Murder at the Monastery

Canon Clement #3

by Richard Coles

Daniel Clement has suffered a secret humiliation and to recover, takes respite at the monastery where he was a novice. But the monastery doesn't allow Daniel a break, for there are tensions building there too, as the secret past of novice master Father Paul is emerging. Tension mounts and a murder ensues. Meanwhile back at Champton, Daniel is the subject of village gossip, his mother Audrey is up to something again, there's trouble at the dress shop, up at the big house, and the puppies are running riot. Can Daniel be reconciled with detective Neil and solve the mystery?

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Murder Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2024

About the author

The Reverend Richard Coles (born 26 March 1962) is a Church of England priest, broadcaster, writer and musician. Richard Coles was born in Northampton, England and educated at the independent Wellingborough School (where he was a choirboy)and at the South Warwickshire College of Further Education, Department of Drama and the Liberal Arts. He is known for having been the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band The Communards, which achieved three Top Ten hits. He later attended King's College London where he studied theology from 1990. Richard Coles co-presents Saturday Live on BBCR4. In January 2011 The Reverend Richard Coles was appointed as the parish priest of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon in the Diocese of Peterborough.

Reviews

[Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series that has definitely improved since it started, though I suspect readers who are in it more for the murder mysteries will find this volume a bit lacking. There is, of course, a murder, but it is a very long time in coming and it is very firmly in the back seat to the Canon's introspection and soul-searching in the wake of the cliffhanger shock he experienced in last book. While I enjoy murder mysteries, I've stuck with the series more as I genuinely like Canon Clement, so I didn't mind the relative lack of urgency around/focus on the murder (and I also think, if anything, the murders in these books have often been the weakest bits! though, ironically, this one is probably the one thus far that has made the most sense!).

There are some genuinely painful conversations between Daniel and Neil in this book, and, really, all the material around the Canon grappling with romantic/sexual love for first time in his life is well-handled. I'll admit Neil himself is possibly a bit less so, but time shall tell there. I'd found the revelation of his involvement with Honoria rather out of left field in first place, and while the intent may be that Neil's unconsciously repressed having an interest in men as well as women, his side of things reads a bit clunkily and awkwardly. There's plenty contextually that'd make it easy to believe he's repressed, as it's 1990 and he's in a hyper-masculine line of work, but that the author isn't pulling it off yet with that context makes it stand out even more. Ah well. I figured there was more to it when we got last book's conclusion, so I'm willing to give benefit of doubt, though having a year until next installment is a bit frustrating.

[Donald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really about the minutia of monastery life, the murder is almost an afterthought as is solving it. Murder on the Orient Express isn't a classic because Christie included the timetable and the dinner menu.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Monastery continues from where its predecessor left off. Following his friend Neil's revelation, Daniel heads off to the monastery in Yorkshire where he was once a novice.
As per the title, there is a murder, and it is in a monastery, but it takes a back seat, as the bulk of the book is taken up with Daniel trying to sort out his feelings, and Mrs. Clements trying to sort out repairs to the vicarage while temporarily living at Champton hall.
That's not to say this isn't an enjoyable read, because it is, and there are many humourous moments. It is a little heavy on the religion, but the protagonist is a clergyman so this should come as no surprise.
Love the mention of The Communards. Those of us of a certain age will remember them fondly.

[Sara Eames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cosy mystery that takes place shortly after the end of the previous book.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first two books and the twist at the end of the second one was very cleverly played which this follows straight on from.

I have to say this book is a disappointment, unless you are interested in the inner workings of a monastery and some obscure religious practices. The murder hardly gets a mention in over 300 pages until right at the end.

It is redeemed by the trips back to Champton with the usual cast characters there with Miss March slowly coming into her own and an interesting link to a character from the previous book which will no doubt be pursued.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little less religious detail and these would be great murder mystery stories!

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel,having suffered a severe disappointment, has departed from Champton very suddenly to spend some time at the monastery in the north of England where he had spent some years before he became a parish priest. He hopes it will be a peaceful time, but of course it isn’t long before he is dealing with another murder. Inbetween the scenes of monastic life we get some episodes set in Champton. This one contains a great deal of heart searching, and while on the whole I prefer detectives to have uncomplicated personal lives and get on with solving crimes, it was interesting enough to keep me reading. And there is another surprise ending which I was not expecting at all.

[Lee Prescott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glacially paced - I couldn't really discern anything happening apart from lighting a few candles for about 150 pages with a plot that stretches the bounds of credibilty this one was a struggle to get through. The similies used in this book drive it down to a 1 star - how on earth would the Reverend Coles know what the sails of Vasco da Gama's be doing off the coast of Africa 500 years ago and be able to use them in comparison I don't know. Unfortunately, it's not the only example.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about the protagonist’s personal problems, less about murder. Nice reading all the same.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the dramatic end to the last book, Daniel has rushed off to a monastery, where he can try and recover his dignity. However not long after he arrives, one of the young novice monks dies in a tragic accident. Daniel isn't convinced the death is so accidental, and he feels like he must uncover what is going on.

The strength of this book, and in the series overall, lies not in the mysteries to be solved but in the character development. If I'm honest, I found the mystery element of this one to be particularly weak. We don't really get to see Daniel solving anything. The death happens, and within a few days Daniel has figured it out off-page, so there can be a big reveal. I found this frustrating because if the mystery had more substance we'd have been able to see him solve it, and there would have been enough left over for a big ending as well.

Having said all that, if you push the crime to the side, I enjoyed this book. It's less crime, more theological debate, and I find that quite interesting. Definitely an acquired taste though.

I find the characters in the books to be well-developed, and I care about the things that are happening to them. That's why I keep reading, not because I care about Daniel solving crimes (though I wish there was more of that) but because I care about the people and want to know what will happen next.

If the mystery had been fleshed out and had more to it, this could easily have been a four or five star read. But given how it was all resolved, I can't rate this any higher. I'll keep reading the series because I enjoy it, but the way the mysteries are played out is quite frustrating, and probably the least developed part of the books.

[Adam Carson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Coles does well, he does really well. This story is primarily a character tale, focussing particularly on Canon Clements emotional anguish. Pretty much every character is well drawn, you understand their motivations and you are let into the minutia of their lives in the most endearing way.

The problem for me is that at times it’s all a bit too much and I found it slow going. The whodunnit element is most definitely secondary, and as a result pretty weak. I think that almost doesn’t matter if you like the characters though.

What made it a a bit of a drag for me was the endless pages describing of religious procedure in the titular monastery. It almost felt at times that Coles was using it to make his own theological and academic arguments. To be fair, you should know what you’re getting - it’s a story written by a reverend with the lead character a rector. It was just all a bit much for me, and I found myself skim reading the most ecclesiastical sections to get to the genuine character and plot development.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me; so, I have generously awarded 4. This third story starts immediately after book 2. I had very high hopes for this but it didn’t really deliver for me. I wanted more murder and detection but it seemed to get bogged down in theology and life in a monastery. And although this was interesting in some ways I felt it did rather over dominate. The story also kept flitting briefly back to the other characters and it all became a bit disjointed and with no real point in my view. I will persevere though if there is a number 4 in the series.

[Lilypad_doodle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is the weakest in the series. I understand that it's set in a monastery and the author is a priest but there's too much digression into the theology and traditions of the church. It kind of forgetting there's suppose to be a murder at the centre. Maybe that's just overly morbid of me but.... I came to see Daniel catch a killer not get a lecture on the Anglo-catholic church

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Canon Daniel Clement murder mystery series- following on directly from the murderous mayhem of book 2, Daniel decides to retreat to the monastery where he was a novice. But amidst the monastic community, there are divisions and resentment leading to a death.

Meanwhile life in Champton proceeds with the regular characters - all intrigued by Daniel’s sudden departure.

Told with warmth, wit and intelligence, the Reverend Richard Coles brings his ecclesiastical knowledge to the forefront with this story and takes us further into the lives of the familiar entourage.

Is it cosy crime ? Whatever label is given, it’s a charming, enjoyable and wise read.

[Carol Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this author is clever...always leaving us with the last page of the story so that we want the next book. Cosy crime at its best.

[Steph Ollman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has really grown on me and I enjoyed this more than the previous novels. The murder wasn’t the focus of the story, but the developments in the lives of the characters were still interesting and enjoyable to read.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one more than the previous in the series. Needed a lighter read.
This one felt like we knew the characters better and had more interest in what happened next in their personal lives. I liked how it carried on from the previous book. The setting of the monastery was more interesting too with a closer knit group of suspects.

[Atlantean BCT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I found the descriptions of the internal workings of the church - disagreements on the ordination of women, the importance of liturgy - fascinating, as is the author's view on the interpretation of biblical texts. Not surprisingly, music figures a lot in the story, as do matters of sexuality and class. A good "who done it" as well.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

MURDER AT THE MONASTERY is the most interior-facing book so far, as Daniel grapples with his feelings after Neil announces he loves Honoria - and then has to solve a murder on top.

This book, the murder felt like it was taking second place to the personal dramas going on. The most obvious is Daniel trying to either ignore or come to terms with his let down hopes (depending on how well he's coping at that point.) But Audrey is also dealing with rejection, though this time from a dog preferring someone else.

It makes for a reflective, soul-searching book, which works well with Daniel's character. It also lets the book explore the tensions within religious communities, the things some see as little and others as major and how much conflict that can bring.

This all said, it is supposedly a murder mystery book so I would have liked a bit more focus on the murder. Much of the book, the mystery felt like an after thought with very little actual investigating happening. Daniel does very little to gather information and there are almost no actual suspects presented or examined in any way.

The ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd have liked when it was all revealed as so much information was deliberately held back (notes passed with people to investigate with the reader never told etc) that there was no way to solve it yourself. It just sort of all was announced, without feeling like there was a build up or a chance to know who the suspects or their motives were before.

I am ultimately reading a murder mystery for the mystery aspect, which left this book not as engaging or satisfying as previous entries.

[Mer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dim llawer o beth. Am wn i ma 10% olaf y llyfr oedd yn ei achub rywfaint. A fynte yn sgwrsiwr mor ddifyr, siomedig

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Murder at the Monastery' is the third instalment in the Rev. Richard Coles’ detective fiction series featuring Canon Daniel Clement. They are fun reads - ‘Midsomer Murders’ in style - gruesome crimes combined with social satire in an improbably idyllic setting. Each book deals with a separate mystery, but the private lives of the central characters continues across the series, and the second book ended on something of an emotional cliffhanger for Canon Clement. Which is why we find him in book three hiding out at the monastery where he was once a novice. Needless to say the monastery is seething with animosity… I didn't find this book quite so gripping, as it alternated between the workings of the monastery (where the cast of novices had me slightly confused) and Daniel's parish of Champton, where everyone is just wondering what has happened to him, and looking after his dogs. But I was certainly kept guessing until the end!

[Liam Crook-Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book ‘fine’ but it didn’t grip me as much as the previous two; I just wasn’t that interested in the monastery setting. Confusingly, the murder didn’t seem to be the main plot point of the book and I felt it wasn’t covered in as much detail as in the previous books. However I’m enjoying the character of Daniel and how his character is developing. I’m also enjoying the character of Audrey more, particularly after the chapter where she realises - and quickly accepts - what is going on with her son.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the shock ending of the previous novel, Daniel heads to a monastery in Yorkshire on retreat leaving behind his family, friends and parishioners. But trouble is never far behind and one of the brothers is found dead, presumably murdered. I liked how the narrative moved between Daniel and the people back in Champton. Although he is the main character it shows how the 'supporting cast' are just as important. Good mix of humour and drama with some highly emotive scenes. And, that ending!!

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Daniel shocked to his core at the end of the last book, he has retreated to the monastery he once attended. His sudden disappearance creates lots of speculation back in Champton, and his mother Audrey is pursuing her own plans. But Daniel finds murder follows him around.

This book felt more like Daniel trying to discover who he really is, than actually any murder that takes place. An ok read.

[Jonathan Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the cliffhanger of the previous book, with Canon Clement’s crush being revealed as otherwise ‘entangled’ I felt this got off to a very slow start. Clement has retreated to his previous monastery where, inevitably, murder follows him. Jumping between the investigation - slight as it is - and the dynamic between Daniel and Neil, this ends on another cliffhanger, albeit one which I’m not entirely sure of what I make.

[Cheryl Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the previous two Canon Clement mysteries, but the third one was a let down. It was mostly about the operations of the monastery and the Church of England. I missed the community that is usually included within his books. I hope the next one he returns to including the cast of characters that he has created in these wonderful books.

[Mark Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a few other readers, I found this a bit heavy on the religious technicalities. The actual mystery is good, and I enjoyed catching up with Daniel and the gang, but I did skip over some of the religious descriptions!

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Brown meets Brother Cadfiel with gay love

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

an good murder mystery along the style of P D james, a death in holy orders

[Natasha Maddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and loved the discussion re living in a monastery.