A Provençal Mystery

By: Ann Elwood

Narrated by: Caroline Miller

Why did a nun in a 17th-century convent flagellate herself until her blood spattered the wall? Why did nuns save a child doomed to death in the Holocaust and who wanted her killed? Who wants a lost head-shaped reliquary that holds something other than a head? And are answers to these questions the key to a terrible modern-day death in a quiet archive?

When American historian Pandora (Dory) Ryan finds a very rare, uncataloged 17th-century nun’s diary inside a record book at the provincial archives in Avignon, she is thrilled. This is historian’s treasure. But she doesn’t know yet that it will send her on a search that brings about changes in how she feels about her profession, the irrational, and love with a sexy Frenchman. And it will take her from the archive on a dangerous adventure into the countryside of Provence, which, beautiful as it is, has a long and bloody history.

The archive’s dramatis personae: the grumpy archivist, with his paper-clip chains; the gofer, who smokes Gauloises and gets away with far too much; a nun with a sense of humor who harangues high school kids about sex; the nun's glamorous sidekick; a famous American historian, whose requests for documents are inexplicably denied; the eminent professor, destined to fall in love; his nervous graduate student. And that sexy Frenchman, who isn’t who he says he is.

©2012 Ann Elwood (P)2014 Ann Elwood

A provencal mystery

Any additional comments?

The book started to be well put together and thought out, but as it got toward the end the author was in a hurry to finish and didn't take the time to polish the story. I'd have enjoyed it more had the end been as well written at the start.

Waxed and Waned

What would have made A Provençal Mystery better?

Not sure exactly. It just didn't hold my interest.

What could Ann Elwood have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

1st. a different narrator.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not much difference from character to character. I just thought she was new to this career and just needs time to develop her style.

What character would you cut from A Provençal Mystery?

For me, I don't think it would have helped.

Any additional comments?

If I were a member of Audible, I would return the book.

A provencal Mystery

Any additional comments?

Mystery of a murder of a nun in the long ago past and in the present.Are they related?I enjoyed this book.It took some time to get into,but it was worth it.The narrator,Caroline Miller,seemed halting and uncomfortable with the material to begin with,but she does warm up.The storyline was well thought out and very interesting.

Interesting

Good first attempt, if first. She has a good flair for the interactions of people. She will surprise everyone as each book comes along.

laboriously boring.

If there is a good story there wading through the beginning prevents its arrival. Character development is poor and haphazard

A Provencal Mystery review

Where does A Provençal Mystery rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High among the favorites.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes thanks to it being an interesting story.

What about Caroline Miller’s performance did you like?

Voice performance.

Any additional comments?

Interesting performance and book.

The narrator killed it for me.

After an hour I could not take it any longer. This narrator has a good rating, but for me the lack of inflection and character in her voice leaves the entire story flat.