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Roger Jon Ellory
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A Quiet Belief In Angels Hardcover – 22 Aug. 2007

by R.J. Ellory (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,169 ratings
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Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 1940s, he was at the centre of series of killings of young girls in his small rural community. The girls were taken, assaulted and left horribly mutilated. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph becomes determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the predations of the killer.

But despite banding together with his friends as 'Guardians', he was powerless to prevent more murders - and no one was ever caught. Only after a full ten years did the nightmare end when the one of his neighbours is found hanging from a rope - with articles from the dead girls around him. Thankfully though, the killings finally ceased.

Ill-fortune was not yet done with Joseph though and in desperation he leaves the town of his birth to forge a new life in New York. But the past won't leave him alone - for it seems that the real murderer still lives and is killing again. And the secret of his identity lies in Joseph's own history?

Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Orion
  4. Publication date
    22 Aug. 2007
  5. Dimensions
    15.5 x 3 x 24 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0752873687
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0752873688
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

A beautiful and haunting book. This is a tour de force from R.J. Ellory (Michael Connelly)

A rich, powerful, evocative novel of great psychological depth (Jonathan Kellerman)

R.J. Ellory is a uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer, and the quality of his prose - every word, every sentence - lifts A Quiet Belief in Angels far above genre (Alan Furst)

There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels, that are also great mysteries. Like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Smilla's Sense of Snow, A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them (James Patterson)

A mesmerizing tale whose intrigue will pull you from one page to the next without pause, casting you into the gloom of dread and the shadow of grief until you reach the climactic end. R.J. Ellory's remarkable talent for probing the unknown establishes him as the master of the genre. The perfect author to read late into the night (Clive Cussler)

Ellory is English, but his evocation of life in the deep South is richly drawn and deeply detailed. His characters are well-developed, and portions of the books ably mimic great southern writers, allowing readers to savor both the words and the images they offer (BOOKLIST)

Once again R.J. Ellory shows off his special talents... This isn't your standard shock and bore serial killer novel. It's an impassioned story of a man's life told in Ellory's distinctive voice, and it confirms his place in the top flight of crime writing. (Susanna Yager Sunday Telegraph)

Each jolt strikes perfectly, and the reader will seek, utterly riveted, this masochistic beating right to the end of the book... This is thriller writing of the very highest order. (Matthew Lewin The Guardian)

Book Description

The powerful and atmospheric thriller from the author of CITY OF LIES

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion; First Edition (22 Aug. 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0752873687
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0752873688
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.5 x 3 x 24 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,169 ratings

About the author

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Roger Jon Ellory

Roger Jon Ellory

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RJ Ellory is the author of eighteen novels, all published in the UK by Orion, and available in twenty-six additional languages. They are:

CANDLEMOTH (2003)

GHOSTHEART (2004)

A QUIET VENDETTA (2005)

CITY OF LIES (2006)

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS (2007)

A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE (2008)

THE ANNIVERSARY MAN (2009)

SAINTS OF NEW YORK (2010)

BAD SIGNS (2011)

A DARK AND BROKEN HEART (2012)

THE DEVIL AND THE RIVER (2013)

CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS (2014)

MOCKINGBIRD SONGS (2016)

KINGS OF AMERICA (2017)

THREE BULLETS (2019)

PROOF OF LIFE (2021)

THE DARKEST SEASON (2022)

THE LAST HIGHWAY (2023)

Additionally, in 2020, he independently published 'THE MAN WHO ATE THE WORLD', with all proceeds being donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

'Candlemoth' was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger, and went on to win the Grand Prix des Lecteurs and the Balai d'Or 2017. His fifth novel, 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2007, and won the Livre De Poche Award, The Strand Magazine Novel of The Year, The Mystery Booksellers of America Award, the USA National Indie Excellence Award for Best Mystery, the Inaugural Nouvel Observateur Prize and the Quebec Booksellers' Award. 'A Quiet Vendetta' won the Quebec Laureat, the Avignon Readers’ Prize and the St. Maur Prize. 'A Simple Act of Violence', Ellory’s sixth novel, won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year 2010. He has been nominated for a further thirteen international awards including two Barrys, the Association 813 Trophy, and the Europeen Du Point. He has also written the screenplay of 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' for Oscar-winning director, Olivier Dahan, and has optioned 'A Dark and Broken Heart' for film. His novella 'Three Days in Chicagoland' was released as a French graphic novel at the end of 2014 (in collaboration with Fabrice Colin), as was 'Seul le Silence' in 2021. He has published short stories in numerous British and American magazines. Currently working on two TV series adaptations, he is also writing for the screen with two original feature films in production. Ellory - alongside Martin Smith (formerly of ELO) - is a founding member of The Whiskey Poets, a country-blues band, and they have released three albums, 'Low Country', 'Native Strangers' and 'The Garage Tapes'.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,169 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book. So impressed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2024
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The pace, the fascinating twists and turns and construction of each character. I could feel the influence of Steinbeck but with more colour and warmth. Loved the book, the characters and depth of emotions . I think it will become a classic in the Genre of Steinbeck
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Jack
4.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing if laborious to read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2009
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Great story. Great characters. Joseph, the central character is brilliantly written. The landscape and descriptions of the 1940's are wonderfully told, and often i was marvelling at the poetic way the author writes his prose. It's so descriptive and unfortunately therein lies a slight downfall. Whilst the author is clearly gifted at describing characters, scenery and settings, often it goes into overkill and you flick over pages. Sometimes its highly annoying as the author gets carried away with his poetic descriptions. In my opinion the book is probably twnety thousand words over written.
BUT - heck of a tale. Emotionally gripping. Devastating lows which make you breath a little deeper. The plot is well crafted, the killer never within reach of who it is.
This book, for those who persist with it is an incredible story. The question is, can you be bothered to get past the over descriptive passages and also the start is really slow.
I will be reading more from this author as its so very different to normal cliched crime fiction. This book is powerful, the story gripping and Joseph will stay with you long after you finish reading.
One person found this helpful
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Harry
5.0 out of 5 stars An intense, heartbreaking voyage of true finesse and beauty
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2008
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I didn't simply read this book, follow its passages glibly, only briefly envisioning the scenes described. I didn't, because that was simply not possible; I lived it, felt it, and was drawn inexorably within it. This work, by Ellory, is an experience that will stay with me for many years, and anybody who is conversant with Quiet Belief In Angels will have a clear idea as to why.

The premise of the book is not convoluted, or impregnable, it is actually simple, if rather harrowing. The story follows the life of Joseph Vaughan, haunted by the child killings in his hometown; Augusta Falls. These shadows follow him, haunt him and fortify his desperate desire for deliverance. In his yearning to escape he is fully possessed by them, until they dominate his very being.

I was moved by the style, the description, the deftness and mastery with which Ellory creates this world and draws one into it. The way you become emotionally attached to the characters, experiencing real emotion, exhilaration and despair. I can actually see the protagonist, Joseph Vaughan in my minds eye; I feel I know him, his reactions, attitudes and decisions, like I do a close friends. I can feel, breath, almost experience Augusta Falls, and thus created an emotional attachment to the stricken town. So much so, that when the passage of time creates irrevocable changes, I found myself yearning nostalgically for the more rustic humble town of the 1940's.

Throughout this journey, I felt the anguish in the inequity of Joseph Vaughan's fortune, yet beamed, at his times of happiness. I certainly agree with the reviewer, who mentioned reading his books chronologically will allow you to develop with the author, but this is not essential, everyone of his books are stand out experiences in themselves

It is very pleasing to see that an erudite author of such talent is finally getting deserved recognition. Many more can now avail themselves to his unique gift, and sail into a resonant journey that is quintessentially an RJ Ellory novel. Highly recommended.
11 people found this helpful
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H. Lacroix
3.0 out of 5 stars Conflicting ideas
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 February 2008
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The book started really well, 150 pages of real pleasure at such good writing and character depiction, thought it would turn out to be one of the best books I had ever read...and then... 100 pages or so of repetitions, clichés, bad dialogue; I was amazed! How was it possible that a writer who had so eloquently written about Joseph, who had drawn a masterpiece of a mother and an incredibly good portrait of a young charismatic schoolteacher, a very credible story of prejudices in a small community... how could such a writer let his book down by blabbing on for 100 totally uncalled for pages and boring his reader nearly to death? I still can't understand it. Another thing made me uneasy. The book is about the impact the violent and unsolved murders of some young girls had on a child. By the end of the book we are asked to believe that the killer murdered more than 30 girls over a period of several years without police forces having any clue as to his identity.I know they didn't have SOCOs or scientific policing in the 40's but still...I find it too hard to believe and this also spoils the book for me.
So, to sum up, a splendid beginning that doesn't hold on to its promise...and it is such a shame!
6 people found this helpful
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Richard Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars one mans meat....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2008
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Just finished this book and thought I would browse Amazon to see what some random others made of it. It goes to show from looking at some of the reviews that 'one mans meat really is another mans poison' - to use the old cliche.

It's actually had quite a startling effect on me. I can't recall when I last enjoyed a book quite so much and I am a voracious reader of fiction and have some pretty eclectic tastes. By enjoy I really mean was immersed in the story, didn't care where it was going or where it ended up just appreciated each moment - even the gory ones. The ending was suprising emotionally as you almost didn't worry who the killer actually was. The journey was the thing and what a ride we are given.

I found the writing mesmerising, intelligent and quirky. One reviewer compared the style of prose to the delights of eating chocolate and I sort of know what she meant.

I will look to read some of the authors earlier works and here's hoping I will be as impressed as I have been with this excellent book.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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spider queen
4.0 out of 5 stars truly remarkable
Reviewed in Canada on 26 December 2022
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First of all, the description on the Kindle product page has absolutely nothing to do with the book, so don't be misled.

I can't remember that last time I stayed up all night to finish a book. This is not an easy read--there are horrors, losses, grief, tragedies, and injustices. This is the story of one man's life, from childhood to resolution. One can feel oneself embedded in that life, and its struggles, and the happenings that derailed it--and his tenacity throughout, never giving up.

The story-line held my attention throughout. I read a LOT of mysteries, etc., and I was in doubt about the perpetrator of these terrible crimes almost until the last page.

The characters are very alive--I could see their faces, their movements, and some (mercifully only some) of their experiences.

The writing is so clean, so literate, so deft.

I will now go on to read the rest of the author's work.

Very highly recommended--not for the faint of heart.
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Claudio D'Ambrosio
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
Reviewed in Italy on 31 January 2014
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awesome. I received it fast, perfect conditions. i don't know what else to write so I write this . bye
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Donatien
5.0 out of 5 stars A quiet Belief in Angels
Reviewed in the United States on 19 May 2012
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« A quiet belief in Angels »
There are some really great titles, and this is one of them : intriguing, enticing, mysterious.
When I started reading, I had two initially negative reactions :
The first one was toward the style : almost every sentence, at the start of the story, is constructed without a subject. It feels like a succession of hammer blows.
The second was toward the subject matter : "Oh no ! Not another serial killer !"
Fortunately, the hammering does not last. Sentences become whole again. In fact, the style soon turns wonderful, laced with blinding images and poetic undertones.
Fortunately also, this serial killer plot is definitely not a detective or a police story, even if the Police do play an important part in it.
So, what is it ? Well, it's a partly fictitious, partly authentic autobiography. It suffuses the work with deep-seated feelings, wonderful nostalgic descriptions, but also suspense born out of the stifling, threatening atmosphere of a small Southern town ruled by bigotry, intolerance, narrow-mindedness and gossip.
"Atmosphere" is the key word, here. It almost chokes you, the reader. It traps you in a mentally claustrophobic world. You suffer, but you keep reading. At the end, you are relieved that such unbearable tension should be over, and at the same time, as with all great novels, you are sorry to have reached the last page.
2 people found this helpful
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Pascale Bookine
5.0 out of 5 stars tellement plus qu'un roman policier
Reviewed in France on 25 August 2010
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Page Facebook : Pascale Bookine
Blog : pascalebookine.eklablog.com

J'ai été attirée par le merveilleux titre de ce livre et ne l'ai pas regretté, puisqu'en le refermant, j'ai eu l'impression d'avoir découvert un grand auteur.

Il s'agit bien sûr d'un roman policier, le résumé de l'intrigue suffit à nous en convaincre: en 1939, la petite communauté d'Augusta Falls est secouée par les assassinats successifs de petites filles. Le jeune Joseph Vaughan, douze ans, découvre le cadavre de l'une d'entre elles et ces événements tragiques ainsi que son incapacité à protéger ces enfants le hanteront tout au long de sa vie. Ce récit est entrecoupé par des flashes dans le présent, narrés par Joseph Vaughan plusieurs décennies plus tard, alors qu'il est sur le point de clôturer de manière définitive la tragédie qui a assombri son existence entière.

L'intrigue à elle seule est déjà très bien, mais "Seul le silence" a ce petit quelque chose en plus qui fait les grands romans, à l'instar de Thomas H. Cook ou John Hart. Il émerge clairement, incontestablement, grâce à une très belle écriture, un personnage bouleversant qui dégage une infinie tristesse au fil d'un parcours déchirant, une atmosphère sombre et nostalgique. Le rythme est lent, poétique, on se laisse pénétrer par les images, les personnages, les événements.

Michael Connelly lui-même qualifie ce roman de "beautiful and haunting book" et de "tour de force"... ces commentaires à eux seuls sont suffisamment éloquents et je ne peux que vous le recommander, bien décidée pour ma part à découvrir les autres oeuvres de R.J. Ellory.
8 people found this helpful
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philippe desberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Une écriture qui donne la chair de poule
Reviewed in France on 11 August 2021
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Rj Ellory est un écrivain hors pair.
La littérature anglophone semble plus a même que la littérature française de proposer des recits qui préviennent a offrir forme ET fond.
A lire ( de préférence en anglais)
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