Fisher of Men

(Dunbridge Chronicles Series #1)

by Pam Rhodes

4.0 out of 5 stars Fisher of Men

Description

A heart-warming slice of life in an English country town

A social comedy with spiritual resonance and depth, Fisher of Men will have you laughing out loud and will draw you into the character and charm of Dunbridge life.

Arriving in the picturesque town of Dunbridge to take up his first curacy at St Stephens, the young Neil Fisher is not quite sure what to expect. Shy, kind and earnest, he is keen to make a good impression before his ordination to become a fully-qualified priest. But, on meeting the formidable Revd Margaret Prowse and the colourful array of village characters, he realises he has been well and truly thrown into the deep end of Dunbridge life.

Taken under Margaret's wing, Neil soon finds himself an ear for the villagers' assortment of problems and life troubles. Firstly there's the terrifying Glenda Fellowes and her long-suffering husband Peter, the church warden who is struggling to remain true to his wedding vows. Then there's Graham - thirty something, slightly overweight and looking for love. Can Neil make him realise that what he's searching for may have been under his nose all along?

On top of all this, Neil has problems of his own - his demanding and disapproving mother, for a start- not to mention the advances of the beguiling, but determined, Wendy. When tragedy strikes his beloved elderly neighbour Harry, can Neil be there to support Harry's niece Claire, whilst keeping their relationship purely platonic? The year rushes on with its delightful mix of summer fetes, Harvest Festivals, carol services, funerals, weddings and pastoral visits - but as Neil prepares for his Ordination, does he have a completely clear conscience?

Purchase at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

Pam Rhodes was a familiar face on BBC Television's Songs of Praise for over twenty years, with high profile interviews and meetings including the Pope, Dr. Christiaan Barnard, Lord Lloyd Webber, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and members of the Royal Family.

Pam cut her teeth in news journalism as the anchor for Anglia Television's evening news programme and was a patron of many local and national charities.

Well known as an after dinner speaker, Pam often compered large orchestral and musical events at symphony halls around the country.

Pam established herself as a prolific mainstream author in recent years, with five novels and eight factual books under her belt.

Sadly, Ms. Rhodes passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014.

The following is the website for Pam Rhodes: http://www.pamrhodes.co.uk/about.html

My Review ~

Neil Fisher is the new curate for St. Stephen's Church in Dunbridge, England. A 25-year-old bachelor, Neil is faced with all of the challenges and lessons of a new curate. Please see the book description for an in-depth synopsis of the book.

Fisher of Men is a charming story of coming of age for Neil as he transitions from student to curate, and proceeds in discovering life with its joys and disappointments. The characters throughout the book are delightful and varied, eccentric and annoying. Poignant and amusing, the story portrays humanness, wit, sensitivity and compassion. The cast of characters is eclectic. The setting is quite stunning, with descriptive elements that enhance the plot. Relationships play a very significant role in the lives of the parishioners of St. Stephen's Church. I enjoyed this easy read, but was disappointed at the abrupt ending to the book. This is not a stand alone novel, but the first in a series of books that need to be read as such. I enjoyed Neil's journey from curate to his threshold to the priesthood.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Network's Book Fun For Readers Only group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.