A Very Private Grave (The Monastery Murders) [Paperback]

Donna Fletcher Crow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2010 | Series: The Monastery Murders (Book 1)

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. (20110101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compelling thriller, as well as a masterful mystery, the mental gymnastics will have you breathlessly soaking in British and church history as you puzzle through a satisfying spiritual adventure with romantic, quirky characters. Anglophiles and history buffs will love it" --Church Libraries Journal

Like a P. D. James novel A Very Private Grave occupies a learned territory. Also a beautifully described corner of England, that of the Northumbrian coast where St. Cuthbert's Christianity retains its powerful presence. Where myth and holiness, wild nature and tourism, art and prayer run in parallel, and capture the imagination still. --Ronald Blythe

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Monarch Books; Book 1 edition (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854249681
• ISBN-13: 978-1854249685
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donna Fletcher Crow, who lives in Idaho with her husband of 46 years, is the mother of four adult children, grandmother of 10 and author of thirty-some books, mostly novels dealing with British history. Her best known book is the epic historical novel Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, which was awarded First Place, Historical Fiction, by the National Federation of Press Women.

After almost 10 years in the publishing wilderness Donna is reentering the fray with The Monastery Murders, a series of ecclesiastical mysteries featuring Felicity Howard, an American woman studying for the Anglican priesthood in a monastery in remote Yorkshire. When Felicity's favorite monk is bludgeoned to death she finds herself learning about a lot more than theoretical theology. A Very Private Grave, the first in the series will be released by Monarch Books (Lion Hudson) in May 2010 in the UK and next Sept. in the US by Kregel Books.

She says, "I write historical novels and contemporaries that draw heavily on historical background, because I believe it is vitally important that we not loose touch with our rich historical heritage. Those who have gone before us have worked too hard and suffered too much to preserve the privileges we enjoy for us to forget their stories. Reading of the triumphs of the faithful in ages past can inspire and strengthen us for our own challenging times."

Donna is an enthusiastic gardener, enjoying the challenge of growing an English cottage garden in the Idaho desert. You can visit her garden at http://novelgarden.blogspot.com/
She also enjoys drinking tea with family and friends and hearing from her readers. You can write to her at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1st in Monastery Murders series is cerebral thriller, September 22, 2010

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Very Private Grave (The Monastery Murders) (Paperback)

A Very Private Grave by Donna Fletcher Crow is the first book in the Monastery Murders. Felicity Howard is studying for her Anglican priesthood at a monastery in Yorkshire when her beloved friend Father Dominic is found brutally murdered in his room and another monk, Father Antony is standing over him covered in blood. When the authorities naturally suspect Antony, his superior orders him to flee with Felicity to discover what treasure that Dominic had discovered on his recent pilgrimage had caused his murder. The two retrace his path and that of St Cuthbert's body across northern England in hopes of finding the murderer and maybe even a treasure, while Felicity tries to forget that her traveling partner just may be a murder. Readers looking for a fast-paced treasure hunt will be disappointed with this book; The DaVinci Code it ain't. But readers who love a good historical yarn mixed with modern day suspense will fall in love with Crow's quiet and cerebral writing. Much of the book is a fascinating retelling of the mysterious life of Saint Cuthbert, as well as the travels of his body, which were even more fascinating! Antony is a tortured character with a secret past that haunts him in his interactions with Felicity. She is a smart and beautiful heroine who doesn't always have the best instincts when it comes to men. This intelligent writer has the potential to write a terrific series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good British and Church history yarn, April 13, 2011

By 

colossal "1stpal" (Spokane WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Very Private Grave (The Monastery Murders) (Paperback)

Donna Crow is the author of more than 35 novels and a member of The Arts Centre Group and Sisters in crime. I was not at all disappointed by this fast paced treasure hunt. This is the first book in the Monastery Murders series, Her descriptions of the English and Scottish settings were very impressive.
It is a contemporary novel with a thoroughly modern heroine learning ancient truths to solve the mystery and save her own life. Lovers of both British and church history will be pleased with the author's knowledge of the subject. Felicity Howard is a young American, studying at the college of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire and she is devastated to find her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and her church history lecturer, Fr. Antony, soaked in his blood. There is plenty of suspension, intellectual puzzles, romance, and both modern and ancient clues.

Felicity was quite naive, I found her heading off without thinking of her possible danger and falling in love a bit too quickly but other than that I found the characters in the book to be fairly well drawn.
The book is a fascinating retelling of Saint Cuthbert life and dreams. I was quite interesting in the church history but if you are not, you might find the scripture and quotations to be a bit much. They were necessary to the plot, and I found myself caught up in the saga. I am not a mystery reader usually so I can only speak for myself. I would consider reading the sequel "The Darkly hidden truth" and I think the book fills a nitch in the church library fiction collection that is not present.

Donna Crow is a lifelong Anglophile and history buff, most of her 30 books deal with British Christianity so she knows her material. She lives in Boise Idaho and has often traveled to Britain and Scotland on research trips and pilgrimages. Be prepared to enjoy her writing and the mystery of the unraveling mystery.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Past is With the Present, April 1, 2011

By 

Nash Black "Troubadour" (Jamestown, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Very Private Grave (The Monastery Murders) (Kindle Edition)

Donna Fletcher Crow's A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE has Felicity Howard and Father Anthony traveling across England in search of a brutal killer. Who hated Father Dominci, a gentle man hunting funds to establish a hospital for children with AIDS in Africa?
Felicity is an American student at the Anglo-Catholic College of Transfiguration and Father Anthony is her church history professor. A more unsuitable pair of sleuths hunting for clues is not found in modern mystery fiction. Felicity is head strong and obstant in her convictions. Father Anthony is hesitant and questions each of his actions. Though neither will stand aside from the challenge forced upon them. Both are innocent when faced with the forces of evil which does not let anyone block their path.
Father Dominci, before his death, gave Felicity a small travel note book filled up his jotting and the expenses incurred on a recent retreat. Following his path may result in their own demise if they cannot out wit a killer who also following a trail steeped in the early church history of England.
This was my third Kindle read and I kept flipping the next page button, though I had to pull an old copy of KINGS, RULERS AND STATESMEN from my shelves to check names and dates.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.