The Congregation by Desiree Bombenon

5 stars

265 Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group, River Grove Books
Release Date: August 25, 2015

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, domestic violence, sexual abuse, terrorism

This is the second book in the Jake and Amanda Bannon series. The Bannons are in Chicago when they get a call from Cardinal Samuel Roland. He urgently asks them to come to the Vatican. When they arrive, they discuss artifacts. He asks them to take a relic back to Chicago to Father Michael Kristofferson (known as Father K.). They first show the relic to Professor Orloff for his expert opinion.

There are multiple groups within the Church. The Gathering is a group of younger people that are followers of the Church. The Inner Circle are comprised of true believers. Josh Newman is one of Father K’s devout followers and a part of the Inner Circle. The followers are planning an event that would forever change the Catholic Church. It is up to Jake, Amanda, and Professor Orloff to stop them.

The book has a fast pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. The book reminded me of the television series Hart to Hart. If you like action and adventure with a little religious conspiracy theory, you may enjoy reading this book.

Okay but not brilliant, some of it a bit predictable. However, some good ideas and some of the characters were quite compelling.

This was an interesting and well paced read. It was a gripping story about an issue of urgency. The characters had a lively banter and I enjoyed that.
Many thanks to Greenleaf Book Group and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The book just didn't seem to be a book that I would read but I was pleasantly surprised. There were different themes for this book and I really enjoyed that. I'll read another from this author.

What a twisted tale. Many people involved in a worldwide plot of destruction, each with their own story. The way it all culminated was a powerful crazy show. Devastating and powerful emotions. For a mysterious plot of suspense, this book was amazing! Book provided by NetGalley.

This was an interesting and delightful mystery, This is the second in the series; I would have preferred to read them in order but I did not trouble following along.. The characters were strongly written and the plot was fast paced, I also enjoyed learning about some of the back stories of the Catholic Church.

An interesting read although one it has taken me quite some time to get to. I go through phases with genres and this just didn’t capture my attention for a while but when I started it, boy did it. I’ll certainly consider checking out mode of the authors work,

Amanda had not planned on jumping out a third story window of the Chicago Culture Center because of a fire. Jake arrived frantically looking for Amanda. She had been on a window ledge but the firemen got a ladder to her and one was guiding her down the ladder a little below her on the ladder. Jake noticed the scar on her arm that she got on their last adventure in Hawaii. They had been helping with an investigation of kidnapping of some of their friends. It had just been a year since they had solved that case. It had been a very hard time for Amanda and Jake as friends had been involved. Amanda said she needed a vacation and wanted to go to Rome. and said she had to go to the Vatican. Her mother had a sick friend and Cardinal Roland said he would bless a rosary her mother had and would light some candles for her friend. Amanda adored her mom. Jake knew he wouldn’t win so he got up and booked a flight to Rome for them. Amanda had the gift of clairvoyance and could get visions. She felt that was why her and Jake got into all kinds of trouble. She also had been born with extrasensory perception. The gift had helped the local authorities in solving different cases by finding clues. In some cases Amanda even found people. After their businesses were doing well and they found great people to run them Amanda and Jake decided to semi-retire from everything including dangerous cases that could put them in harm’s way. They had been pulled back into action last year while in Hawaii. This case had almost cost them their lives. Now they were getting ready to land in Rome for some reason Amanda felt a slight feeling of panic. Amanda and Jake went to meet Cardinal Roland the next day and he gives than a private tour of the Sistine Chapel. Father Roland was good friends with another priest in Chicago- Father Kristofferson- who he was worried about. The Cardinal felt Father Kristofferson may have lost his faith. Cardinal Roland and Father Kristofferson had a secret they share. Cardinal Roland is filled with grief over the secret. Cardinal Roland had a relic he wanted to give to Father Kristofferson. Amanda agreed to take the relic to Chicago. Once back in Chicago Amanda had a “ feeling Cardinal Roland may be in some kind of trouble.” Josh is a member and leader with Father Kristofferson of an organization called The Gathering and it’s goal is to bring down the Roman Catholic Church. Which they feel is a cult.
I enjoyed this book. I really liked the action, suspense, and drama. I also liked the fast pace and the plot. I felt the author did a good job in this book with how she handled the abuse. At times I was on the end of my seat while reading this book. I really liked the characters and the twists and turns of this book and I recommend it.

I enjoyed this book in the beginning and at the end. Towards the middle it seemed to lag. There were enough twists and turns to keep me interested though and made me want to follow through to the conclusion. I'm not sure I would read more from this author but I'd keep an open mind if something came along that didn't revolve around the church.

No longer interested in reading this. Clearing out old galleys.

Sorry I was not able to read you book but it went to archive before I could get to it. Sorry once again.

There is nothing I love more than a good mystery , or better yet solving one! I have always loved crime dramas for that very reason. That's why this book was perfect for me, a mystery, a mystery solving couple, and enough dram to go around.