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Mary Wandwalker #1
The Sacred Well Murders
A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to chaperone a young American, Rhiannon, to the Oxford University Summer School on the ancient Celts. Worried by a rhetoric of blood sacrifice, Mary and her operatives, Caroline, and Anna, attend a sacrifice at a sacred well. They discover that those who fail to individuate their gods become possessed by them.
For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age?
Mary agrees to spy on the Reborn Celts, then learns, to her horror, of Anna's passionate affair with the chief suspect, Joe Griffith. With Griffith also the object of Rhiannon's obsession, Mary realizes too late that that these 21 st century Celts mean murder.
The Reborn Celts draw Mary and her friends into three rites to summon their at an Oxford sacred well, by the Thames on the way to London, and in Celtic London, where bloodshed will restore one of the Thames' 'lost rivers.'
Before the fatal night of the summer solstice, Caroline and Anna race to London seeking Mary, who has been kidnapped. Will she end as the crone sacrifice? Or will the three women re-make their detecting family, so re-constituting a pattern of archetypal feminine compassion?
For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age?
Mary agrees to spy on the Reborn Celts, then learns, to her horror, of Anna's passionate affair with the chief suspect, Joe Griffith. With Griffith also the object of Rhiannon's obsession, Mary realizes too late that that these 21 st century Celts mean murder.
The Reborn Celts draw Mary and her friends into three rites to summon their at an Oxford sacred well, by the Thames on the way to London, and in Celtic London, where bloodshed will restore one of the Thames' 'lost rivers.'
Before the fatal night of the summer solstice, Caroline and Anna race to London seeking Mary, who has been kidnapped. Will she end as the crone sacrifice? Or will the three women re-make their detecting family, so re-constituting a pattern of archetypal feminine compassion?
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
26 people are currently reading
18.7k people want to read
About the author
Susan Rowland
15 books5,570 followersIn middle age I ran away with an American poet to be happy. Now I live on the west coast usa writing cozy-ish murder mysteries with 21st century themes. I aim to explore heroes who are women from the margins.
Please click to follow me on BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan...
I also had a life teaching depth psychology, literature and publishing on Jung, the feminine, creativity and arts-based research.
Please click to follow me on BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan...
I also had a life teaching depth psychology, literature and publishing on Jung, the feminine, creativity and arts-based research.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 13, 2022
The Sacred Well Murders by Susan Rowland is laced with the age enchantment of the Celts and the suspense of mysterious murders. One violent suicide pulls at the hearts of a very influential and powerful family. Mary Wandwalker is hired to investigate and chaperone a young girl but is she in deeper than she can handle? Does it become too late when she finds what she is up against?
I found The Sacred Well Murders an enthralling novel that ties a modern-day detective with ancient magic. Reborn Celts become a formidable foe, and chaperoning becomes more like babysitting an ill-tempered witch. This novel quickly progresses from one dramatic event to another as danger mounts. Finishing this book makes you feel like you lived through someone else's life and celebrate that you made it through to the other side.
I found The Sacred Well Murders an enthralling novel that ties a modern-day detective with ancient magic. Reborn Celts become a formidable foe, and chaperoning becomes more like babysitting an ill-tempered witch. This novel quickly progresses from one dramatic event to another as danger mounts. Finishing this book makes you feel like you lived through someone else's life and celebrate that you made it through to the other side.
February 25, 2022
Rowland writes an excellent fiction piece with more than enough magic and mystery to keep you reading well past bedtime. The research done for the book shines through, even though Rowland prefaces that a lot of references are fictional. She has a cast of well-developed characters. You can tell her passion for writing and deep thought. It may be fiction, but there are many symbolic parallels to various groups worldwide and throughout history (she even mentions this in the early acknowledgments).
The story itself opens with Janet lost in thought about what to do, and it just happens to involve detective Mary Wandwalker. Wandwalker is a bit skeptical at first about the magic throughout the story. Her adventure takes her through a progression of increasingly odd encounters, some downright deadly, as she escorts a young woman attending a Celtic summer school. With the Reborn Celts and their sinister plan, this book keeps a fast pace that keeps giving.
Great book for a weekend read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a book with the best magic and mystery tied together in a great tale.
The story itself opens with Janet lost in thought about what to do, and it just happens to involve detective Mary Wandwalker. Wandwalker is a bit skeptical at first about the magic throughout the story. Her adventure takes her through a progression of increasingly odd encounters, some downright deadly, as she escorts a young woman attending a Celtic summer school. With the Reborn Celts and their sinister plan, this book keeps a fast pace that keeps giving.
Great book for a weekend read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a book with the best magic and mystery tied together in a great tale.
January 21, 2022
The Sacred Well Murders by Susan Rowland is a captivating reading experience from beginning to end. The author capitalizes on her unique experience with Jungian studies and infuses this, her first mystery book with that background. You simply have it all here, expert writing combined with a satisfying mystery, executed with a deft hand and substantial intrigue. Mary Wandwalker is a great lead character, at once curious and in over her head. The Reborn Celts are a compelling adversary, Mary doing what she can to effectively chaperone her young charge, Rhiannon, amid the Oxford University Summer School. A truly fascinating read, one where you can learn about ancient history and sacred rites while becoming immersed in a satisfying mystery, this one is highly recommended.
February 22, 2022
For me, The Sacred Well Murders is one of those books that immediately had me hooked. The setting, the intrigue, the magic, the characters, and the witty and descriptive language of the writing were all there. What starts as a simple job for novice detective Mary Wandwalker, quickly turns deadly when she discovers a group calling themselves Reborn Celts who have deadly intentions. From there, things only get more complicated. The story throws you headfirst into mystery, politics, and magic. Mary is a practical and determined person with deep loyalty to her friends. She was a wonderful character to follow because of her passion, straightforward attitude, and willpower. Her interactions with her friends Anna and Caroline were fun and natural even as things get more complex. I had a lot of fun reading this story. It was compelling from beginning to end and felt very different from any other book I had read before. It had all the elements of a clever classic mystery novel with an edge of dark intrigue. I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy the murder mystery genre. I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future!
January 30, 2022
The Sacred Well Murders Earns 5+/5 Celtic Torcs…Compelling Page-Turner!
Mary Wandwalker‘s Depth Enquiry Agency (DEA), an agency advertised to delve deeper than law enforcement has time for, accepts a job as chaperones for Rhiannon North, the daughter of wealthy Mr. Frederic North, whose obsessive interest in her Celtic heritage has her attending the Celtic Studies Summer School in Oxford. Mary was also approached by Mr. Jeffreys, Director of the National Archives and Mary’s former boss, who, learning of the job, hopes to engage her agency to check out one of the teachers as well as the others involved in the classes, The Reborn Celts. Jeffreys makes it seem a straightforward enquiry, but he then finds a report, dismissed by MI5, which changes the enquiry from information gathering to infiltrating the inner circle and participating in secret Celtic rituals. Additionally, Holywell Retreat Center’s master herbalist, healer, and “witch” has asked Mary to take custody of her “gel” Sarah who, after finding occult symbols in blood at their sacred well, seems to be exploring the dark side. The stage is set for ancient rituals, possession, fanaticism, and murder!
Susan Rowland has woven together a compelling mix of themes into a powerful reading experience: witches, witchcraft, Celtic legends, racism, and terrorists. Mary’s journey is impeded by inexperience and complicated with former bosses and professors, several veterans from Afghanistan, secret connections, a valuable artifact, a dangerous cult, and multiple murders. This makes a very exciting page-turner highlighting individual vulnerabilities and past experiences and how easily both can be manipulated. The story doesn’t take time at the beginning to introduce characters and ease into the drama, oh, no…0 to 60 in just the first 38 pages, then revving up with poisonings, emotional breaks, murders, kidnappings, and a nail-biting confrontation. Brilliant! The connections and background of the characters are interspersed throughout the third-person narrative with a look at multi-generational characters varied in personalities and explaining their fears, tragedies, strengths, and motivations. Susan’s writing style furnishes a clear picture of the various settings from urban to rural and emotions that liken to an exciting roller coaster ride. The well-developed plot and clever dialogue puts the idea of ancient religion and witchcraft as an undercurrent with fascinating insights into sacred ties to nature and Celtic lore. The book uses text messages and emails to provide information for incidents that happen off the page, and also includes two elements I value: short, easily read chapters and chapter titles. This is an excellent book I highly recommend, and although it’s only January, it is a strong candidate for a Top Favorite for 2022!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Mary Wandwalker‘s Depth Enquiry Agency (DEA), an agency advertised to delve deeper than law enforcement has time for, accepts a job as chaperones for Rhiannon North, the daughter of wealthy Mr. Frederic North, whose obsessive interest in her Celtic heritage has her attending the Celtic Studies Summer School in Oxford. Mary was also approached by Mr. Jeffreys, Director of the National Archives and Mary’s former boss, who, learning of the job, hopes to engage her agency to check out one of the teachers as well as the others involved in the classes, The Reborn Celts. Jeffreys makes it seem a straightforward enquiry, but he then finds a report, dismissed by MI5, which changes the enquiry from information gathering to infiltrating the inner circle and participating in secret Celtic rituals. Additionally, Holywell Retreat Center’s master herbalist, healer, and “witch” has asked Mary to take custody of her “gel” Sarah who, after finding occult symbols in blood at their sacred well, seems to be exploring the dark side. The stage is set for ancient rituals, possession, fanaticism, and murder!
Susan Rowland has woven together a compelling mix of themes into a powerful reading experience: witches, witchcraft, Celtic legends, racism, and terrorists. Mary’s journey is impeded by inexperience and complicated with former bosses and professors, several veterans from Afghanistan, secret connections, a valuable artifact, a dangerous cult, and multiple murders. This makes a very exciting page-turner highlighting individual vulnerabilities and past experiences and how easily both can be manipulated. The story doesn’t take time at the beginning to introduce characters and ease into the drama, oh, no…0 to 60 in just the first 38 pages, then revving up with poisonings, emotional breaks, murders, kidnappings, and a nail-biting confrontation. Brilliant! The connections and background of the characters are interspersed throughout the third-person narrative with a look at multi-generational characters varied in personalities and explaining their fears, tragedies, strengths, and motivations. Susan’s writing style furnishes a clear picture of the various settings from urban to rural and emotions that liken to an exciting roller coaster ride. The well-developed plot and clever dialogue puts the idea of ancient religion and witchcraft as an undercurrent with fascinating insights into sacred ties to nature and Celtic lore. The book uses text messages and emails to provide information for incidents that happen off the page, and also includes two elements I value: short, easily read chapters and chapter titles. This is an excellent book I highly recommend, and although it’s only January, it is a strong candidate for a Top Favorite for 2022!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
June 15, 2022
Susan Rowland’s first entry into detective fiction is intriguing. She weaves together a unique and complex story that encompasses ancient myth as well as pressing issues of our culture. Rich in detail, the story takes us into the relationships of the middle aged protagonist, Mary Wandwalker and her depth enquiry agency (DEA). Rowland pulls no punches in a story that considers what happens if we trifle with magical/divine energies rather than honoring them. A page-turning read for anyone who enjoys a distinctive take on the mystery genre.
February 9, 2022
A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to chaperone a young American, Rhiannon, to the Oxford University Summer School on the ancient Celts. Worried by a rhetoric of blood sacrifice, Mary and her operatives, Caroline, and Anna, attend a sacrifice at a sacred well. They discover that those who fail to individuate their gods become possessed by them.
For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age?
The Sacred Well Murders by Susan Rowland is an entertaining and enthralling murder-mystery, that is full of Jungian Psychology, ancient Celtic rituals, possession, fanaticism, and murder.
I found The Sacred Well Murders to be meticulously researched and expertly crafted, with colourful characters and authentic settings. It is an engaging read and one I will recommend to friends.
For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age?
The Sacred Well Murders by Susan Rowland is an entertaining and enthralling murder-mystery, that is full of Jungian Psychology, ancient Celtic rituals, possession, fanaticism, and murder.
I found The Sacred Well Murders to be meticulously researched and expertly crafted, with colourful characters and authentic settings. It is an engaging read and one I will recommend to friends.
April 11, 2022
I loved this book and found it thrilling! The scenes were beautifully painted and I loved the messiness of the characters in their realness. The relationships between the women were raw and difficult, not unlike our daily interactions with friends and loved ones. Their loyalty towards each other was realistic.
I found myself easily imagining this novel as a BBC series. I would love to see this on a screen!!
There are suggestions that there could be a sequel and even a prequel. The author, Susan Rowland, did substantial research on information that was tantalizingly interesting but did not drag on or get too detailed. As any good author, she has teased me enough that I am inspired to do more research on my own. This is a fun read and I hope that we will see more of Mary Wandwalker.
Highly recommended!
I found myself easily imagining this novel as a BBC series. I would love to see this on a screen!!
There are suggestions that there could be a sequel and even a prequel. The author, Susan Rowland, did substantial research on information that was tantalizingly interesting but did not drag on or get too detailed. As any good author, she has teased me enough that I am inspired to do more research on my own. This is a fun read and I hope that we will see more of Mary Wandwalker.
Highly recommended!
February 26, 2022
This was part murder mystery and part magic. Attending a summer school seems innocent enough, but soon more sinister things become uncovered, and murder is only the start. All the main characters were very well-developed with distinct personalities, and all stayed true to themselves throughout the story. This isn’t just about magic and the beliefs of the Ancient Celts being studied and revived in the modern day, however. Murder, racism, and even terrorism are woven together in this captivating story. The story certainly keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, and you’ll find it hard to put down once you start.
February 10, 2022
In "The Sacred Well Murders" ancient folklore and modern mystery combine to create a unique and exciting novel full of intrigue and suspense.
Detective Many Wandwaker takes a simple job to chaperone a young American student to an Oxford University summer school. It's not long before things rapidly start to go wrong and Mary and her colleagues are drawn into a world of ancient blood sacrifices and ancient rituals. As the Summer Solstice approaches the women find themselves in increasing danger. Will any of them survive the rituals of the Reborn Celts?
An engrossing read, with a thrilling conclusion... edge-of-the-seat stuff!
Detective Many Wandwaker takes a simple job to chaperone a young American student to an Oxford University summer school. It's not long before things rapidly start to go wrong and Mary and her colleagues are drawn into a world of ancient blood sacrifices and ancient rituals. As the Summer Solstice approaches the women find themselves in increasing danger. Will any of them survive the rituals of the Reborn Celts?
An engrossing read, with a thrilling conclusion... edge-of-the-seat stuff!
February 25, 2022
In The Sacred Well Murders author Rowland has created a cast of characters that are believable and who stand apart from each other as distinct individuals with quirky dialogue and interplay. She has also done an amazing job of describing the ancient religion and witchcrafts with fascinating insights. Rowland has penned a unique and intriguing mix of detailed detective work in pursuit of the bad guys in this well crafted plot.
All in all I cannot recommend this book enough. If you enjoy detective novels I’d recommend giving it a go. If you enjoy murder mystery novels, get it. If you enjoy both—well, you’re in for a very pleasant read. 5 stars from me.
All in all I cannot recommend this book enough. If you enjoy detective novels I’d recommend giving it a go. If you enjoy murder mystery novels, get it. If you enjoy both—well, you’re in for a very pleasant read. 5 stars from me.
February 6, 2022
I feel like this was book 2 of a series as there were comments made about prior relationships that led to the friendship of the 3 main women in the book, however I don't think it is. Mary Wandwalker is hired to accompany a wealthy teen to the summer program at Oxford on the ancient Celts, only to find out that there is a cult called Reborn Celts who perform rituals and believe they are to be gods and goddesses.
Mary and her friends, Caroline and Anna, and Mary's helper, Sarah, are caught up in this web of fantasy and ghoulish sacrifices.
When terrible things happen to the teen, a male companion and several members of the trio, the police become involved. There is some references to climate change and racism.
If you like fantasy and witchcraft, this may be a tale for you. A bit gory, definitely fantastical. I did enjoy the description of the parts of London, but I am not much for fantasy.
Mary and her friends, Caroline and Anna, and Mary's helper, Sarah, are caught up in this web of fantasy and ghoulish sacrifices.
When terrible things happen to the teen, a male companion and several members of the trio, the police become involved. There is some references to climate change and racism.
If you like fantasy and witchcraft, this may be a tale for you. A bit gory, definitely fantastical. I did enjoy the description of the parts of London, but I am not much for fantasy.
August 27, 2022
The Sacred Well Murders is the first in a new series. Its a traditional/cozy in design. Mary Wandwalker, a novice detective owns an small agency and her job is to play escort for an american student at Oxford, there's touches on Cults and other big issues. It's all for an interesting and inciting read
December 19, 2022
this book is wonderful i love to read it when im bored.
March 16, 2022
You know it’s a great book when you can’t fully process why you loved it. The Sacred Well Murders hasn’t let go of my psyche yet. Susan Rowland accomplishes what many others cannot. First, an intriguing and entertaining twist on the archetypal detective story, along with brilliant character development that switches up the story we tell ourselves about trauma. The lived experience of two women characters that carry the scars of sex trafficking becomes critical to solving the murder mystery. Finally, the combination of historical perspective and twenty-first century challenges both entices and creates urgency. The Sacred Well Murders is both an enjoyable read and a depth-oriented story that will work on your unconscious whether you realize it or not.
December 13, 2022
The Sacred Well Murders for me had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. This book is pretty enjoyable overall, and I found it easy to get lost in the pages after getting pulled into the story fairly early on.
The author did a good job of mixing mystery, ancient myth and modern culture into her novel. It struck me, sort of, as a UK equivalent to Donna Tartt’s Secret History, and I LOVE that book.
The author did a good job of mixing mystery, ancient myth and modern culture into her novel. It struck me, sort of, as a UK equivalent to Donna Tartt’s Secret History, and I LOVE that book.
September 9, 2022
If you love the combination of mystery and myth...or at least what you hope is only myth...this is more than likely right up your ally. The theme of magic is presented throughout the story. At first detective Mary Wandwalker is skeptical about the magic. Her task of escorting a young woman to a Celtic Summer School brings her to increasingly strange and unexplained encounters, some of them deadly. The pair soon find when they get there that there is an active cult called "Reborn Celts" who are performing rituals and believe they are going to be gods and goddesses. Personally, I think they've all been popping a lot of different colored pills and smoking weed. I found the plot interesting, for lack of a better word, but too unlikely in the whole. It's a bit gory, definitely fantastical.
April 28, 2022
*Won through Goodreads Giveaway*
I wasn't too familiar with this genre. It was well written, I just don't think it was for me but I think a lot of people will enjoy it. Perfect for fans of fantasy and witchcraft.
I wasn't too familiar with this genre. It was well written, I just don't think it was for me but I think a lot of people will enjoy it. Perfect for fans of fantasy and witchcraft.
January 5, 2023
The Sacred Well Murders, by Susan Rowland is one amazing mystery story full of research and so many interesting facts that you can totally appreciated the author did her job amazingly, this story got me hooked from the very beginning.
Mary Wandwalker took the chance of a lifetime, not knowing how her life would change. This story not only will keep you on your toes, this will give you so many interesting facts that you’ll want to investigate yourself and for me that’s a five star book.
Mary Wandwalker took the chance of a lifetime, not knowing how her life would change. This story not only will keep you on your toes, this will give you so many interesting facts that you’ll want to investigate yourself and for me that’s a five star book.
January 6, 2022
‘The Reborn Celts are more of a threat than we thought’ - One fine mystery!
California author Susan Rowland, PhD is the Founding Chair of the international Association for Jungian Studies, the Chair of MA Engaged Humanities at Pacifica Graduate Institute and teaches Jungian psychology and Archetype Studies. Her books to date - THE ECOCRITICAL PSYCHE, JUNG AS A WRITER, REMEMBERING DIONYSUS, JUNGIAN CRITICISM, C.G. JUNG IN THE HUMANITIES, and now she turns to detective fiction with THE SACRED WELL MURDERS.
Reading this novel is a rewarding pleasure: an author with the depth of insight from her commitment to Jungian psychology enhances her characters as well as her theme. Her prose is eloquent, shaping her story well as the entry reveals: ‘Faced with bloodstains, the old woman had a daring idea. It involved that nosy parker, Mary Wandwalker, and her dubious detective agency: deep…depth something. Janet clicked her tongue, so pretentious the agency’s name. Never the less, with Wandwalker on board, Janet could persuade her fellow witches that the girl performing forbidden rites had to go. Blood desecrating the ancient well was bad. Even worse, the drops had been fingered into symbols. Under the midnight moon, the old woman smelled rust and candle wax. A conjuring charm, decided Janet, gritting her teeth…’ With that hors d’oeuvre, this fascinating mystery begins!
Susan has distilled her plot well – ‘A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to chaperone a young American, Rhiannon, to the Oxford University Summer School on the ancient Celts. Worried by a rhetoric of blood sacrifice, Mary and her operatives, Caroline, and Anna, attend a sacrifice at a sacred well. They discover that those who fail to individuate their gods become possessed by them. For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age? Mary agrees to spy on the Reborn Celts, then learns, to her horror, of Anna's passionate affair with the chief suspect, Joe Griffith. With Griffith also the object of Rhiannon's obsession, Mary realizes too late that that these 21stcentury Celts mean murder. The Reborn Celts draw Mary and her friends into three rites to summon their gods: at an Oxford sacred well, by the Thames on the way to London, and in Celtic London, where bloodshed will restore one of the Thames' 'lost rivers.' Before the fatal night of the summer solstice, Caroline and Anna race to London seeking Mary, who has been kidnapped. Will she end as the crone sacrifice? Or will the three women re-make their detecting family, so re-constituting a pattern of archetypal feminine compassion?’
Writing of this quality deserves close attention. Hopefully there will be further novels from this gifted author. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 22
California author Susan Rowland, PhD is the Founding Chair of the international Association for Jungian Studies, the Chair of MA Engaged Humanities at Pacifica Graduate Institute and teaches Jungian psychology and Archetype Studies. Her books to date - THE ECOCRITICAL PSYCHE, JUNG AS A WRITER, REMEMBERING DIONYSUS, JUNGIAN CRITICISM, C.G. JUNG IN THE HUMANITIES, and now she turns to detective fiction with THE SACRED WELL MURDERS.
Reading this novel is a rewarding pleasure: an author with the depth of insight from her commitment to Jungian psychology enhances her characters as well as her theme. Her prose is eloquent, shaping her story well as the entry reveals: ‘Faced with bloodstains, the old woman had a daring idea. It involved that nosy parker, Mary Wandwalker, and her dubious detective agency: deep…depth something. Janet clicked her tongue, so pretentious the agency’s name. Never the less, with Wandwalker on board, Janet could persuade her fellow witches that the girl performing forbidden rites had to go. Blood desecrating the ancient well was bad. Even worse, the drops had been fingered into symbols. Under the midnight moon, the old woman smelled rust and candle wax. A conjuring charm, decided Janet, gritting her teeth…’ With that hors d’oeuvre, this fascinating mystery begins!
Susan has distilled her plot well – ‘A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to chaperone a young American, Rhiannon, to the Oxford University Summer School on the ancient Celts. Worried by a rhetoric of blood sacrifice, Mary and her operatives, Caroline, and Anna, attend a sacrifice at a sacred well. They discover that those who fail to individuate their gods become possessed by them. For the so-called Reborn Celts, who run the summer school, have been infiltrated by white supremacists. Could their immersion in myth be less a symbol for psychic wholeness and more a clue of their intent to engage in terrorist violence? Who better to penetrate their secret rites than an apparently harmless woman of a certain age? Mary agrees to spy on the Reborn Celts, then learns, to her horror, of Anna's passionate affair with the chief suspect, Joe Griffith. With Griffith also the object of Rhiannon's obsession, Mary realizes too late that that these 21stcentury Celts mean murder. The Reborn Celts draw Mary and her friends into three rites to summon their gods: at an Oxford sacred well, by the Thames on the way to London, and in Celtic London, where bloodshed will restore one of the Thames' 'lost rivers.' Before the fatal night of the summer solstice, Caroline and Anna race to London seeking Mary, who has been kidnapped. Will she end as the crone sacrifice? Or will the three women re-make their detecting family, so re-constituting a pattern of archetypal feminine compassion?’
Writing of this quality deserves close attention. Hopefully there will be further novels from this gifted author. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 22
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February 19, 2025After more than ten groundbreaking scholarly books, Susan Rowland has turned her talent to writing detective fiction, books that have same intelligence, insight, and style we've come to expect from Rowland.
October 5, 2023
As a lover of all things magical and mysterious, this book was right up my alley. From the first sentence to the last, I was hooked.
What I loved most was the marriage of a murder mystery with the long ago lore of the now reborn Celts. Mary Wandwalker is such a fabulous character. An amateur detective who is in way over her head, but who has morals, ethics and determination. As the peril and intrigue mounts, the writer keeps her solid and believable. Probably my favorite scene in the book was one at the end that she has with Mr. North. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just leave it at that.
Ms. Rowland's writing style is superb and keeps the reader locked in the drama. I wanted to know the ending, but then was sad it was over. To me, that's the best kind of novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone...not just lovers of magic, intrigue and murder, but to anyone who appreciates a well-written, impossible to put down, mystery.
What I loved most was the marriage of a murder mystery with the long ago lore of the now reborn Celts. Mary Wandwalker is such a fabulous character. An amateur detective who is in way over her head, but who has morals, ethics and determination. As the peril and intrigue mounts, the writer keeps her solid and believable. Probably my favorite scene in the book was one at the end that she has with Mr. North. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just leave it at that.
Ms. Rowland's writing style is superb and keeps the reader locked in the drama. I wanted to know the ending, but then was sad it was over. To me, that's the best kind of novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone...not just lovers of magic, intrigue and murder, but to anyone who appreciates a well-written, impossible to put down, mystery.
January 29, 2023
A simple job turns deadly when Mary Wandwalker, novice detective, is hired to chaperone a young American, Rhiannon, to the Oxford University Summer School on the ancient Celts. Worried by a rhetoric of blood sacrifice, Mary and her operatives, Caroline, and Anna, attend a sacrifice at a sacred well. They discover that those who fail to individuate their gods become possessed by them.
Author Susan Rowland has a wealth of knowledge relating to Jungian Studies, which increases the intensity and realism of the psychology of the characters, Add in a depth of knowledge surrounding Celtic traditions and it makes this a compelling detective story with realistically flawed characters. The plot is tense and fast paced with many twists that surprised me and enough intrigue that left me anticipating what was going to happen next. Highly recommended.
Author Susan Rowland has a wealth of knowledge relating to Jungian Studies, which increases the intensity and realism of the psychology of the characters, Add in a depth of knowledge surrounding Celtic traditions and it makes this a compelling detective story with realistically flawed characters. The plot is tense and fast paced with many twists that surprised me and enough intrigue that left me anticipating what was going to happen next. Highly recommended.
May 5, 2024
This book is the latest one selected by one of my book clubs for discussion. Not necessarily one I would have chosen if scanning the bookshelves by myself, it leaves me somewhat ambivalent in terms of how I feel about it. Parts were quite gripping and made me want to tea on, while others were less captivating and at times confusing.
I think there may have been too many thread being explored in the one account and that added to the confusion a times and I think that it needed to be read almost without interruptions to better absorbed given the complexities being explored through the writing.
I will be interested to hear what others think when the discussion unfolds but for now I remain somewhat undecided as to whether I would read more by this author.
I think there may have been too many thread being explored in the one account and that added to the confusion a times and I think that it needed to be read almost without interruptions to better absorbed given the complexities being explored through the writing.
I will be interested to hear what others think when the discussion unfolds but for now I remain somewhat undecided as to whether I would read more by this author.
December 12, 2023
Susan Rowland has crafted a fast-paced, twisty and labyrinthine murder mystery with grace and charm. Every page you'll find yourself smiling at the characters' wit and intrigue. Mary Wandwalker is a great sleuth worthy of Holmes and Poirot, but with a more down-to-earth wisdom and keen eye into others' hearts. A great mystery that never overstays, always intrigues, and bursts with a cast of engaging characters. Well done!
January 10, 2025
I was expecting a murder mystery with like, clues and things that get followed to solve the case. This story relied much more on fantasy-esque elements to solve the case, and while there is definitely an audience for this type of story, it isn't me.
May 11, 2024
3 of 5 stars. Good to read but it's not amazing.
June 16, 2024
Bad! Not good! Made no sense? Too many plot lines!
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