The third in our Book Review & Literary series, which will, wherever possible, feature current and upcoming releases from British publishers.
LADY MABEL’S GOLD by S.P. Caldwell – Gracewing Books, ISBN 978-0-85244-487-0
An intriguing tale of lost treasure, faith, and human frailty.
From the sleeve, you might expect a sedate, cosy crime caper with a hint of history and a few statues. In truth, Lady Mabel’s Gold is a gritty crime novel that lays bare both the ugliness and the humility of humankind. It weaves recent and historical events into an exciting, fast-paced narrative.
The story opens in the distant past, shortly after the end of the Crusades, where Lady Mabel finds herself unhappily wed to a thuggish second husband. From there, we’re thrown into the present day, where a reflective Catholic priest, on the brink of lockdown, is called to comfort and guide two vulnerable and strikingly beautiful women. Confronted with temptation and moral conflict, he becomes entangled in a seedy underworld of crime and violence.
The narrative shifts between multiple perspectives, making it hard to identify a single protagonist, though Jenny, the determined journalist, arguably takes centre stage as she investigates a series of tomb-raider burglaries while grappling with a tangled personal life.
Through Jenny’s journey, Caldwell introduces a striking and controversial theme: adoption. In a society where the termination of unwanted pregnancies is often taken for granted, adoption rarely features in mainstream narratives. Its inclusion here offers a powerful counterpoint, enriching the book’s exploration of faith, forgiveness, repentance, failure, temptation, evil, and ultimately, hope.
This is a story that confronts the very worst of humanity and still manages to offer redemption. It feels especially poignant in our present moment, when the world can seem overwhelmingly dark. Through rich, absorbing prose—shaped by his extensive journalistic experience and deeply Christian worldview—S.P. Caldwell reminds us that life is always worth fighting for, and that even a soul on the brink of destruction can be redeemed.
Lady Mabel’s Gold features complex, vividly drawn characters and an intricate plot that spans centuries. From the first page, it is a thrilling, gritty, and ultimately uplifting read.
By Rachael Tearney.
Follow Rachael at @WritesRachael
