Prey for a Miracle

She might be a bit like the spunky Sister Agatha, a journalist turned extern nun. This is my first Sister Agatha Mystery experience and I can say for sure that it won't be my last. The Thurlos' writing doesn't hold a candlestick to someone like Tim Downs in the dialogue department, but they can keep the plot moving along decently and occasionally make you laugh. Sister Agatha is unique in her own right, but she's also got all the right elements of the old, classic mystery tycoons. She's not quite so scientifically brilliant as Holmes and she's not as frisky or young as the Hardys or Ms. Drew, but she's endearing in her own hitch-up-the-habit and smack-the-badguy way.

A good mystery, Sister Agatha makes a very human detective. The Thurlo's have a good knowledge of New Mexico and it's people that helps make their work realistic. I will always go back for more Sister Agatha books.

Other reviewers have covered the plot and characters of this book in great detail. So I won't bother to do that. I will say that the setting is realistic. The people in this one book are less realistic- a preacher who was a former pro wrestler, a girl who sees angles, a nun who solves crimes. But, despite being less realistic they are fun, believable and enjoyable. This is a good romp of a mystery.

This is a wonderful series and a great addition to the genre. The story keeps you intrigued. Not only a good read, but also thought provoking. I highly recommend this book

Jessica's daughter Natalie claims she sees an angel who stopped a car that was about to run over a man in a wheelchair. The angel Samera told Jessica that her friend's house was in danger and if her friend wasn't watching, the house would have burned to the ground. The angel was right. Natalie made no secret of having an angel always by her side but the resulting media attention and the people begging Natalie to perform a miracle for them wore mother and daughter down. Threatening letters and phone calls made Jessica realize they would need to move if they are to have a peace. Jessica is on her way to her brother, a priest's church to give him something when a pick-up runs them off the road. Jessica is injured but before she falls into a coma, she tells Natalie to run. After an extreme search, Sister Agatha finds Natalie and brings her to the monastery as a safety precaution. Agatha vows to protect her at all costs while she tries to find the person who injured Jessica and who is seeking Natalie. This is the best book in the Sister Agatha series and one of the best books the Thurlos have written. Readers see how the nuns believe God watches over them at the same time Sister Agatha has to deal with the outside world in order to help Natalie who might actually see angels. Her faith allows her to take risks confident that God is with her. She is the one who figures out who the criminal is but not before he kidnaps Natalie and puts her in danger. PREY FOR A MIRACLE is a great ecclesial mystery reminiscent of the Father Dowling who done its. Harriet Klausner