Two deaths!

Murder in the Cathedral (A Reverend Mother Mystery #9) by Cora Harrison 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A young Catholic boy, Enda O’Sullivan, who sang like an angel and lied like with a straight face even as he once “tumbled a stall in the market once and tried to to persuade [Inspector Patrick Cashman] that it was a dog that had done it. Even though his mouth was full of cake and his pockets bulging with more.”

And an archdeacon of the Anglican Church in Ireland. Who would want them dead. Reverend Mother Aquinas is concerned that this child from the slums was thrown out like so much trash. Patrick is concerned because he has a list of suspects that seem on one hand likely, and on the other not at all.

As Patrick investigates further he uncovers a lot about the ‘man who would be king’ (the archdeacon), none of it good. In fact he was ambitious for the job of the Bishop, he lied, cheated and blackmailed. Who would not want him to go, on the other hand who was going to risk all to do so?

Eileen is out investigating, and runs into some information, but again is this enough?

A nicely written locked door mystery that surprises at the very end. Fascinating, as the Reverend Mother’s insights throw light on the murders.

I was interested by the economic divide between the Catholics and Protestants, the children of the ‘slums’ for whom a sweet is a treat, and a packet of ‘rolls’ manna from heaven. 

The pay comparisons between the clergy of the two faiths are suggestive. The lower end of the Protestant clergy being underpaid so that often only those who have a private income enter the church. There’s very little sense of calling. For the Catholics there are some similarities although not the emphasis on money. 

The thing that’s obvious is that in the Ireland of this time, this becomes a dangerous case.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change