Probably my favourite of the Starbridge/St Benet's novels is a truly remarkable piece of literature.

It takes the reader on a captivating journey through the lives and experiences of the characters in the fictional town of Starbridge or the institution of St Benet's.

The story is filled with richly developed characters, each with their own unique personalities, dreams, and flaws.

The author's vivid descriptions bring the settings to life, making it easy for the reader to imagine themselves in the midst of the action.

The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

Whether it's the exploration of love, loss, friendship, or the pursuit of truth and justice, this novel has something for everyone.

It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys a well-written and thought-provoking story.

Overall, it is a literary gem that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

I have been a devoted fan of Susan Howatch ever since I delved into her captivating Gothic novels, Penmarric and Cashelmara, many years ago.

However, it was her Starbridge series, which focuses on the members of the Anglican clergy, that truly captured my heart.

In High Flyer, the second installment of the St. Benet's series, Howatch masterfully portrays characters who are buffeted by the forces of an ultra-competitive and agnostic society, a society that is in desperate need of spiritual healing.

The vivid descriptions and complex characterizations in this book make it a truly engaging read.

I am absolutely determined to read the other books in this series, namely The Wonder Worker (#1) and The Heartbreaker (#3).

I am confident that they will continue to offer the same level of depth, intrigue, and spiritual exploration that I have come to expect from Howatch's work.

I can't wait to immerse myself in the world of the Starbridge series once again and discover the further adventures and struggles of its fascinating characters.

The character Carter:

"I waited, my entire being completely focused on willing Tucker to live. During that intense moment, I had a profound experience. I felt as if our minds were flowing into one another, and I became aware that beyond all the fragmentation and chaos in the world, there was an immense and indestructible unity. It was at that precise moment that I realized the unwavering focus on Tucker was actually a form of prayer. It was as if, within the mansion of my consciousness, I had accidentally stumbled into a vast hall that connected every single room in the house. And right in the center of that hall, there was this white-hot core of energy. This core seized hold of my agonized thought patterns and, with a single, powerful burst of light, it transformed them into an irresistible force."

Carter Graham, the high flyer, is a highly successful corporate attorney.

She views London through the telescope in her luxurious high-rise apartment, seeing the city in a unique and detached way.

She marries a man whom she believes perfectly fits her meticulously crafted life plan. However, she soon discovers that there are many unsettling surprises in store for her.

This book not only tells an engaging story but also raises several worthy questions that make the reader think deeply.

After reading this, I am now extremely eager to explore her other St. Benet books.

I am curious to see what other fascinating stories and thought-provoking ideas she has in store for her readers.

I believe that her other works will also offer a unique perspective on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.

I can't wait to embark on this new literary journey and discover more about the world created by Carter Graham.

Carter Graham is a highly successful and ambitious city lawyer.

She firmly believes that by strictly adhering to her meticulously crafted 'life plan', she will ultimately attain true happiness.

This is the central premise of a thrilling and suspenseful book that is filled with several shocking moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, with non-stop action and adventure that will leave readers breathless.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world, populated with complex and well-developed characters.

The book is not just a simple tale of good vs evil, but also delves into the realms of psychology and spirituality, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, action-packed, and thought-provoking book.

This was truly a hard read. The content was complex and perhaps a bit overwhelming at times. However, as I persevered through the pages, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had a positive ending.

The journey of reading this piece was not an easy one. There were moments when I had to stop and think deeply about what was being said. But in the end, it was all worth it.

The positive ending brought a sense of relief and satisfaction. It made me realize that even in the face of difficulties and challenges, there is always hope for a better outcome.

Overall, this hard read with its positive ending was a valuable experience. It taught me the importance of perseverance and the rewards that come with it. I will definitely remember this piece and the lessons it has taught me.

Intense.

This is the word that comes to my mind after reading this book. The concept of human fallibility is truly a complex and profound subject.

It makes me realize how easily we can make mistakes and how difficult it is to avoid them.

There are so many factors that contribute to our fallibility, such as our emotions, biases, and limited knowledge.

I probably need to read this book again to fully understand its implications.

It has opened my eyes to the many ways in which we are all prone to error.

By recognizing our fallibility, perhaps we can become more humble and less judgmental of others.

We can also strive to improve ourselves and make better decisions in the future.

Overall, this book has been a thought-provoking and eye-opening experience for me.

This is the most ludicrous and unbelievable plot.

It seems to be a concoction of the wildest imagination, yet as one delves into the story, it becomes impossible to stop and truly acknowledge its absurdity.

The events unfold in a way that defies all logic and常理.

Characters behave in the most unexpected and outlandish manners, and the situations they find themselves in are simply mind-boggling.

But despite all this, there is a strange allure to the narrative that keeps the reader hooked.

Perhaps it is the very outrageousness of the plot that makes it so captivating, or maybe it is the author's skill in presenting it in such a seamless and engaging way.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that this is a story that will leave a lasting impression on the reader, long after the final page has been turned.

At first, I found it rather difficult to get into this book. The beginning seemed a little slow-paced, which made it a bit of a struggle for me to engage.

However, as I continued reading, the story gradually picked up momentum, and I started to develop a real liking for the main character. Her complex relationship with her husband was a captivating aspect of the plot. Trying to figure out what exactly was amiss in their relationship added an element of mystery and intrigue that kept me turning the pages.

Nevertheless, I must admit that the only thing that didn't quite sit well with me was the extensive amount of religious or god-related discussions. Page after page was dedicated to these topics, which at times felt a bit overwhelming and detracted from the overall flow of the story for me.

Despite this one drawback, I still found the book to be an engaging read, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery.

I rate this book with 4 stars mainly because it is near the conclusion of a long series of novels written by Susan Howatch. Most of the books in this series, if it were feasible, would merit ten stars.

It is not the finest in the series, yet it occupies a particular place in my heart. After reading all the others and being aware that this volume was published a few years earlier, the man I happened to relieve in Iraq in 2004 had it and had just completed reading it. He left it with me, and it served as a source of comfort during a very dark period of my life.

However, for anyone desiring to read this, it is advisable to commence from the beginning of the Starbridge Series and progress towards the end. This way, they can fully appreciate the development and evolution of the characters and the storylines throughout the series. Each book builds upon the previous ones, creating a rich and immersive fictional world that is truly captivating.

I often commence these melodramas or potboilers or clerical bonkbusters (tm) with a rather skeptical attitude. And this particular one indeed required a few pages to truly get going. ("Definitely, a harsh three stars for me at the end of this one. Definitely.") However, just like all the others, this is a substantial book that simply keeps chugging along without any letup. It contains the usual blend of theology, philosophy, and psychology, all neatly packaged within the perspectives of captivating individuals. Additionally, the storyline is delightfully lurid, which adds to its allure. The villainy in this book is also top-notch, further enhancing the overall reading experience. It's a book that manages to hold your attention from start to finish, despite the initial skepticism.

My boyfriend picked this up for me in a charity shop.

He thought it was about someone in a cult, and initially, I was a bit skeptical. Nevertheless, as I delved into it, I found it quite interesting.

Living in London in 2022, it was really cool to read about London and its culture back in 1990. It prompted me to have a conversation with my parents about how much had changed. For example, being able to drive to Surrey in under an hour now was unthinkable back then.

I found the characters really believable. Their actions and reactions felt genuine, although the dialogue in some parts seemed a little forced. I also liked how the author presented a balanced view on every individual. There was a consideration given to what they had gone through in their childhoods that might have caused their current problems.

However, I do think the book was quite bloated. There was some repetition in certain events and the writing style. By the end, I did get the sense that this particular brand of Christianity was being advertised to me.

Overall, though, I enjoyed the book. It was super immersive, despite being extremely strange at times. It took me on a journey through a different era and made me think about the changes that have occurred over the years.