Prey for a Miracle

Sister Agatha #3

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Sister Agatha is an extern nun in the cloistered order at the Our Lady of Hope Monastery near a small New Mexican desert town. As such, Sister Agatha is the link between her cloistered sisters and the outside world. Usually this means running errands in the monastery's slowly dying car (dubbed the Anti-Chrystler) or their motorcycle, with Pax, the order's German Shepard, in the side car. But sometimes it means something a bit more -- like now when the diocese is upset by reports of a young girl whose parents claim is receiving visitations from the Virgin Mary and providing insight into future events.
Wanting neither to ignore a real miracle, nor give credence to what might be merely an attempt to defraud the faithful, they ask Sister Agatha to investigate. But her inquires are soon complicated when the girl herself disappears, apparently having been kidnapped, and Sister Agatha will need more than faith to bring her home.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Aimee and David Thurlo are the authors of the Ella Clah mysteries, the Sister Agatha mysteries, the Lee Nez vampire novels all set in New Mexico. David grew up on the Navajo Indian Nation, and Aimee, a native of Cuba, lived in the southwest for forty years.

Aimée passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 28, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer and related complications. She was attended by her husband of 43 years, David. Aimée was 62 years old.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent mystery - I really enjoyed Sister Agatha - the nun who can do it all!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

#3 in the Sister Agatha series.

In this one, someone is after Jessica, Father Mahoney's niece. Her daughter Natalie claims to see angels, and lots of people who are ill want Natalie to intercede on their behalf. But is this just a childish game a lonely 8 year old made up? When Jessica is run off the road, she tells Natalie to run, and she does. Who ran Jessica off the road? Will they find Natalie unharmed? Jessica is in hospital with a head injury, so she is no help in identifying who may have done this, and why.

In this cozy, no one is killed. No murder victim. How refreshing. What you do have is a mystery with many red herrings....is this someone associated with Jessica's work, which seems a bit sketchy? Or her ex-husband who no one can find. Or some person who thinks Natalie really does talk to angels...the possibilities are many. Sister Agatha used to be an investigative journalist before she joined the order....so she's got skills in helping the police figure this one out.

There's a lot in the book about how things work in the monastery, externs, and the like. Maybe a bit more for my taste than I needed, but it explained a lot about the daily routines. There's humor in the book as well (the Monastery aged vehicle is referred to as the Anti-Chrysler), but mostly, it's a well executed mystery.

[Kathy Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different type of mystery set in New Mexico and the main character is a nun in a cloistered community whose job is to interact with the community so the main group can keep their vows of silence and stay removed from the world. Lots of immersion in the religious life that has basically now disappeared after Vatican II. Good mystery -- no murder but intricate.

[Ray York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prey For A Miracle

Another good read by Aimee and David Thurlo. Sister Agatha brings another mystery to a close. I’m enjoying this series very much.

[Anthony Yvonnica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, easy to read and follow. Herring of many shades of red. This was a very good book.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Interesting plot and excellent characters. Will totally continue to follow this series.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery. Had part of it figured out. I've liked all the books I've read by this author. Authentic and thought provoking too.

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library borrow

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly the best of the series as far as the mystery goes. A good working rhythm with the characters and less antagonism between Sister Agatha and the sheriff.

[Allyson Dyar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite not being very religious, I do enjoy reading mysteries that are more religious in nature.

Prey for a Miracle takes place at the Our Lady of Hope Monastery near a small New Mexican desert town where Sister Agatha is an extern nun in the cloistered order. As an extern, she is able to travel outside the monastery to take care of whatever errands are needed by the sisters.

The story centers around a young girl who has visitations from the Virgin Mary which provide visions into events that may occur in the future. As you can imagine, this young girl is highly sought after. Sister Agatha is requested to look into these occurrences.

This isn't a murder mystery book, per se, as the mystery is whether or not the visions are truly visions or something else.

[Cherisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time finished ?
Second time finished 9/27/12.

Natalie believes she has an angel keeping her company; then later says she also sees Tzuriel, the guardian angel for the convent.

Sister Agatha, one of three externs, is again trying to help the sheriff solve a mystery: this time, who caused Jessica's accident, and whether Natalie (Jessica's daughter) is in danger of being kidnapped. Jessica's in a coma from the accident until Natalie visits her in the hospital.

Cluster cookies, leaking roof, $1000 cash donation, etc.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet cozy starring a little girl hidden in the monastery to protect her from unknown villain. Sister Agatha's maternal streak comes out. Same likeable characters in the nuns and Tom. Examines the credibility of the child's seeing angels.

[shirley cecconi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good vs evil

This is a very entertaining book. The tension between good and evil, the need for men to remember their creator, is well defined. Also, I confess that I enjoy a book without offensive language. I t is refreshing.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continue to love this series. On to the next one.

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but insubstantial.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

hurrah for sister agatha and the cloistered nuns who make up her family. not to mention the mystery she solves.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, fast read.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new series for the couple who write the Ella Clah series--this one with a sleuthing nun--very good

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy read that doesn't require too much thought.

[Catherine Yee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story. Really enjoyed it cover to cover.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought maybe I had read this one before; it certainly seemed familiar. Looking for stories set in the southwest.

[Karen Cowgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, I love this author (and her husband!).

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the Catholic angle.

[Jean Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Agatha spends a lot of time on the road, but I noticed so does Ella Clah. Good books.

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much.

[Edna Little Fish In Running Waters Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVE ALL of the Sister Agatha Mysteries.

[Luana Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

fast read and I liked the concept but ending kind of fell flat.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far not bad but I find it interesting that the nuns protest Natalie's angel so strongly as women of strong faith themselves.