Life...The Vivere

ARTFUL READERS CLUB
Review for SEPULCHRE by Kate Mosse

October 31, 2014  

Hello Artful Readers and other lovers of books. It's the end of October...time for another artful book review. I hope this posting finds you well and that you've been able to fit in some good reading time throughout the month! My selection for October was another of Kate Mosse's Languedoc Series, SEPULCHRE. Languedoc refers to a geographical region in southwestern France...an area that my daughter and I recently spent some time exploring with our cameras. This book came alive for me, having been there, but it will come alive for you as well...compliments of Mosse's engaging writing. It's a piece of historical fiction encompassing romance, obsessive revenge, a smattering of supernatural, some tarot divination, puzzle-solving and researching for long-lost family roots. It's compelling fantasy and mystery with two concurrent stories separated by time, linked in mysterious ways. One story is set in the late 1700's...the other in 2007. France is beautifully represented and the characters from both periods of time are well rounded and complex. Told over centuries using ordinary people and places, Mosse is a master at creating a haunting, atmospheric epic and twisted, suspense-filled narrative.

The first story begins in late 18th century Paris and carries on to southwestern France's  municipalities of Carcassonne, Rennes-le-Bain and neighboring town of  Rennes-le-Chateau...the Midi...an area rich in ancient legends and superstition dating back to  the Visigoth era. The second story, contemporary, is about a young American graduate student, an unknowing descendent of the French characters in the first story. Her journey to France to do some professional research ends up taking her on a voyage of personal discovery.

If you're a fan of historical fiction and a mystery buff  with a leaning towards the occult...this book's for YOU! 

See you for my next posting...the last few months have been exceptionally busy as will be the coming month so postings will be sparse. Looking forward to getting back to normal...

Big Hugs and thanks for stopping by...

abbyj