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mischievous_monkey's review against another edition
2.0
Not the best in the series. Reads like a book that followed an outline but didn't engage the writer. Ms. Brown usually adds a lot more depth and warmth to her characters and gets her political and religious views in with less acidity.
I would suggest skipping this book but many big happenings occur that a reader of the series will want to know about. Unfortunately the reveals were not well handled. I won't stop reading the series, Ms. Brown has created quite a charming world throughout the past books, but it may be a while before I read the next installment.
I would suggest skipping this book but many big happenings occur that a reader of the series will want to know about. Unfortunately the reveals were not well handled. I won't stop reading the series, Ms. Brown has created quite a charming world throughout the past books, but it may be a while before I read the next installment.
brenna_law's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hunniikels's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
cbsundance's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ebullientbunny's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
judythereader's review against another edition
4.0
Harry and Susan both find themselves at the monastery of Mt. Carmel, looking for a moment of peace. When they stop before the statue of the Virgin Mary, they are shocked to find that she is crying tears of blood. The Abbot of the order asks them to keep it quiet while the "miracle" is investigated. The news leaks anyway and soon the monastery is overrun with pilgrims.
After a snowstorm blankets the area, Susan's own great uncle Thomas is found dead before the Virgin Mary. Harry being Harry, is convinced there is foul play and, of course, events eventually prove her right.
I had not enjoyed the last book or two in the series the way I used to, but this one seems to be back on track. Both Harry and Susan had a little more angst than previously, but it was well handled. There is an acknowledgement of the passage of time. What I truly loved is the female friendships in this books and the growth they have achieved. This book was a celebration of womanhood and I loved it.
After a snowstorm blankets the area, Susan's own great uncle Thomas is found dead before the Virgin Mary. Harry being Harry, is convinced there is foul play and, of course, events eventually prove her right.
I had not enjoyed the last book or two in the series the way I used to, but this one seems to be back on track. Both Harry and Susan had a little more angst than previously, but it was well handled. There is an acknowledgement of the passage of time. What I truly loved is the female friendships in this books and the growth they have achieved. This book was a celebration of womanhood and I loved it.
sneakyfoxeh's review against another edition
1.0
At first, I liked the premise of the book. As a Catholic myself, it's nice to see Mother Mary and monks as the center of a novel. Also, I love the animal anecdotes. It's pretty cute and lightens up the story a bit.
Honestly, I really didn't like the quip about Catholic priests raping boys and the Vatican keeping Nazi Germany a secret. I know the main character is Baptist (which sadly are known for hating Catholics) but did the author have to add that in there? The pedophiles have been removed from the church with stricter rules in place for weeding future pedophiles out and there are quite a few Catholic priests that saved Jews from the German Nazis. Not to mention all the good we do for the world in terms of helping the poor, homeless and orphans. The minor religious attacks on my church weren't necessary for the storyline at all. Then to say the Baptists only problem is how to spend money? Not cool at all. We all know that Baptists have just as many problems as Catholics.
I'm going to keep reading it to see if it gets better, but if it doesn't, then I'm done with this series. If the author ever sees this: don't attack someone else's religion just because it differs from your own.
Update: It doesn't get any better. It gets worse. A monk kills another monk and there's a drug scandal going on. Awful story. Obviously, Rita Mae Brown has no idea what Catholic monks are really like. I'm done with this series and author.
Honestly, I really didn't like the quip about Catholic priests raping boys and the Vatican keeping Nazi Germany a secret. I know the main character is Baptist (which sadly are known for hating Catholics) but did the author have to add that in there? The pedophiles have been removed from the church with stricter rules in place for weeding future pedophiles out and there are quite a few Catholic priests that saved Jews from the German Nazis. Not to mention all the good we do for the world in terms of helping the poor, homeless and orphans. The minor religious attacks on my church weren't necessary for the storyline at all. Then to say the Baptists only problem is how to spend money? Not cool at all. We all know that Baptists have just as many problems as Catholics.
I'm going to keep reading it to see if it gets better, but if it doesn't, then I'm done with this series. If the author ever sees this: don't attack someone else's religion just because it differs from your own.
Update: It doesn't get any better. It gets worse. A monk kills another monk and there's a drug scandal going on. Awful story. Obviously, Rita Mae Brown has no idea what Catholic monks are really like. I'm done with this series and author.
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