Summary:
CIn ancient Rome, a woman flees for her life. Her enemies are those she once called ‘brother’. Hidden beneath her blue cloak are secrets men will kill for – forgeries that prove the newly self-appointed bishops are not followers of the way, but pretenders who have seized power and will stop at nothing to shape this new religion to their own ends. Now, Julia – a woman who had once walked with Mary Magdalene and taught alongside Paul must preserve the legacy of the apostles in the face of terrifying danger.
Two thousand years later, classical archaeologists Valentina Vella and Erika Simone are tasked with advising the newly-elected Pope on the historical legacy of women in the early Christian period. The women stumble across an ancient parchment buried deep in the Vatican archives, a document that has clearly been altered. They find themselves on the trail of a woman who may have been the first woman Bishop in the Catholic faith. To reveal Julia’s legacy will put them in the cross-hairs of a venomous Vatican battle for power and supremacy; to stay silent would make them complicit in an ancient heresy and would betray the teachings that Julia sacrificed her life to defend.
‘The Mystery of Julia Episcopa’ weaves seamlessly between modern day Rome and the politics of the Catholic church, and the times and life of a 1st century Roman noblewoman who rose to be a dominant force in the early Christian movement.
My take: 3 looks
Originally reviewed August 26, 2018
Initially, a tiny bit difficult to get into because of the rapid introduction of numerous characters. However, once the story was set in motion, and the characters and their relationships fell into place, it was easy reading. As a matter of fact, it was a riveting page-turner. Far from character-heavy, there were a handful of central characters, all with very different personalities and all nicely and richly drawn.
The writing takes the reader from past to present as the road to the climax is brilliantly planned. Interlaced with history, Biblical figures, and a notion that women meant much more to the early Christian church than any of the faith’s founding fathers care to admit, the premise is stunningly believable. Prepare to be a bit disillusioned as you read, but also invigorated at the drive of the characters, both ancient and contemporary.
If you like this one, check out Donna Woolfolk Cross’s “Pope Joan”.
Recommended
