The Tentmaker

by Michelle Blake

Book Overview

Taking an interim position in a rich Boston parish after the former priest dies, Lily James Connor, a female Episcopalian priest, begins to suspect the circumstances surrounding the man's sudden... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039914577X
• ISBN13: 9780399145773
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

A page turner!

This is a perfect book for those of you who think Priests and "churched" persons are superhuman! Blake not only presents a well-developed mystery with a surprising ending she also manages to shatter the image of the stereotypical rector with her character "tentmaker" Lily Connor! Pick up this book you won't be sorry!

An Episcopalian Rates Rev. Lily Connor

From the standpoint of an "insider," this was a fine book. I have known many "tentmaker" priests and deacons and have been an Episcopalian for 30 years. The mystery is exciting, but equally as good is the internal politics of the parish and diocese, and the wrestlings with faith of all the characters.

Thoughtful book explores many mysteries

In addition to being a "good read," The Tentmaker uses the mystery genre to explore more than just the suspicious death of a rector who serves an affluent Boston congregation. It also inquires about the religious mysteries clerics face in the modern world, the mysteries each of us face as we come to terms with our relationships to religion, ourselves ,and the evils that looom behind the exquisitely carved doors. I look forward to other Michelle Blake mysteries.

An intelligent story from a real insider's perspective

Lilly Conner is a refreshing character to see inhabiting not only a mystery but also a priest's collar -- passionate, occasionally insecure, as opinionated as she is committed, but always searching for a closer relationship with the God who fuels her commitment. And Charlie! His character alone was worth the price of the book. Lilly and Charlie's conversations and sluething bring to light some very real controversies facing the church today. As a Boston/Cambridge resident, I also appreciated Blake's careful attention to physical details -- a small but important part of bringing authencity and life to the story.

This is the best mystery I have read in years!

Too often mysteries are all about puzzle at the expense of character or writing. The Tentmaker is differant, more than a great modern mystery it is also a profound meditation on human frailty , compassion and grace. The writing is superb, the story is haunting.