Casting the Net

By Pam Rhodes

Neil returns from ordination inspired by his sense of ministry, but determined to distance himself from the two ladies in his life. This is not altogether well received, and a wide segment of the congregation of St Stephen's Dunbridge - including the music group - points Neil to the error of his ways. Meanwhile Neil's close friend Colin and his wife Jeannie are delighted by the birth of a daughter, but is all well with the baby? Neil's mother Iris continues to meddle, to his irritation. Churchwarden Peter has said a relieved farewell to his flighty wife Glenda - or has he? Dunbridge is not as peaceful as it seems :

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lion Fiction
• Release date: Feb 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781782640639

Pam Rhodes

Pam Rhodes is known around the world as the presenter of BBC Television's Songs of Praise and her popular Hearts and Hymns programme on Premier Christian Radio. She describes herself as an 'anorak' in her fascination for hymns old and new, and her books on hymn-writers, like Love So Amazing, Then Sings My Soul and Hear My Song are essentials in many a church vestry! A natural storyteller with 25 varied books under her belt, Pam is perhaps best known for her novels packed with down-to-earth characters and situations that inspire and entertain.

Reviews for Casting the Net

[kmt01_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Casting the Net provides a good picture of modern life and religion. Neil Fisher has personal problems as well as problems ministering to his congregation, who are a mixed bag such as we are likely to find today. In his personal life, he must choose which woman is better, the one who would make an ideal, typical clergyman’s wife or the won who is different and pretty far from that ideal. The big problem he faces is that he feels sparks with one and not with the other. He also encounters a congregation who are accepting and not so accepting of the way things are changing in today’s world and religion. How Neil deals with all this makes for a pretty good and interesting story. The book is not all that long and reads pretty fast because the author has developed a folksy, easy writing style. The characters are true and easy to relate to. The situation is very believable. This is a good book for someone who might want to explore the life and decisions of an Anglican priest as he makes his way through his early years. The writing reminded me of the Mitford series books, but that may be due to the similar subject matter. I think anyone who enjoyed those books would find this series equally as refreshing and enjoyable. Though I normally do not read books of this genre, I found this one easy to read and get into, as I think many other readers would. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.

[koalamom_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Neil Fisher has just had his ordination and is now serving as curate at St. Stephen's/St. Gabriels's parishes. He's a bit overwhelmed by his new duties but soon proves to be up to the task. His love life is another story as the two women in his life vie for his attention. He wants one and not the other, but many problems will soon be arising with his decision.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This second installment in the Dunbridge Chronicles is just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading of life in the English town of Dunbridge and its central church, St. Stephens. Neil, the curate, has more experience now but still has a lot to learn. His romantic life continues to confound him. There is also much sadness in the life of his church also. As hard as some of it is to read, I like it because it is real. Life in any church will include triumphs and tragedies; not all is rosy and sunny all the time. I like the mixture of humor and sadness that Rhodes portrays in her books.

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book continues the chronicles of Neil, a newly ordained curate at an Anglican church in the small village of Dunbridge. If you read "Fisher of Men," the first in the series, you will recognize some of the characters. Neil struggles with two women who vie for his attentions, his mother and her overbearing ways, and several crises of faith. This book in the series seemed to contain more sad notes and situations, rather than the lighter tone of humor found in "Fisher of Men". I still enjoyed it, and the ending is a surprise--definitely "to be continued." I am anxious to see how this all plays out in the third installment.

[joyanne-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the mood for a quick book without much depth? This is one of those. The storyline was better than the story, it could've been much more. Saying that I did enjoy the book somewhat. The setting is perfect and the two women the priest is attracted to (one romantically, one for her abilities) are interesting characters. This is supposed to be Christian fiction though having an Angelican priest interested in a woman proclaiming to be athiest is certainly unusual for this genre. Throw in a mother who is hard to please and you've got an interesting read. (I won a copy of this book from LibraryThing, my opinion is my own)

[njstitcher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the first book in this series when I got it as an early reviewer, so I was very glad to get this second one. Neil is now ordained and faced with choosing between two women, one who is doing everything possible to nab her perfect husband and the other who does her best to keep her distance. Once again there were scenes and side stories that moved me to tears. The secondary characters continue to be well developed and contribute to the overall story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the third installment.

[jostars-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this second book in the delightful Dunbridge Chronicles, Neil Fisher has become a newly ordained Anglican priest. The book focuses on his relationships with his parishioners as well as on his personal relationships. There is an unexpected twist at the end of the book which sets the stage for book three, If You Follow Me, due out in October. I hope this charming series has a long life.

[rphalliburton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another good book from Ms. Rhodes. Although it takes place in England and our churches operate differently the same issues come before our preachers.Neil is in his second year as a curate and an "appropriate" wife has been chosen for him by almost everyone (especially) Wendy. I had read Fischer of Men and the ending of the booki left you in suspene as to who he will choose. This book will tell you his choice.Neil has an amazing Rector who he admires and they get along well. When her husband die uddenly her faith eems to fail and it really throws him for a loop. The book is so well written you feel as if you are there in the mist of all the troubles and joys.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have rather mixed emotions about Casting The Net, the second book in The Dunbridge Chronicles by Pam Rhodes. I very much liked the cast of characters and the charming English village of Dunbridge. I liked the wonderful sense of community that Rhodes has created in the parish of St. Stephens. I also liked the look into how Christianity is lived out in a culture different from my own. But the theology of the book gives me some pause. It definitely got me thinking!Neil Fisher is a young curate embarking on his second year of potty-training or curacy in the Anglican parish of St. Stephens. He begins with a bit of confusion and hesitation over his abilities as curate and his romantic feelings. By the end of this challenging year, Neil has grown into a more confident and knowledgeable minister. His love life seems settled too, but of course the next book in the series could produce even more challenges for him.First the pros of Casting The Net. Rhodes has done a wonderful job of creating a village and parish church that teems with life. The characters are very realistic and run the gamut from lovely and loving people to busy-bodies to those who use manipulation to get what they want. You can find these characters in any setting in real life! The triumphs and trials of their lives mirror real life as well. The main character, Neil, is by far my favorite. I liked the way he grew in his understanding of both his congregation and himself, ministering to people with God’s grace. Rhodes also tackles issues that don’t have easy answers — the death of loved ones, divorce and marriage. Culturally, the Anglican church in an English village is much different than my conservative, evangelical church in the Deep South and it was interesting to see what was accepted and what was not. While raising hands and singing praise songs is seen as a bit alien for them, regular visits to the pub and having a pint are a way of life.Now the cons. When it comes to the theological issues, Rhodes presents views that are all over the spectrum. Neil presents one of the best explanations of why evil exists and God’s rule within a fallen world that I have read. But later in the novel, when faced with someone who does not share his faith, he offers a somewhat vague statement about there being many paths. Neil is a committed Christian, yet I don’t get the sense that he believes it is necessary for salvation. Neil is a bit on the fence when it comes to personal morality. He takes a strong stance in some areas, in others he looks the other way. I find it unusual for a priest not to be concerned with being unequally yoked. Relationships with others seem to take precedence over his relationship with God.So do I recommend Casting The Net? Maybe. I liked it even though I could not agree with many of its sentiments. I liked the look into a church and community so different from my own. If you liked Jan Karon’s Mitford series, you will probably like this book. If you expect a book to express conservative Christian values, you may want to pass.(Thanks to Kregel for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[justella_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Casting the Net is the continued story Neil Fisher, the curate of St. Stephen's in the town of Dunbridge. I enjoyed the first book, Fisher of Men and found that Casting the Net was equally as entertaining. There are a lot of characters and I was overwhelmed when I saw the list of characters given at the beginning of the book, but as you read through the chapters it is easy to place all of them. The book, though not great literature, has some moments when it tugs at your heartstrings, sometimes you will laugh and sometimes you will cry. My least favorite character is Neil, he just seems a little too clueless and immature. Hopefully that will change in the third book that is to be published, If You Follow Me.I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Neil has settled in at St. Stephan’s for his second year as curate. He is certainly more sure of himself, but is still under the guidance of Margaret, friend and rector. There are always projects underway, services to plan, and people to serve. Joys abound but sorrow also shows its face. While Neil has immersed himself in the day-to-day happenings of the parish, Wendy is plotting to endear herself to him, making sure he sees just how perfectly she fits into his life as curate. Unfortunately for Wendy, Neil is attracted to another, less perfect mate. But Wendy is not one to be thwarted in her quest, even if she has to resort to some subterfuge. Author Pam Rhodes has masterfully developed these characters and placed them in a delightful plot. She is spot-on when it came to describing the problems involved with pleasing members of the congregation who have decided that no matter what you do, the service is too contemporary/too old-fashioned and not meaningful/too serious, all at the same time. This delightful series is liberally sprinkled with humor and yet does not shy away from addressing more serious issues. A solid, 5-star novel of worth.

[chive_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the story of this book quite calming and mildly diverting, even if it was a little twee at times. There were moments when emotions could have been very heightened but I felt they were not. It was just too calm. Characters also seemed to have massive personality changes, particularly the curate's mother, without any real reason.I have to say I found the writing somewhat frustrating. The characters, especially at the beginning of the book, seemed to have to speak in discourses explaining who they were and what their history was instead of having it revealed through the text.