The Veil

Cult #1

by Diane Noble

A shroud of secrecy cloaks a new nineteenth-century sect known simply as the Saints. But that veil is about to be drawn away. Amidst the majestic beauty of 1857 Utah, the members of one secluded religious group claim to want nothing more than to practice their beliefs without persecution. Yet among them are many who engage in secret vows and brutal acts of atonement…all in the name of God.

But one young woman, Hannah McClary, dares to question the truth behind the shroud. Soon Hannah and the young man she loves–Lucas Knight, who has been trained from childhood to kill on behalf of the Church–find themselves fighting for their very lives.

As a group of unwary pioneer families marches into Utah toward a tragic confrontation with the Saints at a place called Mountain Meadows, Hannah and Lucas are thrust into the most difficult conflict of all–a battle for truth and justice–even as they are learning for the first time about unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness.…

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Christian, Fiction, Mormonism, Audiobook

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

Diane Noble is the award-winning novelist of more published books than she can count: historical fiction, contemporary mysteries and suspense, and romance (written under the pen name Amanda MacLean).

Diane writes from a heart of deep faith that's woven into her stories and nonfiction writings. She often posts on Facebook and Twitter about her journey with Parkinson's Disease and the unexpected gift of learning to live moment by moment with humor, grace, and optimism.

With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane continues to spin tales that touch readers' hearts. Book one of her new three-book mystery series, The Professor and Mrs. Littlefield, will be in bookstores September 1, 2014. It's title? THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING FIGUREHEAD.

Diane is a professed Third Order Franciscan in the Anglican (Episcopal) Church, following the footsteps of Jesus with simpicity, love, and joy as lived out by St. Francis of Assisi. Mother to two beautiful daughters and Gramsy to two cutest-ever granddaughters, Diane lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. Oh yes, and Diane loves

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Veil" is a very well-written Christian historical novel with some romantic elements. The main characters are caught up in historic events during their childhood and into their young adult years which climax at the Mountain Meadow massacre in Utah in 1857.

The description was vivid, bringing the world alive in my imagination without slowing the pacing. The historical detail was nice and added to the feel of the book. The tension was built nicely throughout the story.

There was a strong religious element to this book (of both traditional Christianity and Mormonism). Since there were several short sermons and a number of discussions about what was taught, I suppose you could call sections of the story "preachy" though I never felt it was heavy-handed.

The characters were all complex and interesting. Some Mormon characters behaved compassionately and others brutally just as some non-Mormon characters behaved compassionately and others brutally. This is not a "all Mormons are bad" book.

However, I strongly suspect most Mormons wouldn't enjoy reading this book since several of the Mormon characters questioned Brigham Young's teachings on multiple marriages, blood atonement, and a few other things. It's clear, though, that the author carefully researched the events and stuck to historical information closely. For example, many quotes that were attributed to Brigham Young and other Mormon leaders in "The Veil" were taken from actual sermons and writings.

A sex scene was implied (within a marriage). There was no bad language. I'd rate this novel as very good, clean reading. I would recommend it to anyone who's interested in this period of Mormon history or who likes wagon train stories.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Veil is a fictional account based on a historical tragedy that took place at Mountain Meadows, Utah around the time of the Civil War. I found it fairly balanced in its presentation, and it was very interesting reading. The Mormons had been persecuted for their beliefs and pushed out of a couple of other settlements, so they viewed "gentiles" as their enemy. That, and the threat of government intervention, caused some to react very violently. The author demonstrates that not everyone held these views, but still shows the implications of some of their beliefs. I don't think readers of the Mormon faith would like this book, but most others would. It causes a person to ask, "Where is the line between the right to religious beliefs and the protection of other people?"

[Laura Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is trying to be like 6 different things at once... I would give 2 stars for overall writing style and flow... and 4stars for the moments that describe the characters interactions with spirituality. The italicized text where God intervenes are literally the book's saving grace.Otherwise, unless you're super fascinated by Mormon history, you may want to skip to the action parts and the descriptions of wagon train life were well-written as well. I wish there were less Mormon sermons, although it's clear the author did plenty of research in that area. It just seemed too choppy and awkward when she went into all their Sunday gathering experiences... you'll also want to give this book a grain of salt, since it was written in 1992. It feels like a little too much like typical 90's Christian literature for my taste, but there is still a good plot twist at the end, which does give the reader a payoff and i will say it's worth the read.

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about a real life tragedy is well done. It took awhile for me to get interested in the wagon train because I was so heavily invested in Hannah's story. So sad to know that this really happened. The author did a good job portraying God's grace.

[Cassie Meiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting retelling of an historical event I had never heard of, but it was a bit too slow moving for my taste. However, I really enjoyed learning about the tragic events at Mountain Meadows, and it gave a humanness and reality to the sad truth of man's inhumanity to man.

[Carol & Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Adi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictionalised account of the massacre at The meadow in Utah 1860. Arkansas settlers heading to California are slaughtered by Mormons masquerading as Indians.

[Dawn Jesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew!! What a book.. and hectic insight into the early Mormon church. As Francine Rivers said “Prepare to burn the midnight oil”.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. I learned some things about both history and the Mormon faith. Of course it follows history, so the ending was less than pleasant.

[Susann Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could tell that this was an earlier writing by this author but it was really well-researched. So much so, that days later I find myself thinking about a really violent incident in the story. Then researching it because I know that the book is based on a true story. Then lamenting the tragedy of it all. I am currently reading one of the books [from her research] suggested in the author’s notes.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my first forays into Christian women's lit and it wasn't too bad in that respect. There was some romance but absolutely no sex. In fact, I was probably more surprised that all sex was glossed over. There was more sex in Breaking Dawn!! Even the violence was extremely mild.

This was a very interesting story about the early days of Mormonism as the LDS had been kicked out of Nauvoo, IL and had settled in Utah. The story highlights some of the more unusual aspects of the LDS faith, such as plural marriage, celestial marriage, and blood atonement. I'm still shocked that people could believe such crazy ideas as that every man is a god and will rule their own planet following their death, and that (some) sins must be atoned for with the sinner's own blood. Not to mention plural marriage. Crazy!

I think the author did a great job of explaining the Mormon beliefs and made the LDS characters sympathetic (as least some of them; others were quite repugnant). She also did a great job of explaining the history of that time, what sentiments were, and why people were moving west.

I was rooting for Lucas, Hannah, Sophie, Ellie, and the wagon train members for the entire read.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a page-turner! I could hardly stop reading, though at times it was very painful to read.

Wow! What a story! Noble captures the reality of the trek west by the Saints, who simply want a place to live and practice their religion in freedom. This group has secrets--vows, blood atonement carried out in the name of God.

Because questioning beliefs and practices is not acceptable, Hannah McClary, a young woman who dares to ask questions, encounters all sorts of difficulties. And then when she falls in love with Lucas Knight, one of the Danites, who has been trained to kill in the name of the Church--she faces even more life-threatening trouble.

Pursuing truth and justice, as well as seeking freedom from the bondage of false teaching are dominant themes set in historical context, among well developed characters.

Noble would not be on the “must read” list of Mormons—because this story would not be “faithbuilding.” The challenge to Mormon doctrine, past history, authority, marriage, Temple ritual, etc. would be offensive to most Mormon readers.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely enthralled with this book. A coworker had read it for her book group and mentioned it to me. I was immediately interested so she lent it to me. The characters were well written and you felt like you got to know them on such a personal level. I could feel their struggles despite the fact that it is from such a different time and I have never experienced those types of struggles. I was struck hard by the ending, as the fates of certain characters completely threw me for a loop, but the explanation that followed helped me to understand their significance to the story. I am so glad I crossed paths with this book!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooooo disturbing, but soooo good! Those 19th century Mormons were a CA-RAZY bunch. Literally insane. The entire time I was reading this book, I knew that a horrible tragedy would be its climax, but I just couldn't believe that it would actually happen...then it did. I found it utterly horrible, but entirely satisfying as a story. I wish it WAS just a story. To think that this ghastly, unjust act of violence and hate against the innocent really happened kept me up at night.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Mormon history aspects of this book were interesting, but I found it to be very overwrought at times, and written somewhat like a romance novel. There is a lot of religion in it, and I don't mean information about the various religions of the people involved in the story. I mean God talks directly to the people in the story, which was pretty cheesy. I much preferred The 19th Wife as a historical novel set during this era. I

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is built around the massacre at Mountain Meadows by the Mormons in 1857, against a wagon train from Arkansas. Really sad, and some pretty gruesome details, but has a redeeming ending, showing that God was still very active in the lives of all who were there. The author had a note that the Mountain Meadows event was historical, but that there were divided opinions about the real reasons for the attacks...Noble did research to try and develop a novel that was based on historical fact.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to start the new year off with. I have read many of Diane Noble other books and they have all been wonderful. In this novel about a group of settlers moving from Arkansas to California run into all kind of mishaps and trouble , but outcome although not what I expected was great. I love the way all of the character intertwine and I especially hated the villain John Steele.

[Sherry Ledet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of the early Mormans that I have read by Diane Noble. I then went to the web to look up the real story of the Mountain Meadow Masacre, and found the book fictionalizes but still stays pretty true to the actual story. If you like American history you may well enjoy this book as I did. I liked the characters and enjoyed the way Ms Noble builds her story.

[K M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having recently finished reading Leaving the Saints by Martha Beck, I was interested in reading more about the Latter Day Saints, and remembered this book was somewhere among my To Be Reads. It is a fictionalized account of a true event, the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Though in places it reads like a romance novel, the story line was quite interesting.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre was intriguing, but some parts were hard to take in large doses. I found myself so troubled by the fact that murder was ok in the name of your religion. I loved the way God's hand of protection was woven in with the characters. This book was wonderful, but sad to know that humans could commit such atrocities. A must read.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the historical components of the book, but it took a long time to really get into the storyline and events of the massacre. The last 1/3 of the book was great. But it was slow and a bit tedious until then.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. It was about an event in history that I did not know about so of course I had to read up on it a little more(I find this happens a lot). I had a hard time putting this one down.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Fiction about the Mountain Meadow Massacre in Utah territory. Very well researched from what I can tell.

[Trish Boese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* This story was interesting. The setting is a Mormon community in Utah.

[Michelle Capozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the story & history lessons learned.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling yet disturbing. Well written. Hard to read, yet I couldn't put it down!

[Corie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really tragic story, but I found it incredibly intersting.