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shonataylor's review against another edition
1.0
I cannot say enough bad things about this book. Don't waste your time.
bwagner's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. This is a new author for me and I look forward in reading more from her. This is a well developed story that has characters that bring the story to life. This story brings action, secrets, killer and lots of twist and turns. I had no problem connecting with the characters. They made the story engaging and entertaining. This is a fast paced story that I read in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
j_lbrbsblogs's review against another edition
4.0
4-4.5*
Something different in the murder mystery genre as we meet Sister Veronica – nun, secret crime fiction writer and amateur detective – in this first crime novel from Sarah Sheridan.
It sounds like quite the cosy crime fiction but this story is more hard hitting than that.
Sister Veronica Angelica is a nun at The Convent of the Christian Heart situated in Soho, London. Along with her duties in the convent she works at the Catholic Youth Hostel next door to the Convent but when she’s not praying, working or carrying out her duties she can be found in her room writing crime fiction stories and eating custard cream biscuits.
There’s lot’s going on alterations to the Youth Hostel means builders are in with all the mess and noise that brings! Also, a young journalist, Melissa, is staying at the Convent for a week reporting on ‘life as a nun’. Sister Veronica is meeting with Melissa for an interview – there is something more to her piece than meets the eye. It’s just as well Veronica has her secret world to go to!
However, her secret activities soon become very real when she goes to work at the youth hostel and finds a body. A young man, Jamie, who is staying there has been killed. Just as she is about to report the murder the Cardinal along with Father Mathers – who Sister Veronica is not too keen on – turn up. Issuing orders not to report the murder to the police the Cardinal says that it is a matter for canon law.
Sister Veronica has her own relationship with God she has long felt that some of the issues within The RC Church raise questions which are not properly investigated or answered. Her own history is a prime example of that. Then her conversation with Melissa about Jamie and that very issue – the children of a religious parent – ensures that Sister Veronica will not rest until she discovers what has been going on and who killed Jamie.
As Veronica, with Melissa’s help, continues to dig into what is happening she realises there are very bad, evil forces at work. Sister Veronica gets a tip off that she is to be ‘sent away’ so, with some trepidation and much fortitude, she and Melissa set off to France.
This book gives a fascinating insight into the numbers of children that are born to a Nun or Priest, what being the child of a Priest or Nun may mean – rejection, secrecy; what that can feel like – isolation, feeling different and, yet, how common it appears to be. How these liaisons/relationships are viewed and dealt with by the Church. It touches on the child abuse cases. All of this leaves a deep sadness, a futility, an acrimony along with an understandable feeling of abhorrence towards the Church which has historically dealt so badly with these issues. However, there is a sense of hope given through the characters in the book, not least Sister Veronica, and of a goodness within the Church.
Added to the murder of Jamie and the connection to the children of religious storyline there is also a financial issue that comes to light. Sister Veronica investigating has put a dark chain of events into play which places her in a very dangerous situation. As the story moves from Paris to Rome this becomes a real issue and as the action moves along, the pace ratchets up and the tension is palpable. With more murders, a kidnapping and a devastating discovery this book packs a punch and keeps you totally engrossed.
I really enjoyed this book, the character of Sister Veronica, the uniqueness of the story is captivating and I look forward to reading Sarah Sheridan’s next book.
Thanks
With many thanks to Maria Slocombe, Publicity & Social Media Manager, Bloodhound Books for the invite to read and review The Convent by Sarah Sheridan and for the eBook.
Something different in the murder mystery genre as we meet Sister Veronica – nun, secret crime fiction writer and amateur detective – in this first crime novel from Sarah Sheridan.
It sounds like quite the cosy crime fiction but this story is more hard hitting than that.
Sister Veronica Angelica is a nun at The Convent of the Christian Heart situated in Soho, London. Along with her duties in the convent she works at the Catholic Youth Hostel next door to the Convent but when she’s not praying, working or carrying out her duties she can be found in her room writing crime fiction stories and eating custard cream biscuits.
There’s lot’s going on alterations to the Youth Hostel means builders are in with all the mess and noise that brings! Also, a young journalist, Melissa, is staying at the Convent for a week reporting on ‘life as a nun’. Sister Veronica is meeting with Melissa for an interview – there is something more to her piece than meets the eye. It’s just as well Veronica has her secret world to go to!
However, her secret activities soon become very real when she goes to work at the youth hostel and finds a body. A young man, Jamie, who is staying there has been killed. Just as she is about to report the murder the Cardinal along with Father Mathers – who Sister Veronica is not too keen on – turn up. Issuing orders not to report the murder to the police the Cardinal says that it is a matter for canon law.
Sister Veronica has her own relationship with God she has long felt that some of the issues within The RC Church raise questions which are not properly investigated or answered. Her own history is a prime example of that. Then her conversation with Melissa about Jamie and that very issue – the children of a religious parent – ensures that Sister Veronica will not rest until she discovers what has been going on and who killed Jamie.
As Veronica, with Melissa’s help, continues to dig into what is happening she realises there are very bad, evil forces at work. Sister Veronica gets a tip off that she is to be ‘sent away’ so, with some trepidation and much fortitude, she and Melissa set off to France.
This book gives a fascinating insight into the numbers of children that are born to a Nun or Priest, what being the child of a Priest or Nun may mean – rejection, secrecy; what that can feel like – isolation, feeling different and, yet, how common it appears to be. How these liaisons/relationships are viewed and dealt with by the Church. It touches on the child abuse cases. All of this leaves a deep sadness, a futility, an acrimony along with an understandable feeling of abhorrence towards the Church which has historically dealt so badly with these issues. However, there is a sense of hope given through the characters in the book, not least Sister Veronica, and of a goodness within the Church.
Added to the murder of Jamie and the connection to the children of religious storyline there is also a financial issue that comes to light. Sister Veronica investigating has put a dark chain of events into play which places her in a very dangerous situation. As the story moves from Paris to Rome this becomes a real issue and as the action moves along, the pace ratchets up and the tension is palpable. With more murders, a kidnapping and a devastating discovery this book packs a punch and keeps you totally engrossed.
I really enjoyed this book, the character of Sister Veronica, the uniqueness of the story is captivating and I look forward to reading Sarah Sheridan’s next book.
Thanks
With many thanks to Maria Slocombe, Publicity & Social Media Manager, Bloodhound Books for the invite to read and review The Convent by Sarah Sheridan and for the eBook.
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