False Tongues

By Kate Charles

"An addictive read from one of my very favorite writers."—DEBORAH CROMBIE, New York Times bestselling author

The Reverend Callie Anson should have learned her lesson by now: revisiting the past is seldom a good idea. But she succumbs to peer pressure and attends a reunion at her theological college in Cambridge, where she is forced to confront painful memories—and the presence of her clueless ex, Adam.

Margaret Phillips, the Principal of the college, has a chance for happiness but before she can grasp it she has to deal with her own ghosts—as well as corrosive, intrusive gossip. Both Margaret and Callie learn something about themselves, and about forgiveness, from wise retired priest John Kingsley.

Meanwhile, in London, police officers Neville Stewart and Mark Lombardi are involved with the stabbing of a teenager. Was the victim—gifted, popular schoolboy Sebastian Frost—all he seemed to be, or was there something in his life that led inevitably to his death? The police find themselves in the queasy world of cyber-bullying, where nothing may be as it seems.

While they're apart, Callie and Mark's relationship is on hold, and his Italian family continues to be an issue. Will Mark realize, before it's too late, that while his family will always be important to him, he is entitled to something for himself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Release date: Apr 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781464200472

Kate Charles

Kate Charles, who was described by the Oxford Times as 'a most English writer', is an expatriate American. She has a special interest and expertise in clerical mysteries, and lectures frequently on crime novels with church backgrounds. Kate is a former Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association and the Barbara Pym Society. Kate lives in LUDLOW, Shropshire.

Reviews for False Tongues

[dorisannn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Teenage bullying, homophobia, gossip and the Church of England including Rev. Callie who is in love with an Italian police officer whose family is very RC and don't exactly welcome a clergy woman from the C of E. Great as usual. Charles always keep me reading and I am now ready for her next book.

[mdbrady_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A person-centered mystery with multiple plots, featuring a young woman priest in the Church of England and a teenager found dead in a London park.Alternating chapters in False Tongues follow the various subplots of the book. Callie returns to the theological school in Cambridge for a reunion with others of her graduating class from the previous year. Her return reignites her feelings about a man she had loved while a student. Another plot-line involves the murdered body of a teenage boy from a prosperous family. Callie has only indirect involvement with the murder or the secrets surrounding it. The man she now loves is part of the investigation, but he is not the primary detective in charge. Other subplots develop around the boy who was killed and his family and friends, the family of the priest who is Callie’s supervisor, and various individuals she encounters in Cambridge.Recently it seems that every book I read has the structure of alternating chapters following different narratives. Perhaps authors find this an easy way to introduce varied characters and issues. For mystery writers it may be a way to involve the characters in previous books in a series. Some writers handle this structure better than others. I find this approach tends to make books broad and shallow rather than delving deep in characters or issues. That may be what authors and readers want. I am currently longing for a book with one central, chronological story.Yet, False Tongues is an engaging book which includes interesting characters and issues. I liked how Charles treated the gay men in the book; with casual acceptance in most cases but with sensitivity to their particular problems in others. The institutional church setting was unusual and women priests like Callie are still a novelty for some. The treatment of religion was not heavy-handed, although the useful guidance from the older priest became a bit preachy.I recommend this book to people who enjoy mysteries focused on character rather than gore.