For most of us in the US, Halloween means costumes and treats. It is a time for trick or treating, eating candy, watching scary movies, telling frightening stories and other forms of entertainment for kids. We likely don't think much about Halloween's connection to the Christian tradition. The word "Halloween" is a contraction of "Hallows even" or "Hallows evening". It is observed on October 31st, the eve of the feast of All Hallows Day, now known as All Saints’ Day, which precedes All Souls' Day on November 2nd, both Christian Holy Days.
Halloween candy and trick-or-treating are fine for children, but what about the rest of us? Grownups who might wish to treat themselves may want to celebrate Halloween by reading 'A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary', book 4 in the acclaimed Monastery Murders series. Award winning author Donna Fletcher Crow has managed to combine the Christian Holy Days of All Saints Day, All Souls Day and a finely crafted murder mystery into another meticulously researched novel in which murder stalks the shadows of Oxford's hallowed shrines.
In spite of Antony's warning her not to get into trouble when she sets off to do a spot of translating in an Oxford convent, Felicity just can't seem to avoid danger. But it's hardly Felicity's fault that severed body parts start showing up in ancient holy reliquaries. Or that Felicity and one of the nuns is assaulted. Could the Medieval Latin document Felicity is translating for the sisters have anything to do with the repeated attacks?
When Antony arrives in Oxford with a group of students he is cool to the news that Felicity has forged an uneasy friendship with his sister Gwen, whom he hasn't seen for years. And any family reconciliation is further complicated by Antony's obligation to rush to the bedside of his dying uncle in Blackpool.
The exultation of All Saints' Day plunges to the anguish of grief on All Souls' when Felicity encounters yet another body. Who will be the next victim of the murderer stalking the shadows of Oxford's hallowed shrines?
Crow says, “Oxford has always been one of my favorite settings, both for its history and its atmosphere. This book was especially important to be because I was able to incorporate so many of my daughter’s experiences at Oxford—such as climbing to the roof of Keble College Chapel to muffle their bells for All Souls’ Day. I later had my own lesson from the Oxford University Society of Change Ringers so that my portrayal of the muffled bells—which play such an important part in this story—could be absolutely accurate.
“Such authenticity is vital to me,” she adds. “For example, I have just completed a trans-Canada journey on the train which will form the background of my next Monastery Murder. I am currently blogging on the experience at DonnaFletcherCrow.com. I invite readers to look in and join the adventure vicariously.”
Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 45 books, mostly novels of British history. The award-winning 'Glastonbury' is her best-known work, which received the prestigious First Place, Historical Novel, award from the National Federation of Press Women. Readers and reviewers have raved about 'Glastonbury', calling it "The best of its kind," "richly fascinating," "beautifully researched,", "gloriously evocative," and "panoramic." One Amazon reader said, "WHAT a work! Every reader can be enveloped in the sheer scope and quality, every historian be constantly nodding at the precise detail and accuracy, and every Christian can rejoice in the fullness of scripture. For me it is simply beyond descriptive praise. I would urge all who value truth to treat themselves to a feast."
The entire Monastery Murder Series features atmospheric contemporary crimes with their roots buried deep in the middle ages. Books in the series include 'A Very Private Grave', 'A Darkly Hidden Truth', 'An Unholy Communion', 'A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary' and 'An All-Consuming Fire'.
The Daughters of Courage, 'Kathryn', 'Elizabeth' and 'Stephanie' is a pioneer family saga based on the stories of Crow's own family and other Idaho pioneers in the Kuna, Nampa and Boise area. Her current short story “A Nostalgic Fourth of July” is based on a scene from ‘Kathryn: Days of Loss and Hope'.
The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries is a literary suspense series using literary figures as background: Rudyard Kipling in 'The Flame Ignites', Dorothy L Sayers in 'The Shadow of Reality', Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare', and Jane Austen in both 'A Jane Austen Encounter' and 'A Most Singular Venture'. Watch for 'A Prodigious Sum of Corpses: Seeking Sanditon at Jane Austen’s Seashore', which will take the reader to the sites featured in Donna’s current blog series, following the steps of a murderer.
The Lord Danvers Victorian true-crime series is an Amazon bestseller in the British Detectives category. Books in the series include 'A Lethal Spectre', 'A Most Inconvenient Death', 'Grave Matters', 'To Dust You Shall Return' and 'A Tincture of Murder'. Donna provides a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder' for those who sign up for her newsletter. More information is available at her website.
Where There is Love, a 6-book series of the enduring legacy of love and faith, featuring historic people and events of the 18th and 19th centuries. Where Love Begins, book 1, has just been released in print for the first time. It is the story of Catherine Peronnet whose world is in tatters. Charles Wesley is engaged to another, her brother beaten by an angry mob, and her favorite pupil forced to leave school. Catherine endures the terrors of a circuit-ride, a threatened French invasion and the Great London Earthquake before finding happiness. Other titles in the series are: Where Love Illumines, Where Love Triumphs, Where Love Restores, Where Love Shines, and Where Love Calls.
Donna Fletcher Crow's work has received a number of high-level industry honors. These include:
Where Love Begins, Best Historical Romance, Pinnacle Awards 2019
A Lethal Spectre, Best Mystery, Pinnacle Awards, 2019
Glastonbury, First Place, Historical Fiction, National Federation of Press Women Award of Merit
The Banks of the Boyne, Silver Angel; First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
The Fields of Bannockburn, First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
Professional Achievement Award, Northwest Nazarene College
Juvenile Books Award of Merit, Idaho Press Women
Top Idaho Author
Pacesetter Award, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Outstanding Historical Fiction, Idaho Press Women, National Federation of Press Women,
Idaho Writer of the Year
Best Inspirational Novel, Finalist Romance Writers of America
Writer of the Year, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Donna is available for media interviews and can be reached by email at donna@donnafletchercrow.com. All of her books are available at online book retailers. More information, including a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder', is available at her website at https://www.donnafletchercrow.com.
About Donna Fletcher Crow:
Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren living on 3 continents. Donna is remembered by Idahoans with long memories as a former Queen of the Snake River Stampede, Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America. She is an enthusiastic gardener.
Contact:
Donna Fletcher Crow
donna@donnafletchercrow.com
https://www.donnafletchercrow.com
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