Espionage in the time of Jesus begets a slow-moving but riveting novel.
An aspiring scribe investigates incidents surrounding a man who claims to be a messiah in Millard’s Christian historical fiction debut.
In the first century, Jewish leaders enlist Alexandrian merchant Nicanor to shadow a reputed “desert prophet.” Nicanor sends his nephew Jannaeus to Judea, where he learns that the man he’s been closely monitoring has declared someone else as the Messiah; Jannaeus is directed to look into Jesus, a Galilean craftsman and prophet. Putting aside his studies (Jannaeus is learning to be a scribe in the hope of ultimately becoming a rabbi), the young man pursues his investigation, which entails, among other things, following Jesus to Galilee. (He also delays his marriage to his betrothed, Rebekka.) Jesus, meanwhile, is performing miracles, but is he somehow faking them? And if so, why? In any case, it’s a dangerous practice, as many believe what Jesus has been doing is blasphemous and seem determined to put a stop to it. Millard skillfully blends the elements of a spy novel with the Biblical story of Jesus: Jannaeus suspects an influential person entangled in a conspiracy, eyes someone he’s close to as a potential betrayer, and, at various times, runs up against zealots and pirates. The protagonist is convincingly flawed as he pushes away Rebekka and neurotically mulls over subjects that render him sleepless (“Only an occasional blink interrupted his unfocused stare as he tried his hardest to make no more sounds until the night would end”). The supporting cast is just as compelling, including the not-exactly-trustworthy Jewish leaders whom Jannaeus works for, the always-reliable Nicanor, and Demas, Nicanor’s smart, resourceful servant. While this lengthy tale rolls out at a notably unhurried pace, it’s consistently engaging, even though most readers will be fully aware of where it’s headed. All the while, the author’s easygoing prose showcases her thorough knowledge of Christian lore as well as the era, the land, and its languages.
Espionage in the time of Jesus begets a slow-moving but riveting novel.Pub Date: Dec. 12, 2024
ISBN: 9781038302557
Page Count: 558
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Feb. 7, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
An affecting portrait of a prickly woman.
A lifetime’s worth of letters combine to portray a singular character.
Sybil Van Antwerp, a cantankerous but exceedingly well-mannered septuagenarian, is the titular correspondent in Evans’ debut novel. Sybil has retired from a beloved job as chief clerk to a judge with whom she had previously been in private legal practice. She is the divorced mother of two living adult children and one who died when he was 8. She is a reader of novels, a gardener, and a keen observer of human nature. But the most distinguishing thing about Sybil is her lifelong practice of letter writing. As advancing vision problems threaten Sybil’s carefully constructed way of life—in which letters take the place of personal contact and engagement—she must reckon with unaddressed issues from her past that threaten the house of cards (letters, really) she has built around herself. Sybil’s relationships are gradually revealed in the series of letters sent to and received from, among others, her brother, sister-in-law, children, former work associates, and, intriguingly, literary icons including Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry. Perhaps most affecting is the series of missives Sybil writes but never mails to a shadowy figure from her past. Thoughtful musings on the value and immortal quality of letters and the written word populate one of Sybil’s notes to a young correspondent while other messages are laugh-out-loud funny, tinged with her characteristic blunt tartness. Evans has created a brusque and quirky yet endearing main character with no shortage of opinions and advice for others but who fails to excavate the knotty difficulties of her own life. As Sybil grows into a delayed self-awareness, her letters serve as a chronicle of fitful growth.
An affecting portrait of a prickly woman.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9780593798430
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
A warm and winning "When Harry Met Sally…" update that hits all the perfect notes.
A travel writer has one last shot at reconnecting with the best friend she just might be in love with.
Poppy and Alex couldn't be more different. She loves wearing bright colors while he prefers khakis and a T-shirt. She likes just about everything while he’s a bit more discerning. And yet, their opposites-attract friendship works because they love each other…in a totally platonic way. Probably. Even though they have their own separate lives (Poppy lives in New York City and is a travel writer with a popular Instagram account; Alex is a high school teacher in their tiny Ohio hometown), they still manage to get together each summer for one fabulous vacation. They grow closer every year, but Poppy doesn’t let herself linger on her feelings for Alex—she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship or the way she can be fully herself with him. They continue to date other people, even bringing their serious partners on their summer vacations…but then, after a falling-out, they stop speaking. When Poppy finds herself facing a serious bout of ennui, unhappy with her glamorous job and the life she’s been dreaming of forever, she thinks back to the last time she was truly happy: her last vacation with Alex. And so, though they haven’t spoken in two years, she asks him to take another vacation with her. She’s determined to bridge the gap that’s formed between them and become best friends again, but to do that, she’ll have to be honest with Alex—and herself—about her true feelings. In chapters that jump around in time, Henry shows readers the progression (and dissolution) of Poppy and Alex’s friendship. Their slow-burn love story hits on beloved romance tropes (such as there unexpectedly being only one bed on the reconciliation trip Poppy plans) while still feeling entirely fresh. Henry’s biggest strength is in the sparkling, often laugh-out-loud-funny dialogue, particularly the banter-filled conversations between Poppy and Alex. But there’s depth to the story, too—Poppy’s feeling of dissatisfaction with a life that should be making her happy as well as her unresolved feelings toward the difficult parts of her childhood make her a sympathetic and relatable character. The end result is a story that pays homage to classic romantic comedies while having a point of view all its own.
A warm and winning "When Harry Met Sally…" update that hits all the perfect notes.Pub Date: May 11, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-9848-0675-8
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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