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Greek Island Mysteries #2
The Church Murders
EVIL RETURNS UNDER THE SIZZLING GREEK SUN
The picturesque Greek Isles are once again unsettled by death...
Hellenic Police Captain COSTA PAPACOSTA and Lieutenant IOLI CARA are back, faced with four brutal cases all strangely connected to the Greek church.
A reporter investigating the existence of a Gospel written by Jesus himself is found stabbed to death on the island of Salamina while a lawyer and a young girl have gone missing.
In Santorini, the most beautiful of all Greek islands, bodies are piling up fast. Murder after murder, our officers are left puzzled. All the clues are there, but who is the killer?
The Ionian islands. Seven islands, seven bodies. Suicides or foul play?
Ioli’s lack of faith is tested by a boy experiencing stigmata on the island of Kefallonia. Could his marks be for real?
Time is against the two investigators and lives are on the line...
Join Papacosta and Cara on a roller coaster of emotions, death and faith. Follow the trail of mystery across the majestic Greek islands and try to solve the puzzle before the shocking end!
The picturesque Greek Isles are once again unsettled by death...
Hellenic Police Captain COSTA PAPACOSTA and Lieutenant IOLI CARA are back, faced with four brutal cases all strangely connected to the Greek church.
A reporter investigating the existence of a Gospel written by Jesus himself is found stabbed to death on the island of Salamina while a lawyer and a young girl have gone missing.
In Santorini, the most beautiful of all Greek islands, bodies are piling up fast. Murder after murder, our officers are left puzzled. All the clues are there, but who is the killer?
The Ionian islands. Seven islands, seven bodies. Suicides or foul play?
Ioli’s lack of faith is tested by a boy experiencing stigmata on the island of Kefallonia. Could his marks be for real?
Time is against the two investigators and lives are on the line...
Join Papacosta and Cara on a roller coaster of emotions, death and faith. Follow the trail of mystery across the majestic Greek islands and try to solve the puzzle before the shocking end!
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
79 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Luke Christodoulou
65 books55 followersLuke Christodoulou is an author, a poet and an English teacher (MA Applied Linguistics - University of Birmingham). He is, also, a coffee-movie-book-Nutella lover. His books have been widely translated and are available in five languages (with more on the way).
His first book, THE OLYMPUS KILLER (#1 Bestseller - Thrillers), was released in April, 2014. The book was voted Book Of The Month for May on Goodreads (Psychological Thrillers). The book continued to be a fan favorite on Goodreads and was voted BOTM for June in the group Nothing Better Than Reading. In October, it was BOTM in the group Ebook Miner, proving it was one of the most talked-about thrillers of 2014.
The second stand-alone thriller from the series, THE CHURCH MURDERS, was released April, 2015 to widespread critical and fan acclaim. The Church Murders became a bestseller in its categories throughout the summer and was nominated as Book Of The Month in three different Goodreads groups.
DEATH OF A BRIDE was the third Greek Island Mystery to be released. Released in April, 2016 it followed in the footsteps of its successful predecessors. From its first week in release it hit the number one spot for books set in Greece. It was BOTM in the group Mysteries and Crime thrillers and chosen as one of the best mysteries for 2016 by ReadFreely.
MURDER ON DISPLAY came out in 2017 and enriched the series.
Luke Christodoulou has also ventured into ‘children's book land’ and released 24 MODERNIZED AESOP FABLES, retelling old stories with new elements and settings. The book, also, features sections for parents, which include discussions, questions, games and activities.
He is currently working on the fifth book of his planned Greek Island Mysteries book series.
He resides in Limassol, Cyprus with his loving wife, his chatty daughter and his crazy newborn son.
Hobbies include travelling the Greek Islands discovering new food and possible murder sites for his stories. He, also, enjoys telling people that he ‘kills people for a living’.
His first book, THE OLYMPUS KILLER (#1 Bestseller - Thrillers), was released in April, 2014. The book was voted Book Of The Month for May on Goodreads (Psychological Thrillers). The book continued to be a fan favorite on Goodreads and was voted BOTM for June in the group Nothing Better Than Reading. In October, it was BOTM in the group Ebook Miner, proving it was one of the most talked-about thrillers of 2014.
The second stand-alone thriller from the series, THE CHURCH MURDERS, was released April, 2015 to widespread critical and fan acclaim. The Church Murders became a bestseller in its categories throughout the summer and was nominated as Book Of The Month in three different Goodreads groups.
DEATH OF A BRIDE was the third Greek Island Mystery to be released. Released in April, 2016 it followed in the footsteps of its successful predecessors. From its first week in release it hit the number one spot for books set in Greece. It was BOTM in the group Mysteries and Crime thrillers and chosen as one of the best mysteries for 2016 by ReadFreely.
MURDER ON DISPLAY came out in 2017 and enriched the series.
Luke Christodoulou has also ventured into ‘children's book land’ and released 24 MODERNIZED AESOP FABLES, retelling old stories with new elements and settings. The book, also, features sections for parents, which include discussions, questions, games and activities.
He is currently working on the fifth book of his planned Greek Island Mysteries book series.
He resides in Limassol, Cyprus with his loving wife, his chatty daughter and his crazy newborn son.
Hobbies include travelling the Greek Islands discovering new food and possible murder sites for his stories. He, also, enjoys telling people that he ‘kills people for a living’.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 11, 2015
Once again, Christodoulou has masterfully crafted an amazing piece of art. The 'Church' themed murders that are plaguing the Greek Isles is originally violent, bloody and will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Christodoulou takes us deeper into the character of Captain Papacosta and he has some startling life changes throughout the story. I was happy to see him partnered with Ioli once again. They make a great detective team and they are each independent which is important as the 4 plots develop and they are trying to catch the murderer before the next victim appears.
If you haven't read the first book, you HAVE to! The first book really set my expectations high and the second one did not disappoint me. Christodoulou really has a wildy wicked imagination and crafts his story vividly so that I have a picture painted in my head of the beauty of the Greek Isles and the horror and despair of the murder scenes.
Great mystery, great plot twists and great surprises. There were a few things that popped up in this book that I never saw coming! This book is well written, easy to read and difficult to put down once you start.
Can't wait to read more by this author!
Christodoulou takes us deeper into the character of Captain Papacosta and he has some startling life changes throughout the story. I was happy to see him partnered with Ioli once again. They make a great detective team and they are each independent which is important as the 4 plots develop and they are trying to catch the murderer before the next victim appears.
If you haven't read the first book, you HAVE to! The first book really set my expectations high and the second one did not disappoint me. Christodoulou really has a wildy wicked imagination and crafts his story vividly so that I have a picture painted in my head of the beauty of the Greek Isles and the horror and despair of the murder scenes.
Great mystery, great plot twists and great surprises. There were a few things that popped up in this book that I never saw coming! This book is well written, easy to read and difficult to put down once you start.
Can't wait to read more by this author!
July 20, 2015
Well plotted and thoroughly grisly, the author journeys the Greek isles solving one murder after another. With fluid prose his partner and wife are sketched with pain, humor and surprise. Recommended.
January 31, 2018
Enjoyable though a bit far fetched. Great holiday read.
June 29, 2015
Unlike most other murder mystery novels, which mainly focus on one murder case, in THE CHURCH MURDERS we have four separate cases investigated by the main characters.
The characters are well written and fleshed out with back stories so you soon get to know them well.
The author's description of each location creates such an atmospheric setting it is as if he uses his pen, (or keyboard in reality, but pen sounded better) as a paintbrush to paint the scene with words so his readers can easily visualize the location, whether it be a street, room, the all important murder scene, or somewhere else. It makes me believe he has personal knowledge of the real locations that appear in the book.
Each case is different in its own way and holds the suspense right to the end. My personal favorite is case number two, where a succession of suspects are murdered.
I can easily imagine this becoming a TV series and I will be reading more by this author and will order his book, The Olympus Killer: Greek Island Mystery #1: Volume 1 (Greek Island Mysteries)
If you like murder mysteries with great characters, atmospheric locations and a suspenseful, interesting plot to keep you turning the pages, then this book has been written for you.
Suspenseful, atmospheric, murder mysteries
The characters are well written and fleshed out with back stories so you soon get to know them well.
The author's description of each location creates such an atmospheric setting it is as if he uses his pen, (or keyboard in reality, but pen sounded better) as a paintbrush to paint the scene with words so his readers can easily visualize the location, whether it be a street, room, the all important murder scene, or somewhere else. It makes me believe he has personal knowledge of the real locations that appear in the book.
Each case is different in its own way and holds the suspense right to the end. My personal favorite is case number two, where a succession of suspects are murdered.
I can easily imagine this becoming a TV series and I will be reading more by this author and will order his book, The Olympus Killer: Greek Island Mystery #1: Volume 1 (Greek Island Mysteries)
If you like murder mysteries with great characters, atmospheric locations and a suspenseful, interesting plot to keep you turning the pages, then this book has been written for you.
Suspenseful, atmospheric, murder mysteries
April 3, 2016
Bring your appetite for sunshine, spanakopita and psychos to the alluring Greek isles.
Police Captain Costa Papacosta of the Hellenic Police is on the couch; only the police psychologist can release him back to active duty. Divorced, with a murdered child, and a caseload of gruesome murders, he has a lot to talk about. They make a deal, he comes in every fifteen days for an evaluation and she'll give him the go-ahead to get back to work.
An undercover tabloid reporter is discovered dead on the island of Salamis, after following a lead on a missing gospel written by Jesus Christ. The mutilated body is found near the Saint Nicholas Monastery, and Costa is certain there is a connection. When the creepy abbot blocks entry to the cloistered grounds, the investigation spreads to the local villages overlooking the Aegean Sea.
This tight religious thriller is a police procedural with a streak of drollery. Be forewarned: Christodoulou has a frightening imagination when it comes to the ways and means of murder.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Police Captain Costa Papacosta of the Hellenic Police is on the couch; only the police psychologist can release him back to active duty. Divorced, with a murdered child, and a caseload of gruesome murders, he has a lot to talk about. They make a deal, he comes in every fifteen days for an evaluation and she'll give him the go-ahead to get back to work.
An undercover tabloid reporter is discovered dead on the island of Salamis, after following a lead on a missing gospel written by Jesus Christ. The mutilated body is found near the Saint Nicholas Monastery, and Costa is certain there is a connection. When the creepy abbot blocks entry to the cloistered grounds, the investigation spreads to the local villages overlooking the Aegean Sea.
This tight religious thriller is a police procedural with a streak of drollery. Be forewarned: Christodoulou has a frightening imagination when it comes to the ways and means of murder.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2016
The Goodreads group Shut Up & Read (Read It & Reap) provided the PDF in exchange for an honest review.
The story started slow, but once Captain Papacosta took hold of the murder investigation, the plot moved along nicely, with some twists and turns. Mr. Christodoulou paints a beautiful picture of Greek life filled with coffee and food.....and murder!
Mr. Christodoulou creates a sinister serial killer whose background reveals a wounded and damaged individual whose killing spree is unforgiving.
The story started slow, but once Captain Papacosta took hold of the murder investigation, the plot moved along nicely, with some twists and turns. Mr. Christodoulou paints a beautiful picture of Greek life filled with coffee and food.....and murder!
Mr. Christodoulou creates a sinister serial killer whose background reveals a wounded and damaged individual whose killing spree is unforgiving.
April 5, 2015
LOTS-N-LOTS OF GORY MURDER/THRILLS/SUSPENSE AND COSTA & IOLI ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ONCE AGAIN. THE IS MY SECOND TRIP TO THE GREEK ISLE AND I SPENT MOST OF MY VISIT IN SHOCK (I loved it) AROUND 20-21% ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. I DID SEE THE ONE THING COMING BUT OMG I DID’NT EXPECT ALL THAT OTHER STUFF, WOW. WHAT A SIGHT THAT WAS AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL GREEK COUNTRYSIDE EITHER. I AM SO GLAD BOTH BK#1 & #2 ARE STAND ALONE SERIES. YEA!;D
May 1, 2015
Amazing Thiller
Another great Greece thriller you get about 10 horrific murders ,mysteries,and thrillers in one book and epic twisted ending I can say I didn't see coming. I can't wait for next book in this series I really have grown love Costa and Iolli
Another great Greece thriller you get about 10 horrific murders ,mysteries,and thrillers in one book and epic twisted ending I can say I didn't see coming. I can't wait for next book in this series I really have grown love Costa and Iolli
May 12, 2015
Not a bad read, discovered as "bargain" in Kindle section.
Am now reading the 1st book in the series ( this is no.2) as stand alone books the order of reading isn't critical. Must admit the offer of reading on Kindle for about 1/3 price of paperback was a clincher. A good move!
Am now reading the 1st book in the series ( this is no.2) as stand alone books the order of reading isn't critical. Must admit the offer of reading on Kindle for about 1/3 price of paperback was a clincher. A good move!
November 16, 2016
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
I chose to review this book for two reasons; I enjoy a well written thriller/mystery, which I hoped this would be, and I have never read anything set in the Greek Isles.
What a fortunate choice this was; a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the stunning Greek Isles, rich in history and natural beauty. I was enthralled by this story from the beginning to the final page. The characters are well developed and draw the reader into their world with the ease and familiarity of old friends. Despite not have read the previous book or anything by this author before, I did not find this to be a disadvantage at all. This novel is clearly able to stand-alone, although I am eager to read more of this author.
The locations used in this story are so vividly described, it enables the reader to easily visualise despite never having been there. The Greek Isles provides the setting in which the main characters have to solve several murders, each with their own peculiar themes, while resolving personal issues. The cases sometimes result in each character calling in to question their own beliefs and what they know about those closest to them.
Luke Christodoulou has an incredible skill in writing murder mysteries and making the reader feel a part of the story, rather than a spectator. High praise for a truly talented writer; I look forward to reading more of his books.
I chose to review this book for two reasons; I enjoy a well written thriller/mystery, which I hoped this would be, and I have never read anything set in the Greek Isles.
What a fortunate choice this was; a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the stunning Greek Isles, rich in history and natural beauty. I was enthralled by this story from the beginning to the final page. The characters are well developed and draw the reader into their world with the ease and familiarity of old friends. Despite not have read the previous book or anything by this author before, I did not find this to be a disadvantage at all. This novel is clearly able to stand-alone, although I am eager to read more of this author.
The locations used in this story are so vividly described, it enables the reader to easily visualise despite never having been there. The Greek Isles provides the setting in which the main characters have to solve several murders, each with their own peculiar themes, while resolving personal issues. The cases sometimes result in each character calling in to question their own beliefs and what they know about those closest to them.
Luke Christodoulou has an incredible skill in writing murder mysteries and making the reader feel a part of the story, rather than a spectator. High praise for a truly talented writer; I look forward to reading more of his books.
January 3, 2017
Wasnt sure if I was going to finish this one. Really not interesting in the first half or so. Didnt interest me till toward the end. The only thing that perked it up was when they found the dead people. The description of the bodies was gross. It seems thing kept turning back to the priest at the church. It was thought that the illegitimate children and bad people were to die and the priests instilled that in his members.
August 23, 2019
I like Mr. Christodoulou's books very much. I don't like his writing style when he uses multi-word hyphenated adjectives/modifiers (I have no idea what this is called in grammar). I like sentences that flow and are easy to read and comprehend but I seem to have to read these sentences twice to get the meaning. Other than that, I love Ioli and Costa and the setting.
November 12, 2020
Greek tragedies
The story starts strangely and retrospectively so you feel a little confused until you realise events are going back and forth. The stories were interesting but not difficult to work out until you come to the end and are thrown a definite twist that is not expected at all
The story starts strangely and retrospectively so you feel a little confused until you realise events are going back and forth. The stories were interesting but not difficult to work out until you come to the end and are thrown a definite twist that is not expected at all
August 26, 2023
Seven suicides on seven different islands all in one morning and the 2 Greek detectives
Costa and ioli know there is a connection but are struggling to find it. Then a boy suffers stigmata while Ioli is with him at the beach.
This story is more disjointed than the first book. It only makes sense at the penultimate chapter!!
Costa and ioli know there is a connection but are struggling to find it. Then a boy suffers stigmata while Ioli is with him at the beach.
This story is more disjointed than the first book. It only makes sense at the penultimate chapter!!
April 8, 2019
An enjoyable read however not as enjoyable as his first book great murders again and a great team of detectives, to solve them. Look forward to his next book hopefully more exciting and easier to follow. Great easy holiday/bed time reading to enjoy though still!
August 13, 2019
I found it interesting and enthralling. Would definitely recommend it.
Very good and easy to follow I really couldn't put it down and it easily a book I would take on holiday with me.
Very good and easy to follow I really couldn't put it down and it easily a book I would take on holiday with me.
August 27, 2020
Needs an editor.
There may be a good story in there somewhere, but it's completely hidden by the appalling translation. At least I'm assuming a translator was involved, it could just be Google. Painful to read and impossible to enjoy.
There may be a good story in there somewhere, but it's completely hidden by the appalling translation. At least I'm assuming a translator was involved, it could just be Google. Painful to read and impossible to enjoy.
February 1, 2021
Unevenly written, but I persisted because I enjoyed the setting. Not sure if I'll read any more, though.
March 11, 2021
Lots of lovely island.
The islands are lovely and the murders are so sad. But Costas will solve them all with Lolis help and advise.
The islands are lovely and the murders are so sad. But Costas will solve them all with Lolis help and advise.
June 30, 2015
I read this book in just one day! It was hypnotic in its multiple plots. The author has a talent for weaving 4 case stories together and keeping the suspense level high.
The characters were extremely realistic and fit in well in the stories.
Having lived in Athens for a summer I was happy to relive the Greek experience so expertly described as the stories unfolded. Insights into the Greek culture abounded. There were also humorous digs regarding the character of the Greek mothers, “Greek mothers do what Greek mothers do.” He mentioned many Greek specialties, moussaka, baklava and gyro, ( “You haven’t eaten gyro if you haven’t eaten it in Greece!”) These foods brought back memories of my teaching days in a Greek-American school in Brooklyn, where I was happily introduced to Greek fare.
In all this book is a “must” read for both mystery lovers as well as lovers of Greece!
I highly recommend this extremely well written book. The informal writing style made for easy reading. I will willingly read other books by this talented author.
I rented this title from my local library.
The characters were extremely realistic and fit in well in the stories.
Having lived in Athens for a summer I was happy to relive the Greek experience so expertly described as the stories unfolded. Insights into the Greek culture abounded. There were also humorous digs regarding the character of the Greek mothers, “Greek mothers do what Greek mothers do.” He mentioned many Greek specialties, moussaka, baklava and gyro, ( “You haven’t eaten gyro if you haven’t eaten it in Greece!”) These foods brought back memories of my teaching days in a Greek-American school in Brooklyn, where I was happily introduced to Greek fare.
In all this book is a “must” read for both mystery lovers as well as lovers of Greece!
I highly recommend this extremely well written book. The informal writing style made for easy reading. I will willingly read other books by this talented author.
I rented this title from my local library.
August 14, 2016
I recently read death of a bride and found something had happened with one of the characters but didn't know how, it was then I realised I was reading book three so decided to come back and read this book (number two) which quickly filled in the blanks for me.
Instead of the story focusing on just one case, this book looks at Costa and Ioli solving four different cases all linked in some way to the church. You learn about the first two cases from Costa as he tells the tale of these to his psychologist and then the next two cases happen in the present.
It's a very fast paced story and each individual case is interesting. The ending surprised me, I never guessed what was going to happen. It was another good read.
Instead of the story focusing on just one case, this book looks at Costa and Ioli solving four different cases all linked in some way to the church. You learn about the first two cases from Costa as he tells the tale of these to his psychologist and then the next two cases happen in the present.
It's a very fast paced story and each individual case is interesting. The ending surprised me, I never guessed what was going to happen. It was another good read.
March 26, 2016
The author has an easy going writing style that appeals to me. I found this novel, the second in the series, much easier to read. The editing has definitely improved but some errors are still present. While I am not a fan of the somewhat gruesome murders displayed here, I really did enjoy the island settings. Having visited some of the islands mentioned, the settings brought back fond memories. Also, for whatever reason, I just enjoyed his characters - Costa Papacosta and Ioli Cara. Sit back and enjoy a visit to the Greek Islands, close your eyes to the bloodshed, and soak up the sun.
July 23, 2016
Hard to put down, quite graphic in places but that's the nature of the genre. Good twists to the plots.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews