The Veil (The Cult Series #1) [Paperback]

Diane Noble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1998

A shroud of secrecy cloaks a new nineteenth-century sect known simply as the Saints. But that veil is about to be drawn away. Amidst the majestic beauty of 1857 Utah, the members of one secluded religious group claim to want nothing more than to practice their beliefs without persecution. Yet among them are many who engage in secret vows and brutal acts of atonement…all in the name of God.

But one young woman, Hannah McClary, dares to question the truth behind the shroud. Soon Hannah and the young man she loves–Lucas Knight, who has been trained from childhood to kill on behalf of the Church–find themselves fighting for their very lives.

As a group of unwary pioneer families marches into Utah toward a tragic confrontation with the Saints at a place called Mountain Meadows, Hannah and Lucas are thrust into the most difficult conflict of all–a battle for truth and justice–even as they are learning for the first time about unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness.…

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hannah McClary is being raised by her aunt, who is a member of the religious group known as the Saints. Hannah questions many of their beliefs, but obeys for the sake of her aunt. Beneath the benevolence of the Saints lies a terrible secret. A secret that is slowly destroying the man Hannah loves, Lucas Knight. Alexander and Ellie Farrington have placed all their hopes for the future on a wagon to California. The trip is slow and arduous, with unexpected delays that threaten to leave them on the wrong side of the mountains when winter arrives. The wagon train must travel an alternate route, which takes them down the Utah trail through the territory of the Saints. Hannah and Lucas fight for their lives and love even as the wagons of the pioneer families rattle over the trail to a tragic confrontation with the Saints! Diane Noble brings history vividly to life in this intricate and compelling novel. She has revealed the truth of an early Mormon practice and made it personal in a way no dry history book could. Her well-drawn characters capture the heart and make you wish history could be changed.A triumph! The Veil's searing narrative pierces the heart! It will haunt you long after the last word is read! Don't wait to get this book! Linda Fitzner -- Copyright © 080198 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Inside Flap

A shroud of secrecy cloaks a new nineteenth-century sect known simply as the Saints. But that veil is about to be drawn away. Amidst the majestic beauty of 1857 Utah, the members of one secluded religious group claim to want nothing more than to practice their beliefs without persecution. Yet among them are many who engage in secret vows and brutal acts of atonement?all in the name of God.

But one young woman, Hannah McClary, dares to question the truth behind the shroud. Soon Hannah and the young man she loves?Lucas Knight, who has been trained from childhood to kill on behalf of the Church?find themselves fighting for their very lives.

As a group of unwary pioneer families marches into Utah toward a tragic confrontation with the Saints at a place called Mountain Meadows, Hannah and Lucas are thrust into the most difficult conflict of all?a battle for truth and justice?even as they are learning for the first time about unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness.?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578560144
• ISBN-13: 978-1578560141
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,162,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning novelist Diane Noble spent most of her first eighteen years in a small mountain village in the High Sierra back country near Yosemite National Park. Growing up among towering pines and rushing waterfalls provided Diane a rich setting in which to let her vivid imagination soar. Her first novel was published in 1994 under the pseudonym Amanda MacLean with four more following in quick succession. She began writing under her own name in 1998, with the publication of one of her most popular works of historical fiction, THE VEIL. THE SISTER WIFE, book one of her new Brides of Gabriel series, is now in bookstores everywhere. Keep in touch with Diane at www.dianenoble.com, http://www.facebook.com/dianenoblebooks, and http://twitter.com/dianenoble.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping Novel from Page One, January 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Veil (The Cult Series #1) (Paperback)

Diane Noble's THE VEIL is a magnificent story, very compelling and even sometimes painful to read. Including atrocities done by the early Mormons, its much more than that. It is a history lesson, a story of faith, a story of strength and perseverence and a love story. Well written and inspiring, it is a must read for anyone who likes stories with strong women characters. I'm looking forward to more stories like this from this author.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Historical Fiction, November 14, 2000

By 

mjanke - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Veil (The Cult Series #1) (Paperback)

In THE VEIL, Diane Noble re-tells the tragic story of the massacre of a wagon train at the hands of the Mormon church back in the early days of Utah.

The story here is based upon events that actually occurred. Noble's writing flows well and is convincing, though it won't win any literary awards. She succeeds in taking what could be just a textbook tragedy and turning it into something more human and empathetic. THE VEIL not only un-veils the truth about the massacre, but it gives you a fascinating glimpse into what life in the early Mormon church was like (with the pioneer spirit, the hierarchy, and the polygamy -- a practice that is no longer preached). If early Mormon history interests you at all, you'll want to pick this one up, and even it doesn't this should be an interesting read on its own. FOUR STARS.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, heart-stopping, page-turning drama!, February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Veil (The Cult Series #1) (Paperback)

Diane Noble's novel "The Veil" is a masterpiece of historical fiction based on grim-but-true historical fact. As you trek across America with this band of pioneers, you'll feel every pebble in your shoe, taste every mouthful of prairie dust, and grieve with every disappointment these characters face as they journey toward their inevitable fate. And yet, despite the sorrow, there is a shining redemption that comes through in "The Veil." Only Diane Noble could find hope and glory in such a story, and bring it to life with such dramatic detail. In a word...I loved it!