This Book Review is posted by Anna Patterson.
Writer, Journalist, Book Reviewer,
I
received a copy of this book to read through the Net Galley program in exchange
for an honest and unbiased review which I am happy to share now.
In this book’s description, it is noted that this is the
second book in the Jake and Amanda Bannon novels. A brilliant and successful
couple is introduced in these books as events lead them into an entertaining
display of their ability to be both charming and able to solve difficult
mysteries involving dangerous adventures. Their efforts at sleuthing takes them
from scenic locations, Hawaii, Rome, but
their good intentions to enjoy themselves in these beautiful places becomes
instantly totally halted when they become innocently enough involved in things
most deadly.
As Jake ponders over a situation like this, his thoughts
explain their involvement in mysteries as, “It was Amanda who said, yes. It was
always Amanda, and here they were about to go at it again . . .”
As for Amanda, there were many reasons the couple was
close, they agreed on many things. “Amanda felt her clairvoyance was the reason
she and Jake tended to get into all kinds of trouble.”
It
seems that Amanda’s dark visions, even turning of a sinister nation, could be
revealing something terrible about this quest they were on which eventually brought
them to Chicago .
It was meant to be just carrying religious relics to people who had wanted
them, but some of the characters worrying about this couples ability to deduce
the truth, well, they had a very dark side. One of them was exhibiting his most
abusive nature to his wife at that point of the mysterious other hidden secret
part of the adventure.
In
a further explanation, the book’s description explains, “With a cast of
well-drawn and original characters, The Congregation is a fast-paced and sometimes
shocking tale of what happens when the idealism and innocence of youth unveil
the dark history of hypocrisy in the Catholic Church. Bombenon’s adventurous
and romantic couple provides the perfect amount of humor and wit in a
sophisticated, exciting, and thought-provoking book”
I
did read the first novel about this adventurous couple and found it
interesting, and also capturing the earthy reality of life. This second book
does the same. I did like the contrasting views expressed by Amanda and her critical
views of the church, but at the same time it is pointed out, her mother is a
devout Catholic and Amanda is willing to go all the way to Rome to have a relic blessed there because of
her mother’s devotion and belief in the church.
Because
of this realistic look at families and their diversified differences of
opinion, I felt this added depth to the novels. The second book, I believe,
delves into what could be considered controversial issues of today’s reality.
Because of both book’s frankness, I would not consider them just a light read.
I would give The Congregation Four Stars. There are many things I found to like
about the book, and some things which made me stop in a thoughtful pause.
The author, Desiree A. Bombenon, was born in Colombo , Siri Lanka, and
has been a successful CEO and certified strategic leader. She is a member of
the Young Presidents Organization and has won several industry and leadership
awards globally.
