Abide with Me - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Jane Willan to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jane writes the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series. ABIDE WITH ME is the third book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: Sister Agatha and her childhood friend, Father Selwyn, make a great team. How did you decide upon a religious pair of crime solvers for your mystery series?

JW: When I began writing, I had only Sister Agatha as my protagonist. But as I created the story, it became clear that she needed a sidekick. I had never thought about why detective novels, movies, TV shows almost always have the detective and then someone else. But I suddenly understood. Father Selwyn appeared on his own however at the first crime scene.

But why a pair of religious crime solvers and in the setting of religion? First of all, there's no better place than a church, a monastery, a convent for a murder. That kind of setting is filled with mystery and intrigue, dark spaces, holy and high places. How perfect for stumbling across a dead body. And then clerics or nuns or people in a religious order are perfect as amateur detectives because they have their finger on the pulse of the community. They know everyone and everyone knows them. Consequently, they are often thrown into places and moments when they could be investigating a murder.


Kathy: New nuns from LA join the Welsh convent in ABIDE WITH ME. Why invite American sisters to your mystery?

JW: I got the idea from an article that I read a couple of years ago about how younger women in the United States who were taking orders, were seeking a stricter, more traditional role as a sister than previous generations. And since the sisters at Gwenafwy Abbey are little bit more traditional, the sisters from the Los Angeles convent wanted to come over and join them.

But why did I bring them in as a writer? I thought it would be fun. And it brings a lot of potential for new stories and storylines and characters down the road.


Kathy: Technology plays a part in your latest mystery. Are you always up to date with the latest electronic marvels or are you more of a technophobe? I admit being somewhere in the middle, but not very adept.

JW: I am fairly up to speed with technology. But my husband is a computer expert and so a lot of the technology that I do know, he has taught me. Also I thought it would be fun for a nun to be very skilled at technology since it would be unexpected.


Kathy: What first drew you to traditional mysteries?

JW: I think I've always liked the chase. Hunting down the bad guy. But I also like mysteries where the characters drive the story as much as the plot does. Setting means a lot to me too. The first mysteries that I read with a happy Hollister's and I loved them.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JW: Yes, I'm writing a novel that would probably be called domestic fiction. It is a clerical story, the story of a young woman in her first year of ministry. It follows kind of the same genre as Gilead or Jan Karon’s Father Tim series.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

JW: The series is set in North Wales. It takes place mostly in the village of Pryderi and at Gwenafwy Abbey. The protagonist is one of the Anglican sisters whose name is Sister Agatha. And she is a novelist, a librarian, a sister, and an amateur detective.

I do think though that the series is about more than just finding the dead body for the murder of the dead body but rather the series is also about relationships: our relationship with each other, our relationship with God, the church in the world today. I like to think that the series also asks larger questions than a typical cozy mystery.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

JW: I think my favorite character is Father Selwyn. He is the victor in the village of Pryderi. I like him because he's a very good victor. He loves his parish, and he wants the best for them, and he will do everything he can for them. I probably like him the best because I too am a vicar.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

JW: I don't think my expression specific. I think though I am inspired by all series about clergy. I love stories about the church and the people who try to make the church a better place.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JW: I wanted to hold a book in my hand with my name on the cover. I also wanted to walk in the Barnes & Noble and see my book on a shelf. I've done both those things now many times and I still like how it feels.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

JW: Stephen King just because he is a great guy and a great writer.

Beverly Cleary because she was so amazing, and I think she would get along with Stephen King.

Barbara Pym because she was an extraordinary person. And I would love to be able to write like Barbara Pym.

Alice Munro because she was so talented.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JW: ERIN'S CHILDREN by Eileen O'Finlan

THE TRESPASSER by Tana French


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

JW: I am the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Paxton. That's really isn't a hobby but it's is what I do when I'm not writing. Or rather, writing is what I do when I'm not working at the church.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

JW: Plain Greek yogurt

ice cream bars

blueberries (which are right now frozen)

marmalade


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

JW: Yes I'm going to write the fourth Sister Agatha book and I think she will be other writers conference in Scotland.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

JW: Entering into the lives of other people (my characters).

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Review

ABIDE WITH ME by Jane Willan
The Third Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery

 

It's the time between Christmas and Epiphany and the nuns of Gwenafwy Abbey have welcomed new faces into their home. A group of young nuns from California has joined them bringing youthful enthusiasm and lots of technology. There's also a reporter from The Church Times. While Sister Agatha would rather be working on writing her mystery novel, she's tasked with escorting the reporter around. It's a bit concerning when the young woman doesn't show up for dinner or breakfast the following day. When her body is discovered, it's assumed she accidentally fell to her death while taking a selfie. Sister Agatha is not so sure. With Constable Barnes on vacation it's up to Deputy Parker Clough and Sister Agatha to solve the murder. 

With her murder book and fountain pen in the pocket of her habit Sister Agatha is on the case once more. I can't tell you how much I love this intrepid nun. She's smart, funny, and uniquely herself. A nun proud of her Welsh heritage and more interested in writing about murder than making cheese with the other sisters, she manages to fit in sleuthing between meals and prayers.

I admit that the third Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery made me cry. There were tears of sadness, but also tears of laughter. I'm still giggling at the jaffa cake debacle. I smile as I picture the Heavenly Gouda van on a stake out and chasing down suspects. I love the camaraderie of the characters. There's a realism here as well. They may love and respect each other, but they can also annoy each other and no one is above suspicion.

ABIDE WITH ME is a delightful mystery, both funny and moving. It captures life in a small Welsh village while providing a complex mystery. I only wish I could sample some of the nun's Heavenly Gouda and snuggle up in my own Sister Winifred knit hat and scarf set. I wonder what color she'd choose for me?

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Abide With Me: A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery by Jane Willan

About Abide With Me 

Abide With Me: A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Amazon White Glove (November 17, 2020)
Number of Pages - 300 Digital

Change is afoot at Gwenafwy Abbey. Ten new nuns from a convent in Los Angeles join the community of Anglican sisters bringing energy, youthful enthusiasm, and more electronic equipment than Sister Agatha could have imagined. The arrival of the new nuns brings something else to the Abbey—a bit of unexpected notoriety. Claire MacDonagh, an ambitious young reporter for The Church Times, interviews the new sisters for a feature story. Murder is the last thing on anyone’s mind when Claire is found dead on the beach, her mobile phone in the sand. A tragic death, says Constable Barnes. A selfie gone bad. Meanwhile, Sister Agatha is unconvinced and puts on her detective’s hat, only to find herself in the midst of a tangled murder mystery. Her suspect list includes everyone from the new sisters to Reverend Mother to the beloved archbishop of Wales. Time is running out as Sister Agatha uncovers a shocking reality. Will she reveal the truth hidden in an ancient document before it is too late?

About Jane Willan

Jane Willan wants to live in a world where everyone has time to read their favorite books, drink good coffee, and walk their dog on the beach, but until that can happen she enjoys life as a pastor and writer. When she's not working on a sermon, or hiking with her husband, Don, you can find her rereading Jane Eyre, binge-watching Downton Abbey, and trying out new ways to avoid exercise.

Author Links: 

Website - https://www.janewillan.com/  

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jane.willan.9  

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Jane_Willan  

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorjaneawillan/  

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8507263.Jane_Willan  

Purchase Links - AMAZON  

 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Abide with Me by Jane Willan. This book is the third in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series and was released last month.

It's the time between Christmas and Epiphany and the nuns of Gwenafwy Abbey have welcomed new faces into their home. A group of young nuns from California has joined them bringing youthful enthusiasm and lots of technology. There's also a reporter from The Church Times. While Sister Agatha would rather be working on writing her mystery novel, she's tasked with escorting the reporter around. It's a bit concerning when the young woman doesn't show up for dinner or breakfast. When her body is discovered, it's assumed she accidentally fell to her death while taking a selfie. Sister Agatha is not so sure. With Constable Barnes on vacation it's up to Deputy Parker Clough and Sister Agatha to solve the murder.

2018 - A Year of Reviews in Review

As 2018 draws to a close I thought I'd take a look back at some of the great books I was privileged to read.

By the time the year ends I will have read at least 91 books. The most books I've read in a year, primarily due to me overextending myself...and also because so many interesting books are being published!

I was introduced to a lot of new series this year. I think my favorite is one that cannot fully be categorized. It's a historical, a paranormal, and a comedy all rolled up in a traditional mystery: the Barnabas Tew Mystery series by Columbine Noonan. I actually read the first two in the series this year. Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab and Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds are a delightful romp through mythology and great mysteries.

It should come as no surprise that I am partial to historical mysteries as well as paranormal ones.  MURDER ON MILLIONAIRES' ROW by Erin Lindsey also fits both of those categories. 

Vampires are quite popular and I was delighted to discover a Vampire Mystery series. THE VAMPIRE KNITTING CLUB is the first in this series by Nancy Warren. Other top paranormal entries this year include A MAGICAL MATCH by Juliet Blackwell, CLAIRVOYANT AND PRESENT DANGER by Lena Gregory, and the new Magic Garden Mystery series by Amanda Flower which starts with FLOWERS AND FOUL PLAY.

I also love Gothics and THE BOOK OF THE BELOVED by Carolyn Haines fits that bill.

A historical series that really stood out for me is the Art Deco series by L. A. Chandlar. This series really should be read in order so start with THE SILVER GUN and continue with THE GOLD PAWN. Other historical mysteries that stood out this year include DEADLY FASHION by Kate Parker, MURDER, SHE REPORTED by Peg Cochran, and TURNING THE TIDE by Edith Maxwell. I also adore series that combines the present with the past. PAST AND PRESENT by Judy Sheluk is the second Marketville Mystery and I read all three of the Dr. Pimms Intermillennial Sleuth Mystery series by L.J. M Owen this year: OLMEC OBITUARY, MAYAN MENDACITY,  and EGYPTIAN ENIGMA.

The return I was most excited about was seeing Jack Shepard again. I waited ten years to hear from my PI and was thrilled for his return in THE GHOST AND THE BOGUS BESTSELLER by Cleo Coyle.

I also love food and was thrilled to find two new series showcasing Chinese and Mediterranean restaurants. I love Vivien Chien's Noodle House Mystery series, not only for her great characters and intriguing mysteries, but the setting, Cleveland, Ohio, where I once lived. Start with DEATH BY DUMPLING and continue with DIM SUM OF ALL FEARS. Baklava is one of my favorite desserts and, although known for their hummus bar, I might be able to find some in Tina Kashian's Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. Start with HUMMUS AND HOMICIDE and continue onto STABBED IN THE BAKLAVA. Want some breakfast? I love Sarah Fox's Pancake House Mystery series. The fourth book in this series was released this year, YEAST OF EDEN. She also started a new series, the Literary Pub Mystery series. I really enjoyed WINE AND PUNISHMENT. When speaking of food we can't forget beverages and I love the Whisky Business Mystery series by Melinda Mullet. DEADLY DRAM, the third book in the series, was released this year.

I'm fond of several religious mysteries and was delighted to discover Sister Agnes. You can find her in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series by Jane Willan. Check out my review of the second book in the series, THE HOUR OF DEATH.

New books in favorite series also include LETHAL IN OLD LACE by Duffy Brown and TOUCAN KEEP A SECRET by Donna Andrews.

If you like short stories, you mustn't miss Gigi Pandian's THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES: A JAYA JONES TREASURE HUNT MYSTERY COLLECTION.

I read many more delightful mysteries and I know that I'm leaving out some great ones...but I hope you enjoy seeing some of the books that meant a lot to me this year. I'm certain that 2019 will bring even more great reading.

The Hour of Death - Review

Review

THE HOUR OF DEATH by Jane Willan

The Second Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery

Advent has just begun and Sister Agatha has decided to give up carrying her detective notebook, with a little persuasion from Reverend Mother. After all, this should be a time of work and prayer instead of contemplating murder mysteries. Sister Agatha regrets this decision when she hears that the too perfect head of the Woman's Institute has been found dead in the parish hall. Everyone assumes Tiffany died of a heart attack, or some other natural cause, but mystery loving Sister Agatha believes it's murder. Hoping that her childhood friend, Father Selwyn, will be the Watson to her Holmes, Sister Agatha begins collecting evidence and checking out suspects. With the blessing of the Reverend Mother, Sister Agatha will make some discrete and, at times, not so subtle, inquiries in order to find justice for Tiffany by Christmas. 

Sister Agatha is my hero! Although THE HOUR OF DEATH is the second Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery it is my first time meeting the duo...and I now will be looking to read the first book in the series post haste! I absolutely loved this book, which had me laughing out loud on several occasions. The mystery is intricate and surprising...especially as we're not even certain there's a murder! However, so many other mysterious, unusual, even dangerous, things are happening readers are bound to agree with Sister Agatha and hunt for a killer. There are plenty of twists leading to a most satisfying conclusion.

In addition to a wonderful bucolic setting (despite the danger of development ruining it) there is a bevy of wonderful characters. Everyone is deeply developed and multilayered with such individuality. The members of the Abbey are not just a homogeneous group of Anglican nuns, but rather a richly diverse group of women. There's a basketball playing Reverend Mother, a hardcore gardener, master knitter, a nun who never missed a yoga class, and, of course, a nun who's writing her own murder mystery!

THE HOUR OF DEATH, set in a charming Welsh village during Advent, filled with the most delightful characters and a puzzling mystery ticks all the boxes for a great read.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Hour of Death by Jane Willan. This book is the second in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series and was released last month.

Advent has just begun and Sister Agatha has decided to give up carrying her detective notebook, with a little persuasion from Reverend Mother. After all, this should be a time of work and prayer instead of contemplating murder mysteries. Sister Agatha regrets this decision when she hears that the too perfect head of the Woman's Institute has been found dead in the church hall. Everyone assumes Tiffany died of a heart attack, or some other natural cause, but mystery loving Sister Agatha believes it's murder. Hoping that her childhood friend, Father Selwyn, will be the Watson to her Holmes, Sister Agatha begins collecting evidence and checking out suspects. With the blessing of the Reverend Mother, Sister Agatha will make some discrete and, at times, not so subtle, inquiries in order to find justice for Tiffany by Christmas.