Souls of Angels

by Thomas Eidson

A classic tale of love, redemption and revenge from the bestselling author of St Agnes Stand Sister Ria made a promise on her mother's deathbed that she would care for her wayward father. And, when he is charged with the murder of a prostitute, she is called upon to act on her word. Reluctantly she returns to the town of her childhood, and to her father's home hoping to reconcile herself with her past and to prove his innocence. But, with only eight days until his execution, she finds herself being hunted by a shadowy figure, a sinister person who has killed before and is capable of doing so again. She must draw on her faith and appeal to God to protect her and aid her in her quest for answers. Beautifully drawn and cleverly realised, 'Souls of Angels' is a book to savour.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Cathy S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library book. Sister Ria returnsa home to Los Angeles to save her father from murder charges. Years before she had fled from her home where she had been known as Isadora Lugo. To say her father is eccentric would be kind. The truth is he is wildly insane and delusional. How is Sister Ria to save him when she does not believe he is innocent nor will he help her in any way. Sister Ria is faced with the task of determining if the murder is linked to the tragic and terrible childhood she indured at the hands of her father after her mother died. Or if it is the result of the growing pressure between the old(mexican) Los Angeles and the newer (anglo) Los Angeles. Eidson does a very good job keeping the reader guessing between the two! Throw in that he has also done a good job recreating the atmosphere of late 19th century Los Angeles and one has a good historical mystery!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly not a patch on the other books. Frenetic and somewhat repetitious in plot.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this a strange read yet I wanted to keep on reading. Loved the ending!

[Tsungi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery Souls of Angels is expertly crafted and executed. It features a cast of unusual but believable characters who are entangled in an unusual but believable story. The book has a satisfying suspense because of the stark prose. Los Angeles' transformation from a Spanish to an American city underpins the plot, making the setting more dynamic and adding complexity to the story. It is well worth your time to learn.

Thomas Eidson's book was a fantastic read. The plot is difficult to follow, even though it is always present. There's comic relief, assassination, twists and turns, and a fascinating conclusion. You get to meet the characters and they are realistic. Have fun with the novel.

[Jessica O'Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this right after St. Agnes' Stand. I preferred the latter; however, they are very different novels, although they both play with the same time period and incorporate characters that are nuns. This book is very plot driven where I thought St. Anges' Stand although plot-driven delved into the characters more deeply. This book is very suspenseful, I found my heart racing while reading late at night by myself. I couldn't imagine doing the things the protagonist had to go through to determine whether her father is innocent or guilty. But, was her father the only sane one amongst these characters?

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a book by this author a long time ago and I really, really liked it. I think it was called "All God's Children". I didnt' like this book as much. The main characters were a little unusual and I had a hard time connecting with them. Once I got past that obstacle however, I did enjoy the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this murder mystery. It was a good read and the author's descriptions of the area and hacienda were outstanding. It takes place in the early 1880's in the Spanish Los Angeles area.It had me hanging on through the last chapter. Very good. Nice to read a book without cussing and sex. Yet it was colorful.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by Thomas Eidson was a very good read. It is difficult for you to catch the plot, though it is always there. There is comedy relief, murder, shifts and turns and the end is fascinating. The characters are believable and you come to know them. Enjoy the book.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'".

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

So that is what life was like in Los Angeles 100 years before I arrived. . . Sounds a lot like Tijuana today.

That was not the only part that I found interesting. While mysteries are not my favorite, I always feel like I am being manipulated, I did enjoy the unique charachters, their development, and interactions. It is a smartly written tale.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Souls of Angels is a deftly constructed and executed mystery. It has unusual yet believable characters involved in an unusual yet believable plot. The writing is stark giving the book a tension that satisfies. The transition of Los Angeles from a Spanish into an American city underlays the story making the setting complex and giving more depth to the story. Well worth reading.

[Windy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of family love, forgiveness and faith. I've also read The Last Ride by this author and this was similar in some ways with regard to the main characters being a father and daughter who have been estranged.

Beautifully written with some light relief from a cat named Fernando.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. Made myself finish it just on principle. I don't recommend it.

[Book Worm]

An awesome book with a blend of mystery and the Father - Daughter relationship ......different from the usual....

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start but picked up towards the end with quite a twist. I prefer his other books.

[Houlahan houlahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty impressive book, with some of the key motifs readers of St Agnes Stand will recognise.

Eidson has a very readable style, puts his characters through hell, then redeems them.

[Adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not usually read murder mysteries, took this one by mistake. It was not bad, but it was not great either. The book has certainly not inspired me to read anymore of this author's books.

[Joanna Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a beautiful book and written very well.