The Sleeping Witness

Father Gabriel #1

by Fiorella De Maria

In this unusual murder mystery, the tranquility of Saint Mary's Abbey is shattered by the discovery of a gruesome crime in a cottage on the abbey grounds. A foreign artist and war hero seeking refuge from the world has been murdered. Marie Paige, the frail, sickly wife of the village doctor, lies beside him beaten into a coma.

The police arrest Marie's husband, convinced that they are looking at a crime of passion. But Dr. Paige finds himself with an unlikely champion: Fr. Gabriel, a blundering but brilliant Benedictine priest who believes in his innocence and feels compelled to search for the truth.

In a country struggling to come to terms with the devastation of the Second World War, even a secluded English village has its share of secrets and broken lives. It is not long before Fr. Gabriel and his companions find themselves embarking on a dangerous journey into the victims' troubled war histories and a chapter of Europe's bloodiest conflict that is almost too terrible to be acknowledged.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime, Catholic

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2017

About the author

Fiorella De Maria is an Anglo-Maltese writer, born in Italy and currently living in Surrey. She grew up in rural Wiltshire and attended Cambridge University, where she received a BA in English Literature and an MPhil in Renaissance Literature. A winner of the National Book Prize of Malta, she has published nine novels, specialising in historical and crime fiction. Fiorella’s novels have received endorsements from veteran author and journalist, Piers Paul Reid, and her most recent novel was described as “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie meets I Capture the Castle.”

Besides writing novels, Fiorella is a qualified English Language teacher and a respected bioethicist. She has delivered lectures and papers at conferences all over the world. Her book The Abolition of Woman was described by former Cosmopolitan journalist Sue Ellen Browder as “a daring revelation of the shocking exploitation of women around the world”. Fiorella has appeared on British radio and TV programmes such as ITN 24-Hour News, BBC Woman’s Hour and Premier Radio’s Woman 2 Woman. Fiorella lives with her husband, four children and a dog called Montgomery (Monty).

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading A Most Dangerous Innocence, I picked up all the eBooks available of works by Fiorella De Maria and set to work tracking down the three that do not have electronic editions. And this was the second novel by Fiorella that I have read. It is an intriguing mystery set in a small town in England. The book was incredibly addictive and very hard to put down. This story in some ways feels like a cross between a Blackie Ryan mystery by Andrew M. Greeley and a the Inspector Tom Tyler series by Maureen Jennings. But this one I would classify as Catholic Fiction and the other two as fiction by Catholics. And I enjoyed this as much or even more than either of those other two series. This is the first of two currently available father Gabriel Mysteries.

The Abbey of Saint Mary’s and the small town it resides near are greatly disturbed by a gruesome murder and attempted murder on the abbey grounds. Those events take place after the garden party at the Abbey on the feast of the Assumption. The body of an artist and a local married woman are found, in the cottage shortly after a single gun shot is fired. Marie Paige has been left for dead, and a foreign artist Johannes Pederson and claims he is a war hero from Denmark. Within short order Dr. Paige has been charged with the murder and attempted murder. But something just does not fee right to Father Gabriel. And he keeps pushing the bounds of what he is supposed to be doing, trying to solve this mystery. Father Gabriel is breaking rule after rule because he just feels that the clues do not match what he expects.

This is a fast-paced story. With the events for the most part transpiring over a few days. But it is also a story with a lot of alluding back. We have the citizens of a small British town after the Second World War. We have father Gabriel, Abbot Ambrose, Bother Gerard. We have survivors on the Holocaust. And a lot of different secrets. And we have Father Gabriel risking everything to get to the truth.

It is an excellent mystery. Very well written, and thoroughly enjoyable. It will absolutely leave you wanting the next father Gabriel story and likely hoping for more in the future. I should note I would never have picked this up based on the cover, but having read another book by the author I had to give the blurb a read and was hooked before I had finished the write up. It is another great book from the masterful pen of Fiorella De Maria!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Fiorella De Maria. As well as an author profile and interview with Fiorella.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, not a new favorite for me. The writing lacked a strong sense of setting, memorable characters, and was not invested in Father Gabriel's religiosity (which is why I picked the book up!). I wish Father Gabriel had been better drawn. He did not seem to care too much about missing life in the community to which he had vowed himself--only annoyed that he was incurring the abbot's disappointment. I found the mystery tedious, even though the book is under 200 pages, because I've seen it done many times before and better.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Father Gabriel mystery is set in postwar England. St. Mary’s Abbey in a small village is having a garden party for the fest of the Assumption when Father Gabriel first notices that something is troubling Marie Paige, wife of the local doctor. Her mysterious past in a concentration camp catches up to her and Father Gabriel must solve the murder of a foreign artist connected to her.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable enough to finish it; not readable enough ever to reread it. If you want a British priest-sleuth, skip this and proceed directly to William Brodrick's brilliant Father Anselm novels.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book in the Fr. Gabriel series, but my second by De Maria (I absolutely LOVED This Thing of Darkness when I read it earlier this year. Technically, that was co-written with K.V. Turley, so I was curious to see how De Maria writes on her own. I was not disappointed.

I had actually bought this book (rare for me) and had no idea what the story would be about, except that it had a priest detective. I'll be honest, when I found that it was a WWII-adjacent adventure, I was somewhat skeptical. After all, I've always found that time period to be woefully overused in historical fiction. But, the story was absolutely excellent, there were a lot of genuine twists, and the truth was both shocking and perfectly plausible.

I also really loved the fact that Fr. Gabriel is a Benedictine. I'm a big fan of the Benedictines!

If you're looking for a mystery with a priest, this feels more like Fr. Dowling than Father Brown, but it was still refreshingly its own thing. Just something to keep in mind.

I'm very much looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Kate Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe it was because I read this just after reading several books by truly great British authors (Waugh, Forster), or maybe it's because I tend to read with an editor's eye, or maybe it's because I love mysteries and can't stand to see them butchered, but I thought this book was almost unreadable.

I found the plot odd and unconvincing, the characters were more of caricatures, and so many passages were so clunky or cliched that I checked to see if it was originally written in another language. I was almost hoping that it was just a poor translation.

I understand that we need to encourage new writers who are coming from a Catholic perspective, and that not every author will live up to the genius of Waugh or Chesterton or Graham Greene, but we cannot sacrifice the Good and the Beautiful for the sake of Truth! The high praise for this book reminds me of the rave reviews for mediocre Christian media - we want Christian media so we praise any attempt at it, presumably in the fear that even constructive criticism will undermine new efforts. But if we really desire good new literature, why not say "valiant first effort" instead of "more of the same please!"

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Who Done it Mystery! The Sleeping Witness by Fiorella de Maria solves a murder. The detective is a Benedictine Priest, named Father Gabriel. Two acquaintances from a concentration camp meet again, many years later. One, almost two, are murdered. The arrested husband of one of the victims turns out not to be the killer. That's not really a spoiler, because the first arrested in mysteries is never the real murderer.
WWII is involved; I actually learned a few facts. Only in Auschwitz were concentration numbers used. Also, war continues long after a peace treaty is signed.
I found the trail of evidence convoluted, and the suspects confusing. This is why I only gave the book an average rating.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had come across De Maria's work in an Ignatus Press pamphlet and thought to myself, I must seek out her writing. And to my pleasant surprise I found this copy at a church rummage sale!
The author has created endearing characters and has them using charming turns of phrases that will make you smile or chuckle out loud. She's painted the village with their homes, fields, churches and monasteries with words that give easy access to imagine oneself right in the middle of it all.
There's some Latin, history, and religious traditions spattered throughout. The reader will jump from one assumption to another in trying to figure out the mystery and feel justice has come out on top.
I'm looking forward to delving into her next novel.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set just after the end of WWII, a Benedictine priest helps unravel a savage murder that seems to point to only one man as the murderer. But Father Gabriel believes in the innocence of the man accused, and he seems to skip out of the abbey at any time of the day or night to investigate and unravel the mystery.

I'm not sure how a Benedictine abbey would run, but I'm pretty sure they have times of work and times of prayer and you don't just decide when you will be there and when you won't. That part did not seem to work for the plot.

The solution to the murder is a bit odd, but I suppose it could happen as unfolded in the book.

[Heather Schafer · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an interesting premise, but i just think the execution fell a bit flat. there was just wasn't enough confusion surrounding the mystery i feel and it was so incredibly slow-paced for a book under 200 pages. it's an easy read though and i'll probably read the others, just because my dad liked them and no one else in my family really reads what he does

[Elyse Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special. Plot fairly clever. But characters and setting not fleshed out. Even though the book is short, I couldn't keep the characters straight in my head because of the lack of description and development. Very slim pickings. I would give it a miss.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fr. Gabriel is an unassuming monk who is as likeable for his sleuthing ability as well as his personal weaknesses. An easy read that will keep you guessing till the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Emily Strom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid British mid-century murder mystery by a Catholic author who found her own voice distinct from the rich tradition before her.

Thank you to Alex Taylor and the Cowan Archive Seminar in preparation for the Catholic Imagination Conference for giving me this book (and an incentive to read it)!

[Janet Noonan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it four stars because I thought that it was an engaging read. I did not feel a lot of character development and Father Gabriel’s role. I wanted to like him more and establish some sort of depth to his character.

[Amanda Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a novella similar to Fr. Brown mysteries but a bit longer. There is a mystery solved by a priest due to astute observations and "breaking" a few rules given by his superior. There is little character development. You jump straight into an opening scene and then the mystery.

[Matthew Graglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

A pleasant read and decent whodunit. Interesting characters and stimulating enough to engage the reader. Nothing offensive to be concerned about.
I would read another by this author.

[Vita J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Fr. Gabriel mystery

Easy to read, fun to wonder who done it! Twists, turns, faith and reason. It all goes along with Fr. Gabriel. Just when you think you solved the case…. Something else pops up and it’s not who you thought.

[Bill Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Bernie Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for light reading set in postwar England with a surprise ending.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept and interesting story. I think some of the writing could have been better: transitions weren’t always clear and I would have liked a better feel on who Father Gabriel was.

[Deb W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into the story.

[Kathy Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but weak story line. A watered down Fr. Brown without the wit, charm or spiritual insight.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

This was an enjoyable read. It was shorter than expected, but there was enough mystery to keep the reader in suspense. Slightly muddled conclusion. Several interesting historical facts gave a distinct sense of time to the narrative. (Kindle Unlimited)

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[J.]

Good story, decent mystery (yes, I solved it about halfway through). Unfortunately, the remainder of the series is priced out of my budget and are not available via KU, so my reading stops here.

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay - nothing objectionable except flat characters and mediocre writing.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

expectations were high based on a recommendation for the series from author Emily Chapman. to be fair this was not the specific book she mentioned so maybe I should try another in the series.

[Gerard Charles Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sleeping Witness is an entertaining little detective story. It held my attention to the end. After the murder I had my suspicions about who 'done it', but the author managed to sidetrack those suspicions until the end. Father Gabriel role as monk has little to do with it, in my view. He could easily have been the local shopkeeper, for as much as his priesthood mattered. The same for the Catholic Church. My main criticism is that the characters and their story are underdeveloped.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this fast-paced mystery in a single cozy evening. Father Gabriel and his monastic cohorts are a fascinating cast of characters, though I'd have liked more character development. Father Gabriel finds himself defending Dr. Paige, a man he admits is unlikable and who appears guilty--but the priest is convinced there's more behind the attack on the doctor's wife. Set in postwar England, the book touches on some harrowing consequences of the war and the secrets borne even by residents of a sleepy, remote hamlet.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over hyped. The reviews raised my expectations too high. A decent mystery, certainly above average prose, but retreading well-worn tropes. Good enough that I'm willing to read a sequel to see if the author can get a series off the ground.