Stone certainty

This sequel to the whacking good The Holy Terrors (2024) finds Austin Kincaid, a relatively inexperienced bishop, and Diana Hunt, a popular actor, teaming up again to solve a (possibly) supernatural mystery. One of England's many stone circles is being restored, and Kincaid and Hunt are both involved in the documentary being filmed about the restoration. Everything seems to be going smoothly, until moving one of the stones appears to set loose a demonic force that has been trapped for a very long time. Pandemonium ensues. But what is really going on? Kincaid, skeptical by nature, and Hunt, whose mind is perhaps more open than his (but she's nobody's fool), make an excellent team; the relationship between them, which is mostly but not entirely professional, is very nicely developed, and the dark terrors manifesting themselves in the area of the stone circle are genuinely frightening. The resolution to the mystery is satisfying, no matter the reader's philosophical bent (skeptics and true believers will be equally happy). Another winner from this highly talented storyteller.

Eerie events at a historic British stone circle could be caused by supernatural forces--or a craven criminal. Telegenic bishop Alistair Kincaid has traveled to the small town of Chipping Amesbury to take part in a documentary about its imposing stone circle, the stuff of dark myth and legend. The presence of glamorous actress Diana Hunt, with whom the tabloids have linked Alistair ever since their unraveling of a baffling mystery inThe Holy Terrors (2024), has guaranteed his participation. Several other visitors join them, including lead presenter Stewart Munroe, fellow presenter Natalie Daye, producer Kim Locke, and local historian Elspeth Montgomery. Green's second Holy Terrors mystery follows a classic pattern, introducing a huge cast of colorful suspects before the inevitable midpoint murder. The characters' proximity to the stones provokes a good deal of banter and a lot of creepy stories, made even creepier by a sudden violent storm. As darkness falls, the group retires to The Other Place, formerly known as The Smugglers' Rest. Soon after a crowd of locals descends threateningly upon them the next morning, warning them to leave, a corpse is discovered among the stones. The presence of a pitchfork marks the victim as a witch, and Elspeth eagerly spreads superstitious scenarios for the killing. Inexperienced PC John Fitzroy seems neither very interested nor very skilled. Fortunately, Alistair and Diana are both, and they eagerly investigate. Charming sleuths and bubbly dialogue add up to an appealing whodunit. A spirited cozy with a supernatural twist. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.