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tandemjon's review against another edition
3.0
Great plot with so many twists and turns but a bit confusing when listened to as an audio book. Perhaps it's because in a real book you can reread things easily whereas in an audio book you can't. Would make an excellent film or series.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 stars - WOW what a story!
Part historical fiction and part thriller, it has compelling characters and an intricate plot in which nothing is what it seems. Keeps you enthralled until the very last page!
Part historical fiction and part thriller, it has compelling characters and an intricate plot in which nothing is what it seems. Keeps you enthralled until the very last page!
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
Father Anselm was once a barrister but decided that the secular life was not for him and joined a monastery. One day a stranger appears at the monastery and asks for sanctuary, he is an accused Nazi war criminal. During the war a group of young people arranged to smuggle Jewish children to safety from occupied Paris until they were betrayed. Most were killed but Agnes Aubret survived the death camps to marry and settle in England. Now a younger generation is looking for answers and vengeance.
I came to Brodrick's books late and actually started further on in the series so this is a regression to the start. Whilst Father Anselm is a thread that runs through, this isn't a book about him really. The story is rooted in actuality but the characters and scenarios are fictional. The writing is spare but utterly gripping and the characters are allowed to develop but still leave questions at the end.
I came to Brodrick's books late and actually started further on in the series so this is a regression to the start. Whilst Father Anselm is a thread that runs through, this isn't a book about him really. The story is rooted in actuality but the characters and scenarios are fictional. The writing is spare but utterly gripping and the characters are allowed to develop but still leave questions at the end.
blevins's review against another edition
4.0
I've been in a slump for novels lately--a lot of poor novels I've read--this was really good though. Multicharectered tale set in the past/present and in the world of monks and Paris during the German occupation. This book has a lot of facets to it--it's a mystery draped in historical fiction but has some romance in with its betrayals. Pretty gripping actually.
ruthsomerset's review against another edition
1.0
One of the worst books I have ever read.
It took me an age to finish this book as it didn't grab me at all. I was determined to finish it, eventhough I was thoroughly confused as to who was who by the end.
It took me an age to finish this book as it didn't grab me at all. I was determined to finish it, eventhough I was thoroughly confused as to who was who by the end.
amandagstevens's review against another edition
Adverb mania, purple prose, flat protagonist whose only purpose, at ten percent in, is to observe others. Every character's words and actions are explained in detail, as if the reader won't understand people's behavior otherwise. The story itself might be great, but I can't keep going.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
I've been reading this book over some weeks and finally finished it last night. Simply, this book is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read and it is a keeper.
Here's my review at Amazon.com for those interested:
http://tinyurl.com/2sct4q
I've been rushing to finish a number of books while I have good enough vision to do so. This book kept getting put to one side because of other commitments but in a way this enhanced my experience of it enormously.
Here's my review at Amazon.com for those interested:
http://tinyurl.com/2sct4q
I've been rushing to finish a number of books while I have good enough vision to do so. This book kept getting put to one side because of other commitments but in a way this enhanced my experience of it enormously.
malvord27's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Father Anselm series, although I started with the second book as that was the book handed to me. This book is as good as the second. Solid writing, solid character development, solid examination of right vs wrong, solid flushing out of justice required by the courts vs justice required by the people. I especially appreciated learning about how Father Anselm came to be a monk and the development that he undergoes throughout the book.
I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.