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Jennifer Christianson is an American currently living in Cluj, Romania. Always an avid reader, Jennifer has a soft spot for comedic mysteries and thrillers. Growing up in the Midwest, she developed a passion for travel and global cultures. She has visited to over 40 countries on 5 continents and is planning to see many more. Her professional career has spanned engineering, marketing, and teaching before taking up creative writing. Her debut novel combines her love of mysteries with her passion for culture.
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Linny Scout, a single English teacher and travel blogger, is thoroughly shaken by news of her ex's murder. However, instead of packing her bags and heading back to the US, she decides to stay in Romania and take on a challenging mission. She starts investigating the murder and even allows herself to admire the handsome detective who's also digging for answers regarding her ex's past. Meanwhile, she has a wedding to look forward to and maintains relationships with some interesting characters, including a gay friend and an adorable dog. Linny's search leads her to life-threatening situations as she uncovers some troubling secrets and deep-rooted fabrications. In The Monastery Murder, Jennifer Christianson spins a highly suspenseful and humorous mystery with intriguing twists and turns that get more intense as the story draws to a close.
Linny is a very likable protagonist, and her character reflects some situations that many single adults, especially women, will find relatable. For example, her mom is always trying to set her up with a man and constantly criticizes her life choices—which I found quite funny. Also, readers will experience a deeply immersive read since the story is from a first-person viewpoint written in the present tense, and provides intricate details about her activities and observations. The author weaves together some fascinating themes that fans of detective plots will love, including solving ciphers, a search for criminals, action, close calls, and more. If you're looking for a strong female lead in a crime tale, it doesn't get much better than The Monastery Murder. Jennifer Christianson's storytelling is natural and smooth—no rushed scenes or boring details. Exactly how I like my mysteries!
