Deeper than I expected,

and definitely more Christian-inflected than I thought I would get from a Provincetown Little Library.

However, it is really well paced and interesting.

It also raises lots of good questions about life.

The story takes the reader on a journey that delves into the deeper aspects of human nature and belief.

The Christian influence adds an extra layer of complexity and thought-provoking ideas.

Despite my initial expectations, I found myself thoroughly engaged in the narrative.

The pacing keeps the story moving along at a good clip, never allowing the reader to lose interest.

And the questions it raises about life are ones that many of us have pondered at some point.

Overall, it was a pleasant surprise and a worthwhile read.

I jumped ship after approximately 100 pages. The reason was that the book was extremely poorly edited.

Moreover, after reading the other reviews which pointed out the religious nature of the remaining part of the book, I am truly glad that I made the decision to give up.

The bad editing made it a struggle to get through those initial pages, with numerous errors and a lack of coherence.

And learning about the religious content that awaited further on made me realize that it wasn't going to be a book that would suit my interests.

It's always a pity to abandon a book, but sometimes it's the best choice, especially when faced with such issues as bad editing and a subject matter that doesn't align with one's preferences.

Thankfully, there are countless other books out there that are better written and more engaging, waiting to be discovered.

So, I'm moving on and looking forward to finding my next great read.

She is an extremely talented writer when it comes to character development.

Not only does she excel in creating well-rounded and complex characters within a single book, but she also manages to maintain a remarkable consistency in their psychological traits and growth from one book to another in her series.

This ability to develop characters in a coherent and engaging manner is truly fascinating.

Readers are drawn into the characters' lives and emotions, and as they progress through the series, they can observe the characters evolving in a way that feels natural and believable.

Her attention to detail in character development adds depth and richness to her stories, making them a joy to read and explore.

Whether it's the protagonist or the supporting characters, each one is carefully crafted and brought to life, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, her skills in character development are a major strength of her writing and contribute significantly to the success of her series.

The book I just finished reading was truly a disappointment.

It was so badly written that it felt like a chore to get through each page.

The story lacked any real depth or excitement, and it was just plain boring, boring, boring.

I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to continue reading.

In fact, this is the worst book I have read in a long time.

I had high hopes for it, but it failed to deliver on every level.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, unless they are looking for a cure for insomnia.

It's a real shame, as there are so many great books out there that are well-written and engaging.

This one, unfortunately, is not among them.

I have delved into other literary works penned by this author and found great pleasure in them, namely "Glittering Images" and "Absolute Truths". However, this particular one had me throwing in the towel just 50 pages in.

It is crafted in the first person, and right from the get-go, it becomes abundantly clear to me that we are not meant to hold any fondness or regard for the values and intellect of the main character. Howatch seems to be steering this book in a direction that I have no inclination to pursue. Her protagonist is flippant, cold-hearted, and militantly atheistic. All she concerns herself with is her own image and attaining the things she desires. It is blatantly evident that she is bound for some sort of enlightenment.

Just the thought of it makes me want to gag. It's as if the character's flaws are so glaring and off-putting that I simply cannot bring myself to invest any more time or energy into following her journey.

I had such high hopes for this book, especially given my previous positive experiences with the author's other works. But alas, it seems this one has missed the mark for me.

I can think of all kinds of critiques for the wordy, pretentious potboilers that make up the Starbridge and St. Benets series.

However, I also find myself reading them over and over again. Once I start, I simply can't put them down.

I even try to convince my friends to read them. Most recently, I succeeded in persuading my daughter to read this one.

Susan Howatch brings a manic sincerity and winning complexity to these stories. They create a unique recipe and succeed as a whole.

In this episode, the high-flying lawyer, Cartriona (Carter) Graham, is achieving success in her life plan. Like all of Howatch's protagonists, her high flight is merely a setup for the eventual fall. (And the possibility of this being literal is quite real here.)

In Howatch's universe, worldly things are acceptable as long as they are accompanied by an attentiveness to God's divinity. Most of the wealthy in her books are indifferent to their wealth and focused on God's plan.

The High Flyer introduces us to the most chilling of antagonists, the deeply malign Mrs Elizabeth Mayfield. She is worth the price of admission alone and perhaps the scariest character in all her fiction.

Adding the usual cast of priests, spouses, acolytes, and even a ghost, the tragic heart of the story revolves around Carter and her marriage to the mysterious Kim Betz.

This book is worth reading late at night with Bovril or Scotch.

Absolutely riveting!

You are completely mesmerised by the very real sense of evil that pervades the book.

The author has masterfully crafted a story that delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, presenting a world where malevolence lurks around every corner.

From the first page, you are drawn into a web of mystery and dread, unable to look away as the characters face the terrifying forces that seek to consume them.

The detailed descriptions and vivid imagery bring the story to life, making you feel as if you are right there in the midst of the action.

As you turn each page, your heart races and your mind is filled with a sense of anticipation and fear.

This book is not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to venture into the realm of the macabre, it is an unforgettable experience.

I'm completely hooked. I've delved into two of her books and thoroughly enjoyed both of them.

She appears to have a distinct system. Her stories often involve a gripping and gritty mystery that is intertwined with lots of sex, which is then followed by an extensive period of spiritual therapy. Eventually, everything gets figured out. She also has some common themes that run through her works. So now, I simply have to read another one to see if this pattern continues.

I don't necessarily agree with every single aspect of her theology, but I truly appreciate the main theme of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.

The discussion about the cathedral was a great thought. It was described as "overpowering in its magnificence, and for a moment, as I glimpsed ahead the huge mosaic showing Christ as ruler of the world, I wondered what the carpenter from Nazareth would have thought of such lavish grandeur. But I did not wonder for long. I knew now that the Cathedral was representing the richness of life, and I knew too that in the heart of that life Christ would be there... triumphing...". This really resonated with me as I have grappled with the thoughts of the God of the OT temple, Jesus, heaven, and what the church should be like in today's world.

This particular piece truly held my attention from the start. However, there were significant portions of it where different characters were simply making long speeches about their individual theological perspectives on a variety of matters. It really felt like those scenes were similar to the ones with John Galt in Atlas Shrugged. I just wanted to shout, "Come on, Susan, just get on with the story already!" It's not that the speeches themselves were completely worthless. There were some interesting ideas and insights within them. But, they did tend to go on and on, becoming rather tedious after a while.

At the beginning, I didn't have a favorable impression of the main character, who was also the narrator. She seemed a bit unlikable or perhaps just not very engaging. But as the story progressed, something changed. She gradually grew on me. I started to understand her better, to see the depth and complexity of her character. Maybe it was her experiences or the way she interacted with the other characters that made me warm up to her. In any case, by the end, I found myself actually caring about what happened to her.

Overall, despite the drawbacks of the overly long speeches, this piece had its merits and managed to keep me interested until the very end.

Still reading. I remember when this piece was first published, I gave it a try. However, at that time, I didn't have a liking for it. Maybe it was because my mindset was different then, or perhaps I didn't fully understand its essence. But now, as I continue to read, something has changed. I find myself drawn into the story, the words captivating my attention. It's as if a new perspective has opened up for me. I'm beginning to appreciate the nuances, the emotions that are being conveyed. It just goes to show that our tastes can evolve over time. What we didn't like before might become something we cherish later. And that's the beauty of literature, it has the power to surprise us and make us see things in a whole new light.

This is a disappointingly brief piece. It simply states that the read was disappointing and provides a link for a more detailed review. However, it fails to offer any specific reasons or insights as to why the read was disappointing.

It would have been more engaging if the author had elaborated on their thoughts and feelings about the book or whatever it was they were reviewing. For example, they could have mentioned aspects such as the plot, characters, writing style, or overall theme that did not meet their expectations.

By simply providing a link and a one-sentence description, the reader is left with little incentive to click through and read the more detailed review. A more comprehensive and thought-provoking introduction would have been more likely to吸引 the reader's attention and encourage them to explore further.

Overall, while the link may lead to a more in-depth review, the initial presentation here is lacking and fails to make a strong impression.

This is the second installment of the St. Benet trilogy, a series that I find myself rereading approximately every 3 - 5 years. St. Benet's is an Anglican church located in London. What makes it truly unique is that it not only has priests who engage in traditional healing and deliverance practices but also employs psychologists on its staff. This combination creates a very compelling and interesting dynamic within the church, filled with plenty of ecclesial drama.

In this particular book, Carter, a highly successful and driven lawyer, experiences profound changes as a result of her husband's involvement with the occult. Just like all the other books in this trilogy, as well as in Howatch's Starbridge series, this book has a captivating quality that makes it extremely difficult to put down. It masterfully blends drama with philosophy, creating a rich and engaging reading experience that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of religious literature, psychological dramas, or simply enjoy a well-written story, this book is sure to satisfy. It offers a unique perspective on faith, marriage, and the power of the occult, all wrapped up in a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you entertained and make you think, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.