Oh so good! "The Fragment" by Davis Bunn
about the book....
It’s 1923, and a resilient Paris is starting to recover from the ravages of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Enter Muriel Ross, an amateur photographer tasked with documenting the antiques that her employer, U.S. Senator Tom Bryan, has traveled to France to acquire.
Although she’s exhilarated to have escaped her parents and the confines of their stifling Virginia home, Muriel has lingering questions about why the senator has chosen her for this grand adventure. Nevertheless, she blossoms in her new surroundings, soaking up Parisian culture and capturing the sights and sounds of Paris on her camera.
But events take a dangerous turn when she discovers that the senator is on a mission far more momentous—and potentially deadly—than a mere shopping trip.
At the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Senator Bryan asks Muriel to photograph an astonishing artifact: a piece of the True Cross, discovered by Empress Helena—a historical figure familiar to readers of The Pilgrim.
When rumors surface that another fragment has been unearthed, Muriel becomes enmeshed in a covert international alliance dedicated to authenticating the fragment—and protecting it from those who will stop at nothing to steal and discredit it.
Davis Bunn has once again penned a well-crafted and absorbing tale in "The Fragment". I love the setting of the novel in post World War I Europe, and greatly enjoyed viewing the world through the somewhat naive but capable eyes of Muriel. The plot unfolds in a rather unique manner, as both the reader and Muriel herself aren't sure exactly what course she is being set upon, what the end game is of the mission she's been drawn in to. Muriel is one of those heroic characters everyone wants to be, a strong character who can't help but draw people towards her as she uses the gifts God has given her. As such, I couldn't help but like her from page one, along with the mysterious Senator who is so much more than he seems. Although I absolutely love the fast pace of this story, which I devoured in one day, I think I was most drawn to those moments when Muriel encountered the divine, as the moment seemed to freeze such that I felt like I was right there experiencing that sacred encounter with her. I also enjoyed the way that Muriel's love of photography not only played a key role in the story, but also allowed me as the reader to see things from a different point of view.
"The Fragment" is another excellent tale from one of my favourite authors. I am not sure if Muriel will be appearing in any future novels, but I can certainly hope so! If you have not yet read a story by Davis Bunn, then this is a fine place to start. You are sure to enjoy the rich historical details, the fascinating plot, and the wonderful characters. 5 out of 5 stars.
An e-galley has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.
"The Fragment" is another excellent tale from one of my favourite authors. I am not sure if Muriel will be appearing in any future novels, but I can certainly hope so! If you have not yet read a story by Davis Bunn, then this is a fine place to start. You are sure to enjoy the rich historical details, the fascinating plot, and the wonderful characters. 5 out of 5 stars.
An e-galley has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.
about the author....
Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies. His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. As Thomas Locke, Davis is also the author of Emissary. Learn more at www.tlocke.com.
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