The Chaplain of Blackburne House
by Bill Kupersmith
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Pub Date Jul 28 2018 | Archive Date Oct 18 2018
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Description
Jennifer McCreavy has just accepted a position as chaplain, mistress of a girls' dorm called Blackburne House. She has also embarked on an undercover mission.
Her half-sister Cathy Foxcroft was a second-year student at the school. The previous April she was found hanged in a dormitory stairwell, presumed a suicide. That was totally out of character; Cathy liked school and had no history of depression or self-harm.
When Jen arrives at Saint Aidan's at the beginning of term she discovers that the school has fallen under the influence of a glamorous couple, Antonia and Alastair Brucemoore, the manager of a secretive hedge-fund and her husband the school's academic dean and drama coach. They live in a mansion overlooking the school.
From the school nurse, Jen learns that drug activity and sexually transmitted diseases are rampant on the campus and that Cathy had asked for an HIV test shortly before her death.
Gradually we become aware that Saint Aidan's is under the influence of dark forces. The Brucemoores' mansion is the focus of drug activity, sexual abuse, and pornography. When one of the girls in Jen's house is abducted and placed in grave peril, Jen and her friends must risk everything to rescue her.
Readers who enjoy school stories and mystery thrillers, along with more than a touch of the supernatural, will enjoy following Jen's adventures.
Advance Praise
Stephen Hulme on Amazon.com
This is Bill Kupersmith's debut novel. I for one am looking forward to more.
The plot is interesting and well-paced. He eludes the trap of too many sub-plots that so often ensnares first-time novelists. The plot is well focused, has some interesting twists, and moves along briskly. The tension with the (really evil) Brucemoores provides plenty of impetus to move the story along. The climactic scene at the end of the book is a logical, necessary completion to the plot.
Besides a good plot, the novel has three other strengths. First, the well-drawn female characters: interesting, strong, believable people. This is no easy feat for a male author. Kupersmith's tight dialogue and clear characterizations make the people and situations vivid. The handling of the characters is, to my mind, one of the book's best features.
The next strength are the sports and card-playing scenes. Here you'll find some of the best writing in the book. First, there's the poker scene where Jen outwits a group of self-centered, smug, men. It's dramatic and fun to read. You'll also learn quite a bit about poker. I'd not want to play cards against this author.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781718025349 |
| PRICE | $0.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Aileen G, Reviewer
This book makes me wish I'd done more Latin at school. Jen - the Chaplain - makes it seem very pertinent to life today, and very sexy. The story is worth reading too, exciting, fun and informative. There are long passages of Latin to be translated - and some Greek too. That makes it sound rather boring but in the context of the book, it just makes the book more interesting.
This is a debut book by Bill Kupersmith and I hope he continues to write as well in the future.
