A London prostitute and down-and-out priest in rural England come together in this cozy mystery.
Under suspicion of abetting a robbery, London streetwalker Sylvia Smith doesn’t know where to turn. Frightened and alone, she arrives on the steps of St. Alban’s church, where she meets Father Christopher Fosberry, a priest consumed with self-doubt as he struggles to resurrect his dying church.
Together they set out to recover the stolen money, following a cryptic clue whispered to Sylvia by her client as he was taken into custody. They quickly find themselves drawn toward one another by a mutual sense of despair and a desire to help the other. But Sylvia soon discovers that the more she guides the priest, the deeper she drives a wedge between the man and the church.
Professional Reviews
A Delightful Mystery with a Message
When Sylvia's client is arrested for the theft of a large sum of money, he leaves Sylvia with a cryptic message. Away from home, and fresh from the police station, Sylvia is drawn to a church where she meets Father Christopher. She finds sanctuary there as she tries to find the answer to the message. Meanwhile, Father Christopher's church is struggling. He questions his future as a priest, and how he will ever rebuild his church to its former glory. Together, they both learn a little more about themselves in the process.
A novel of self-discovery and faith, The Book of Sylvia is a delightful mystery with a message. Sylvia, even as a prostitute, brings out Father Christopher's best, and Father Christopher provides just enough faith in Sylvia for her to move forward. Deftly written, it flows quickly toward a surprising finish. The flawed, but lovable characters, along with the true-to-life struggles they face in finding their place in the world, make this is beautiful story that refreshes and restores hope in the reader.
Surprise Packet
It is nice every now and then to come across a surprise great read. The unlikely pair of heroes are a delight, and so, so, human. The plot is again, unlikely, but provides a great framework for the priest and the prostitute. I really wanted to read this in one sitting, but had to wait. Great ending, and some gems of wisdom on the way.
Loved it!
Sylvia the prostitute and Father Christopher the priest take us on a mysterious journey through England. In the process, they learn things about each other and themselves. This is a fun mystery, as well as a beautiful story of self-discovery and friendship.
The characters are rich in development, easy to love and empathize with. The plot moves at a good pace, and the mystery kept me guessing all the way through to the end. There is no strong language or graphic scenes of any sort, which makes this perfect entertainment for all readers.
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