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Roger Jon Ellory

A Quiet Belief In Angels: ‘Beautiful and haunting’ MICHAEL CONNELLY Mass Market Paperback – 27 Dec. 2007

by R.J. Ellory (Author)

4.2 1,126 ratings

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'Beautiful and haunting... A tour de force' MICHAEL CONNELLY
'There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels that are also great mysteries... A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them' JAMES PATTERSON

A TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK
AN AWARD-WINNING SUSPENSE THRILLER

Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 50s, his small rural community was shaken by a series of killings of young girls. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph was determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the killer.

But despite banding together with his friends as 'The Guardians', he was powerless to prevent more murders - and no one was ever caught.

Ten years later, one of his neighbours is found hanging from a rope, with articles from the dead girls around him, and the killings finally cease. But the past won't stay buried - for it seems that the real murderer still lives and is killing again. And the secret of his identity lies in Joseph's own history...

'Mesmerizing... The master of the genre' CLIVE CUSSLER
'A uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer' ALAN FURST

Print length

396 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Orion
Publication date

27 Dec. 2007
Dimensions

13.1 x 2.7 x 19.7 cm
ISBN-10

0752882635
ISBN-13

978-0752882635
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Product description

Review

A beautiful and haunting book. This is a tour de force from R.J. Ellory -- Michael Connelly

A rich, powerful, evocative novel of great psychological depth -- Jonathan Kellerman

R.J. Ellory is a uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer, and the quality of his prose - every word, every sentence - lifts A Quiet Belief in Angels far above genre -- Alan Furst

There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels, that are also great mysteries. Like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Smilla's Sense of Snow, A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them ― James Patterson

A mesmerizing tale whose intrigue will pull you from one page to the next without pause, casting you into the gloom of dread and the shadow of grief until you reach the climactic end. R.J. Ellory's remarkable talent for probing the unknown establishes him as the master of the genre. The perfect author to read late into the night -- Clive Cussler

Ellory is English, but his evocation of life in the deep South is richly drawn and deeply detailed. His characters are well-developed, and portions of the books ably mimic great southern writers, allowing readers to savor both the words and the images they offer ― BOOKLIST

Book Description

A superb, atmospheric thriller from 'one of crime fiction's new stars' [Sunday Telegraph]

From the Author

I would like to take this opportunity to communicate my thanks to all those who have read my book, and those who have taken the time and trouble to post a comment or review on Amazon. It is rare indeed, as an author, to actually receive any feedback, as writing a book is a somewhat individual and insular activity! To hear word back that a book has been enjoyed, or perhaps not enjoyed, means the world to me, and I am very grateful.

It is not my intention to confound or disappoint anyone with the books that I write. In the main, and evidenced by the very kind responses that have been posted, my work has been well-received. I am grateful indeed for the acknowledgement. But more important than anything, I wished always for my work to evoke and precipitate a response, to be something that people could either love or hate, embrace or discard as they decided. If it has accomplished any part of this, then I am happy.
I thank you for your time and attention, for the hours that you have devoted to reading what I have written, and I hope that we will continue from this point forward with a long and rewarding relationship as writer and reader.

My very best wishes,
R J Ellory.

From the Back Cover

Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 1950s, he was at the centre of series of killings of young girls in his small rural community. The girls were taken, assaulted and left horribly mutilated. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph becomes determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the predations of the killer.

About the Author

R.J. Ellory is a critically acclaimed author whose novels include the bestselling A Quiet Belief in Angels, which was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection and won the Nouvel Observateur Crime Fiction Prize.

Ellory's novels have been translated into twenty-six languages, and he has won the USA Excellence Award for Best Mystery, the Strand Magazine Best Thriller 2009, the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year for A Simple Act of Violence, the St Maur Prize, the Avignon Readers' Prize, the Livre de Poche Award and the Quebec Laureat. He has been shortlisted for a further thirteen awards in numerous countries, including four Daggers from the UK Crime Writers' Association.

To find out more visit www.rjellory.comor follow him on Twitter @rjellory

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion; 1st edition (27 Dec. 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 396 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0752882635
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0752882635
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.1 x 2.7 x 19.7 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 277,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 30,970 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- 42,803 in Thrillers (Books)
- 45,714 in Mysteries (Books)

Customer reviews:
4.2 1,126 ratings

About the author

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Roger Jon Ellory

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RJ Ellory is the author of eighteen novels, all published in the UK by Orion, and available in twenty-six additional languages. They are:

CANDLEMOTH (2003)

GHOSTHEART (2004)

A QUIET VENDETTA (2005)

CITY OF LIES (2006)

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS (2007)

A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE (2008)

THE ANNIVERSARY MAN (2009)

SAINTS OF NEW YORK (2010)

BAD SIGNS (2011)

A DARK AND BROKEN HEART (2012)

THE DEVIL AND THE RIVER (2013)

CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS (2014)

MOCKINGBIRD SONGS (2016)

KINGS OF AMERICA (2017)

THREE BULLETS (2019)

PROOF OF LIFE (2021)

THE DARKEST SEASON (2022)

THE LAST HIGHWAY (2023)

Additionally, in 2020, he independently published 'THE MAN WHO ATE THE WORLD', with all proceeds being donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

'Candlemoth' was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger, and went on to win the Grand Prix des Lecteurs and the Balai d'Or 2017. His fifth novel, 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2007, and won the Livre De Poche Award, The Strand Magazine Novel of The Year, The Mystery Booksellers of America Award, the USA National Indie Excellence Award for Best Mystery, the Inaugural Nouvel Observateur Prize and the Quebec Booksellers' Award. 'A Quiet Vendetta' won the Quebec Laureat, the Avignon Readers’ Prize and the St. Maur Prize. 'A Simple Act of Violence', Ellory’s sixth novel, won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year 2010. He has been nominated for a further thirteen international awards including two Barrys, the Association 813 Trophy, and the Europeen Du Point. He has also written the screenplay of 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' for Oscar-winning director, Olivier Dahan, and has optioned 'A Dark and Broken Heart' for film. His novella 'Three Days in Chicagoland' was released as a French graphic novel at the end of 2014 (in collaboration with Fabrice Colin), as was 'Seul le Silence' in 2021. He has published short stories in numerous British and American magazines. Currently working on two TV series adaptations, he is also writing for the screen with two original feature films in production. Ellory - alongside Martin Smith (formerly of ELO) - is a founding member of The Whiskey Poets, a country-blues band, and they have released three albums, 'Low Country', 'Native Strangers' and 'The Garage Tapes'.

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4.2 out of 5

1,126 global ratings

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Utterly gripping but marred by purple passages

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 24 April 2008

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For the first couple of chapters, I thought I wasn't going to like this book. The prose struck me as overwrought, with words like 'myriad' cropping up to spoil everything, the way it always does.

Then the story began to suck me in and I read the remaining 380 pages in a couple of days, although the odd purple passage would make me wish for more restraint from a writer who is, otherwise, a fine prose stylist. It's that which prevents me from awarding the full 5 stars.

The identity of the killer was obvious enough, but it's not a whodunnit, so that didn't matter. What counted was Joseph's life, dogged by ill fortune: he grows up in a hick town in Georgia during the great depression and WW2; his father dies and his mother has a nervous breakdown and ends up in hospital where the primitive medication of the time deprives her of any hope of recovery; his wife dies in childbirth. And that's just the start of his troubles!

He makes an implausibly successful escape to Bohemian Brooklyn to establish himself as a writer, but the deaths of the little girls down south still haunt him, and then the worst thing of all happens to him. I found myself panting for breath in the very few chapters that wreck his life completely. I was angry and indignant, feeling emotions that only the best writers can arouse for fictional characters.

I would recommend this book to anyone; I have done so. Just be prepared to wince at the odd 'poetic' extravagance that gets in the way of the story and the characters.

3 people found this helpful

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Harry

An intense, heartbreaking voyage of true finesse and beauty

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 11 January 2008

Verified Purchase

I didn't simply read this book, follow its passages glibly, only briefly envisioning the scenes described. I didn't, because that was simply not possible; I lived it, felt it, and was drawn inexorably within it. This work, by Ellory, is an experience that will stay with me for many years, and anybody who is conversant with Quiet Belief In Angels will have a clear idea as to why.

The premise of the book is not convoluted, or impregnable, it is actually simple, if rather harrowing. The story follows the life of Joseph Vaughan, haunted by the child killings in his hometown; Augusta Falls. These shadows follow him, haunt him and fortify his desperate desire for deliverance. In his yearning to escape he is fully possessed by them, until they dominate his very being.

I was moved by the style, the description, the deftness and mastery with which Ellory creates this world and draws one into it. The way you become emotionally attached to the characters, experiencing real emotion, exhilaration and despair. I can actually see the protagonist, Joseph Vaughan in my minds eye; I feel I know him, his reactions, attitudes and decisions, like I do a close friends. I can feel, breath, almost experience Augusta Falls, and thus created an emotional attachment to the stricken town. So much so, that when the passage of time creates irrevocable changes, I found myself yearning nostalgically for the more rustic humble town of the 1940's.

Throughout this journey, I felt the anguish in the inequity of Joseph Vaughan's fortune, yet beamed, at his times of happiness. I certainly agree with the reviewer, who mentioned reading his books chronologically will allow you to develop with the author, but this is not essential, everyone of his books are stand out experiences in themselves

It is very pleasing to see that an erudite author of such talent is finally getting deserved recognition. Many more can now avail themselves to his unique gift, and sail into a resonant journey that is quintessentially an RJ Ellory novel. Highly recommended.

11 people found this helpful

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sweet petite

Just missed being great

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 5 May 2011

Verified Purchase

This could have been a remarkable book. Descriptions of the small, southern town were captivating and how it represented the whole world through the eyes of a child. Joseph Vaughn was a character who you cared about. The trauma of living amongst the murders of children he knew, understandably became an underlying obsession which came to haunt his life.

*Possible spoiler alert*

This obsession was so great and the subsequent tragedies that dogged Joseph gave the impression that we were privvy to the narrative of a psychopath disassociating from his crimes (bit like in secret window with Johnny Depp). The true culprit however, is provided with no explanation of why or how he carried out the crimes.

The book was badly let down by the affairs with the female characters, these seemed uneccessary and annoying and detracted greatly from an otherwise good book. Descriptions of Brooklyn were flat and could have been a great opportunity to contrast with his quiet and sleepy hometown.

This is a book of two parts - when it is good it is excellent and this brings annoyance at the parts where it is weak because you know the author has the ability to captivate and transport you through those beautiful descriptions of Augusta Falls.

One person found this helpful

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misty meanor

Is Life what you make it?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 27 March 2014

Verified Purchase

Joseph is a clever lad growing up in a backwater town in Georgia. His talents are recognised by his teacher who encourages him practice his literary skills. There is more than a little nod to Catcher In the Rye in the frequent internal dialogues, which can be distracting. Death is a regular visitor in his life, and Joseph wants to know why. The search for the truth about Death's visits becomes the central purpose of Joseph's life as he grows up. His decision to leave Georgia for New York to become a writer ultimately leads to catastrophe when it seems that Death followed him to take the life of another loved one. Periodically white feathers drift into Joseph's view, which gives rise to the title as the appearance of a white feather traditionally means an angel is close by. The author clearly enjoys the development of Joseph as this gives him the luxury of playing with language, feeling the shape of the words and building descriptions. Whilst this is very much in keeping with Joseph's development as a writer it can become a little wearing for the reader, I felt that I ought to read it all in case I missed a clue to the plot but eventually decided to risk it and skipped chunks simply to get on with the story.

2 people found this helpful

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A Quiet Belief In Angels: ‘Beautiful and haunting’ MICHAEL CONNELLY Mass Market Paperback – 27 Dec. 2007

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'Beautiful and haunting... A tour de force' MICHAEL CONNELLY'There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels that are also great mysteries... A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them' JAMES PATTERSON

'Mesmerizing... The master of the genre' CLIVE CUSSLER'A uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer' ALAN FURST

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Roger Jon Ellory

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'Beautiful and haunting... A tour de force' MICHAEL CONNELLY
'There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels that are also great mysteries... A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them' JAMES PATTERSON

'Mesmerizing... The master of the genre' CLIVE CUSSLER
'A uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer' ALAN FURST