A mythical killer haunts the night, and where do a village of frightened New Englanders turn? Not to the reclusive scientist whose studies are already making people nervous. Not to the sensible young woman everyone thinks they know. And certainly not to the teenage daydreamer who doesn’t know he is a stalker. But everyone must put aside fear and suspicion to face their collective demons, and not everyone in this battle will emerge victorious. From a London orphanage to a half-burned cathedral, a little girl makes a lonely journey to meet her new caretakers. When they are delayed, she is plunged into a conflicted and grieving community. As unfettered kindness and rigid religiosity war with each other in the shadows of the cathedral, the mysterious stained glass maker’s windows offer light to more than one burdened soul. Meanwhile, a sinister pattern is kindling in the background, and the town’s troubles have only just begun.
"Angels Strange and Beautiful is a work of fiction in the Christian and historical fiction sub-genres and was penned by author Gina Fiametta. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience. In a small-town thriller with some high-stakes thrills, we journey to the New England of yesteryear, where the villagers are terrified by the prospect of a vicious killer stalking through the night. An ensemble cast of characters each finds themselves unburdening their souls under the cover of an eerily beautiful cathedral. What results is a highly engaging and mysterious tale that will keep readers coming back for the next chapter.
Author Gina Fiametta has crafted a totally immersive work of fiction with plenty of unforeseen twists and tense moments to offer readers. I found this work almost torturous in its mystery, keeping readers guessing with just enough information that you could never finish a chapter without thinking about the next. This craftsmanship in pace and plotting is a testament to Fiametta’s skill and is only enriched by the moody, gothic styling of her small town haunts and the gaunt faces of the frightened villagers who populate the novel. Each member of the extended cast of characters has their own relatable story to offer and secrets hiding deep beneath the surface, woven together with intellect and emotion as the story progresses. Overall, I would highly recommend Angels Strange and Beautiful to fans of Christian-themed works of fiction, in-depth and atmospheric historical fiction, and readers who love relatable and inspiring characters."
So vivid in detail. The first part of the book was confusing, I wasn’t expecting it to end and still wondered about the narrator and their place in the overarching story, other than introducing the main characters. The second part the book really opened up! I wanted to underline so many parts on faith and religion. Beautifully written and described. Thought I knew what was going to happen, but was wrong :) Well done!! Looking forward to more from this author! <3
I’m not usually much of a reader, but I loved this book! I loved the unique point of view for the story! I was very intrigued to know what happens next for all the characters!
A refreshing classic narrative style weaves this beautiful story of “two Protestant heathens (if you’ll forgive the jest)” and their less-than-normal adventures. With a dash of horror and sprinklings of mystery (and arson), this book was the perfect Christmas binge read!