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Monastery Murders #1
A Very Private Grave
First in a new series of ecclesiastical thrillers set in the wilds of remote Yorkshire, England Felicity Howard, a young American studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood. Following the cryptic clues contained in a poem the dead man had pressed upon her minutes before his death, she and Fr. Antony--who is wanted for questioning by the police--flee the monastery to seek more information about Fr. Dominic and end up in the holy island of Lindisfarne, former home of Saint Cuthbert. Their quest leads them into a dark puzzle ... and considerable danger.
A Very Private Grave is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life. The narrative skillfully mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance, and the solving of clues both ancient and modern.
"History and mystery and murders most foul keep the pags turning . . . A fascinating read."
--Liz Curtis Higgs, bestselling author of Thorn in My Heart
A Very Private Grave is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life. The narrative skillfully mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance, and the solving of clues both ancient and modern.
"History and mystery and murders most foul keep the pags turning . . . A fascinating read."
--Liz Curtis Higgs, bestselling author of Thorn in My Heart
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2010
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books128 followersDonna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 6, 2022
This was a fascinating mystery. I really can’t remember reading another book like it. The author does a fantastic job of creating a mystery around the death and supposed treasure of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne in the seventh century that stretches centuries into the present day. The amount of research she did boggles my mind. I learned so much about the Church in England at that time and in the following centuries. Father Antony (my favorite character, such a lovely man) tells Felicity Howard, the protagonist, all about Cuthbert’s life and legacy and about the great conflict between the Roman church and the Celtic church over the date of Easter in particular. The stories Antony tells in the novel about Cuthbert are so moving.
In 2008, I was in England with fellow students taking a class called Christianity in Britain so I got to visit several of the locations in this novel, including Lindisfarne, Durham, and Whitby. I know we studied the same history that is covered in this book, but like Felicity at the beginning of the story, I had no idea why it mattered. It was all so new to me. Reading the history again now in this novel, I have so much more context for it than I did as a sophomore in college. I also have a growing interest in English religion and history pre-1800 but especially in the long period of the Middle Ages. The author evokes the various settings in Yorkshire and Northumberland so well. As I was reading, I could smell the salt air and hear a gull’s cry and sense the ancient history that dwells in the soil, rock, and air in Britain.
(Side note: What I remember most about Lindisfarne is the beautiful garden full of dahlias behind a low rock wall and how much I loved the rocky beach. What I remember most about Whitby is that I was mailing my first letter home there and licked a sticker stamp. 😆 The mailman laughed at me (kindly). I am sure I looked even younger than I felt.)
There are some great characters in this, both to love and to hate. I love that Felicity grows so much in this book, even though the growth for her is uncomfortable at times. Felicity and Antony’s relationship develops naturally and slowly, which I appreciated. Dominic and Elspeth and Willibrord are some other characters I particularly enjoyed. The idea of being like Willibrord and his wife Anna and hosting pilgrims in a guest house on Lindisfarne sounds like the perfect life to me. The Anglican atmosphere of the story also fascinates me as I move towards an even more liturgical faith from my Presbyterian roots and present.
Thank you Melody for the recommendation!
In 2008, I was in England with fellow students taking a class called Christianity in Britain so I got to visit several of the locations in this novel, including Lindisfarne, Durham, and Whitby. I know we studied the same history that is covered in this book, but like Felicity at the beginning of the story, I had no idea why it mattered. It was all so new to me. Reading the history again now in this novel, I have so much more context for it than I did as a sophomore in college. I also have a growing interest in English religion and history pre-1800 but especially in the long period of the Middle Ages. The author evokes the various settings in Yorkshire and Northumberland so well. As I was reading, I could smell the salt air and hear a gull’s cry and sense the ancient history that dwells in the soil, rock, and air in Britain.
(Side note: What I remember most about Lindisfarne is the beautiful garden full of dahlias behind a low rock wall and how much I loved the rocky beach. What I remember most about Whitby is that I was mailing my first letter home there and licked a sticker stamp. 😆 The mailman laughed at me (kindly). I am sure I looked even younger than I felt.)
There are some great characters in this, both to love and to hate. I love that Felicity grows so much in this book, even though the growth for her is uncomfortable at times. Felicity and Antony’s relationship develops naturally and slowly, which I appreciated. Dominic and Elspeth and Willibrord are some other characters I particularly enjoyed. The idea of being like Willibrord and his wife Anna and hosting pilgrims in a guest house on Lindisfarne sounds like the perfect life to me. The Anglican atmosphere of the story also fascinates me as I move towards an even more liturgical faith from my Presbyterian roots and present.
Thank you Melody for the recommendation!
August 17, 2021
Finally getting around to reviewing this one. I loved the setting (who doesn't want to traipse around the wilds of England visiting monasteries?) and the main characters. The mystery was super obvious, but I don't read mysteries for the plot. *ducks tomatoes* I'd much rather get inside a character's head and cozy up in a new setting than get tired out trotting after a plot. The romance (if I recall correctly) did not descend into ~purity fiction~, which is what I call Christian romance that spends way too much time talking about how the characters want to have sex, but won't, and waste valuable getting-to-know-each-other time with sweaty palms and palpitating hearts. I believe by the end I was really rooting for the couple, which is rare for me, but I read this over a year ago, so who knows.
A Very Private Grave might be called a cozy mystery, since it's not violent or dark, but it has a little more oomph to it than what I associate with cozies (namely, those mass market paperbacks at airport bookstores about animals solving mysteries about who stole the scones). Religious fiction is my pet genre and A Very Private Grave delivered on that note, especially since I joined an Anglican church. It scratched the same itch as The Lost Book of the Grail: my ideal escape reading is evidently historical mysteries set in English cathedrals, go figure. (It's not like I have multiple pictures from Tintern Abbey hanging up in my house or anything.) Looking forward to the rest of the series.
A Very Private Grave might be called a cozy mystery, since it's not violent or dark, but it has a little more oomph to it than what I associate with cozies (namely, those mass market paperbacks at airport bookstores about animals solving mysteries about who stole the scones). Religious fiction is my pet genre and A Very Private Grave delivered on that note, especially since I joined an Anglican church. It scratched the same itch as The Lost Book of the Grail: my ideal escape reading is evidently historical mysteries set in English cathedrals, go figure. (It's not like I have multiple pictures from Tintern Abbey hanging up in my house or anything.) Looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 16, 2016
Donna Fletcher Crowes romantic suspense A Very Private Grave has been sitting on my nightstand for weeks. When at last I had a chance to settle back on the pillows, nursing a hot cup of tea, and open the book, it did not disappoint. I loved the atmosphere of monastic peace and scholarly pursuits in vaulted libraries. Of course, that peace doesnt last long as an elderly monk just back from pilgrimage is bludgeoned to death. American seminary student Felicity Howard is soon chasing across northern England with her attractive young church history professor, visiting the sites connected with Saint Cuthbertsites recently visited by the murdered Father Dominic. Various attempts are made on their lives as they uncover the secrets of the saint and the treasure that may have been buried with him.
For a lover of ancient and medieval Britain like me, the book is a treasure trove of information on the Celtic church and British saints. Crowes research is impeccable, and she gives a moving view of high-church spirituality not often seen in evangelical literature. The book made me eager to visit the sites myself and spend time pouring over the museums and monastic ruins. The mystery would have been more effective if the author hadnt followed the contemporary constraints of romance writing and done some scenes from the male perspective. That was a dead give-away that he was not the villain, whatever past sins weighed on his conscience.
For a lover of ancient and medieval Britain like me, the book is a treasure trove of information on the Celtic church and British saints. Crowes research is impeccable, and she gives a moving view of high-church spirituality not often seen in evangelical literature. The book made me eager to visit the sites myself and spend time pouring over the museums and monastic ruins. The mystery would have been more effective if the author hadnt followed the contemporary constraints of romance writing and done some scenes from the male perspective. That was a dead give-away that he was not the villain, whatever past sins weighed on his conscience.
July 26, 2017
From the moment I started this book, I was loathe to have life intrude on me! This story is just jam-packed with all kinds of suspense, mystery, action, danger, and history, as well as both modern and ancient intrigue. The characters are written with rich vibrancy and a beautifully-layered depth. The myriad places of scenery are described in exquisite, palpable detail. The plot line is well-crafted, complex, diverse, fascinating, fast moving and easily sweeps you along in an exciting undertow of events that you are happy to surrender to and be carried away by.
I love to read almost anything that features sinister overtones of conspiracy, and this book heartily qualifies! I find it quite interesting how historical cover ups, secret societies, ancient mysteries and the myths and legends surrounding relics or artifacts seem to typically center around the church.
This is definitely a novel that you want to read without distractions, so that you don't miss any of the subtle nuances or meticulous details that Crow so lovingly bestows upon this captivating story. I can't wait to read the sequel, A Darkly Hidden Truth.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
I love to read almost anything that features sinister overtones of conspiracy, and this book heartily qualifies! I find it quite interesting how historical cover ups, secret societies, ancient mysteries and the myths and legends surrounding relics or artifacts seem to typically center around the church.
This is definitely a novel that you want to read without distractions, so that you don't miss any of the subtle nuances or meticulous details that Crow so lovingly bestows upon this captivating story. I can't wait to read the sequel, A Darkly Hidden Truth.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
January 19, 2011
Young American Felicity Howard studies at the College of Transfiguration in Yorkshire, England. With her beloved elderly Fr. Dominic beaten to death, Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, is accused when found soaked in Dominic's blood. The two flee to discover Dominic's last pilgrimage, the clues left behind in his journal given to Felicity. They must uncover ancient truths to solve the mystery in order to save their own lives, as the murderer pursues them through northern England and southern Scotland.
This is not light reading. Encompassing church history from A.D. 633 to the death of Saint Cuthbert to the time his relics are reexamined in 1827, it weaves the past with the present. A compelling thriller, as well as a masterful mystery, the mental gymnastics will have you breathlessly soaking in British and church history as you puzzle through a satisfying spiritual adventure with romantic, quirky characters. Anglophiles and history buffs will love it.
Published in Church Libraries Winter 2010-11 edition
By Crystal Laine Miller
Used with permission
This is not light reading. Encompassing church history from A.D. 633 to the death of Saint Cuthbert to the time his relics are reexamined in 1827, it weaves the past with the present. A compelling thriller, as well as a masterful mystery, the mental gymnastics will have you breathlessly soaking in British and church history as you puzzle through a satisfying spiritual adventure with romantic, quirky characters. Anglophiles and history buffs will love it.
Published in Church Libraries Winter 2010-11 edition
By Crystal Laine Miller
Used with permission
July 30, 2012
I loved this novel. My only slight reservation would be that I found the early part of the story a little slow-moving but once I'd got into it I found it enthralling. The way the author weaves a murder mystery, a journey through the holy places of the northern England, and a tale of soul-searching, romance and relationships is beguiling. I read the book with an atlas of Britain open before me. Many of the places the author describes so well, I have either visited, or hope to visit before long. I loved her account of the story of St Cuthbert and found it very moving. In fact the way the author weaves Cuthbert's story (and that of other Celtic saints) into the present-day narrative was one of the very best things about this book. I too feel strongly about the way the Roman power structures won out over the gentle Celtic saints at the Synod of Whitby, leading us into the Church whose often baleful history we have seen evolving over the centuries. I'm now about to start reading the second in the series "A Darkly Hidden Truth".
September 22, 2010
This was a most enjoyable read that will appeal to Anglophiles, especially those interested in church history, who like a good, suspenseful mystery/thriller with well-drawn characters. The action, which begins with the violent, bloody murder of an elderly monk, Father Dominic, takes place in the present day. His young friend, theological student Felicity, and a priest who is suspected of the murder, Father Antony, decide to follow the route Dominic took on his recent pilgrimage and delve into church history in search of clues to the identity of his killer.
It's both a whodunit and a thriller, as Felicity and Antony are in constant danger from an unknown pursuer, and it's also a spiritual journey with much reflection on the nature of evil. I'm happy to see that this is the first book in a new series, "The Monastery Murders," and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one.
It's both a whodunit and a thriller, as Felicity and Antony are in constant danger from an unknown pursuer, and it's also a spiritual journey with much reflection on the nature of evil. I'm happy to see that this is the first book in a new series, "The Monastery Murders," and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one.
November 22, 2013
American Felicity has a pleasing mix of brash certainty and religious questioning. English Anthony, by contrast, has quiet confidence and religious conviction. And both are soon on the run through the North of England after arriving first and second on the scene of a gruesome murder. But who would kill gentle Father Dominic? And what secret did he carry to the grave?
An American in England, or a layperson in a monastery, both will relate to Felicity’s sense of “counter-cultural existence... living in a parallel universe.” Author Donna Fletcher Crow skillfully conveys the contrasting viewpoints of her very different protagonists as this murder mystery progresses. Equally skillful and evocative is her portrayal of history and landscape, both of them surely characters in this tale.
“Holiness can be a very irritating quality,” says one character. Another condemns himself with prayer; “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done...” while the words of scripture and devotions bring his inner musings to vivid life. Felicity hides real doubts and real concerns behind her growing faith, and others hide real secrets. But deepest are the secrets of ancient history, its imprint still clear on church, state and landscape in the wilds of Lindisfarne.
I’ve been to Seahouses. I remember the awe-inspiring sight of Bamburgh Castle overlooking the sea. And this story feels real. The gently romantic elements and mystery seem eminently plausible. The history, land and architecture are beautifully researched. And the Christian faith is integral to characters and tale, not a manufactured add-on, or a tool for conversion or betrayal.
Disclosure: I’ve read others in this series. Now I’m delighted to have finally read the start.
An American in England, or a layperson in a monastery, both will relate to Felicity’s sense of “counter-cultural existence... living in a parallel universe.” Author Donna Fletcher Crow skillfully conveys the contrasting viewpoints of her very different protagonists as this murder mystery progresses. Equally skillful and evocative is her portrayal of history and landscape, both of them surely characters in this tale.
“Holiness can be a very irritating quality,” says one character. Another condemns himself with prayer; “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done...” while the words of scripture and devotions bring his inner musings to vivid life. Felicity hides real doubts and real concerns behind her growing faith, and others hide real secrets. But deepest are the secrets of ancient history, its imprint still clear on church, state and landscape in the wilds of Lindisfarne.
I’ve been to Seahouses. I remember the awe-inspiring sight of Bamburgh Castle overlooking the sea. And this story feels real. The gently romantic elements and mystery seem eminently plausible. The history, land and architecture are beautifully researched. And the Christian faith is integral to characters and tale, not a manufactured add-on, or a tool for conversion or betrayal.
Disclosure: I’ve read others in this series. Now I’m delighted to have finally read the start.
June 2, 2013
A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE BY DONNA FLETCHER CROWE
Father Dominic was on a pilgrimage to follow the path of St. Cuthbert. He must have found something as two days after his return he is brutally murdered. Found with blood on his hands Father Antony is suspected and he and his student Felicity take off to find out what Dominic was after. Along the way they find clues and danger possibly risking life and limb. Meanwhile Felicity ponders the direction her life should take while being romantically pursued by another guest at the college who has followed her and the other priest.
There is a lot of history in this novel and if you like the subject of church history the author has woven it through the story. You don’t have to understand religion to enjoy this book as a lot of the stories are explained. I came away enlightened after what I read. There was plenty of suspense in trying to figure out who was playing on what team (good vs. evil). By the end of the book the mystery of where St. Cuthbert was indeed buried after years of travelling is solved and the bad guys got what they deserved after committing heinous crimes in the name of greed and misguided revenge.
I give A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE 5 gold crosses for great story telling.
Father Dominic was on a pilgrimage to follow the path of St. Cuthbert. He must have found something as two days after his return he is brutally murdered. Found with blood on his hands Father Antony is suspected and he and his student Felicity take off to find out what Dominic was after. Along the way they find clues and danger possibly risking life and limb. Meanwhile Felicity ponders the direction her life should take while being romantically pursued by another guest at the college who has followed her and the other priest.
There is a lot of history in this novel and if you like the subject of church history the author has woven it through the story. You don’t have to understand religion to enjoy this book as a lot of the stories are explained. I came away enlightened after what I read. There was plenty of suspense in trying to figure out who was playing on what team (good vs. evil). By the end of the book the mystery of where St. Cuthbert was indeed buried after years of travelling is solved and the bad guys got what they deserved after committing heinous crimes in the name of greed and misguided revenge.
I give A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE 5 gold crosses for great story telling.
October 19, 2010
A great new series has emerged. Felicity knows how to draw in a person from the beginning of the book. When Felicity and Antony join forces to solve the murder they also have to elude the police. If you love church history, mysteries, thrills and suspense this is a great read for you. I was fortunate to receive this book from librarything and the author. I was happy to review this book and look forward to the next one.
March 24, 2012
Donna Fletcher Crow in her new book, “A Very Private Grave” Book One in The Monastery Murders series published by Monarch Books brings us to the English countryside and Felicity Howard and Father Antony.
From the back cover: Felicity Howard, a young American studying at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood…
“A Very Private Grave” is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life, as she and Fr. Antony flee a murderer and follow clues that take them to out-of-the way sites across Northern England and southern Scotland. The narrative deftly mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance and the solving of clues ancient and modern.
I had never heard of Saint Cuthbert until I got this book. Now both this long dead saint and his travels are an important part of the mystery. Felicity Howard is new to solving murder mysteries. She is actually in England studying to be an Anglican priest. Now, through no fault of her own, she is on the run from a murderer who, obviously, would like to see her dead. Her traveling companion is Father Antony who possibly may have committed murder and is keeping dark secrets. The duo are traveling across England and Scotland following the murdered man’s previous itinerary as they desperately struggle to unravel clues to solve the mystery before the murderer catches up to them. Get ready for a thriller that will keep you guessing as you travel from one adventure to the next. Donna Fletcher Crow has created two very unique characters that get along so well together and make such a special team in investigating murder. Felicity and Father Antony are up there in great partners in crime-think Nick & Nora Charles or Jonathan & Jennifer Hart. I think Donna Fletcher Crow is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages until you find out who did it. “A Very Private Grave” is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters as well as life in England. This is a wonderful series and I am glad I discovered Donna Fletcher Crow and her wonderful heroes. I recommend this book highly.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Monarch Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Felicity Howard, a young American studying at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood…
“A Very Private Grave” is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine who must learn some ancient truths in order to solve the mystery and save her own life, as she and Fr. Antony flee a murderer and follow clues that take them to out-of-the way sites across Northern England and southern Scotland. The narrative deftly mixes detection, intellectual puzzles, spiritual aspiration, romance and the solving of clues ancient and modern.
I had never heard of Saint Cuthbert until I got this book. Now both this long dead saint and his travels are an important part of the mystery. Felicity Howard is new to solving murder mysteries. She is actually in England studying to be an Anglican priest. Now, through no fault of her own, she is on the run from a murderer who, obviously, would like to see her dead. Her traveling companion is Father Antony who possibly may have committed murder and is keeping dark secrets. The duo are traveling across England and Scotland following the murdered man’s previous itinerary as they desperately struggle to unravel clues to solve the mystery before the murderer catches up to them. Get ready for a thriller that will keep you guessing as you travel from one adventure to the next. Donna Fletcher Crow has created two very unique characters that get along so well together and make such a special team in investigating murder. Felicity and Father Antony are up there in great partners in crime-think Nick & Nora Charles or Jonathan & Jennifer Hart. I think Donna Fletcher Crow is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages until you find out who did it. “A Very Private Grave” is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters as well as life in England. This is a wonderful series and I am glad I discovered Donna Fletcher Crow and her wonderful heroes. I recommend this book highly.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Monarch Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 28, 2018
Like a P.D. James novel A Very Private Grave occupies a learned territory. Myth and holiness, wild nature and tourism, art and prayer run in parallel, and capture the imagination with a cinematic skill. The centuries between us and the world of Lindisfarne and Whitby collapse and we are in the timeless zone of greed and goodness. ~ Ronald Blythe, The Word from Wormingford
A Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller. At its centre is a sweeping, page-turning quest – in the steps of St Cuthbert – through the atmospherically-depicted North of England, served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. In this novel, Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries. — Kate Charles, False Tongues, A Callie Anson Mystery
Not to be missed. I loved getting to know Felicity and Fr. Antony as they journeyed through remote places in pursuit of clues. The author skillfully weaves past and present with a cast of wonderful and sometimes quirky characters. ~ Linda Hall, The Em Ridge Mystery Series
A Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller. At its centre is a sweeping, page-turning quest – in the steps of St Cuthbert – through the atmospherically-depicted North of England, served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. In this novel, Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries. — Kate Charles, False Tongues, A Callie Anson Mystery
Not to be missed. I loved getting to know Felicity and Fr. Antony as they journeyed through remote places in pursuit of clues. The author skillfully weaves past and present with a cast of wonderful and sometimes quirky characters. ~ Linda Hall, The Em Ridge Mystery Series
September 28, 2018
I was entertained.
I re-read it today and enjoyed it even more.
I re-read it today and enjoyed it even more.
October 17, 2017
The plot is very similar to that of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code though more in the style of a murder mystery rather than a thriller. A small group (in this case 3 people) are guarding a secret relating to the Christian church; one of the group is murdered but leaves behind cryptic clues which a man and young woman try to unravel, travelling from place to place while others try to stop them. This plot is more believable but the identity of the bad guys seemed pretty obvious after the halfway point. I learned a lot about early English church history (more than I really wanted to!) including who the Venerable Bede was (previously just a name to me).
October 10, 2019
Felicity is an American theology student at an Anglican monastery in Yorkshire. Just before Sunday services, one of her mentors, elderly frail Fr. Dominic, stops by to visit with her and tell her about the recent pilgrimage he had just completed, tracing the steps of St. Cuthbert's remains through Yorkshire and Northumberland. He leaves with her a wrapped book that turns out to be a journal hinting at a treasure connected to Cuthbert. A very short while later, she notes Fr Dominic is not at services, and rushes off to find him. She discovers he has been murdered and Fr. Antony, one of her history professors is standing over the body. Felicity quickly is convinced it could not be Fr. Antony who committed the murder, and at the urging of the head of the monastery, the 2 of them head off to follow Fr. Dominic's pilgrimage, decipher the mysterious notes in the journal and flush out the murderer.
It's a good mystery and also somewhat weak. I knew the second the murderer was introduced that he was the murderer. Some of the motive and others involved I did not figure out until the end. While contemporary setting, solving the crime requires being submerged deeply into Anglican church history in Yorkshire and Northumberland, and visiting several ruins and museums, monasteries and other religious abodes and places of worship. There are many edge of your seat life and death situations encountered. But there are also long passages of pure history and lives of saints; I now know a whole lot about Cuthbert and Bede! Actually the whole historical piecing together and solving the mystery of Cuthbert and his treasure is fascinating and the author has photos on her website of many of the locations and artifacts mentioned in the book. I'm now even more interested in spending time in Yorkshire on a future trip to England!
The weakness comes with some of the plotting (the too easily identified main villain for example) but also both Felicity and Antony themselves. Felicity starts out as this energetic, brilliant, impatient, bordering-on-eccentric young woman who in part has chosen a path to theology and potential priesthood both because she loves Latin and because no woman has done it before. However, by the end, she has become a classic gothic heroine who falls for every lure the villain throws out and constantly throws herself into harms way. Antony is waffling over taking vows and becoming celibate, struggling with both an attraction to Felicity and guilt over something dark in his past involving a young woman. It was a tad irritating.
Also odd and irritating was the complete lack of common sense use of electronics or even just a basic telephone. . This is set in the 21st Century and even if the monastery discouraged use of cell phones, everyone would still have had one. In many ways, it felt very much like the author set them into an artificially (in some respects only) environment so as to mirror the medieval pilgrimage they are following.
I will also confess to struggling with the religious organization, restrictions and such. Why? Well, besides not being particularly devote, or even participating in religious ceremony, I was raised a Catholic - even attended Catholic elementary school. Catholicism, with celibacy and women sidelined from the power structure, is my point of reference, meaning I had to keep reminding myself that this is the Anglican church, created by King Henry VIII to allow him to divorce various wives and allowing priests to marry etc. It just felt odd as I read.
This is the first in a mystery series featuring Felicity and Antony. I would definitely consider reading more.
It's a good mystery and also somewhat weak. I knew the second the murderer was introduced that he was the murderer. Some of the motive and others involved I did not figure out until the end. While contemporary setting, solving the crime requires being submerged deeply into Anglican church history in Yorkshire and Northumberland, and visiting several ruins and museums, monasteries and other religious abodes and places of worship. There are many edge of your seat life and death situations encountered. But there are also long passages of pure history and lives of saints; I now know a whole lot about Cuthbert and Bede! Actually the whole historical piecing together and solving the mystery of Cuthbert and his treasure is fascinating and the author has photos on her website of many of the locations and artifacts mentioned in the book. I'm now even more interested in spending time in Yorkshire on a future trip to England!
The weakness comes with some of the plotting (the too easily identified main villain for example) but also both Felicity and Antony themselves. Felicity starts out as this energetic, brilliant, impatient, bordering-on-eccentric young woman who in part has chosen a path to theology and potential priesthood both because she loves Latin and because no woman has done it before. However, by the end, she has become a classic gothic heroine who falls for every lure the villain throws out and constantly throws herself into harms way. Antony is waffling over taking vows and becoming celibate, struggling with both an attraction to Felicity and guilt over something dark in his past involving a young woman. It was a tad irritating.
Also odd and irritating was the complete lack of common sense use of electronics or even just a basic telephone. . This is set in the 21st Century and even if the monastery discouraged use of cell phones, everyone would still have had one. In many ways, it felt very much like the author set them into an artificially (in some respects only) environment so as to mirror the medieval pilgrimage they are following.
I will also confess to struggling with the religious organization, restrictions and such. Why? Well, besides not being particularly devote, or even participating in religious ceremony, I was raised a Catholic - even attended Catholic elementary school. Catholicism, with celibacy and women sidelined from the power structure, is my point of reference, meaning I had to keep reminding myself that this is the Anglican church, created by King Henry VIII to allow him to divorce various wives and allowing priests to marry etc. It just felt odd as I read.
This is the first in a mystery series featuring Felicity and Antony. I would definitely consider reading more.
January 2, 2021
This is the first book I won in a contest. The first author I interviewed in a blog was Donna Fletcher Crow, on the release of the sequel. This series is now six books long, and may not be over with. Also, I haven't reread novels for over thirty years... until I started rereading this one.
There are novels that introduce a subject in a way that a reader not really interested in the subject can still appreciate the story. In others, the subject is so prominent it may lose those not enthralled with it. This book is the latter. Fortunately, I love church history. I would heartily recommend it especially for the Anglican or Catholic reader, and possibly the Orthodox as well (my background is different).
The story line is very interesting. There are several suspects. I did guess one of the bad guys early on, but I knew that person wasn't alone. Very well crafted.
Some reviewers had problems with the main character. I didn't. To me, she reflected the modern mindset of people who enter ministry to serve others but reflect a less than biblical view of the evil inside us, that everyone is okay. There are some good points made that I won't mention for fear of spoiling the story.
If you have an interest in church history, especially from a more Anglican point of view, and like murder mysteries, I think you should give this book a try.
There are novels that introduce a subject in a way that a reader not really interested in the subject can still appreciate the story. In others, the subject is so prominent it may lose those not enthralled with it. This book is the latter. Fortunately, I love church history. I would heartily recommend it especially for the Anglican or Catholic reader, and possibly the Orthodox as well (my background is different).
The story line is very interesting. There are several suspects. I did guess one of the bad guys early on, but I knew that person wasn't alone. Very well crafted.
Some reviewers had problems with the main character. I didn't. To me, she reflected the modern mindset of people who enter ministry to serve others but reflect a less than biblical view of the evil inside us, that everyone is okay. There are some good points made that I won't mention for fear of spoiling the story.
If you have an interest in church history, especially from a more Anglican point of view, and like murder mysteries, I think you should give this book a try.
April 4, 2011
I am a sucker for a mystery involving a murder in a monastery, so when I saw this at my local public library I snapped it up. The author, the credits read, has published some 35 novels ... So why was her name unfamiliar to me? Moreover, my local county public library had only one other title by her. So I looked her up on Amazon-dot-com and found she essentially wrote romance novels with titles such as, "The Highlander's Forbidden Bride, Bound to a Warrior, and Return of the Rogue."
Not being well-read in this genre, it became clear why I had not heard of her. So I checked the book out. Too much of the book read like a "chick-flick" [forgive the mixed metaphor!] which made it tempting to skip over whole paragraphs, but she did skillfully weave elements of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, with the story of Ninian, St. Cuthbert, and others, as Father Anthony [Anglican] and his student Felicity roam over northern England and into Scotland trying to track down a hidden "treasure."
The denouement was totally predictable, with the final chapter a "paste-on" to what is obviously the next installment of this dynamic duo - Which I'll probably skip.
Not being well-read in this genre, it became clear why I had not heard of her. So I checked the book out. Too much of the book read like a "chick-flick" [forgive the mixed metaphor!] which made it tempting to skip over whole paragraphs, but she did skillfully weave elements of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, with the story of Ninian, St. Cuthbert, and others, as Father Anthony [Anglican] and his student Felicity roam over northern England and into Scotland trying to track down a hidden "treasure."
The denouement was totally predictable, with the final chapter a "paste-on" to what is obviously the next installment of this dynamic duo - Which I'll probably skip.
August 11, 2018
An entertaining read with lots of history embedded within the story of Celtic saints. Antony and Felicity are on a mission to discover who murdered a beloved Benedictine monk and to clear the possibility of Antony being considered having any part in the murder. They learn much about themselves and face danger while they retrace the steps of the monk prior to his death in the hope of discovering who the murderer was and finding a "treasure" alluded to by the monk. I knew some of the tale of Cuthbert and found the retelling of his story fascinating. The danger, murders, and story of Antony and Felicity as they delved into his life and followed clues was very interesting too. All in all it was a good read and I have moved onto the 2nd book in this series and am looking forward to the story continuing of these two imperfect people who are trying so hard to live their lives with close to perfection while embroiled in another mystery. If you enjoy history, descriptive narrative of areas, villages, etc., the study of people, and a good mystery then you'll find yourself engrossed with this!
July 25, 2019
First in a new series of ecclesiastical thrillers set in the wilds of remote Yorkshire, England. Felicity Howard, a young American studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Anthony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood. They were told to flee by one of the other monks, because the police main suspect is Fr Anthony.
Both Anthony & Felicity flee together, not because of his guilt, but because they figure they are the best chance of tracking down what happened, & finding the person responsible for the murder. But it becomes apparent as clues come to light & they draw ever closer to solving the crime, when a series of accidents start to happen. They must "up" their vigilence & stick close together if they hope to survive their path in seeking the truth.
I read this book soon after the Irish American Society's Book Club in Dallas, skyped in the author for a discussion of another book she had written. Our meetings are held monthly in a Irish Pub called Trinity Hall. I did not read that other book, mostly because it was a genre that does not interest me, but regardless, I usually read up on the book & about the author. I found several other series of hers, that do interest me, this being one of them. I enjoyed the book & enjoyed listening to Donna Crow, even though we had a hard time understanding her. Mostly due to the bad internet connection. She had to repeat a lot because her sentences were broken up.
Both Anthony & Felicity flee together, not because of his guilt, but because they figure they are the best chance of tracking down what happened, & finding the person responsible for the murder. But it becomes apparent as clues come to light & they draw ever closer to solving the crime, when a series of accidents start to happen. They must "up" their vigilence & stick close together if they hope to survive their path in seeking the truth.
I read this book soon after the Irish American Society's Book Club in Dallas, skyped in the author for a discussion of another book she had written. Our meetings are held monthly in a Irish Pub called Trinity Hall. I did not read that other book, mostly because it was a genre that does not interest me, but regardless, I usually read up on the book & about the author. I found several other series of hers, that do interest me, this being one of them. I enjoyed the book & enjoyed listening to Donna Crow, even though we had a hard time understanding her. Mostly due to the bad internet connection. She had to repeat a lot because her sentences were broken up.
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February 10, 2025Why did Father Dominic give Felicity a wrapped-up journal just before he got himself murdered? And what was so significant about that cryptic notebook, which recorded his travels in the footsteps of the medieval Saint Cuthbert? Somebody – could it be a fellow member of the monastery, the American wife of the author of a controversial book about the Saint, the mysterious bird-watcher, or someone else? – seemed hell-bent on getting their hands on that diary, even if others had to die on the way.
Donna Fletcher Crow uses Felicity’s church history lecturer, Father Antony, to introduce us to a whole series of esoteric details of Saint Cuthbert’s deeds and travels, both before and long after his death. Together, the unlikely couple visit significant historic sites all across northern England and Scotland. In each place, they find a puzzling clue as to the essence or location of a historic treasure that Father Dominic hoped would finance his planned hospital for AIDS babies in South Africa.
The book is both racy and very informative, revealing the author’s in-depth knowledge of ancient English history. And the denouement is totally unexpected. Dramatic events prompt both Felicity and Father Antony to reflect upon, and ultimately acknowledge, painful truths from their pasts. However, the plot-line was disappointing, relying on ridiculously improbable coincidences throughout their journey.
Donna Fletcher Crow uses Felicity’s church history lecturer, Father Antony, to introduce us to a whole series of esoteric details of Saint Cuthbert’s deeds and travels, both before and long after his death. Together, the unlikely couple visit significant historic sites all across northern England and Scotland. In each place, they find a puzzling clue as to the essence or location of a historic treasure that Father Dominic hoped would finance his planned hospital for AIDS babies in South Africa.
The book is both racy and very informative, revealing the author’s in-depth knowledge of ancient English history. And the denouement is totally unexpected. Dramatic events prompt both Felicity and Father Antony to reflect upon, and ultimately acknowledge, painful truths from their pasts. However, the plot-line was disappointing, relying on ridiculously improbable coincidences throughout their journey.
May 29, 2017
Felicity, an American became a student to become a priest at the College of Transfiguration. She finds Father Antony standing over her old friend Father Dominic's body who was beat up and killed. She was the last to see him alive because he visited her and gave her a package that she thought were poems that they liked to read. Father Superior told them to leave because the police were there to arrest Fr. Antony. He remembered that he did set up the statue of Our Lord and his fingerprints would be on it. Things start happening on there journey to discover what Fr. Dominic found out about St. Cuthbert and his treasure. Many attempts on there lives happened to persuade them to stop. The stories of all the religious places they went to as they followed Fr. Dominic's retreat were so good that you thought you were there. A very surprising end!
July 10, 2017
I was given A Very Private Grave to read for an Honest Review
I was intrigued by the introduction for this book and although it is not a book that I would have picked to read I was grabbed by the story of St. Cuthbert.
A modern day murder mystery revolving around the most interesting life of St. Cuthbert was a book that required some extra concentration on my part to keep all the details of the historical aspect of the story straight. It was worth every minute reading this book.
There were many twists and turns in the plot and I was rivited to the end.
Finding a new to me author and finding that this book was the first in a series The Monastery Murders was a very nice bonus.
I am anxious to continue in this series by Donna Fletcher Crowe.
I was intrigued by the introduction for this book and although it is not a book that I would have picked to read I was grabbed by the story of St. Cuthbert.
A modern day murder mystery revolving around the most interesting life of St. Cuthbert was a book that required some extra concentration on my part to keep all the details of the historical aspect of the story straight. It was worth every minute reading this book.
There were many twists and turns in the plot and I was rivited to the end.
Finding a new to me author and finding that this book was the first in a series The Monastery Murders was a very nice bonus.
I am anxious to continue in this series by Donna Fletcher Crowe.
April 10, 2022
Personal, historical, and spiritual questions interwoven with murder and mysteries
Interesting characters, multiple murders, the threat of being wrongly accused of them, and frantic searches for the murderer and for St. Cuthbert's treasure interweave, creating constant suspense and multiplying our questions.
Father Antony and Felicity's search thoroughly examines the Christian history of north eastern England by tracing St. Cuthbert's steps with intelligence and reverance.
This is a beautifully nuanced story of deep soul-searching, experiencing good and evil, owning up to blind spots, forgiveness, and the enrichment of living life from new perspectives.
Interesting characters, multiple murders, the threat of being wrongly accused of them, and frantic searches for the murderer and for St. Cuthbert's treasure interweave, creating constant suspense and multiplying our questions.
Father Antony and Felicity's search thoroughly examines the Christian history of north eastern England by tracing St. Cuthbert's steps with intelligence and reverance.
This is a beautifully nuanced story of deep soul-searching, experiencing good and evil, owning up to blind spots, forgiveness, and the enrichment of living life from new perspectives.
August 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this, as I know most of the places mentioned in it and found the characters more real and well drawn than those of Dan Brown, whose breakneck dashes through history and geography the book echoes. The Bible quotations and real faith of the main characters also appeal to me as a believer in God trying to make my way through a confusing world. I really wasn't sure whom to trust all the way through - the sign of a good writer.
I was a little disappointed by the main reason behind the murderer's actions, as this seems to be used rather often by modern crime novelists, but it didn't detract from the story.
I was a little disappointed by the main reason behind the murderer's actions, as this seems to be used rather often by modern crime novelists, but it didn't detract from the story.
February 1, 2025
Well, goodness! This was a very heavy read! I kept at it, and it took off for me finally at about the 75% point when the mystery was starting to culminate. If you love early church history, this is a book for you! The mystery is wrapped around St. Cuthbert, who died but did not decay, according to tradition. The unraveling of the story of Cuthbert, and it's implications for our current times, is rooted in history before the year AD 1000, so really involved monastic history. I love that it was set partly in Northumbria, as I believe my genetic roots are from that region. I can recommend this only to those who like deep history. #RickGuiliano - maybe you? :-)
October 4, 2018
Excellent
I had read Glastonbury by this author and decided to check out her mystery writing. I am very happy that I did. Reading about the saints and the history surrounding them is incredibly eye opening. The research that must have been done before writing these books must have been intensive. I appreciate the author's dedication to provide historical accuracy with characters I would like to invite into my home.
I highly recommend this book and the other books written by the author.
I had read Glastonbury by this author and decided to check out her mystery writing. I am very happy that I did. Reading about the saints and the history surrounding them is incredibly eye opening. The research that must have been done before writing these books must have been intensive. I appreciate the author's dedication to provide historical accuracy with characters I would like to invite into my home.
I highly recommend this book and the other books written by the author.
October 12, 2020
Donna is an expert researcher. She masterfully blends the ancient saints into modern settings, engaging the reader along the way. I connected to the main character quickly. This is an adventure, with a few twists and turns. Felicity gets drawn into a mystery, unwillingly. Yet circumstances make her face the questions she has about faith, while using her intellect to ponder the danger she and Andrew face. Donna lives in Idaho but has a life-long love for the United Kingdom. She accurately captures the culture of the English while maintaining Felicity's American mindset.
May 21, 2017
While studying at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, Father Dominic gifts Felicity Howard a book, but then he is found murdered. So Father Anthony and Felicity are sentto find the meaning behind the murder and the contents of the book.
Straightaway I unfortunately found Felicity irritating, and that coupled with for me too much information about Cuthbert and the history of the Church of England, was not a good start to a series I have been looking forward to reading.
Straightaway I unfortunately found Felicity irritating, and that coupled with for me too much information about Cuthbert and the history of the Church of England, was not a good start to a series I have been looking forward to reading.
February 17, 2020
More a Religious Tome,than a mystery
Maybe I expected a mystery,with religion on the side. However,what I found was a Religious Text, with the mystery story playing a minor supporting role I felt that I was back in College, with a textbook of early English Christianity my required reading. I had a tremendous urge to start taking notes I am not adverse to a story containing religion as a background, Bad deal for example, but this too,too much
Maybe I expected a mystery,with religion on the side. However,what I found was a Religious Text, with the mystery story playing a minor supporting role I felt that I was back in College, with a textbook of early English Christianity my required reading. I had a tremendous urge to start taking notes I am not adverse to a story containing religion as a background, Bad deal for example, but this too,too much
August 25, 2021
It was okay. I wouldn't recommend it for my church library. I wouldn't qualify it as Christian literature because of the dearth of any meaningful mention of Christ. My biggest problem with the book is that Father Antony seems perfectly content to ogle and have inappropriate fantasies about a STUDENT of his, whom he should arguably be trying to protect rather than objectify. It would be as engaging as a Ken Follett or Dan Brown book if it weren't for the terrible characters.
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