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A review by cj_mo_2222
The Shadow of Death by Jane Willan
4.0
Sister Agatha is the librarian at Gwenafwy Abbey in North Wales and walks into their cheese processing barn looking for her friend Sister Callwen. She is shocked when she instead discovers the dead body of Jacob Traherne, the sexton at St. Anselm Church and at the Abbey. Sister Agatha isn't what you expect of a nun. She's currently writing a mystery novel and it's clear to her that Jacob is a victim of murder and won't let it go until she gets to the truth of what happened, which is harder than she thought since so many people are keeping secrets.
This book is well-written and I enjoy seeing characters who are not stereotypes of what is expected from a nun or a priest. I liked Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn, her friend since childhood, working together to solve the crime. I really enjoyed seeing the fascinating mix of history and modern times coming together. Gwenafwy Abbey was built in medieval times and yet the nuns now living there carry cell phones, shop online, and listen to podcasts.
There is a subplot of the bishop threatening to close the abbey, and I disliked all the things going on to conspire against the nuns to try to force that to happen. There were just too many bad things happening for too long and for me, it went from suspenseful to depressing. However, another subplot concerning the abbey's new recruit is intriguing and entertaining.
All of the various storylines are resolved by the end of the book. Sister Agatha is a great fan of Agatha Christie and this mystery will delight Miss Marple fans everywhere. Although some aspects of the book are more enjoyable than others, I still recommend this cozy mystery and think these characters with a different plot in any future installments would be even better.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Crooked Lane Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well-written and I enjoy seeing characters who are not stereotypes of what is expected from a nun or a priest. I liked Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn, her friend since childhood, working together to solve the crime. I really enjoyed seeing the fascinating mix of history and modern times coming together. Gwenafwy Abbey was built in medieval times and yet the nuns now living there carry cell phones, shop online, and listen to podcasts.
There is a subplot of the bishop threatening to close the abbey, and I disliked all the things going on to conspire against the nuns to try to force that to happen. There were just too many bad things happening for too long and for me, it went from suspenseful to depressing. However, another subplot concerning the abbey's new recruit is intriguing and entertaining.
All of the various storylines are resolved by the end of the book. Sister Agatha is a great fan of Agatha Christie and this mystery will delight Miss Marple fans everywhere. Although some aspects of the book are more enjoyable than others, I still recommend this cozy mystery and think these characters with a different plot in any future installments would be even better.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Crooked Lane Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.