A Quiet Belief in Angels

By: R J Ellory

Narrated by: Vincent Marzello

Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1930s Georgia, 12-year-old Joseph hears of the brutal murder of a young girl, the first of a series of killings that will take 10 lives.

Compelled by fear and duty, Joseph and his friends are determined to protect the people of Augusta Falls.

©2007 R.J. Ellroy Publications Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

A Richard and Judy Book Club selection.

THE BEST NOVEL I HAVE READ IN 20 YEARS.

As many of you know I believe strongly that the quality of our life and the pleasure in our days is immeasurably enhanced by our exposure to and appreciation of books, movies and music. There is great joy in finding the book, movie or piece of music that resonates with you and even takes your breath away. This happens all too rarely, but it happened for me in August 2015 with R. J. Ellory’s masterly A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS. I was immersed in Roger’s prose within the first few paragraphs and couldn’t believe my good fortune when it just kept going page after page after page. Rarely have I read a book that evoked the time place and people so beautifully.
12 year old Joseph Calvin Vaughan is growing up in rural Georgia in 1939. His young life is assaulted by the death of his father and the murder of a young girl, the first of many. The book is told from Joseph’s viewpoint, and his struggle to come to grips with his radically impacted home and community life as the number of girls taken increases, provides the basis for the symbolic title.
The sheriffs in six counties, Joseph, and we, the readers, are all at a loss as to the identity or motives of the murderer. But Death walks the rural backroads, leaving behind him suspicion, anger and fear, and an increasingly hostile community. Over the decades the story moves between Georgia and New York and is anchored by a powerful evocation of the war and post-war years.
This is the best book I have read in 20 years. Remarkably it has vaulted into the top half dozen in a lifetime of reading and over 5,000 books read. This is right up there with THE GRAPES OF WRATH, THE EGYPTIAN, THE PRINCE OF TIDES, LOOK HOMEWARD, ANGEL and PLOUGH THE SEA. If you only read one book this year, which, in itself would be sad, give yourself a treat and read this one.
I originally wrote this Review late in 2015 and sent it to some 500 clients. Having recently bought AQBIA from Audible with the excellent Vincent Marzello narration, it seemed appropriate to share my thoughts on this outstanding novel again. It is also one of only three novels I have read, then immediately read again to savour the pleasure of the experience.
One of the reviewers mentioned being impressed that he emailed Roger and received a prompt response. This is not an isolated incident as I had the same happen to me within 20 minutes of sending the email. I am honoured that Roger and I have subsequently exchanged in excess of 160 emails and forged a friendship, despite the fact that I live in Australia and he in the UK. This is a bond that has prompted me to dedicate my novel THE PRICE TO PAY to him in appreciation of the hundreds of hours of reading / listening pleasure he has provided me with his diverse bank of novels.
Although AQBIA remains my favourite of his books I am sure that any discerning reader will find a rare treasure trove in these surprisingly broad ranging novels.
I will be delighted to hear any comments or observations. Email: [e-mail]
Happy reading, Eric.