heathersbike's review
This one was different. I guess that's good in a series. I guess.
mojoshivers's review
5.0
I was hesitant about this novel after finding that the central murder doesn’t occur until halfway through. That, along with the proceedings revolving around mystical chants and long-dead abbots made me think I was in for a slow ride to nowhere.
But it picked up in the end and managed to tie the mystical with the profane. I also like how it progresses Gemma’s and Duncan’s relationship irrevocably. That has always been the backbone of this series, how they can be partners in the field and at home. It reminds me a little of Anne Perry’s Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series in that way.
Even when the mystery is a bit convoluted like this one, the series manages to shine when it doubles down on the two heroes at its center.
But it picked up in the end and managed to tie the mystical with the profane. I also like how it progresses Gemma’s and Duncan’s relationship irrevocably. That has always been the backbone of this series, how they can be partners in the field and at home. It reminds me a little of Anne Perry’s Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series in that way.
Even when the mystery is a bit convoluted like this one, the series manages to shine when it doubles down on the two heroes at its center.
michelle_deeter's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
It might have been more fun if I was planning on visiting Glastonbury. As it was, there was too much Da Vinci Code style mystery and not enough Gemma and Duncan!
happy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mizlu's review
1.0
Didn't finish. In face, I barely got a few pages into it. Not up to the usual standard in this series.
shiradest's review
2.0
After the comments about Glastonbary, then Wells and the anti-ley line comments and then the pro-ley line no electricity or running water folks, I'd had more than enough to send me into cringing flashback memories of Bath and the various festivals. No thanks.
ellarymt's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookcraft's review against another edition
4.0
A tiny warning for those who like their books free of any hint of mysticism: There's a fair amount of what some might call "woo" in this. I hesitate to call it paranormal or supernatural because it doesn't fit into the modern literary categories those labels represent, but there's a theme of the inexplicable that runs through the book, touching on both pagan/Wiccan and Christian beliefs. For those who like woo in their books, this reminded me a lot of the way [a: Harper Fox|4059028|Harper Fox|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1308927760p2/4059028.jpg] writes about the ancient magic rooted deep in the history of the English countryside (albeit with less gay romance than her books feature).