Reviews
Four stars!
"..."La Caridad" works on two levels. First, it is a rollicking mystery
full of plot twists based on real events, interesting characters modeled
after historical figures and more than its share of red herrings, mostly
invented by Weinberg. Second, it's a scholarly re-creation of 18th century
Spain, from the dress to the architecture to the food, thoroughly researched
and seamlessly written. And let's just say that Weinberg knows her Inquisition
and her colonial Catholicism."
Reviewed by Steve Bennett, Book Editor for the San Antonio Express-News.
Four stars!
Ignaz Pfefferkorn, a Jesuit missionary from the Sonora Desert region in
what is now Mexico and Arizona where he served for eleven years, was swept
up in the Expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 and is being held because the
Spanish Crown believes Ignaz (Ygnacio) knows where "the gold of Sonora" is
hidden.
But Ignaz doesn't know of any gold and he is at once relieved and
mystified when he is sent to the monastery of Our Lady of La Caridad.
Although still a prisoner, he is treated like any one of the monks, he has
his own cell, but the door doesn't lock and he is given plenty to eat.
There are no beatings and no interrogations.
When one of the monks is murdered, thrown from the belltower, suspicion
falls on Ignaz as the newcomer. But Brother Gelasio was one of the few
friends Ignaz had made, why would he murder him? And who would want to
murder the soft spoken monk? And why is Father Leopoldo's sister so keen
to seduce Ignaz? Does she really like him as she says, or has her brother
put her up to it? And why?
It is obvious to Ingnaz and the abbot that the murderer had to be one of
the monks, but which one and why? Ignaz must find out who it is before the
murderer strikes again...
A well crafted mystery, unusually written in the first person, but in this
instance it works well. The reader becomes Ignaz, feels his worries, his
concerns over his imprisonment and suffers with him through his recurring
bouts of malaria.
The tension builds up gradually, hints are dropped early on as to why the
murders might occur, but twists and turns are revealed as the story
progresses. With vivid descriptions of the monastic life and Ignaz's work
in the gardens, which don't slow the action down, rather they show the
contrast of the life that is easily shattered by a murderer in their
midst.
Because the story is written from Ignaz's point of view, the reader
only knows what secrets are revealed when Ignaz discovers them, which is
excellent. I love mysteries where you have to figure out what is going on
at the same time as the protagonist. Leaves you guessing until the end.
With a wealth of historical detail and a plot that just gets twistier with
each page, the book is a welcome addition to the library of any mystery
fan.
Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Drowning Rapunzel and Shadows of the Rose for Twisted Tales.
The Storks of La Caridad soars with a suspenseful plot set in a fascinating sliver of history!
Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn is a Jesuit and a prisoner. While serving as a
missionary in the Sonora Desert region in northern Mexico, he was caught
in the Expulsion of all Jesuits in 1767. The author accurately explains
this unusual and political move, which in turn serves as the backdrop of
the book.
Although the Society of the Jesuits was suppressed by a decree from the
Pope, there were a lot of individual thoughts about this Order. While for
the most part, fellow clergy were suspicious of the Jesuits; there was
also a great deal of interest concerning the possibility of them keeping
secret the location of gold and silver mines in the Sonora Desert. There
was so much interest in fact, that the Crown imprisoned them to reveal
that secret.
Father Ygnacio endured eight years of prison and abuse, and was brought to
the Caridad Monastery in Spain to continue his incarceration. While there,
he becomes involved in a political battle, which leads to two murders. In
an ironic twist, the abbot enlists his help in solving these murders.
Readers will wonder if Ygnacio, the prisoner, can free the monastery of
the bonds of deceit that threaten its very existence.
Brilliantly written and thoroughly researched, this book explores the
complexities and contradictions of the Church during this time period.
While the religious orders seemed to operate in their own world, worldly
influences penetrate and propel them to actions that seem at odds with
their mission of living a holy and separate life. The political struggles
in the monastery ring with realism, as do the actions of the characters.
The age-old struggle between good and evil is evident, but the division
between the two is muddied by ulterior motives.
Solving the murders requires careful and thoughtful reading. The motive
for the murders is intriguingly hidden among misguided loyalties and
faulty thinking. In fact, this book is a stunning portrayal of contrasts.
From having murders in a monastery, to a prisoner setting them free with
the truth, readers will appreciate the disparity, as well as the clear and
logical flow of the story.
The Storks of La Caridad lets readers see above the pages of history to the persons who lived it.
Reviewed by Joyce Handzo for In the Library Reviews.
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