Book Review: The Monastery Murder

Reviewed by Kristine Eckart

A literary investigation that sweeps you through the streets of Romania

 The Monastery Murder by Jennifer Christianson is indeed a murder mystery, but the romantic and comedic elements make it so much more. 

Thanks to COVID, Linny has found herself living in Cluj, Romania, turning a temporary stay into a place to put down roots. But things go awry when the police inform her that Victor, her ex-boyfriend, has been murdered. 

Shocked and confused, Linny does some subtle investigating, wondering if any clues would give her insight into their breakup. Instead, Linny finds herself entangled in a face-off between the Romanian Police and a ring of criminals that mean business, protecting their assets by whatever means necessary including murder. 

In case Linny doesn’t have enough problems, her mother is continually pestering her about finding a boyfriend and Linny still has to figure out her career and a way to pay the bills. Will she be able to sort it all out? Who is the person sending Linny helpful hints and why are they helping her? Will she be able to find Victor’s murderer without getting herself murdered in the process? Linny must decide how far she is willing to go to find the truth.

I’m personally grateful for the light and humorous moments that allow for a small respite from the intensity of the life-threatening murder investigation in this book. The hilarity is provided by the gracefully aging students in Linny’s English classes with their Die Hard fixation and their energetic usage of terms that they learned from their grandchildren. And, of course, there’s Linny’s neighbor and bestie, Alex, who always has a flashy outfit to spice up the situation, even when displaying some evasive driving maneuvers to assist Linny in a quick getaway. These colorful and dynamic characters make The Monastery Murder an enjoyable read in addition to its thriller storyline. 

In addition to the charming characters we meet along the way, the setting creates a fascinating backdrop that enhances the action and creates an interesting world for the reader. With many literary mysteries featuring the landscapes and cultures of other countries, Romania is often left out of the spotlight. Visiting the Arbore Monastery and St. Michael’s Church, learning about the tech industry of Cluj, and meeting many of its residents gives readers a unique tour of Cluj that they may not have gotten otherwise. 

Great for those who like their mysteries with a bit of love and laughs, The Monastery Murder is a literary concoction of readers’ favorite genres.

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