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Fr. Thomas Edmund Gilroy #3
Wake of Malice
When Father Michael Walsh, a Jesuit priest on the western coast of Ireland, faces a charge of embezzlement, a London newspaper sends expatriate Irish reporter Hugh Buckley home to deliver a story—or else. Buckley and his photographer colleague Frederick Jones arrive in the village of Doolin to find themselves embroiled in a tangled mess of parish politics, occult practices, and bloody murder. By night, as wicked things rise from the earth, Buckley faces his own long-repressed struggles with his country, his abandoned faith, and his dead family. By day, he finds help, both professional and personal, from English Dominican friar Father Thomas Edmund Gilroy, OP, who has come to Doolin to support his friend Father Michael and to aid in the spiritual battle against the occult.
Can Hugh and Freddie save their employment—and their skins—as the grotesque violence intensifies? Or will they and the rest of the village of Doolin be consumed by dark powers lurking within the mysterious landscape of Ireland?
Can Hugh and Freddie save their employment—and their skins—as the grotesque violence intensifies? Or will they and the rest of the village of Doolin be consumed by dark powers lurking within the mysterious landscape of Ireland?
300 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2024
6 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Bourg Nicholson
8 books67 followersIn addition to scholarly pursuits, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson occasionally strays into fiction, including her epistolary novella, The Letters of Magdalen Montague, and her Gothic novels, A Bloody Habit, Brother Wolf, and Wake of Malice. For the sake of her children, who eagerly requested a book they too could read, she wrote The Hound of the Lord, a children’s biography of St. Dominic (Ignatius Press, 2023). She is a Lay Dominican, which may partly explain the frequency with which OPs gaily trip through her writing. (She also formally apologized to the friars for throwing them into the Gothic atmosphere. Honestly, though, it makes a lot of sense.)
A former assistant executive editor for Dappled Things, she is assistant editor for the Saint Austin Review (StAR), as well as the editor of several Ignatius Critical Editions of the classics and has collaborated with other editors to provide footnotes for numerous other works. Her work has appeared in the National Catholic Register and Touchstone, as well as with First Things and The Catholic Thing.
The resident Victorian literature instructor at Homeschool Connections, Eleanor, with her husband, homeschools their five children. By night, she reads the Victorians, writes Gothic novels, and cares for small children.
Fun facts: She has an extremely low tolerance for scary books and movies. She’s still petrified of “The Speckled Band”, and won’t sleep in a room where the bed is under a vent.
A former assistant executive editor for Dappled Things, she is assistant editor for the Saint Austin Review (StAR), as well as the editor of several Ignatius Critical Editions of the classics and has collaborated with other editors to provide footnotes for numerous other works. Her work has appeared in the National Catholic Register and Touchstone, as well as with First Things and The Catholic Thing.
The resident Victorian literature instructor at Homeschool Connections, Eleanor, with her husband, homeschools their five children. By night, she reads the Victorians, writes Gothic novels, and cares for small children.
Fun facts: She has an extremely low tolerance for scary books and movies. She’s still petrified of “The Speckled Band”, and won’t sleep in a room where the bed is under a vent.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 25, 2024
I don’t normally read much fantasy, or any horror, but this historical mystery with Catholic themes and a paranormal twist is one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year.
The dialogue is clever, believable, and so pitch-perfect I felt like I could hear the characters speaking in my mind. All the Irish names and phrases added wonderful local color to the story that made me feel like I was part of the village community.
Faith and horror were threaded together beautifully. The gore was minimal, and the role of the evil creatures who terrorize the town was couched in a Christian battle between good and evil, with priests leading the charge. Demonic powers are never glorified; rather the book highlights the appropriate way to subdue them and never suggests that these are forces to be trifled with or amused by. Most of the story is very light and funny, and nothing like a modern horror novel.
The historical details, too, were used perfectly. It was fun to see the main characters communicating with their editor via telegram and to see them taking a bit of advantage of how long communications take to pass back and forth to London. I also loved the hints of Latin and references to the old Mass.
This was just a delight from beginning to end, and I’m so thankful to Chrism Press for sending me a complimentary copy. (I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
The dialogue is clever, believable, and so pitch-perfect I felt like I could hear the characters speaking in my mind. All the Irish names and phrases added wonderful local color to the story that made me feel like I was part of the village community.
Faith and horror were threaded together beautifully. The gore was minimal, and the role of the evil creatures who terrorize the town was couched in a Christian battle between good and evil, with priests leading the charge. Demonic powers are never glorified; rather the book highlights the appropriate way to subdue them and never suggests that these are forces to be trifled with or amused by. Most of the story is very light and funny, and nothing like a modern horror novel.
The historical details, too, were used perfectly. It was fun to see the main characters communicating with their editor via telegram and to see them taking a bit of advantage of how long communications take to pass back and forth to London. I also loved the hints of Latin and references to the old Mass.
This was just a delight from beginning to end, and I’m so thankful to Chrism Press for sending me a complimentary copy. (I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
August 25, 2024
The author sent me an eARC for early review.
I really liked this. Biggest thing I liked was how it immersed me in the culture of western Ireland (Doolin and Lindisvarna) and the local culture with every character unique and individual in their own way. With the endearing local culture and Nicholson's writing style it just brings the world to light and the simple joy to be found in the day to day life of simple things and simple interactions. For example:
"The cow paused in her languid hunt and looked at me, her expression difficult to read (p86)."
I don't think that has anything to do with the central mystery or even the Catholic themes in this book besides the simple joy of everyday life. Like I've worked with cattle and I know how easy it is to interpret personality in a steer. And I really liked that line because it assumes the cow's personhood while not assuming anything about her person. It just delighted me to read that.
Anyway, on to something the author may have intended me to think about. The main plot of the book is about Hugh Buckley and Freddie Jones traveling to Ireland to report on an embezzlement and murder case and it really delves into the relationship of ancient folk practice to Catholicism which I think is embodied by the difference between Fathers Michael Walsh and Brendan O'Connor and their respective approaches towards folk practices (lenient and restrictive).
And I appreciated the nuance in how the author presents it because by and large Father Michael comes off as the more likeable of the too (partly because Buckley likes him) and Father Brendan has a more 'I'm going to do the right thing and I don't care if anyone likes me' attitude but over time it's emphaisized that some of the old ways are leading to evil acts today and must be stamped out so maybe Father Brendan's a jerk . . . but maybe he's right too.
I won't spoil the book but suffice to say that ultimately the book reaches for a median where old practices ought to be judged on their own merits. For sure, human sacrifice and demon worship ought to be proscribed but a party at a given crossroad, on a given date at a given time is a great occasion to bring the community together. Which is a lesson I which I'd internalized earlier in life, that sometimes it doesn't matter the exact details, strengthening community is worthwhile and ought to be celebrated. (assuming there's no commission of evil)
Anyway, this is getting way too autobiographical (but the above two are the things that I've been pondering since finishing). I do really enjoy the technique the author uses where Hugh (and the other narrators before him) are definitely the protagonists of their given books but arguably not the protagonists of the main conflict. Fr Thomas Edmund Gilroy is apparently called to face the forces of darkness across Europe and these books are all a glimpse in that war. Like, Fr Thomas Edmund knows about werewolves, vampires and the fae of Ireland but based on these books I know passing little about those subjects but a great deal more about how John, Athene and Hugh reacted to their encounters with the preternatural and the (at the least passingly strange and sometimes downright bizarre) Papists.
I like that approach, that these characters are all neophytes to the preternatural world and only get glimpses of the world. But I am personally left somewhat lacking because I want more of the curtains to be pulled back, I want more light shed on how the vampires, werewolves and fae of Fr Gilroy's world work. Though the author (perhaps preempting inquisitorial minds like mine) has an anticipated that desire by having Fr Thomas remind Hugh (and the reader) that St Thomas Aquinas considered curiosity an intellectual vice. And while I do not always understand, out of deference to the Angelic Doctor I will not hold that approach against the author.
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. The prose and immersion into the world made it a lot of fun to read and as you can likely tell I found it thought provoking. And honestly, the climax was a great time to read. I look forward to my hard copy so I can relax and read it.
I really liked this. Biggest thing I liked was how it immersed me in the culture of western Ireland (Doolin and Lindisvarna) and the local culture with every character unique and individual in their own way. With the endearing local culture and Nicholson's writing style it just brings the world to light and the simple joy to be found in the day to day life of simple things and simple interactions. For example:
"The cow paused in her languid hunt and looked at me, her expression difficult to read (p86)."
I don't think that has anything to do with the central mystery or even the Catholic themes in this book besides the simple joy of everyday life. Like I've worked with cattle and I know how easy it is to interpret personality in a steer. And I really liked that line because it assumes the cow's personhood while not assuming anything about her person. It just delighted me to read that.
Anyway, on to something the author may have intended me to think about. The main plot of the book is about Hugh Buckley and Freddie Jones traveling to Ireland to report on an embezzlement and murder case and it really delves into the relationship of ancient folk practice to Catholicism which I think is embodied by the difference between Fathers Michael Walsh and Brendan O'Connor and their respective approaches towards folk practices (lenient and restrictive).
And I appreciated the nuance in how the author presents it because by and large Father Michael comes off as the more likeable of the too (partly because Buckley likes him) and Father Brendan has a more 'I'm going to do the right thing and I don't care if anyone likes me' attitude but over time it's emphaisized that some of the old ways are leading to evil acts today and must be stamped out so maybe Father Brendan's a jerk . . . but maybe he's right too.
I won't spoil the book but suffice to say that ultimately the book reaches for a median where old practices ought to be judged on their own merits. For sure, human sacrifice and demon worship ought to be proscribed but a party at a given crossroad, on a given date at a given time is a great occasion to bring the community together. Which is a lesson I which I'd internalized earlier in life, that sometimes it doesn't matter the exact details, strengthening community is worthwhile and ought to be celebrated. (assuming there's no commission of evil)
Anyway, this is getting way too autobiographical (but the above two are the things that I've been pondering since finishing). I do really enjoy the technique the author uses where Hugh (and the other narrators before him) are definitely the protagonists of their given books but arguably not the protagonists of the main conflict. Fr Thomas Edmund Gilroy is apparently called to face the forces of darkness across Europe and these books are all a glimpse in that war. Like, Fr Thomas Edmund knows about werewolves, vampires and the fae of Ireland but based on these books I know passing little about those subjects but a great deal more about how John, Athene and Hugh reacted to their encounters with the preternatural and the (at the least passingly strange and sometimes downright bizarre) Papists.
I like that approach, that these characters are all neophytes to the preternatural world and only get glimpses of the world. But I am personally left somewhat lacking because I want more of the curtains to be pulled back, I want more light shed on how the vampires, werewolves and fae of Fr Gilroy's world work. Though the author (perhaps preempting inquisitorial minds like mine) has an anticipated that desire by having Fr Thomas remind Hugh (and the reader) that St Thomas Aquinas considered curiosity an intellectual vice. And while I do not always understand, out of deference to the Angelic Doctor I will not hold that approach against the author.
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. The prose and immersion into the world made it a lot of fun to read and as you can likely tell I found it thought provoking. And honestly, the climax was a great time to read. I look forward to my hard copy so I can relax and read it.
March 22, 2025
Evocative, genuinely creepy gothic atmosphere in a vividly-drawn Irish setting with wonderfully complex characters, especially narrator Hugh Buckley. Another great installment in the stories of Fr Thomas Edmund Gilroy, OP. Hope to write more later. Addendum: Reviewed along with the other two books in the series (so far) for Catholic World Report here.
August 21, 2024
I was so excited to see that Eleanor was working on another novel. I was anxious in hoping it would be as delightful as her previous works, and Wake of Malice did not disappoint.
Her style beautifully echoes Gothic fiction of old, with much more humor included, slowly building to action-packed climaxes. That slow build is a process largely missing from modern literature which so often tosses hit after hit at the reader too quickly to try to keep them reading.
The Irish culture included was lovely. As it turns out, what I pictured in my head as I was reading was likely not too far off what was intended as Eleanor mentioned elsewhere some of her inspiration from The Quiet Man, a favorite movie in our household. The little men in the story did tickle an old terror at Irish folklore; the truth painted in the story nothing like the cereal boxes would have you think but closer to B-rate 90's horror flicks, ha, with terrifying little green men involved.
I was crying and smiling through the last 10% of the book. The twinkles of budding romance and deep faith present but not forced into the narrative, like is the case in a lot of current "Christian" writing, was endearing and very well written. An absolute delight to read. With October around the corner, I think I will queue up her earlier novels and give them a good reread. I greatly hope we will hear more of dear Fr. Thomas Edmund, and his puns, in the future. He has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters.
Her style beautifully echoes Gothic fiction of old, with much more humor included, slowly building to action-packed climaxes. That slow build is a process largely missing from modern literature which so often tosses hit after hit at the reader too quickly to try to keep them reading.
The Irish culture included was lovely. As it turns out, what I pictured in my head as I was reading was likely not too far off what was intended as Eleanor mentioned elsewhere some of her inspiration from The Quiet Man, a favorite movie in our household. The little men in the story did tickle an old terror at Irish folklore; the truth painted in the story nothing like the cereal boxes would have you think but closer to B-rate 90's horror flicks, ha, with terrifying little green men involved.
I was crying and smiling through the last 10% of the book. The twinkles of budding romance and deep faith present but not forced into the narrative, like is the case in a lot of current "Christian" writing, was endearing and very well written. An absolute delight to read. With October around the corner, I think I will queue up her earlier novels and give them a good reread. I greatly hope we will hear more of dear Fr. Thomas Edmund, and his puns, in the future. He has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters.
July 24, 2025
I always know I'm in for a treat with one of Eleanor Bourg Nicholson's novels, and this one was absolutely delightful! Hugh Buckley, the protagonist, was relatable, and his character growth was great. The supporting characters, especially Freddie and the Misses O'Hara, were fantastic too. And of course Fr. Thomas Edmund Gilroy, Dominican and "vampire hunter" (exorcist), with his kindly demeanor and shrewd understanding of human nature, was absolutely incredible! As someone who didn't know much about Irish legends except for vague scary tales, I was highly interested in the way this story separated the Catholic Faith from pagan superstitions and beliefs. If you're looking for a page-turner that's both scary and edifying, you couldn't do better than this book!
October 25, 2024
A delightful romp through the Irish countryside with equal parts spooky Gothic atmosphere, characters you cheer for, and a paranormal mystery you want to solve!
April 14, 2025
I'm Irish and this book is set right across Galway Bay in the hilly stony Burren in County Clare. Of this place the English tyrant, Oliver Cromwell remarked, "No tree on which to hang a man, no water in which to drown him and no soil in which to bury him." In Wake of Malice, Eleanor Bourg Nicolson writes with something of the warmth and wit of PG Wodehouse, the cunning craftiness of Agatha Christie and the insight of Flannery O’Connor. Set in rural Ireland over a hundred years ago, Wake of Malice is gothic without being grotesque and thrilling without being disquieting. Its many and varied characters are colourful, relatable and entertaining, sweeping the plot forward in this page-turning drama that is much more than a straightforward “whodunnit” - guaranteed to shorten a winter’s evening or fill a summery afternoon.
A priest whom I know once accused his fellow Irishmen as being pagan with a veneer of Christianity: such a view can certainly be supported by some of the characters in "Wake of Malice" but not by the author herself. The book is thrilling and does not shy from the supernatural or more accurately, the preternatural but even if its characters do not behave like good Catholics or good Christians the novel's worldview certainly is, but if that's a worldview you don't share, don't be put off. If you are looking for gothic fiction in a well-researched historical setting "Wake of Malice" is likely to be a five star read for you.
A priest whom I know once accused his fellow Irishmen as being pagan with a veneer of Christianity: such a view can certainly be supported by some of the characters in "Wake of Malice" but not by the author herself. The book is thrilling and does not shy from the supernatural or more accurately, the preternatural but even if its characters do not behave like good Catholics or good Christians the novel's worldview certainly is, but if that's a worldview you don't share, don't be put off. If you are looking for gothic fiction in a well-researched historical setting "Wake of Malice" is likely to be a five star read for you.
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! This is the first book I've read from this author and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect as its genre is part horror/part historical Christian fiction. After having finished the book I can gladly say it was excellently done. I loved how it immersed me in early 20th century Ireland. The characters were all so well done, I especially loved good old Hugh Buckley. He's a wonderful character, and his side-kick Freddie is equally wonderful.
I appreciated how the author never strayed from the horror elements that are required in this kind of story that deals with malevolent supernatural type happenings. Anchoring with the Catholic/Christian faith gave it real hope that evil would not win in the end. Father Thomas Edmund and Father Michael were such charming characters too. The whole cast of characters, really, was wonderfully done.
This book is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes style of writing, its rather like a lovely warm cup of tea. It's soothing and yet draws you in, leaving you always wanting more.
The highest recommendation I can give a book is when, after I've finished it, I want to go and read other things by this author. This book is one of those types. I didn't want it to end, but when it did I'd be more than happy to enter this authors works again. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural, while keeping it in check by recognizing that its God alone who can expel such evil deed.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I appreciated how the author never strayed from the horror elements that are required in this kind of story that deals with malevolent supernatural type happenings. Anchoring with the Catholic/Christian faith gave it real hope that evil would not win in the end. Father Thomas Edmund and Father Michael were such charming characters too. The whole cast of characters, really, was wonderfully done.
This book is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes style of writing, its rather like a lovely warm cup of tea. It's soothing and yet draws you in, leaving you always wanting more.
The highest recommendation I can give a book is when, after I've finished it, I want to go and read other things by this author. This book is one of those types. I didn't want it to end, but when it did I'd be more than happy to enter this authors works again. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural, while keeping it in check by recognizing that its God alone who can expel such evil deed.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
November 10, 2025
5 🌟
I liked a “A Bloody Habit” quite a bit, but I absolutely loved the “Wake of Malice” ! I can say without any hesitation that this book is an absolute gem. This is a good, good book and absolutely perfect for the Hallowtide and the catholic spooky season ! This book is not just thrilling, it makes you think about the four last things, about our own death and resurrection and about what really matters, what is a life worth living…It also warns about the doorways to evil and the spiritual reality and danger that can hide behind what seems like armless tradition to the overt malice and ugliness of witchcraft and pagan practice.
I loved every single character (except maybe for Doireann) and became terribly attached to them. Our dear Hugh, Freddie, Jackie, lovely Edith, sweet Father Michael and poor father O’Connor…If I did not care for the romance in “A Bloody Habit”, in the “Wake of Malice” the romances were delightful and I rooted for them at each step. I did shed a tear or two and as always I would have loved to see more of their happiness !
This is definitely a favorite one !
Warning : You may find yourself a little bit in love with Ireland and full of a deep desire to runaway to a cottage farm.
I liked a “A Bloody Habit” quite a bit, but I absolutely loved the “Wake of Malice” ! I can say without any hesitation that this book is an absolute gem. This is a good, good book and absolutely perfect for the Hallowtide and the catholic spooky season ! This book is not just thrilling, it makes you think about the four last things, about our own death and resurrection and about what really matters, what is a life worth living…It also warns about the doorways to evil and the spiritual reality and danger that can hide behind what seems like armless tradition to the overt malice and ugliness of witchcraft and pagan practice.
I loved every single character (except maybe for Doireann) and became terribly attached to them. Our dear Hugh, Freddie, Jackie, lovely Edith, sweet Father Michael and poor father O’Connor…If I did not care for the romance in “A Bloody Habit”, in the “Wake of Malice” the romances were delightful and I rooted for them at each step. I did shed a tear or two and as always I would have loved to see more of their happiness !
This is definitely a favorite one !
Warning : You may find yourself a little bit in love with Ireland and full of a deep desire to runaway to a cottage farm.
August 20, 2024
Wake of Malice is a merry-go-round of a mystery that will sweep you off to turn of the last century Ireland in a paranormal adventure featuring Nicholson’s unlikely hero, the unassuming exorcist, Father Thomas Edmund Gilroy. This time the Dominican priest faces a chilling assortment of revenants, demons, banshees, puca, and little folk…and a real live, flesh and blood murderer.
Nicholson shows a talent for creating entertaining characters as unique and as brightly drawn as the animals on a carousel. The story is told in the delightfully Irish voice of Hugh Buckley, an expat reporter. He and Freddie Jones, a photographer, are sent by a London newspaper to investigate a murder with occult and bloody overtones. The assignment raises the ghost of Hugh’s repressed childhood struggles, together with Freddy’s abhorrence of all things Irish. Both are slowly transformed as they meet the quirky inhabitants of the small village of Doolin…and Father Thomas Edmund Gilroy.
Irish folklore, superstition, pagan practices, and mysterious deaths all swirl around, until finally grounded by Father Thomas Edmund. It’s a wild ride till the end! Highly recommended.
Nicholson shows a talent for creating entertaining characters as unique and as brightly drawn as the animals on a carousel. The story is told in the delightfully Irish voice of Hugh Buckley, an expat reporter. He and Freddie Jones, a photographer, are sent by a London newspaper to investigate a murder with occult and bloody overtones. The assignment raises the ghost of Hugh’s repressed childhood struggles, together with Freddy’s abhorrence of all things Irish. Both are slowly transformed as they meet the quirky inhabitants of the small village of Doolin…and Father Thomas Edmund Gilroy.
Irish folklore, superstition, pagan practices, and mysterious deaths all swirl around, until finally grounded by Father Thomas Edmund. It’s a wild ride till the end! Highly recommended.
September 13, 2024
This story gets better with every page! From the start, I loved the comical mix of the two very opposite main characters, Hugh and Freddie. Their wry and witty banter brought a sprinkling of levity to a novel that has some dark (but intriguing) twists. This book is set in a small Irish village where you get to know the locals and all their virtues and vices. I found the Irish folklore fascinating and it all fit so perfectly into the plot. I also loved the return of the amiable Fr. Thomas Edmund, from Nicholson's other novels. His Fr. Brown-esque investigative knowledge is paired so well with his steadfast faith that the powers of Heaven are far greater than the evil lurking about. The Victorian-style language gives a certain refinement to the murderous storyline, which I found helps keep it from becoming a horror story. Overall, I found it a delightful read, which is quite something to say about a zombie fiction!
*This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy, that being said, I have since bought more copies for myself and friends!
*This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy, that being said, I have since bought more copies for myself and friends!
April 12, 2025
Wake of Malice by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson is a mystery that called me by name. The story had everything I like. The setting is Ireland, around the turn of the twentieth century. There are gypsies, priests, vampires, romance, curses, demons, and my favorite exorcist, the friar, Father Thomas Edmund Gilroy.
The story begins with journalists Hugh Buckley and Freddie Jones assigned to go to write what's happening in an Irish Village. A priest has been accused of stealing money. He is the second to be murdred.
When Hugh and Freddy arrive, the priest is accused of murder of the man he allegedly stole from. Other murders follow, in ritual, macabre manners, suggesting demonic activity.
One odd boy is accused. Some gypsies are locked up. The daughter of one of the victims, is suspected.
Our hero, Father Thomas Edmund is almost murdered, but he was found before he died by Hugh.
What I enjoy about these mysteries is they're not creepy. There's evil but it's not drawn out to creep you out. Besides, Father Thomas Edmund always wins. You can't figure out who doing the murders and is the evil one, until it's time. Wake of Malice is easy to read and enjoy.
The story begins with journalists Hugh Buckley and Freddie Jones assigned to go to write what's happening in an Irish Village. A priest has been accused of stealing money. He is the second to be murdred.
When Hugh and Freddy arrive, the priest is accused of murder of the man he allegedly stole from. Other murders follow, in ritual, macabre manners, suggesting demonic activity.
One odd boy is accused. Some gypsies are locked up. The daughter of one of the victims, is suspected.
Our hero, Father Thomas Edmund is almost murdered, but he was found before he died by Hugh.
What I enjoy about these mysteries is they're not creepy. There's evil but it's not drawn out to creep you out. Besides, Father Thomas Edmund always wins. You can't figure out who doing the murders and is the evil one, until it's time. Wake of Malice is easy to read and enjoy.
November 12, 2024
Bourg Nicholson has done it again—yet another harrowing, Gothic tale featuring Mother Church and her priests taking on a different form of spiritual evil made manifest through a fantastical creature (this time: zombie leprechauns, pucas, and banshees—oh my!). The author just has such an incredible way of weaving these stories to where, as a Christian, the reason these fantastical evils such as zombies/vampires/werewolves exist makes *sense*. I also love how the Catholic Church is always a central figure but never made out to be some caricature as media tends to make her. There was a beautiful scene in this novel from a funeral where the featured homilist made me WEEP in his verbose and loving call for prayers for the deceased—this call lead me to give the novel a 5/5. I will read Nicholson anytime she puts a novel out, because a story with excellent plot, character development, and a call to edification? It’s a done deal every time.
September 16, 2024
Nicholson writes with such warmth. Her characters are wonderful, but flawed and struggling human beings. Fr. TEG is a great priest, full of charity and courage, and absolutely truthful. This book, like her earlier works, makes me love the characters and wish only good, even for the characters who are lost. Can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews