The Priest's Madonna by Amy Hassinger

From the Publisher

In 1896, a priest in southern France suddenly gained immense wealth. This much is historically true-but no one knows where the money came from. At his death, the priest's secret was buried with him. But there was a young woman-his housekeeper and lover, Marie Dˇnarnaud-who may have known the truth.

Marie Dˇnarnaud is only a girl when the charismatic priest Bˇrenger first captivates her. As a woman, she becomes his housekeeper and struggles with guilt over their illicit relationship. But as their affection deepens, Bˇrenger grows secretive, and Marie has to learn why. What she discovers is a shocking secret that she becomes responsible for concealing.

Publishers Weekly

A historical romance that mixes literary heft and pop-fiction indulgence, Hassinger's ambitious second novel (following Nina: Adolescence) makes for a busy, derivative read. Marie Dernanaud, raised a religious skeptic, is immediately attracted to Berenger Sauniere, the devout, charismatic priest who takes over the parish of her small town, Rennes-le-Chateau, in the 1890s. While hiding their dangerous affection for each other behind arguments over religion and revolution, Marie, who narrates, and B renger oversee their church's renovation, which turns up some curious artifacts: a map, a book and an ancient stone carving that might hold a Da Vinci-esque code. (Wearyingly, the stuff does in fact have its origins with the Knights Templar.) With the help of the enigmatic mayor's wife, Madame Simone Laporte, Marie tries to piece together the mystery of the church, but Berenger has confessed that he's being fed a steady diet of cash by a powerful financier who wants access to whatever they find-including possible proof of a bloodline (here's Simone's interest) descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Hassinger believably conveys Berenger's transformation from gentle clergyman to angry, corrupt doubter, and mixes in some tantalizing ancient doings in Judea, but all the competing interests sap the dynamism from Marie, who never achieves a distinct voice. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Drawing on current interest in religious mysteries, Hassinger also may awaken some similarities to Colleen McCullough's The Thornbirds in creating a mystery-romance-historical novel set primarily in late 19th-century Southern France but also in ancient Judea. Priest Berenger Sauniere has ties to the Knights Templars' secret treasure, and when he dies mysteriously, it is his housekeeper and presumed lover, Marie D narnaud, who must juggle faith, love, and trust. Her transformation from a 16-year-old love-smitten adolescent to the holder of all secrets may not be fully convincing, but the author does create some viable parallels into the Mary Magdalene mythos. Initially a slow moving story that reveals its clues unevenly, the tale becomes more engaging than its characters. Anna Fields handles the accents and characters' nuances very well. A timely audiobook in the wake of Dan Brown's Da Vinci success. Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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