In my teenage years, Susan Howatch was an author who penned the kind of family sagas that my mother had a penchant for reading. Additionally, she also delved into the mystery genre. During that period, she must have been meticulously honing her writing skills, all in preparation for the Starbridge series on the Church of England, which stands as her finest work.

The Heartbreaker is the third installment in the St. Benet's trilogy. This trilogy followed the Starbridge series and has certain overlaps with it. These three books are more influenced by what I would term as supernatural spirituality. It is decidedly Christian, yet some readers, regardless of their religious affiliation, might feel discomfort when faced with discussions of demons and the like.

If you are able to handle such content, you may very well enjoy this trilogy to the same extent that I did. It would most likely be advisable to read the books in sequential order for a more comprehensive and immersive experience.

I am deeply in love with all of Susan Howatch's books - up to this point.

I devoured the Starbridge Series consisting of six books and adored each and every one of them. Additionally, I was captivated by the trilogy that includes this very book, The Heartbreaker. Her profound knowledge of theology and the Anglican church, and the seamless way she weaves it all together, truly fascinates me.

She is a gifted writer who manages to convey a message of redemptive healing in every book, yet not in a manner that would put off the reader. All of her books are set in a highly religious context, but they are beautifully non-religious in essence.

However, THIS book was the pièce de résistance. I don't wish to disclose the story, but the topic of this book is rather raw and, to be honest, offensive in certain parts. It is also very graphic.

Nevertheless, the story of redemption is so powerful that it makes all the cringing worthwhile if you are a person of deep conviction and faith. I still recommend it without hesitation.

Susan Howatch is an amazing writer who will tantalize you until the very end with a curiosity that compels you to keep turning those pages.

Her books are a literary delight that combines engaging stories with profound themes, making them a must-read for any lover of good literature.

This is the third installment of the trilogy that commenced with _The Wonder Worker_. Carta (previously known as "Carter") Graham is currently employed as a fund-raiser for the very same Guild Church. The eccentric priests of this church had provided her with assistance when her marriage disintegrated.

During the process of fund-raising, she encounters Gavin Blake. Gavin is a male prostitute who caters to gay businessmen during the working hours. His unhealthy dependence on his pimp, Mrs. Mayfield (yes, you can mention her), and his fear of her even more malicious colleague drive him to seek the same kind of healing that Carta has undergone. However, this act of reaching out is not without peril.

The story thus unfolds, with Carta and Gavin's lives intersecting in this complex web of emotions, challenges, and the search for redemption. Their paths are filled with uncertainties and potential pitfalls, but also with the glimmer of hope for a better future.

This is one of the St. Benet's trilogy series.

I have read all of Howatch's Starbridge novels and truly enjoyed them.

Not only on the plot level, but also regarding the theological issues she explores in great detail in each of these, now a total of 8 novels.

Her sensitive and knowledgeable approach to handling the deep and mysterious issues of faith, human suffering, and Christianity has had a profound impact on my life.

This particular novel transports the Church of England and the main protagonist, Rev. Nicholas Darrow, into the 1960s.

It delves into a wide range of themes such as sexual abuse, sexuality, prostitution, infidelity, divorce, repentance, forgiveness, healing, and wholeness.

It offers a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition within the context of the Church and society during that era.

The story likely unfolds with Darrow facing various challenges and moral dilemmas, as he navigates through these difficult themes.

Howatch's writing style is sure to draw readers in and keep them engaged as they follow Darrow's journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Overall, this novel is another captivating installment in Howatch's Starbridge series, offering a rich and rewarding reading experience.

This isn't the sort of book that I would typically pick up to read. However, Susan Howatch is truly an outstanding author.

This particular one is the third installment in her St Benet's trilogy and it centers around a male prostitute named Gavin.

The story is filled with suspense, and has a rather sleazy atmosphere (yet it never becomes overly and blatantly explicit). In some parts, it is horrific.

Despite my general aversion to this genre, for some reason, it manages to be both gripping and exciting.

Throughout a portion of the book, there is a low-key Christian theme that weaves its way through the narrative.

It's interesting to see how Howatch manages to combine these different elements to create a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Even though it may not be my usual cup of tea, I have to admit that I was drawn into the world she has created and found myself eager to see how the story would unfold.

Overall, it's a unique and somewhat unexpected read that showcases Howatch's talent as a writer.

This story contains triggers.

More than once I found myself extremely anxious.

The anticipation and uncertainty were overwhelming.

In a rare move for me, I did something I never usually do - I read ahead.

I needed to make sure that I could handle and deal with the outcome.

However, it was not an easy task to go through it.

The process of reading ahead and trying to come to terms with what might be was filled with its own set of challenges.

My heart was pounding, and my mind was racing with all the possible scenarios.

Despite the difficulty, I felt that I had to do it to prepare myself for whatever lay ahead.

But still, it was hard to go through this experience and face the unknown.

It made me realize how much we sometimes struggle with the anticipation and the fear of the outcome in our lives.

Good characters are truly valuable. They possess qualities that make them stand out and earn the respect and admiration of others. A person with good character is honest, kind, and reliable. They are always willing to help those in need and do the right thing, even when it is not easy.

However, it is important to note that having good character does not mean being perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and even the best of us can have moments of weakness. What sets good characters apart is their ability to learn from their mistakes and strive to become better.

Sometimes, in the pursuit of maintaining good character, one may come across as a little pedantic. This is because they are so focused on doing the right thing and following the rules that they may seem overly strict or inflexible. But this is a small price to pay for the many benefits that come with having good character.

In conclusion, good characters are an essential part of a healthy and harmonious society. We should all strive to develop and maintain good character, even if it means being a little pedantic at times.

Even though the setting for this novel was out of my comfort zone,

it presented a world that was unfamiliar and perhaps a bit intimidating. However, it was precisely in this foreign territory that the power of the gospel shone through in a most discomforting way.

And this discomfort is actually a good thing. It challenges us to step outside of our familiar beliefs and preconceptions and truly engage with the message of the gospel.

It forces us to confront our own limitations and biases and to see the world from a different perspective. Through this process of discomfort and growth, we are able to deepen our understanding of the gospel and its significance in our lives.

So, while the setting of the novel may have been initially off-putting, it ultimately served as a catalyst for a more profound encounter with the power of the gospel.

I used to be an ardent Susan Howatch fan. I adored "Penmarric" and "Cashelmara" and the other long family saga books she penned during that era. However, my interest waned when she delved into religious themes. I picked up this particular book because I was revisiting the plots of some of her older stories. I noticed that although it was the third in a series, it could be read independently.

The plot of a gay-for-pay prostitute who is redeemed (in part) by religion piqued my curiosity, so I decided to give it a try. I must confess that I was drawn into the story and finished it rather quickly. Nevertheless, there were some rather contrived points that seemed overly simplistic in certain aspects.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, but it wasn't among her finest works. I liked Gavin and the tough moll Susanne, but I wasn't as fond of Carta. Perhaps it was because she was very much a product of her time. I was, however, impressed by Nicholas and Lewis's refreshing views on helping through religion and healing the whole person. This was quite a surprise for someone like me, who is a very non-standard-religion follower.

The last of Howatch's clerical bonkbusters (tm) is truly a remarkable work. It functions like a relentless machine, churning out lurid turns and shocks that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. What makes this book truly stand out are its two strongest aspects. Firstly, there is a relentless focus on character. The author delves deep into the psyches of the characters, exploring their motives, desires, and inner conflicts. This makes the characters come alive on the page and adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

Secondly, the book takes a deep and serious look at the spiritual/psychological/philosophical themes at play. It doesn't shy away from exploring the big questions of life, such as the meaning of existence, the nature of good and evil, and the role of faith in a modern world. This gives the book a weight and significance that elevates it above a mere thriller or romance.

Overall, the book brings things to a close quite nicely. While the tone is sometimes a bit hit and miss, especially right at the beginning, once it hits its stride it just motors on relentlessly. It is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers, from those who enjoy a good mystery to those who are interested in exploring deeper themes.

This is my least favorite of Susan Howatch's series.

It seems that this particular installment takes a much deeper dive into some extremely dark and disturbing sexual sin.

The exploration of such themes can be quite uncomfortable and perhaps even off-putting for some readers.

Howatch's writing is usually engaging and thought-provoking, but in this case, the subject matter may overshadow other aspects of the story.

It's not that I'm opposed to exploring difficult or taboo topics in literature, but there is a fine line between doing so in a meaningful and respectful way and simply using them for shock value.

Perhaps in this instance, Howatch has crossed that line a bit too far for my taste.

Nonetheless, it's important to note that everyone's reading preferences are different, and what one person dislikes, another may find fascinating.

So while this may be my least favorite of her series, it may still have its own merits and appeal to a certain audience.

Self deception and sexual sin are recurring themes throughout all of Susan Howatch's books.

In none of them, however, are they combined as explicitly as they are in the story of Gavin. Gavin is a male prostitute who lives in a gilded cage, waiting for affluent men to come and be serviced. This is the final installment in the St Benets series of Christian novels, and Howatch allows her imagination to run wild, bringing the series to a thrilling conclusion.

There is a whole evil network at play here, with the malicious Mrs Mayfield making a disconcerting (yet welcome) reappearance. The other major theme in her books is rescue, and in "The Heartbreaker," this comes in the form of Carter Graham from "The High Flyer," the curmudgeonly homophobic Rev Lewis Hall, and to a lesser extent, the charismatic psychic Nick Darrow.

As entertaining as these books are, they also serve as the author's outré dissertation on the redemption that comes when we align ourselves with God's plan. Dastardly plots and theological sidepaths abound, but this series is addictive, and I highly recommend it to Christians or anyone else who enjoys exciting morality tales and engaging writing.