The Congregation

Skeletons in the Cupboard #3

by A.J. Griffiths-Jones

England, 1970s. A bustling mining town awaits the arrival of their new vicar. People don't know what to expect as the rather aloof Reverend Matthews descends upon his unfamiliar parish. Nevertheless, he is welcomed with open arms. But after discovering a journal left by his predecessor, the clergyman begins to wonder what secrets lie behind the seemingly innocent lives of his congregation. The Bishop's unexpected arrival has the vicar questioning his own past and a cloud descends upon his religious beliefs, bringing chaos to both himself and the townsfolk. Written in an upbeat style, with dark humour and quirky characters, this classic British mystery is best savoured by the fire with a pot of tea. Praise from ★★★★★ - "From the first page I was drawn into this story. I read it in one afternoon and enjoyed it immensely." ★★★★★ - "A wonderful book, full of dry wit and poignant storytelling. Bravo."

Genres: Fiction, Amazon, Mystery

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2016

About the author

A.J.Griffiths-Jones is a historian & genealogist with a special interest in Victorian Crime. After a decade of living & working in China, she now lives in Shropshire, England. A.J's interests include cooking, travelling & swimming.
Her debut book 'Prisoner 4374' was the result of ten years research in to the life of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream, the notorious Lambeth Poisoner & Jack the Ripper suspect.
A.J. is currently working on a sequel Ripper book and a series of novels, the first of which 'The Villagers' was published early 2016.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Congregation is the third book I've read from author A. J. Griffiths-Jones. While this one is part of a series/collection, they are stand-alone and can be read independently easily. A mixture of mystery and suspense, the tale offers a sparkling reflection on people harboring secrets... some who should know better and others who live to tell lies. Each character has a curious wit, some acerbic and others just genuinely intriguing.

Our protagonist, Reverend Matthews, arrives to greet his new flock, and immediately, a letter from the previous vicar leaves him worried. Something is amiss in this town, and the secrets are plentiful. As we get to know him, his caretakers, and several parishioners, it becomes clear that not everything is as it truly appears. What could they all be hiding?

Griffiths-Jones has brilliantly crafted a story that pulls you in from the first chapter, lasting all the way until the end. I daresay I wanted more when I finished the final words - my only concern with the entire piece. What will become of some of these people? How much forgiveness can one really expect? I enjoy how the author dances around so many topics, easily leaving your imagination at play to wander about, idly, searching for clues as to what the vicar is missing.

If you like a story with rich characters, well-balanced plots and odd shenanigans, and a keen sense of human nature, you'll find these very rewarding and pleasing. I look forward to reading more from the author's collection in the coming months.

[Margaret Millmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a departure from my normal read, sort of quirky and odd, but really enjoyed it.

Reverend Matthews is the new vicar for a small mining town in England. He’s extremely hesitant about his new post, but soon discovers his predecessor left a ledger in which he wrote all the town peoples’ secrets, some aren’t really secrets as such, while others definitely are.

I really enjoyed reading about all the interesting people of this bustling 1970s mining town, the author does a wonderful job in her character and landscape descriptions, so much so I almost felt like I was there, walking down the road with the vicar.

My only reason for the 4.5 star review has to do with ending, it seemed a bit abrupt and I didn’t feel like the story built up to the reasoning behind it—my apologies as that’s a bit of a spoiler…but I wouldn’t pass this book by for that reason, it was a truly enjoyable read!

Typically I receive books for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, however this is a verified purchase.

[Phil Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read other titles from this author, I was looking forward to reading The Congregation.

A new vicar arrives in a sleepy mining town, trying to remain detached from his new congregation. However, they slowly work their way into his life, Reverand Matthews becoming more accepting of them. But things are not as they seem? They all seem to harbour secrets, the vicar himself having hidden demons, shrouded from his flock. The story keeps you hooked, new mysteries and secrets never quite reaching the surface, gradually playing out though as the story unfolds.

There were some truly wonderful characters, the housekeeper and the coal miner with his dark secret really stood out for me as the pages turned.

A fantastic book, beautifully told, taking the reader back to a bygone era where things were more innocent. Or so it would seem?

Highly recommended and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt very episodic; I am not sure how much would be lost if the chapters were reshuffled in a different order. Characters who starred in one chapter did not appear in the rest of the book, or were just mentioned once. The stories are so people-based, they could be pretty much timeless but at times it felt as though the 70s background was being really overemphasised.

My main problem with this book, however, was the ending. I was shocked that Archie was so unchristian. It then led me to think how very un-churchy the book was, considering that it was about a Church of England parish priest and his parishioners. Archie seems to only take one service every Sunday and it is not clear whether it is Communion or Mattins; there is no mention of PCC meetings and we don't even know who the churchwardens are. While Archie clearly takes his pastoral duties seriously, God seems rather absent.

Despite my criticism, I was enjoying the book - hence my dismay at the ending. It is well-written and the people are real, complex characters. I just feel the author should have done more research before using priest as the main character.

[Peter Adams]

The Congregation by A.J. Griffiths-Jones

A Review by Pete Adams – author

Captivating writing, consummate storytelling – AJ is fast becoming a favourite.

This is the third book I have read by A.J. Griffiths-Jones. I have never been disappointed and have already purchased another, and while the other books were not looking, I slipped it up my ‘to be read’ list.
I have found that AJ has a way of writing that draws the reader into her mildly eccentric characters while, almost unaware, a sine wave of mystery gathers amplitude, until I find myself obsessed by the story and the underlying mysteries. I say mysteries, because there are many in this book, a veritable cornucopia of secretive lives of Parishioners who await the arrival of their new, ordinarily taciturn, Vicar; a priest who prefers his own company, but is parachuted into a small village where everybody knows each other and a church that is always full. He is therefore, compelled to engage with the abounding congregation and slowly he is sucked in, until...
Well, I’ll leave you to find out, as the ending I never saw coming; wonderful.
I recommend this book, not so much as a cosy read, as it left me with a myriad of thoughts and an ongoing dialogue in my mind that still churns; shocks; heart-warming moments; pain and misery, love, well, it’s life really…something the vicar had, up until now, avoided.
I am ordinarily a slow reader, but I read this book in one day; I loved it and would not hesitate to recommend it, and this author.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem I have with this book is there are parts unfinished. It left me wanting more. I wanted to know what happens to the characters. Does drunken Mrs. Evans succumb to the strychnine her husband puts in her drinks daily? What happens to Mrs. Fry now that Reverend Matthews abandoned his post as vicar? Does he ever overcome his disdain for what she was in her past - a prostitute? Why wasn’t he able to move on from that? He of all people being a man of God should have understood the meaning of forgiveness, and anyway, how did her past offend him that it would necessitate his forgiveness? Was he merely chagrined because he had fallen in love with her only to discover that the (married) woman he found himself in love with use to be a prostitute? I found myself looking for a followup book but so far haven’t found one.

**** 4 stars I’d probably say 3.5 but there are no halfsies in ratings.

[Kenna McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tightly woven collection of vignettes about human nature which is knit together by the observations of two Church of England priests, one from a journal written by his predecessor. The man of the cloth is very human and seems constantly surprised by the revelations both of his parishioners and by his own human nature. In contrast to many reviewers, I felt the ending evolved naturally from a cycle over which the priest had little control, given his own fallibility, but easily could have been changed if he had been a different man. The story led inevitably to its conclusion and indicated a cycle that would repeat itself. The priest was at his heart a mystery and remained a mystery to the end, as well as a somewhat twisted revelation that is the final denouement to the congregation's secrets. I loved the cat!

[Eileen Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in the Skeletons in the Cupboard Series and it won't be the last.
This time, the story begins with Reverend Matthews arriving in his new parish. At first, he doubtful as to how he will be accepted as the new vicar. However, he soon realizes that he needn't have been so concerned as the parishioners welcome him with open arms. But then one day, he discovers a book written by his predecessor which outlines the various activities of individual members of his congregation. It appears that several of them have a secret they would prefer to be kept hidden.
As the story unfolds, the secrets are laid bare, but the most alarming of them all is left until the end... No! I am not going to tell you.
You need to check out this book for yourself. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third book from this author. She is excellent. She draws her characters realistically, weaves them through the various scenarios of the story appropriately, handles ticklish topics exceedingly well, and creates very fast reading and enjoyable books. I don't know what more needs to be said other than this gathering of anecdotes about a Vicar (I think we in the U.S. would call him a preacher) and his congregation, as well as the rest of the town in which he labors, was wonderful. I will not tell you the story. I will say the ending was a surprise and entirely appropriate. Get the book and read it. The story, the characters, the usage, everything about the book makes it worthwhile.

[Peggy A. Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise!

I really got into this book, very good reading but toward the end there was a twist that just didn't fit with the rest of the book and then I was left hanging at the end like the lady or the tiger left to my own to figure out the rest of the story and there doesn't seem to be a sequel...would I read a sequel, I don't know, considering the twist...I gave 4 stars because I didn't like the twist, perhaps deserved 5 because it got me thinking or even 1'because it could have had a nice bringing it all together ending

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held My Interest

This is the third book of this series that I have read and really enjoyed this one except the ending was sad. The book is about secrets that people have. Some secrets are funny, others poignant, others some people judge as not forgivable. It is in the unforgivable that the harm is done, not only for the person with the secret but for the person who learns the secret and cannot accept it. Lots of situations and lots of things to contemplate in this book of semi-fiction! A good read!

[Mats · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't want to like this, but I somehow did nonetheless.
Thing is, this book is supposed to be a cozy mystery. And I suppose, in a way, it is, but I kept waiting for someone to be murdered, like in Agatha Christie's stories.
So the mysteries were less suspenseful than I had wanted, but somehow the author kept engaging me with the characters.
The ending was a bit... not sure I understood where all the sudden rage came from, and so it felt a bit unfulfilling.
But all in all, this is a very enjoyable read!

[Pumpkinpuddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given the book 5 stars, but it ended rather abruptly and unsatisfactorily. I loved it right up until the last few pages.

If you like the tv series, Midsomer Murders, you'll like this book. It's not a murder mystery, but it has the same kind of quirky characters that Midsomer had in the early seasons. The characters are multi-dimensional and well developed. You find yourself caring about the characters and how their lives go.

[Alysa Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got The Congregation as a free Valentine's gift on Kindle, and straight away, I warmed to the characters who were complex and believable.
It is a period book, set in the 1970's and even though I was very young, there were aspects of social history that I remembered which made it more interesting.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, I really enjoyed reading this.

[Karen Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son brought this for me as a gift, the first book I'd read by this author. She really took me back to the era, painting a vivid image of life all those years ago. I loved the vicar, how he gradually warmed to his parishioners was a delight to read.

I am looking forward to more of A.J's work.

[Patricia Stringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Enjoyed meeting the different characters making up the congregation. Did not see the ending which was a bonus. Good read

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

The Congregation will make you laugh and will also being a tear to the eye . You will find yourself transported back to 70s when summers where warmer and winter was colder along the way meeting some wonderfully and unforgettable characters well done to the writer on another excellent book

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in this series but it can be read easily be read as a stand alone. I love the way A.J. Griffiths-Jones writes this fun different series. I love that the chapters are not really connected almost like short stories but it all comes together. These villages in England are a kick. They seem all sweet and boring but once the secrets start being revealed you see so much more.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I read the Circus, then The Villagers, and just finished The Congregation. They were all different and told the stories of the people and secrets in each book. Great author, A.J. Griffiths-Jones

[Nancy L. Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I have become a huge fan of A.J. Griffiths-Jones! The characters are so real, so thoughtfully created. I loved this story and I am looking forward to the next one!

[David Stimpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Was enjoying this until a Very Poor Last Chapter ... Really Messed up the Whole Book

[Debi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was intertaining. I felt it ended abruptly and without the Reverend Matthews dealing with his demons. Didn't like the ending.
Debi

[Grandma Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lousy ending

The reverend turned out to be an forgiving fool. Hated the ending. The story was good until then. Such a let down

[Jim Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book until the last chapter and epilogue. It ends abruptly and out of character for the lead person in the book. Wouldn’t recommend it to others.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1975 (at the time of a new wave of enlightenment when the brash and the young were breaking established norms and asserting themselves more forcefully) was a troubled Anglican priest and World War II veteran sent to a new and bigger parish to help him deal with his own demons and make a fresh start. Told with 'it~is~what~it~is' pragmatism, this realistic account of the members of Rev. Matthew's flock's issues (sometimes funny and sometimes poignantly tragic) are so relatable and evocative to the question of ~ How would you deal with it, if it were you? There is also the Vicar's own prejudices that constrain him to accept a person's past, and just as with the rest of us, there are limits to things he can tolerate, accept and/or understand. He may be a man of the cloth yet he is also a Hypocrite in this one aspect where he has a moral? tunnel vision. It is a good thing that those affected by his uncompromising attitude are more tolerant by not casting stones (re~Chapter 12). Whereas in Chapter 8, the Vicar is not riled or offended by the Trubshaws' relationship when the Bible clearly condemns it and this is during a time where same sex or gay relationships and/or marriages are still not widely tolerated by making them legal (though other taboos are already being breached in 1975)?

P.S. ~ I have come across some words that I think DO NOT belong in the 1975 Timeline because of present day usage and context: 'invite' 'optics' and 'issues'... The work is still Brilliant, though. (Plus these could still be editing flaws.)

[Bryan Spellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in a parsonage (Yes, I'm a P.K.), I was intrigued at the idea of reading about life in an Anglican vicarage. What I can say is that A.J. Griffiths-Jones has got it right in her description of what as a youth I described as life in a fish bowl. Everyone is watching the pastor (and by extension his family), and while my father never had a housekeeper, with her own secrets, he did have parishioners spread across four states who undoubtedly had many of their own. Just as Vicar Archie tells his people that their secrets are safe with him, my father never shared the secrets to which he was privy, but I heard him arise at 3 a.m. to counsel a parishioner who had just closed the bars and was afraid to go home to his family. I know of the times the phone would ring in the middle of the night, and Father would leave for the hospital, the funeral home, or a bereaved family home. And all the same, there were humorous times as well. I thoroughly enjoyed A.J. Griffiths-Jones novel and recommend it highly.

[Michael Wilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking up his new position as vicar in a Northern mining village, the Reverend Archie Matthews treads warily at first, aided by his housekeeper, Mrs Fry and her amiable husband. However, the discovery of a ‘little black book’ written by his predecessor, helps him unlock some of the hidden secrets of the local parishioners, with hints of more to come.

Anxious to help solve some of the problems involved, and helped by the intimate knowledge of the congregation imparted by his visiting Bishop, Reverend Matthews is able to bring comfort to the some of the more needy members of the parish community.

This is the first book I have read by A.J.Griffiths-Jones and it will certainly not be the last. I found the portrayal of the shy and somewhat reserved Vicar refreshing and intriguing and could hardly wait to see how he reacted to each new character as the plot unfolded. The author has a light but compassionate touch that explores the depth of human nature.

Thoroughly recommended – I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Malcolm Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, my wife and I moved to a small town. On the surface, the people looked happy and bland, just like everybody else in the world, but as we settled in, we discovered the stories behind the people and the history behind the attitudes.
‘The Congregation’ is like that, a book in which every page reveals more of somebody else’s life. The plot is deceptively simple, a new vicar moving to a small town, and then, chapter by chapter, his congregation reveals their secrets. The reader learns about the heroic miner and family man, the terrible cook, the chipshop with a secret and the long distance lorry driver, among others. Not until the last chapter is the vicar’s own secret revealed.
To me, Hector was the most secretive character, but that’s a personal opinion!
What a great book!

[JT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I found her writing style easy to read. The plotline (a vicar's interactions with his mining community - a new commitment for him) is full of twists and turns as you get to know the protaganist and the cast of characters (including the cat - a real character). Unfortunately, the amount of typos disturbed the flow which could have been corrected had an editor been involved. I also found the ending abrupt (as if the author had limitations) and somewhat out of character as far as the main protagonist is concerned. With that said, if you have a couple of 'me' hours and want to disappear into another time and place, you might consider this book.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1970s, an English vicar discovers secrets about his parishioners thanks to writings left by the previous vicar. Each chapter deals with a different member of the congregation. The ending seemed out of character for the vicar. I hadn’t expected him to be so judgmental and unforgiving, especially since had inappropriate feelings for the married woman. Would he have forgiven a man more easily for having a scandalous past?