From Publishers Weekly
A crudely written letter accuses recently widowed British parson Rev. Maurice Lambkin of driving his wife to the grave by having an affair with his married female assistant. When Canterbury lay church official Richard Harrison is dragged in to investigate the truthfulness of the letter, he stumbles upon the corpses of Lambkin and his 20-something son, Jonathan. Though an inquest rules that the notoriously decadent Jonathan killed his father in a rage before committing suicide, Harrison isn't convinced and, assisted by his wife, probes for the real motive behind the deaths. A complicated exploration of the diocese's administration and its frustrated parishioners ensues. Anthony's detailed, almost baroque descriptions of the damp British countryside purposely evoke images of gothic England, while a local school's production of Marlowe's 16th-century play Dr. Faustus gives the author ample opportunity to draw parallels between contemporary events and that famous drama of the conflict between mortal prestige and eternal salvation. Although Anthony's writing can get bogged down with elaborate allusions, he manages to present an eerie, satisfying mystery, embroidered with much fascinating clerical detail, in this thickly plotted addition to his Church-of-England mystery series (Dark Provenance, etc.).
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Received via BookRelay.com with two lovely handmade booksmarks as well!! Thank so much, the book looks really good.

25 March 2005
Really enjoyed the book and especially all the details about life in England today. Would definitely like to read more from this author.

RELEASE NOTES:

Thought you might enjoy this mystery as well.

Terrific. I just received this as a "random act of bookcrossing kindness" (RABCK) from jen! That was super nice of you, jen.

I know at least two mystery-reading people who would like to read it. I'll start with my mom.

RELEASE NOTE: My mom returned this to me today. She read it and described it as characteristically British and "a delight." Now it is planned for release somewhere in or near Everglades Natl Park this afternoon

This book was rescued from two crows who were having thier way with it. The book was resting with a fine view of Florida Bay deep within the heart of Everglades National Park when the two beaked hoodlums started pecking and clawing at it. A friend of mine picked it up and was surprised at what was found. Nobody near had heard of bookcrossings, including myself. I started reading last night after it's rescue a day or two ago. My future plans assure some mileage for the book.

Not a bad read. My wife is much more into literature about England than me, but I would still recommend it to most anyone. The whole time reading it I was distracted by thinking about coming across it in the first place. It was my first find and introduction to bookcrossing. Wonderful idea and truly a thoughtful way to utilize the internet.

THIS BOOK WAS RELEASED JULY 22, 2005 WITHIN MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK, KY.

Just found this morning as I was getting ready to go into Mammoth Cave and do some research. First time I've ever heard of this practice of exchanging books, but it sounds like fun.

CAUGHT IN MAMMOTH CAVE KENTUCKY USA