An Unholy Communion by Donna Fletcher Crow

More about An Unholy Communion: 

The newest offering in The Monastery Murders series, An Unholy Communion (Lion Fiction).

Following the ancient tradition, ordinands from the College of the Transfiguration gather at first light on Ascension morning to sing their praises from the top of the college's tallest tower. Not one to miss any liturgy, Felicity finds herself swept up in worship as she listens to the timeless words. But her delight quickly turns to horror when a black-robed body hurtles over the precipice and lands at her feet. Her investigative instincts immediately kick in when she sees a double-headed snake emblem clutched in the lifeless hand. Was this suicide? Or murder?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/keus1

Meet Donna: 

Donna Fletcher Crow is author of more than thirty-five novels. She has twice won first place in the Historical Fiction category from the National Association of Press Women, and has also been a finalist for "Best Inspirational Novel" from the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of The Arts Centre Group, and Sisters in Crime.

Find out more about Donna Fletcher at http://www.donnafletchercrow.com. 

Margie's Comments: Let me say it upfront—I love Donna Fletcher Crow's books. Not only does she write wonderful mysteries, but she also combines the mystery with tons of English and Scottish history. In The Monastery Murder series, she focuses primarily on church history in the British Isles. Felicity and Antony, the primary characters, are well-developed characters who are flawed like any of us. But I like that they grow a little more in each book. In this third book, An Unholy Communion, Felicity and Antony are engaged to be married. After a body literally lands at Felicity's feet on Ascension Sunday, Antony wants to take her away from the investigation, and he asks her to co-lead a group of young people on a walking pilgrimage in Wales. She agrees but then is faced with many reminders of the dead man. The plot moves on—with brief pauses for a story from the past that lend to the experience of the pilgrimage. And soon Antony and Felicity find that the mystery surrounding the dead man and his untimely end has followed them. Great characters, a great plot, and yet another wonderful mystery from Donna Fletcher Crow. Well worth reading the entire series if you love suspense mixed with history.

A Very Private Grave

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  A Very Private Grave  Monarch Books (August 1, 2010)  by  Donna Fletcher Crow
   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Donna Fletcher Crow is author of more than thirty-five novels. She has twice won first place in the Historical Fiction category from the National Association of Press Women, and has also been a finalist for "Best Inspirational Novel" from the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of The Arts Centre Group and Sisters in Crime. Find out more at www.donnafletchercrow.com.


Endorsements:

"History and mystery and murders most foul keep the pages turning ... A fascinating read." –Liz Curtis Higgs, bestelling author of Thorn in My Heart

“A Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller, a sweeping, page-turning quest served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries.” – Kate Charles, author of Deep Waters

“As in Glastonbury, Donna Fletcher Crow’s descriptions of the English and Scottish settings in her new mystery are drawn with real artistry.  Lovers of British history and church history will be impressed by her grasp of both.”—Sally Wright, Edgar Award finalist and author of the Ben Reese Mysteries

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.


If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of A Very Private Grave, go HERE.


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Margie's Comments: It's been a long time since I picked up a Donna Fletcher Crow novel, and I'm very happy to get to review A Very Private Grave. I'm not disappointed. Donna's writing style of mystery combined with church and British history is at the forefront of this book. And it satisfies my love of English history and mystery, even though it's in a contemporary setting. The plot tends to drag a little because of needing to get the historical aspect in that has a bearing on the solution of Father Dominic's grisly murder. Have I already mentioned that I love British history?? So the slow-down in the action didn't really bother me that much. I love Felicity and Father Antony and how they grew as individuals throughout the book. If historical mystery appeals to you, I recommend this book to you. I know I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.