Cover Image: The Fragment

The Fragment

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This novelette is simply a superb read! The quality of writing is exceptional, the plot is intruguing and smartly vowen and the historical research of post-WWI Paris and Constantinople is spot-on. Kudos to the author to be able to create such a story within less than 200 pages! I got very impressed.

The book is not the follow-up to the previous novel The Pilgrim, yet it is written around the same subject - the relic of the True Cross of Christ. In 1923, American researcher Muriel Ross finds herself in Paris to be able to photograph the precious relic. But her services to the U.S. Senator Bryan does not stop here - they are to embark the dangerous journey to The Ottoman Empire, which is on the verge of downfall. Because it is possible that another fragment of the True Cross exists.

There are many things worthy of high praise here, but I want to comment on the quality of plotting here. The author courageously goes for the moves of the souls above all else (generally the more romantic approach sells (for me, too), but here I understand the motifs well and I agree with the way the author handled things).

I hope to meet these intriguing heroes again!

Was this review helpful?

A fascinating, short historically based thriller surrounding a famous relic, the Fragment of the True Cross. Well its called a 'thriller', but although there was adventure and intrigue its wasn't overdone, most of it really involved the characters being involved in the explosive political situation in Post ww1 Europe and Turkey, instead of personal danger.

One real strongpoint of this story was the rich detail. Not just the historical backdrop, but the smaller finer details, such as the view from famous historical landmarks. One suspects the author has been to some of the places involved, and helps 'transport' the reader to the place and time. The cameo by Coco Chanel and trip on the legendary Orient Express were just too good not to include.
Also, having a family member who is a keen photographer and being in the historical business myself allowed me to identify with the main character.

I think the Spiritual aspect was well done without being too preachy, and handled Catholic ideas about relics in a sensitive way that should not alienate Protestants. The scene in which the Prior of Notre Dame complained letting having an American Evangelical Protestant (to his mind essentially a 'heretic'), near reliquary of the True Cross was very amusing.

The only thing is that the book was categorized as British Fiction, and there was nothing remotely British about it, except a few pages towards the end, where the characters stop off in Southampton.

I requested a copy of this book from the Publisher Marylebone House via Netgalley for review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?