Idol Bones - Hardcover

Greenwood, D. M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312098294 ISBN 13: 9780312098292

Publisher: St Martins Pr, 1993

Synopsis

Reverend Theodora Braithwaite "has the potential to grow into [a Father Dowling]" says the Washington Times of England's divinely clever amateur sleuth, who arrives at the rural cathedral of Bow St. Aelfric to find it a maelstrom of petty clerical politics. The parish has a history of nasty clashes between the townspeople and the clergy, and with an unpleasant new dean assuming control of the cathedral, the age-old feud is poised to re-ignite.
The spark comes in the form of a statue - an ancient pagan idol unearthed on church property. With a face on both the front and the back of his head, Janus is the Roman god of gateways, of beginnings and ends. His sudden appearance marks the reawakening of the town's interest in paganism, and proves the end of Dean Vincent Stream, who is murdered at the idol's feet. It falls to Theodora to discover who would offer such a sacrifice, and the canny sleuth is more inclined to look for enemies of the unpopular dean than for pagan worshippers gone awry.
Unfortunately, the dean's enemies are many, and Theodora finds herself confronted with a Canon of questionable sanity, squatters with revenge on their minds, and an anonymous journalist whose poison pen draws blood with every word. With the future of both town and church depending on her success, the Reverend races to find out whose grudge has led to such violence - before it erupts again.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Vincent Stream sees his appointment as Dean of Bow St Aelfric Cathedral as a gift from God. His predecessor has left the affairs of the cathedral in a shambles and here, Stream perceives, there is a name to be made. Erica Millhaven, the residentiary canon, and Deacon Theodora Braithwaite's supervisor during her secondment to Bow, agrees that new blood is needed in the diocese. But the stubbornness of the cathedral clergy is legendary and they are unlikely to hand their individual trophies over without a fight - especially to one such as Stream. However, it soon seems as if the violence of the clergy's divisions may have reached hitherto unprecedented levels - and that the sacrifice has indeed been made...

About the Author

DM Greenwood has worked for fourteen years in the Diocese of Rochester as an ecclesiastical civil servant. Her first degree was in Classics at Oxford and as a mature student she took a second degree in Theology at London University. She has also taught at a number of schools including St Paul's Girls' in London. She lives overlooking the Thames in Greenwich with her lurcher bitch.

About this edition

• Publisher: St Martins Pr
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0312098294
• ISBN 13: 9780312098292
• Binding: Hardcover