The Unread Prophecy by Sam Bond

by Dianne, guest reviewer

At the beginning of "The Unread Prophecy", I found a helpful listing with the names of characters and pertinent details relating to them, such as the villages in which they reside, family relationships, and business positions. Also included are a writing conference schedule, the names and members of competition teams, and a hand-drawn map of Milkwood. These listings are a perfect way to provide readers with a hint as to what is coming.

The Unread Prophecy centers around music teacher Josie Monroe, who once again finds herself taking on the role of amateur sleuth. On the day of a writing conference in a small village in England, a woman is murdered. Even though Josie’s boyfriend, Adam Ward, is the Detective Inspector in charge of the case, this does not deter Josie, along with sidekicks, from pursuing her own investigation. As it turns out, the dead woman ticked off many people, which brings to light any number of suspects. The investigation becomes more complicated with a second murder and a disappearance. Will the police find the perpetrator(s), or will Josie beat them to it?

This book is a wonderful second addition to "A Milkwood Murder Series", and a thoroughly pleasurable read in which one can easily get absorbed into a story of mystery, turmoil, and suspense. Bond does a great job of writing with imagery and figurative language that creates vivid mental images of the characters and the setting. Bond is spot-on in her portrayal of small-town life. Each chapter keeps readers hooked on continuing with the story until they are finished. The Unread Prophecy is aptly titled and can be read as a stand-alone. However, my interest was piqued for reading the first book in the series. At the end, Bond includes chapter one of the third book, which sounds exciting.