cover image A Matter of Diamonds: A Faith Abbey Mystery

A Matter of Diamonds: A Faith Abbey Mystery

David Manuel. Paraclete Press (MA), $25 (314pp) ISBN 978-1-55725-258-6

This exciting mystery, the second in the Faith Abbey series, revives the character of Brother Bartholomew and offers readers a wealth of background information about life at the Abbey (closely modeled after the Community of Jesus on Cape Cod, where Manuel lives). The plot centers on issues of spiritual warfare, as Brother Bartholomew seeks to understand the ways of the Adversary while solving a bizarre local murder. Manuel's characters are refreshingly complex for a mystery novel, making this not so much a whodunit as a ""whydunit."" The cliffhanger ending will pique readers' interest in the next installment of Bartholomew's adventures. (Nov.)