sure I got all the characters straight in my head.
Parts of the story were interesting, but because of my lack of knowledge of the above, those parts were a chore to get through.
Parts of the story were interesting, but because of my lack of knowledge of the above, those parts were a chore to get through.
December 6, 2023
DNF’d at 24%.
1) I don’t know anything about the hierarchy of the “Anglican” Church, and this book presupposes that I do. The snobbery of the prelates was off-putting; and
2) It was deadly SLOW.
Too many books…
1) I don’t know anything about the hierarchy of the “Anglican” Church, and this book presupposes that I do. The snobbery of the prelates was off-putting; and
2) It was deadly SLOW.
Too many books…
Read
March 23, 2024While I was intrigued by the setting and premise, this was tedious and slow. Put it down and away at about a quarter of the way through. Life is too short and there are so many other good books to read!
Want to read
October 27, 2020This is a really well written book with lovely use of the English language. Although only written in 1991 it seemed quite old fashioned, when Julie needed to contact the police she had to head for the nearest telephone box! The story was also enjoyable, set in the precincts of the fictional Cathedral of Medewich and surrounding parishes. Julie Smith gets her first secretarial job at the Cathedral working for objectionable Canon Wheeler and just after her interview she is confronted with a severed head in the Cathedral font and not just any head but the head of one of the Vicars of the diocese. Things go from bad to worse and Julie, together with her new colleagues Theodora Braithwaite and Ian Caretaker get drawn into solving a series of strange incidents. They find themselves in danger of losing their own lives as they continue to delve into the mysteries and there are a few hair raising moments when it seems that the outcome may not be good.
May 7, 2023
Vacillating between 2-3 Stars ⭐️⭐️-⭐️
Julia Smith sat reflectively in the Medewich Cathedral, having completed an interview with Canon Wheeler for the position of second secretary. The immediacy of the job offer was appreciated. The peace was disrupted by screams. Following the sounds of distress, Julia found the woman in shock after her hysterical screams. It is a sight beyond words. A sight that demands answers and justice. The sleuthing team comprises Deaconess Theodora Braithwaite, Lay Assistant Ian Caretaker, and newly hired Julia Smith.
The cathedral is part of the Church of England or Anglican Church. During the investigation, one of the interesting parts of the storyline is the conversations about Christianity and Buddhism between Julia and Ian's friend Dhani Tambiah. The language used is abstruse. Reading on a Kindle with the ease dictionary feature eased my way, or I might have abandoned the task. However, as it became a required feature, the flow of reading joy was interrupted and I do not anticipate continuing the series.
A Glossary of English Usage for US Readers Is provided.
Note: I cannot speak to the entire series, reading Book 1 as a stand-alone but from the crime scene forward I am not in agreement with marketing as a cozy mystery.
Julia Smith sat reflectively in the Medewich Cathedral, having completed an interview with Canon Wheeler for the position of second secretary. The immediacy of the job offer was appreciated. The peace was disrupted by screams. Following the sounds of distress, Julia found the woman in shock after her hysterical screams. It is a sight beyond words. A sight that demands answers and justice. The sleuthing team comprises Deaconess Theodora Braithwaite, Lay Assistant Ian Caretaker, and newly hired Julia Smith.
The cathedral is part of the Church of England or Anglican Church. During the investigation, one of the interesting parts of the storyline is the conversations about Christianity and Buddhism between Julia and Ian's friend Dhani Tambiah. The language used is abstruse. Reading on a Kindle with the ease dictionary feature eased my way, or I might have abandoned the task. However, as it became a required feature, the flow of reading joy was interrupted and I do not anticipate continuing the series.
A Glossary of English Usage for US Readers Is provided.
Note: I cannot speak to the entire series, reading Book 1 as a stand-alone but from the crime scene forward I am not in agreement with marketing as a cozy mystery.
November 27, 2017
While I liked some of the characters, particularly Ian and Dhani, I couldn't find much else to like about the book. The author's "voice" was not particularly likable (compared, for example, to the voice of Ellis Peters in the Cadfael series). I don't think it's a coincidence that the likable characters are those who were by nature excluded from power in the Anglican church and the unlikable characters are those who were in power--I think the author "dost protest too much."
Julia, the young girl from Australia who "knows nothing about the Anglican church" keeps comparing it to Trollope (and if you've read Trollope, you are not the innocent about the Anglican church that she seems to be or the uneducated innocent she is supposed to be. Also, Trollope's exaggerations of character are done on purpose for humor and to make a point--and are pointed equally at those in power and those who are fighting the power structure).
There are at least two unbelievable plot-lines. Worst of all, the resolution of the mystery takes place in a meeting where "all is explained (or some is explained--the plots don't really hold together)."
Julia, the young girl from Australia who "knows nothing about the Anglican church" keeps comparing it to Trollope (and if you've read Trollope, you are not the innocent about the Anglican church that she seems to be or the uneducated innocent she is supposed to be. Also, Trollope's exaggerations of character are done on purpose for humor and to make a point--and are pointed equally at those in power and those who are fighting the power structure).
There are at least two unbelievable plot-lines. Worst of all, the resolution of the mystery takes place in a meeting where "all is explained (or some is explained--the plots don't really hold together)."
September 30, 2023
A murder among church matters
Julia Smith attends an interview to be Canon Wheeler’s secretary. At 19, with little skill and recently back from Australia, she fears she will not be up to the job. Then a head is discovered and she finds herself involved in an investigation with Theodora Braithwaite, Ian Caretaker and his friend Dhani. As they stumble across clues, the situation becomes more complicated and thwarted by the church’s attitude.
The descriptions are heavily brocaded, like a ceremonial robe. Amongst the costume of church matters, there is a bit of bumbling around and being quite polite. I was intrigued by what was being revealed but didn’t really feel a sense of tension as the characters seemed so laid back in their actions and thoughts. And then - all was solved! I hadn’t realised that It was a Theodora mystery as the other characters seemed more prominent and it would be interesting to see if the character develops more in the series.
Julia Smith attends an interview to be Canon Wheeler’s secretary. At 19, with little skill and recently back from Australia, she fears she will not be up to the job. Then a head is discovered and she finds herself involved in an investigation with Theodora Braithwaite, Ian Caretaker and his friend Dhani. As they stumble across clues, the situation becomes more complicated and thwarted by the church’s attitude.
The descriptions are heavily brocaded, like a ceremonial robe. Amongst the costume of church matters, there is a bit of bumbling around and being quite polite. I was intrigued by what was being revealed but didn’t really feel a sense of tension as the characters seemed so laid back in their actions and thoughts. And then - all was solved! I hadn’t realised that It was a Theodora mystery as the other characters seemed more prominent and it would be interesting to see if the character develops more in the series.
Read
September 22, 2023Julia Smith is sitting peacefully in the cathedral after her successful interview at the diocesan office when she hears an ear-splitting shriek coming from the chapel.
Mrs Thrigg, the cleaner, is frozen with shock and holding on to the white marble font for dear life.
A young man’s severed head is perched on the edge of its ample basin, his lifeless eyes staring right at her.
Fortunately for Julia, Deaconess Theodora decides to take her under her wing. Together they begin their investigations into this grisly murder.
But the deeper they dive, the more they realise all is not well in the once-peaceful town of Medewich.
Can Julia and Theodora find the culprit before they strike again?
Didn't read. Simplistic. No more of author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
Too many characters, especially within the church hierarchy. Obvious dislike between laity and clergy along similar lines to titled versus commoners. Maybe that's how things really are in the Anglican Church - if so, that's very sad.
Instead of much happening in the book, the main vehicle for moving the story ahead was simply people sitting around talking about how much one character disliked another or made life difficult for another.
Julia seemed to be a "main character" at first, but in the second half of the book she seemed more of a fringe character. I kept feeling like she was hiding some major secrets, but none of those were explored.
Overall, I found this a very disappointing read on several levels.
Instead of much happening in the book, the main vehicle for moving the story ahead was simply people sitting around talking about how much one character disliked another or made life difficult for another.
Julia seemed to be a "main character" at first, but in the second half of the book she seemed more of a fringe character. I kept feeling like she was hiding some major secrets, but none of those were explored.
Overall, I found this a very disappointing read on several levels.
November 30, 2023
A pretty good story with a little suspense thrown in at the end. But overall I found it difficult to slog through the verbiage. Had to stop and look up words more than once (thank goodness for Kindle dictionary!). It felt like the author was using a rather obscure vocabulary just to show off and make the reader feel inferior. Reminded me a little bit of one of the characters in the book! I don't have any knowledge of the inner workings of the church hierarchy, maybe I would have understood more if I did. If British people (specifically, Anglican clergy) are really this miserable and mean to one another, i wonder how they've lasted this long. I probably won't be continuing this series.
August 11, 2023
such exquisite writing!
D.M. Greenwood writes wonderfully elegantly. Her scenarios and characters are described thoroughly but economically and with such warm maturity. The ecclesiastical setting is very interesting and I enjoyed the plot. The characters, while displaying rather odd behaviours and reactions, seem to me very typically English.
D.M. Greenwood writes wonderfully elegantly. Her scenarios and characters are described thoroughly but economically and with such warm maturity. The ecclesiastical setting is very interesting and I enjoyed the plot. The characters, while displaying rather odd behaviours and reactions, seem to me very typically English.
September 22, 2023
This was a very different book from the usual mysteries. The twists at the end were invisible to me before they turned up! However, it was called a Theodora Braithwaite mystery, but she didn't seem to do much at all, and what she did was with the help of two others. Presumably the future books will feature her more strongly.
October 5, 2023
A nice change
This murder mystery is quite different to most that I have read. It got the little grey cells working. I enjoyed the mixture of different characters. I found myself contemplating who had done what and why whilst I was at work. This story made a nice change to the books I usually read.
This murder mystery is quite different to most that I have read. It got the little grey cells working. I enjoyed the mixture of different characters. I found myself contemplating who had done what and why whilst I was at work. This story made a nice change to the books I usually read.
October 20, 2023
delightful
This first in the series mystery was full of plot twists and turn and intelligent characters. Theodora and her friend work to solve a number of crimes including a couple of mysteries. The book was an enjoyable mystery which kept me page turning and pondering. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
This first in the series mystery was full of plot twists and turn and intelligent characters. Theodora and her friend work to solve a number of crimes including a couple of mysteries. The book was an enjoyable mystery which kept me page turning and pondering. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
October 28, 2023
Excellent
This is a cleverly and beautifully written mystery. I appreciated the complex look at the Anglican clergy, the sometimes absurd pomposity, and poignant matters of faith explored within a thoughtfully written murder mystery. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This is a cleverly and beautifully written mystery. I appreciated the complex look at the Anglican clergy, the sometimes absurd pomposity, and poignant matters of faith explored within a thoughtfully written murder mystery. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
February 7, 2023
The joy of discovering a great new series
The ins and outs of the relationships within a small parish, together with illegal acts and fear leads to murder and sacrilege in this engrossing tale. Recommended
The ins and outs of the relationships within a small parish, together with illegal acts and fear leads to murder and sacrilege in this engrossing tale. Recommended
September 23, 2023
Excellent
I found this book intrequing, easy to read, I was slightly disappointed that the final discussion of the case did not include two main characters. I realise that they had given their evidence however I felt it would have been cathartic and rounded to have them present
I found this book intrequing, easy to read, I was slightly disappointed that the final discussion of the case did not include two main characters. I realise that they had given their evidence however I felt it would have been cathartic and rounded to have them present
September 23, 2023
a good read
I really like the characters and the amount of intelligent discussion of faith and ethics that goes on in this book. I will probably read another. But I thought that the conclusion was unnecessarily complex and confusing.
I really like the characters and the amount of intelligent discussion of faith and ethics that goes on in this book. I will probably read another. But I thought that the conclusion was unnecessarily complex and confusing.
September 25, 2023
The first in a series with Theodor Braithwaite's level headed explorations of her fellow clergy politics. Greenwood's depiction of the duties for laity and church participants is fascinating. The mechanics of plotting the murder mystery is quite complex and interesting.
October 14, 2023
An interesting crime story
A well written story with beautiful English language. One had to take time to comprehensive understand it. One would not look for murder and drugs hidden in the candle sticks. All in all enjoyable reading. Well done.
A well written story with beautiful English language. One had to take time to comprehensive understand it. One would not look for murder and drugs hidden in the candle sticks. All in all enjoyable reading. Well done.
October 27, 2023
Oh Dear
Lessons in The Church .lessons in the Different levels of the Church ..Murders . Thick Police .Long Drawn out Chapters and of course The Do Gooders Holding important information back from the Police .. Oh Dear ..
Lessons in The Church .lessons in the Different levels of the Church ..Murders . Thick Police .Long Drawn out Chapters and of course The Do Gooders Holding important information back from the Police .. Oh Dear ..
December 10, 2023
Excellent mystery
I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this book was! It was a very good cozy mystery without a lot of bad language and it held my interest the entire time. I will read more by this author !
I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this book was! It was a very good cozy mystery without a lot of bad language and it held my interest the entire time. I will read more by this author !
June 5, 2025
Drugs, duplicity and devil worship
Intricate and authentic background; just enough theology to make it Anglican rather than neutral. Characters a touch too stock and superficial but room for development. Plot a little too complicated but ultimately successful.
Intricate and authentic background; just enough theology to make it Anglican rather than neutral. Characters a touch too stock and superficial but room for development. Plot a little too complicated but ultimately successful.
February 16, 2023
Great mystery
Though I find following this story challenging as I am not familiar with the customs of this environment I find this to be an intriguing and interesting mystery.
Though I find following this story challenging as I am not familiar with the customs of this environment I find this to be an intriguing and interesting mystery.
March 16, 2023
The intrigue among the cathedral's clergy and the laity makes for an interesting read about the Church and murders.
dnf
June 9, 2023I think the method of killing (decapitation) in this one turned me off so early and I could never recover.
September 23, 2023
Dictionary needed
The story line is interesting but the exaggerated use of verbose and old language detracted a great deal. I’m not likely to read any more of this author.
The story line is interesting but the exaggerated use of verbose and old language detracted a great deal. I’m not likely to read any more of this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews