Force of Habit: Sister Madeleine Investigates

by Cash Peters

Sister Madeleine is a cloistered nun with a grim and horrifying secret. A secret she's kept hidden for too long.

Many years before she took holy orders, she became entangled with the wrong people. Bad people. People who did some terrible things in the name of peace and justice. But that was then. It’s all long ago and long forgotten.

Though not by everyone, it seems.

When, after four decades of seclusion deep in the English countryside, news surfaces that her old comrades have started dying in odd and mysterious ways, Madeleine fears that storm clouds are gathering once more, leaving her with no she must abandon the security of St. Winifred's convent with its strange, backward ways, and re-enter the modern world, a world she barely understands any more, to pursue the killer.

“We failed, Maddy. Because of you, the entire organization was forced to disband. They can’t forgive that. They want revenge, and they’re not gonna quit ‘til they’ve taken you down.” - Chapter 16

With his signature subversive wit, award-winning author Cash Peters tosses a grenade of originality into the world of thriller-writing, offering a wealth of action, riddles, surprises, and timeless characters. Suspenseful, sinful, and a good fun read.

"Compelling and brilliant. Relentless and frightening. I was seriously hooked." - Caroline Lehman, author of Through the Moon Gate

"Clever, with twists you never see coming. God knows how she does it." - Len Richmond, director of Everything Bad Is Good.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2011

About the author

Cash Peters is an author and broadcaster based in Los Angeles, California.

-from cashpeters.com

Reviews

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Madeleine is a unique character and one I immensely enjoyed getting to know. Leaving behind a lucrative position with a government agency, she becomes a nun. But when some of her old fellow employees start coming up dead, she decides to investigate on her own. It's a perfect time for her to claim an inheritance left to her, but after four years in the convent, entering the 'real'world is a confusing experience for Madeleine. If you enjoy a page-turning cozy mystery, then you'll want to give Force of Habit a try. Great characters, a twisted plot, entertaining situations and really good writing, I can't wait for book two!

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not exactly "like" this book but I did find it hilarious. Much of it was tedious but it was punctuated with many passages that had me practically laughing out loud. I'm not really sure how to rate it: a not-very-good book that was quite enjoyable. It's totally out of my reading comfort zone: a spoof of a spy novel and of the Catholic church but I did find parts of it worth sticking with the rest.

So-read at your own risk.

[Sylvia Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure entertainment from cover to cover.This is a novel to be enjoyed on several different levels.It is an absorbing mystery/thriller,it is funny,it is highly inventive and it contains some great descriptive language.
The author propells us into a world where nuns learn combat skills and D mat teleport devices to transport people and effects from place to place are in early stages of use!
The action begins with the dramatic suicide of an ex colleague of the heroine,Sister Madeleine.The organisation to which they both belonged many years ago has become a force for evil and is run by the Grinning Assassin who is out to exterminate all past members, Madeleine being high on the list
She is to be found taking refuge in the convent of St Winifred of Judea, also known as the stalker of Christ!Her story is in itself the source of great amusement.
Following the suicide a lawyer arrives from LA to tell Madeleine she is the beneficiary of her friend's will and must go to LA to administer his estate.She is well aware of the danger, knowing that many of her friends have been killed.
Once in the US she has plenty of opportunity to put into practise the combat skills learnt in her previous life.
There are many riddles to be solved, mysteries to be explained, car chases, grisly discoveries and lots of hand to hand combat.
Add to this the vividly descriptive language.The author uses words sparingly and to great effect for example"A florescent sun dressed in the full livery of winter slowly flopped over the horizon and disappeared".
The high speed action continues throughout and we are kept guessing right up to the end.
This is a gem of a book and certainly deserves to be recommended as a good read.

[ChrisGA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I was going to read a cozy mystery with a sweet old nun ---Boy, that was not what this turned out to be. Satirical, tongue-in-cheek, fall down the rabbit hole into lunacy with improbable touches like religious pictures of ST. Winifred offering Christ a megaphone before the Sermon on the Mount and bank robberies using grocery bags to cover heads and pointed sticks to threaten the tellers before attempting getaway in broken down car. I had the feeling I was reading a Gene Wilder or Maxwell Smart movie. It was ludicrous, silly but funny—as soon as you realize this is not a typical-of-any-kind of book-you can relax and enjoy the madness. However, like watching a GET SMART episode, silliness can start off entertaining and lead to tediously trying too hard.At about the point, it was losing its charm for me, the book takes off in an adventure/thriller/scifi direction. Like I said this is not an easy book to describe or classify.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read the complete review at http://bulliesbooksmoney.blogspot.com... .

We are introduced to Sister Madeleine and other various members of the nunnery. The reader is thrown into the world and the action and introductions seem to be done by the fly of our seats. Sister Madeleine is made the trust and sole heir of a multi-billionaire’s fortune and assets. She considers it her duty to a former friend, to investigate his death, and goes against her vows and flies to the immoral land of Los Angeles dragging a failing nun in training along for the ride. With secret organizations trying to overtake the world, we get a look into Sister Madeleine’s past and the link between the two. Who was her friend Howard really? How will a sister who’s been in a convent for forty years handle the world’s technological advancements?

[Charla Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two nuns, one old and one young have been living in a very primitive convent and are suddenly placed in the modern world of today. But not just into the modern world, but into a world full of luxury beyond belief along with crime, murder and mystery. The older nun, Madeline has been out of touch with the outside world for over 30 years, so it is very interesting to read about all of the changes that has took place in the world and her having to learn about those changes. This story also has a little humor and that added with the mystery makes this a great story. It has enough twists and turns and all kinds of unexpected things to keep you glued to every page!

http://booktalkswithcharla.blogspot.com

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways Force of Habit is a superb book. The main character is unique. The author has a talent for pulling his reader into the story and keeping her engaged. It's funny, but it's also an action-packed story with tons of twists and turns.

The book needed an editor to polish it a bit, but it didn't distract much from the story. What disappointed me was the ending. Now, it seems this is the first book of a planned series, so I am willing to give an author leeway in creating an ending that will encourage readers to pick up the next book, but I don't care for loose ends.

If you enjoy quirky, unique, humorous mysteries, you'll want to give Force of Habit by Cash Peters a try.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry but I just couldn't finish it and I am not really sure why. The plot was interesting, the characters were unique and interesting, there was never a slow moment - but for some reason I just kept wanting it to be over. If felt very long to me and, again I am not sure why - it is full of action and intrigue and never a dull moment. I am pretty sure it was just me and not the author's fault. I say that because I really am curious to know the outcome of the plot, but unfortunately I just don't want to read anymore.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sister Madeleine has been living in a remote reaction religious sect convent in England for something like 30 years when a preconvent friend dies and leaves his entire estate to her. Turns out she was formally a member of a super secret organization that used agents to pull off all kinds of crimes as was this friend. As she seeks to discover what happened to her friend and why, she becomes involved of all kinds of violent situations.

There is a lot of humor and tongue in cheek in the story which didn't excite me.

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing that came to mind after I read this book was very cheeky. I love the main character Madeleine she is one bad ass nun. I do think some of the side characters were a little one-noted but they worked as great accents to Madeleine's character, very witty and I love the whole basis of two underground organizations battling it out with senior members. Very cool book, I would be interested if there are more to come in this series. Thanks very much for the book!

- Katrina

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, but not gripping, read. I could put it down whenever I wanted; in no way did I feel compelled to keep reading. However, it does have some entertaining characters and ideas that are executed decently - not brilliantly, but not terribly. If Cash Peters ever does decide to write another Sister Madeleine book, I'd probably read it.

[J. Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A zany English author, who with great wit and intelligence, creates an entertaining and enthralling tale. The vocabulary is rich and descriptive, and adds to the settings and the character development. I didn't have a clue how this wild ride would end, which is an accolade unto itself. Kudos to Mr. Peters.

[Ngdecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it was confusing many times, I ended up really enjoying this book. It was quirky, irreverent, fast-moving and funny. However, I would hesitate to recommend it to some of my friends!

[Jeramy]

Cash is money

I've always loved Cash Peters' wit,and this was no exception.... it adds color to an unusual international thriller. Spy nun!