Sister Caravaggio

by Maeve Binchy, Peter Cunningham, Neil Donnelly

The small Caravaggio which hangs in the chapel of Doon Abbey in Kildare attracts visitors to the abbey from far and wide. One night, however, the painting disappears. The Sister Superior is unwilling to cooperate with the police, as this would compromise the abbey’s silent-order ethos. Alice Dunwoody, a novitiate at the abbey who heard strange sounds on the night of the theft, persuades Sister Mercy Superior to allow her to investigate, with the help of the abbey’s computer-savvy librarian, Sister Mary Magdalene. As the nuns try to track down the painting, the list of possible suspects – and the body count – multiplies.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ireland, Book Club, Irish Literature

215 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2014

About the author

Anne Maeve Binchy Snell was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings. Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
She appeared in the US market, featuring on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Recognised for her "total absence of malice" and generosity to other writers, she finished third in a 2000 poll for World Book Day, ahead of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why put a big drawing of a cat in the cover if the cat barely appears in the book and when he does, he is in danger?! WHY?!



And then another poor cat unrelated to the story also dies. WHAT THE FUCK?!!
So, again,


Luckily for my windows, I wasn't indoors.

So long and thanks for all the gifs.

[Nat K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick read- perfect for summer! The formatting was interesting, by using one Author per chapter. This made the story slightly disjointed, but I enjoyed it regardless. It was fun trying to guess which Author wrote which chapter based on their writing style. I guess that's one mystery which shall remain unsolved, unlike the missing Caravaggio....

[Ramazan Atlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dedektif Alice bir operasyon sırasında kendisini savunmak için bir suçluyu öldürmesi üzerine içine düştüğü pişmanlıkla işini bırakmış, bütün birikimini hayır kurumlarına vermiş ve rahibe olmak için Doon Abbey Şapeli’nde yaşamaya başlamıştır. Ancak 4 ay sonra şapeldeki Caravaggio tablosu çalınır. Önemli bir gelir kaynağını kaybeden şapel zor duruma düşüp satılma riskiyle karşı karşıya kalır. Rahibe Alice, Başrahibenin de onayını alarak tabloyu bulmak için dedektiflik deneyimlerini kullanmaya ve eski hayatına dönmeye mecbur kalır. Ona şapelin kütüphanecisi olan Rahibe Magdelena yardım edecektir. Gençlik yıllarından itibaren 14 yıldır şapelde yaşayan Rahibe Magdelena bilgisayardan anlayan, bu sayede şapelin sınırlarına hapsolmaktan kurtulmuş, İsa’nın günümüzde yaşaması durumunda tweet atacağı gibi ilerici düşüncelere sahip, gizli gizli Breaking Bad izleyen ilginç bir karakterdir. İki rahibenin şapelden ayrılmasıyla birlikte ardı ardına cinayetler işlenmeye başlayacak, rahibeler bir yandan cinayetleri kimin işlediğini çözmeye, bir yandan da kayıp tabloyu bulmaya çalışacaklardır.

İrlandalı 7 polisiye yazarı tarafından yazılan roman boyunca Dedektif Alice ile Rahibe Magdelena iyi bir ikili oluşturuyorlar, son derece kısıtlı bir yaşam biçiminden dışarıdaki kanlı canlı hayata dönmelerinin onlarda yarattığı şaşkınlık, iç gıcıklayıcı heyecan güzel anlatılmış. Yazarlar en sonda katilin kimliği hakkında çifte sürpriz hazırlamışlar. Sürprizlerde sorun yok ama gerçek katilin kimliği ve motivasyonu beni çok ikna etmedi. Hikâye zaman zaman inandırıcılıktan yoksun şekilde ilerlese de son kertede Karanlık Kalp iyi bir polisiye.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally different for Maeve Binchy

This was a quick read and totally different for Maeve Binchy. A fun story about a stolen painting and an ex cop nun.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

a fun concept ruined by that good ol classic transphobia. no thank u

[R.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Κριτική στα Ελληνικά πιο κάτω...

Well, this was kind of a silly read. Been written by 7 different authors, it felt somehow disjointed and couldn't always find a pace or "texture". There were attempts of humor and moments of inspiration, but I'm not sure what those authors were going for in the end.

I decided to perceive this as kind of a parody on the crime/whodunit genre rather than as a real crime/mystery novel, because otherwise it would simply feel completely ridiculous and over-written. Too much going on in the book, the plot features some weird twists and turns and forced developments and tons of unbelievable, over the top, eye-rolling elements to take it seriously.

An OK-ish read to pass the time, but sometimes it became tiring too.

Λοιπόν, αυτό το βιβλίο ήταν κάπως "ανόητο". Γράφτηκε από 7 διαφορετικούς συγγραφείς και ήταν κάπως ασυνάρτητο. Δεν μπορούσε να βρει πάντα ρυθμό ή «υφή». Υπήρξαν απόπειρες χιούμορ και στιγμές στοχασμού, αλλά δεν είμαι σίγουρη τι βιβλίο επιδίωκαν να γράψουν αυτοί οι συγγραφείς τελικά.

Αποφάσισα να το εκλάβω σαν παρωδία για το είδος των ιστοριών τύπου κλέφτες κι αστυνόμοι/εγκλήματος/whodunit παρά ως ένα πραγματικό μυθιστόρημα εγκλήματος/μυστηρίου, γιατί διαφορετικά θα το ένιωθα εντελώς γελοίο και υπερβολικό. Πάρα πολλά συμβαίνουν στο βιβλίο για να το πάρει κανείς στα σοβαρά. Η πλοκή περιλαμβάνει μερικές περίεργες ανατροπές και αφύσικες εξελίξεις και τόνους απίστευτων, υπερβολικών, δεικτικών, κλισέ στοιχείων.

Ένα καλούτσικο ανάγνωσμα για να περάσει η ώρα, αλλά μερικές φορές γινόταν και κουραστικό.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining with a good dose of humour – what’s not to like?

The one thing the Abbey has going for it is the Caravaggio painting hanging in the building; interest in it brings flocks of visitors providing a much needed income for the nuns. So, when it is stolen it spells disaster for the future of the order. Sister Alice, a relative newcomer to the abbey, manages to persuade Sister Superior to allow her to investigate and, along with the tech-savvy Sister Mary Magdalene, she finds herself ditching the habit and venturing forth in short skirts and high heels!

Having been a long time fan of everything Maeve Binchy had written, I couldn’t resist adding this one to my list when I spotted it. There are several twists and turns and a sprinkling of humour throughout – many a giggle was had. But behind it all is a very cleverly crafted mystery and one I enjoyed immensely. Definitely one I’m very happy to recommend to all mystery lovers – you won’t be disappointed. For me, 4*.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Caravaggio goes missing from what should have been a well protected abbey. Sister Alice, formerly Sergeant Detective Alice Dunwoodey and librarian Sister Maggie are allowed to leave the convent to track down the painting. What ensues is comedy, and a series of events that keeps you guessing all the way to the end.

I would say closer to 3.5 stars, if only because of the multiple authors. There are a few chapters that didn’t quite flow right and one author mistakenly thought the characters were Protestant. Protestants do not say the rosary, pray to saints, or anything that these nuns do.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great concept. Uneven execution.

Also...about a third of the way through this, I got a sinking feeling that the killer was going to be a trans woman, annnnd whaddaya know, the killer turned out to be a trans woman. So disappointing.

There's a passage near the end where the police explain that nobody is going to get prosecuted for the theft and murders, because they don't want to receive pressure from the various groups (religious, trans, feminist, etc.) who would be offended by the case details.

I think the only reason the authors did not receive pressure IRL is because the book simply isn't popular enough to get noticed.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a joint effort. Now, generally, things done by "committee" are iffy, but this little book is a delight. It is very different from Ms. Binchy's other novels, but in some ways, very much the same. Although there is lots of action, and crime, and chasing about, I can feel her imput in how various characters are handled.

If you are a fan of Binchy, add this to your "to read" list. It is well worth it. It is a short novel, I easily read it in a day, and was glad that I decided to buy it, after all.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm somewhere between two and three stars on this but gave it three. As it was written by several authors there were moments of clarity and moments of chaos. Overall it was well written, however, and I did care about the characters and wanted to find out what happened. I like a good murder mystery and while this was not the best I've ever read, it kept me entertained and portrayed a typical and amusing Irish caper.

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Caravaggio painting disappears from the chapel of Doon Abbey in Kildare Ireland. Sister Alice, a novitiate, & Sister Mercy Superior investigate but the suspects and body count are many. I enjoyed this story but the book was written together with Binchy and other writers which caused it to be a bit confusing in parts. Loved all the humorous characters and the ending was surprising. Recommended for those whose love Binchy and humorous Irish tales.

[June Bowser-Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery Maze

Reading Sister Caravaggio is a little like wandering through a maze. One is never quite sure how to navigate. Sometimes it's confusing but still entertaining at the same time , so hanging in until the end is a reward. I can't say it was the best, tightly crafted mystery I've ever read, but it certainly had a unique cast of characters! That in itself is enough to recommend it!

[Melanie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

Fantastic result from 7 impeccable, experienced authors! It was hard to distinguish which author wrote each chapter. May take several read throughs to recognize each one’s style. Regardless, the story was skillfully blended and flowed along seamlessly showing that while author collaborations might be rare they can come alive when created by the right pairing.

[Starr Cruise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous accomplishment

I love Maeve anyways but was drawn by the unexpected plot and how it was written with friends. This story keeps you going with twist s u can't figure out ahead of time. Be sure to read the editor notes at the end. It is a complete and fascinating story in itself and will cause you to appreciate this novel even more!

[Janis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have loved every Maeve Binchy book I’ve ever read, but this one was the exception. Of course, this book was a collaborative project with six other authors which is probably why it felt so disjointed.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery

There were times I couldn't put this book down. At other times it was a bit hard to follow, there are so many characters, with unexpected twists and turns. It is definitely a crazy ride. But over all an enjoyable read!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collaborative novel

The theft of a Caravagio painting from a convent creates the story. Two nuns are charged with finding it. For Mr, it was not a particularly interesting story. It reminded me of Sister Act. Kind of silly. Lots of deaths and went on forever.

[Helen Agathocleous · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially thought this was a book with stories by different authors, however it is in fact one story written by several authors. I found it at times enjoyable and other times a tad weird. Sorry, I could not finish it but maybe will come back to it one day. You may like it though.

[Susan Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

This book was excellent. A fantastic read. Anything that Maeve Binchy has a hand in is a must read for me. Her characters become like family. The writing is so excellent that you can see the characters and the nuns wow just the best. I so enjoyed this book.

[M-N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery but didn't like the gory bits as wouldn't read that type of fiction.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good murder mystery that's a quick read. It is a little disjointed since so many writers were involved, but still an easy read. I enjoyed it.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Orders

Not what I expected. Hadn't read maeve Binchy in years. Exciting book lots of twists and turns. A little scary

[Maureen Huerter · Rating 3 out of 5]

holy sister sister

A bit of a fantasy but a fun mystery involving sisters, Jesuits and general bad guys. Sister Alice certainly leads a double life of sorts.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light fun and quick read involving a famous painting, nuns and criminals in Ireland!

[Catherine Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting way to write a book with multiple authors connecting thoughts and story line. I found it easy to follow and enjoyable to read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read, a neat writing idea. Glad I own it so I can give it a reread and take more of it in.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

[Jeb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collaborative efforts of 7 authors; writing different chapters. Interesting premise.
I prefer Maeve Binchy as the solo author.

[Luann Ritsema · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope.