An All-Consuming Fire
Read An All-Consuming Fire Online
Authors: Donna Fletcher Crow
An All-Consuming Fire
Book 5: The Monastery Murders
Donna Fletcher Crow
Copyright © 2015 by Donna Fletcher Crow
All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Verity Press an imprint of Publications Marketing, Inc.
Box 972
Boise, Idaho
83704
ISBN: 978-0-578-17166-1
Cover design by Ken Raney
Layout design by booknook.biz
This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or used fictitiously.
Published in the United States of America
Praise for the Monastery Murders
Felicity and Antony’s Adventures
A Very Private Grave
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. All this with a cinematic skill.
A thrilling amateur investigation follows in which the northern landscape and modern liturgical goings on play a large part. The centuries between us and the world of Lindisfarne and Whitby collapse and we are in the timeless zone of greed and goodness.—
Ronald Blythe,
The Word from Wormingford
With a bludgeoned body in Chapter 1, and a pair of intrepid amateur sleuths,
A Very Private Grave
qualifies as a traditional mystery. But this is no mere formulaic whodunit: it is a Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller. At its centre is a sweeping, page-turning quest – in the steps of St Cuthbert – through the atmospherically-depicted North of England, served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. In this novel, Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries.—
Kate Charles,
False Tongues, A Callie Anson Mystery
A Darkly Hidden Truth
In
A Darkly Hidden Truth
, Donna Fletcher Crow creates a world in which the events of past centuries echo down present-day hallways—I came away from the book feeling as though I’d been someplace both ancient and new. Donna Fletcher Crow gives us, in three extremely persuasive dimensions, the world that Dan Brown merely sketches.
—
Timothy Hallinan,
The Queen of Patpong,
Edgar-nominated Best Novel.
With
A Darkly Hidden Truth
Crow establishes herself as the leading practitioner of modern mystery entwined with historical fiction. The historical sections are much superior to
The Da Vinci Code
because she doesn’t merely recite the facts; she makes the events come alive by telling them through the eyes of participants. The contemporary story is skillfully character-driven, suspended between the deliberate and reflective life of religious orders in the UK and Felicity’s “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead” American impetuousness.
Her descriptions of the English characters read like an updated and edgy version of Barbara Pym.
A Darkly Hidden Truth
weaves ancient puzzles and modern murder with a savvy but sometimes unwary protagonist into a seamless story. You won’t need a bookmark—you’ll read it in a single sitting despite other plans.—
Mike Orenduff, 2011 Lefty Award Winner,
The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein
An Unholy Communion
A truly great mystery that had me guessing throughout the entire book. It was full of twists and turns and I learned a great deal of new information about the occult and spiritual warfare as well. The author most definitely did a lot of research and, although this book is a work of fiction, has included much fact so that it is not only a fun read but also a learning experience.—
Alicia,
“Through My I’s”
Erie feelings, strange happenings, premonitions and unexpected occurrences mark the many events depicted within this well researched, documented and crafted novel. When all of the clues, the pieces and the final reveal come together you will not believe who is behind everything.—
“Fran Lewis’s Book Reviews”
Ingeniously plotted by a master of contemporary suspense,
An Unholy Communion
weaves Great Britain’s holy places and history with an intricate mystery that will keep readers guessing to the very end. An exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters as well as life in England. A wonderful series.—
“Vic’s Media Room”
A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary
Skillfully builds tension from one peril to another, leading to a thrilling climax and satisfying denouement. But more than just a mystery, Crow weaves in rich and colorful details of English church and political history.—
Donn Taylor,
Lightning on a Quiet Night
If you like
Midsomer Murders
,
A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary
will be a comfortable read to sink into. Especially for the reader who loves centuries of English history. Perfect to read while on your vacation flight to the UK.—
Mary E. Gallagher,
Gallagher’s Travels
A thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to its suspenseful end. I could barely put the book down.—
Janelle Watkins,
The SceneinTO
A worthy addition to
The Monastery Murder Series.
Highly recommended.—
Jeff Reynolds,
Sleuths and Suspects
A really enjoyable, fast-read. It’s obvious the author really knows her stuff. Great book.—
Dolores Gordon-Smith,
The Jack Haldean Mysteries
Thus with fire untrowed and thirling flame
the soul of a lover is burned.
It gladdens all things and heavenlike sparkles.
Richard Rolle
Almighty and most merciful God,
kindle within us the fire of love,
that by its cleansing flame
we may be purged of all our sins
and made worthy to worship You
in spirit and in truth; through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
1300(?)-1349 Richard Rolle
1340(?)-1396 Walter Hilton
Late 14th century
The Cloud of Unknowing
written
Felicity Margaret Howard—Ordinand, Community of the Transfiguration
Father Antony Stuart Sherwood—Church History lecturer, Community of the Transfiguration
Family members:
Cynthia Howard—Felicity’s mother
Andrew Howard—Felicity’s father
Jeff Howard—Felicity’s older brother
Charlie Howard—Felicity’s brother
Judy Howard—his wife
Gwendolyn Sherwood—Antony’s sister
Film crew members:
Harry Forslund—Director
Sylvia Mountbank—Producer
Joy Wilkins—Presenter
Fred Deluca—Main Camera
Lenny Taylor—Lights, gaffer
Tara Gilbert—Make-up
Simon—Best Boy electric
Pete Petrosky—Python wrangler
Mike—Grip
Savannah—Best boy grip
Gill—Caterer
Film Resource:
Father Paulinus—Ampleforth monk
Sir Royce Emmett—Royal Academician
Monica—Pickering castle guide
Father Peter—Hampole priest
Father Theobald—Ampleforth archivist
Dr. Samuel Dedinder—Psychologist
From College of the Transfiguration and local community:
Father Anselm—Superior of the Community of the Transfiguration
Corin Alnderby—Ordinand
Stanton Alnderby—Corin’s father
Elsa Alnderby—Corin’s mother
Nick Cooper—Ordinand
Kendra—Youth worker at St. James Centre
Alfred—Assistant groundsman at Community of the Transfiguration
Melissa Egbert—Journalist
Father Douglas—Vicar, St. Saviour’s
Father Sylvester—Sponsor, St. James Centre
Police:
Sergeant Mark Silsden—West Yorkshire Police
Inspector Tracy Birkinshaw—North Yorkshire Police
Police Constable Leonard Craig—Helmsley Beat Manager, North Yorkshire Police
Detective Inspector Nosterfield—West Yorkshire Police, Huddersfield
Police Constable Wendy Smith—West Yorkshire Police, Huddersfield
Sergeant Scott—Nottinghamshire Police, Southwell and villages
Police Constable Perry Crawford—Nottinghamshire Police, Southwell and villages
Youth from St. James Centre:
Flora—Mary
Joaquin—Joseph
Syd—Melchior
Dylan—Caspar
Shaun—Baltasar
Tanya—Narrator
Balram—Narrator
Habib—in choir
Aisha—his sister
Drue—Flora’s little brother
Ralph—Shepherd
Eddy—Shepherd
Babs—Angel
C. 1320
Near Thornton-le-Dale, Yorkshire
A
puzzled line furrowed Joan’s brow as she thought over her brother’s written instructions to her yesterday. Richard wanted her to give him two of her tunics? She was to bring them to him at the little wood near their house? This made no sense. Of course Richard, her adored brother, could have her tunics. It meant sacrifice for the daughter of a family with straitened means, but she would gladly give him anything in her possession. But whatever could he want them for? And why must she take them to him so mysteriously in the wood? Why didn’t he just walk in and take them himself?
Richard had always been her favorite brother, and she his favorite sister, he had said so many times. She had been so proud when, at the age of 13, Richard had been sponsored by Master Thomas de Neville to be educated at Oxford University. Of course, she missed him dreadfully during his absences, but there were always the long vacations to be looked forward to. And now here he was, home for a full two months before he returned to Oxford for his final year.
And then, who knew what great position the world would hold for one with such an education and such a patron? Perhaps an administrator for one of Master Neville’s various properties, or perhaps a church position in one of the livings of his patron who was the Lord of Raby? Or politics—a fine position at court… The possibilities were unlimited for one so brilliant and handsome as her brother.
Joan turned to the heavy wooden chest at the foot of her bed and began removing her tunics. The green one was her finest, but Richard’s note had been specific: one white and one grey. Pity the grey one was a bit frayed around the hem, but if Richard meant to give it to some poor woman living in the woods—and that was doubtless the answer to the puzzle—then it would make little difference, or she could offer to hem it for her herself. Yes, she had best take her sewing kit with her just in case. Still shaking her head over her brother’s whim, Joan gathered her bundle into her arms.