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A Provencal Mystery (2000)

by Ann Elwood(Favorite Author)

3.13 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

review 1: Love a good historic novel that flips us back and forth between periods and manages to tie up the present with the past in a neat package of intellectual academics. This book presents a slight challenge with the plethora of $20 words when a dime would do it, though I actually enjoyed the preponderance of the French words, including 17th century French idioms. Indeed, the look into 17th century monasteries and Catholic nuns practicing flagellation was a rather shocking eye-opener. Having felt the cool, quiet aura heavy with centuries of history in an old California mission, I can appreciate there could be many, and perhaps scandalous, stories if only they were saved posthumously and handed down for present-day dissemination. Putting historian Dory Ryan in Avignon, France, t... moreo study 17th century nuns ferrets out a mystery she can't ignore, especially when she finds beloved Sister Agatha murdered and planted with several overtly religious symbols begging to be answered. My problem was the segues back and forth with little notice, so that it took a moment to "catch up". Lots of characters, most fully described; somewhat more philosophizing than I appreciate so that for me those portions of text extended the book, but dragged the plot. This was a free BookBub downloaded for (Catholic) hubby.
review 2: This is an excellent, well-written book, defying definitive classification. It is engaging both as historical fiction and as a mystery tale with just a whiff of romance. But, it's greatest value is the author's genuine knowledge of Provence and the culture of that region. I can attest to her bona fide familiarity because, while living in Lyon for a number of years, I was often a visitor to Provence, including both Aix and Avignon. Yet, Ms. Elwood managed to give me information that I did not know, but found to be true when checking. I suspect that her knowledge of France is limited primarily to Provence, and she is honest enough to restrict her narrative and descriptions to that region. My only criticism of this book is that there is no sequel. I will hope for one at some time in the future and will be among the first to purchase it if one becomes available. Ms. Elwood and I share another common interest: we are both dog lovers, and I'm happy to note that there are other dog stories among her works, which I look forward to reading. less

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