Leslie Schweitzer MillerReseñas

Fascinating.

Dr Giselle Gelis and Dr David Rettig meet at a conference, she is a biblical professor and he is an archeologist.
Her faith is of the outmost importance to her. He is an atheist. On the surface, you’d think they would never work. But they are both quirky, kind hearted intellectuals. You soon believe that they actually shouldn’t be without each other.

But in the background a mystery is unfolding.
There are alternating chapters in the book telling the story of a priest many years ago who discovered secret documents hidden inside the walls of the church.

The documents become a part of the present day story as well.

The documents potentially prove a marriage between Mary Magdalene and Jesus.
The implications could be life shattering for many involved and at the very least they would be life altering.

Giselle’s faith is at the heart of her. She could possibly accept the idea that Jesus had married but the further questions that arise are ones she will not accept.
This puts a serious strain on her relationship with David.

I enjoyed this story very much.
I like how parts of the story were grounded in truth but the author was able to take liberties in order to create a story for Giselle and David.
I liked the characters and their relationship. It was quite romantic at times and quite difficult for them at other moments.

I think you could be a believer or a non believer and appreciate this story. I say that because I think it needs said with a storyline like this.

I got to read an early e book edition of this book through a NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Discovery introduces the reader to a Biblical scholar – Giselle and an archeologist, David. She lives a rather insular life despite speaking several languages and traveling to conferences around the world. He works mainly in Israel excavating the world of the Bible but not following any of the religions it fomented. These two are the main protagonists in the tale but there is another important player – Abbe François Bérenger Saunière. He is the priest assigned to Rennes le Chateau as punishment but he sees it as freedom.

According to the book this area of France has a long history of reverence for Mary Magdalene as there are many who believe she came to the Languedoc after Jesus died and lived the rest of her life in France. There are also those who believe Jesus did not die on the cross but was spirited away and then he went on to live the rest of his life in India. Both of these beliefs go strongly against the teachings of the Catholic church and would be dramatic revelations if ever proven true. That makes them excellent fodder for fictional accounts.

Ms. Schweitzer Miller uses bits of the historical record and real people combined with fictional characters to tell her story of well, discovery in the south of France. To share with you what is found would be to share with you the plot and you know I don’t do that. You will have to read the book for yourself. It is an entertaining read – I finished it in an afternoon. I can’t say it breaks any new ground in Biblical mysteries but I found myself quite lost in both the historical half, the romance that blossomed and the overall mystery. It is sort of a cozy thriller as while people are killed there is nothing overtly gory or violent in the book, nor are the protagonists severely threatened. The pressures come from other places.

So, if you want bit of a history lesson of this area of France and its religious issues wrapped up into a mystery this will be the book for you.