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Ceremony of Innocence: A Novel

Dorothy Cummings McLean (Goodreads Author)

3.73 · Rating details · 51 ratings · 17 reviews

Scottish Catholic journalist Catriona McClelland comes home to her Frankfurt apartment to find her German ex-boyfriend Dennis sitting nervously on the couch. Police arrive. A Canadian student, Suzy Davis, has been drowned, and both Cat and Dennis are suspects in her murder. Subsequent police interviews trigger Cat's memories of her reluctant friendship with Suzy, an enthus ...more

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Hardcover, 260 pages

Published October 14th 2013 by Ignatius Press

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Oct 16, 2013 Jenna St Hilaire rated it really liked it

Part thriller and part literary novel, Ceremony of Innocence would be a unique and interesting find even in mainstream fiction—but this was published by the Catholic house Ignatius Press. Without meaning disrespect to Ignatius, as I'm not very familiar with their lists, I have to say that it’s incredibly unusual to pick up a novel shelved by religion instead of genre and be able to remark on how well it's written. This one is spectacular.

Over the course of a short and intense mystery plot, McLea Part thriller and part literary novel, Ceremony of Innocence would be a unique and interesting find even in mainstream fiction—but this was published by the Catholic house Ignatius Press. Without meaning disrespect to Ignatius, as I'm not very familiar with their lists, I have to say that it’s incredibly unusual to pick up a novel shelved by religion instead of genre and be able to remark on how well it's written. This one is spectacular.

Over the course of a short and intense mystery plot, McLean carefully examines the subject of innocence. I won’t spoil the point of whether the heroine, Catriona McClelland, is innocent or guilty in regard to Suzy Davis’ death; apart from that matter, however, cynical Cat is anything but an innocent character. By means of flashbacks, Cat’s many failures and cold personality are contrasted—on and off the core theme—with Suzy’s warm naïveté and her passionate idealism. It makes for some interesting questions. McLean easily avoids one of the commonest errors of so-called Christian fiction: she doesn't hand out pat answers.

I found reading this novel a very Catholic experience, which is to say that while living under the same dogmatic umbrella as the protagonist, I related to the idea of innocence from an antipathetic perspective. I strongly sympathized with Suzy’s aforementioned warm naïveté—so much so that I was shocked to discover that she believed things I could not sympathize with at all. I did not sympathize with the (admittedly context-less) Graham Greene quote used as an epigraph. I’m afraid I did sympathize with Dennis’ offscreen Uncle Archbishop Franz a lot. I did not often sympathize with Cat; her sardonic mind, which contained a lot of—not shameless, but perhaps stoical—knowledge of sin, was more than a little uncomfortable to inhabit. She did win my solidarity in one regard, however: I thoroughly understood her insecurity toward her beautiful, much-younger boyfriend.

Ah, yes, Deniz. How to speak of him without spoilers? Well. Another point of sympathy with Cat: he was very lovable.

The mystery holds up well and delivers a couple of solid jolts toward the end. The jumps back and forth in time are occasionally mildly confusing, as almost always happens with time jumps, but the flow of the story is otherwise perfectly readable. The ending manages to be chilling and Catholic all at once, which is impressive.

As an ending, it's hard to classify; it's not exactly happy, nor is it entirely tragic, nor does it seem reasonably described as "bittersweet." Hope and horror exist together, all wrapped up in each other. The horror was of a sort to leave me hungry for more of innocence in the world, but I suspect that's just one of many possible responses.

I read Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory partially in preparation for this novel, but, as I discovered via epigraph and acknowledgments, by that motive I should have read The Quiet American. If the Wikipedia plot synopsis can be trusted, this story is in some ways a retelling of that one. But Cat's last paragraph moved me rather powerfully: it contained a direct answer to the question The Power and the Glory's whisky priest leaves his readers with. It’s hopeful, and it’s the answer I believe.

Comparison between new releases and classics is never fair—but McLean, by building her novel off Greene's, invites a certain level of comparison. This book is perhaps short on the really iconic images that Greene was master of, though the Temple Dance Priest scene deserves mention: that’s a beautifully horrific experience for a tradition-loving Catholic to read through. But Ceremony of Innocence isn't short on good writing. It's well phrased, tightly edited, suspenseful, thoughtful, non-didactic, and interesting. It holds its own in both its thriller and literary categories, is beyond outstanding for anything stamped with the religious label, and it suggests that McLean's future work is more than likely to be worth reading.

Full disclosure: I read (and on rare occasions, comment upon) Dorothy Cummings McLean's blog "Seraphic Singles", not because I'm particularly in need of the content, but because I enjoy her writing and her perspective. I bought this book of my own free will and received no compensation from either author or publisher for reviewing it. ...more

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Jun 25, 2014 Kjirstin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, spy-v-spy

A really good read -- fast paced, thought-provoking, and with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. We see through the eyes of Catriona, a Canadian-Scots journalist on the religion beat, who is living in Germany and reporting on the political violence rocking the nation -- anarchists, Nazis, and Muslim extremists all playing roles in it. She's comfortably involved in a long-term relationship with a younger man, until she meets a young Canadian peace activist, Suzy. And then things get com ...more

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Oct 03, 2013 Magdalene rated it really liked it

An excellent book, well plotted, with compelling characters and a strong authorial voice. In turns amusing and thrilling, McLean pulls you right into Catriona's world from the first page.

I read it all on a train in one sitting, and I'm glad I had the time to do so, as it is gripping and quickly paced, not the kind of book you want to put down, as I hate to stop watching films or put down novels when there's any ambiguity as to the safety of the protagonists.

Strongly moral, but not moralistic, it ...more

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Nov 19, 2019 Steven R. McEvoy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2019

This was a very interesting story. It was a book that once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. The story surprised me in many ways. It was not what I was expecting, but it is a very powerful narrative. The characters are masterfully written. And the plot is full of twists and surprises. It is very realistic. And honestly parts of it could be taken from news stories. The story deals with some very fallen and flawed characters. And at time it is very disturbing.

Set-in modern-day Germany This was a very interesting story. It was a book that once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. The story surprised me in many ways. It was not what I was expecting, but it is a very powerful narrative. The characters are masterfully written. And the plot is full of twists and surprises. It is very realistic. And honestly parts of it could be taken from news stories. The story deals with some very fallen and flawed characters. And at time it is very disturbing.

Set-in modern-day Germany the story revolves mainly around two women who are Canadian by birth. But the two could not be any different. The story part literary novel, and part crime thriller. One of the women, journalist Catriona McClelland, was born in Canada, raised in Scotland. She writes for a Catholic news organization. And Has written a well received novel. She also happens to be divorced and is awaiting an annulment. She has been deeply wounded and is holding commitment at bay. She is living with a younger man. Who is also Catholic. She attends mass but does not receive communion. His uncle is an Archbishop. And into their live’s flounces Suzy Davis. Davis is young passionate, involved with a protest movement. The story is told going back and recounting events. Society is on the edge of breakdown. Thee are bombings, riots, counter riots, Neo Nazi’s and anifta. The story portrays the social conflict between traditional European culture and radical Islam. It examines what it means to be innocent, complicit or guilty.

After each bombing conflict escalates. Until we have a clearer picture of who is responsible. And we are surprised. The story is in part a reflection on the friendship, looking back after the murder of Suzy. And part confession. And when you throw in an unplanned pregnancy, the part scene, drugs and alcohol the story really does capture much of living in modern society.

The characters are incredibly written. They really are what make the story so powerful and moving. And the narrative is tightly written. The author writing through the perspective of Catriona does an excellent job or portraying inner struggle, realization, and repentance. It is not a traditional Catholic novel with characters living the teachings of the church. But it is a Catholic novel, with Catholic characters struggling with living what they believe, and trying to find their way.

It was a very hard book to put down. And I would definitely give others by the author a try. In some ways it reminds me of Madeline L’Engle’s adult fiction. If you want to read a novel that will not just pass the time, but challenge you and truly cause some deep thinking give this one a try.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!
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Jul 26, 2020 Joyce rated it liked it

A page-turner, but not exactly feel-good. I kind of felt a film of slime while reading it, even though religion and Catholicism are weaved implicitly throughout. I think it's just because it's set in twenty-first-century Germany, and it's hard to separate some of those feelings of sliminess and self-loathing from a country that has degenerated so much in terms of its founding Judeo-Christian ideals.

The plot was ok, and I appreciated the several plot twists at the end that kind of made you go ba ...more

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Dec 17, 2013 Nadja rated it really liked it

This book was engaging from the start and a quick read without sacrificing good writing or complexity. I don't think the description on Amazon is exactly right, but I'm not sure what I would replace it with. This novel deals with both really big, somewhat impersonal problems (rioting, racism, terrorism), as well as some intensely personal ones with the same deft hand. It's definitely not a murder mystery, although it does have a murder and some mysterious elements. It's not exactly a thriller, a ...more

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Jan 28, 2019 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: catholic-fiction, catholic-adult-fiction

I was very disappointed that we didn't get to see (view spoiler). I was waiting for it the whole time!

Now, I was a bit annoyed that Catriona did stuff against Catholic social teaching, like being on the pill and living with her boyfriend. But there is good news, (view spoiler).

Our Catriona is a journalist, and a suspect in the murder of Suzy Davis. Before you get your emotions ...more

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Jan 03, 2020 Sophie rated it really liked it

Murder mystery in modern Germany.

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Mar 12, 2017 Tim Polega rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Unusual twist.

Catholic sinners deal with current issues, One step at a time. We all have things we regret and need to say we are sorry for

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Nov 04, 2013 Jen rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed the book! There was enough action to keep the pages turning.

I've been wary lately of writing that lifts up anti-heroes, as if to say there's no such thing as a "bad guy." Here the author did a great job of creating a main character who has her flaws, but doesn't shy away from admitting that she is sometimes in the wrong. I find such a character much more interesting - and honest - than one might usually find in the average mystery/suspense novel. ...more

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Feb 09, 2016 Diane rated it liked it

This novel tells the story of a Scottish-Canadian journalist living in Germany, her German-Turkish boyfriend, and an idealistic young American who crosses their path and is mysteriously murdered. The author seems to have patterned the story on Graham Greene's "The Quiet American," but somehow, the author doesn't explore the characters in the same depth, and doesn't seem to be able to connect with the reader in the same way. The story comes across as confusing and contrived. ...more

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Sep 30, 2013 Julie rated it really liked it

I don't usually read much contemporary fiction much less anything quite so politically-themed as this, but the writing was so good I finished it in one sitting. It turns into quite a thriller in the last third or so, the ending is pretty chilling (well, the denouement, I suppose? -- the actual ending brings it around to something hopeful and melancholy all at once). ...more

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Mar 26, 2015 Emilia rated it really liked it

I was plesantly surprised by this novel. The themes were rich and well developed throughout the story without the typical heavy handedness some authors too often employ. The characters were engaging and complex, which made for an incredibly enjoyable read. I look forward to more from this author!

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Nov 15, 2013 Ml rated it it was amazing

A contemporary novel, extremely well written. The author has a vision and understanding of human psyche. I recommend it without hesitation.

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Jan 08, 2015 Colleen rated it it was amazing

4.5. I'm a melancholic and I have a big problem with giving anything 5 stars.
...more

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Feb 28, 2014 Liz Summers rated it really liked it

Faith and misgivings in post 9/11 and 7/7 Hamburg plus an immature woman growing into joy. Well crafted and human. But scary .....

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About Dorothy Cummings McLean

Dorothy Cummings McLean

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Dorothy Cummings McLean is the author of "Seraphic Singles" (in the USA, "The Closet's All Mine", and in Poland, "Anielskie Single") and of "Ceremony of Innocence: A Novel." She is a columnist for the Toronto "Catholic Register" and a blogger. She lives near Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband and two thriving pots of rosemary. ...more