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The Bone Church

7/14/2014

1 Comment

 
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About the Book: 
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Pier’s Court Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction/Thriller/Suspense

 In the surreal and paranoid underworld of wartime Prague, fugitive lovers Felix Andel and Magdalena Ruza make some dubious alliances – with a mysterious Roman Catholic cardinal, a reckless sculptor intent on making a big political statement, and a gypsy with a risky sex life. As one by one their chances for fleeing the country collapse, the two join a plot to assassinate Hitler’s nefarious Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Josef Goebbels.

But the assassination attempt goes wildly wrong, propelling the lovers in separate directions.

Felix’s destiny is sealed at the Bone Church, a mystical pilgrimage site on the outskirts of Prague, while Magdalena is thrust even deeper into the bowels of a city that betrayed her and a homeland soon to be swallowed by the Soviets. As they emerge from the shadowy fog of World War II, and stagger into the foul haze of the Cold War, Felix and Magdalena must confront the past, and a dangerous, uncertain future.

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Review: 
A tumultuous spy thriller set in the troubled World War II era Prague.  There was a lot going on in this book.  Felix and Magdelena are lovers on the run.  While navigating the underbelly of Prague, they get pulled into many schemes with many interesting people.  An assassination attempt against Goebbels, a forged sculpture, a very resourceful gypsy and a Cardinal are just some of the elements in this book.

Most of all, however, this book is about the human condition and what people do in order to survive.  Throughout Felix and Magdelena's journeys there is intense suffering, but also endurance of their spirit.  Victoria Dougherty has a knack for making the reader feel the intensity of the moments that the characters were in.  The actual Bone Church was the reason I was interested in this book, here is a great quotes from Felix's character about the church: 

“Legend has it that if you enter the Church of Bones with malevolence in your heart, you will remain there with the dead forever,” 
I do wish that the Bone Church was a more prominent setting within the book, but what does happen there sets the tone for the novel.  With heavier themes and a few different plot lines, this may be a more challenging read, but a rewarding one. 
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About the Author
Victoria Dougherty writes fiction, drama, and essays that often revolve around spies, killers, curses and destinies. Her work has been published or profiled in The New York Times, USA Today, International Herald Tribune and elsewhere. Earlier in her career, while living in Prague, she co-founded Black Box Theater, translating, producing and acting in several Czech plays. She lives with her husband and children in Charlottesville, Virginia.

For more information, please visit Victoria Dougherty’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.


1 Comment
victoria dougherty link
7/15/2014 01:18:38 am

Thanks you so much for your review! Glad you enjoyed it.

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    Hi there! I'm Stephanie and I obviously love reading.  As, the title suggests, I read at least one hundred pages a day.  I enjoy most book genres; however, my favorites are historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, horror and YA.  I also read a lot of non-fiction science and gardening books for my occupation.  I enjoy reviewing books and as always, any book that I receive for free is read in return for my honest review.  

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