The road to Grantchester

After six books in the Grantchester mystery series featuring Episcopalian priest and amateur detective Sidney Chambers, Runcie provides a prequel. In 1943 (the previous books were set from 1953 to 1977), Chambers arrives in Italy with the Scots Guards, where, along with friends Robert Kendall and Freddie Hawthorne, he fights the Germans. The account of WWII, which takes up about a third of the book, finds Chambers questioning his faith, despite a brief ceasefire during which foes see each other as fellow human beings. Wounded and cited for bravery, Chambers is especially haunted, when he returns home, by the battlefield death of Kendall, his best friend and universally adored golden boy. Widely expected to join the Foreign Service, Chambers instead leans toward the clergy, especially after ministrations by his wartime chaplain. Series fans will know what Chambers' future holds, but that in no way diminishes the pleasures of this prequel, which lays the groundwork for his life of faith and shows his wartime experience aiding in his detecting avocation. A must for fans and a good starting point for others.--Michele Leber Copyright 2019 Booklist

Runcie's exceptional seventh novel featuring Sidney Chambers (after 2017's Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love), a prequel, opens with an extended section set during WWII. In 1943, Sidney, and his best friend, Robert Kendall, who are soldiers in a Scots Guards battalion, are serving on the Italian front. Sidney's efforts to survive the conflict, both physically and mentally, are aided by the Rev. Nev Finnie, a battlefield chaplain who proves crucial to Sidney's search for meaning and purpose after the war. Runcie is equally effective in portraying Sidney's decision to become an Anglican minister and his struggles about his feelings for Robert's sister, Amanda. Superior prose is a plus (a stranger whom Sidney passes on the street has "a face that has grown into the idea that most people will ignore him"). While Sidney has only one passing mystery to solve, fans of Runcie's sophisticated mixing of whodunit plots with explorations of the human psyche in prior entries will relish getting a fuller picture of Sidney's path toward a life in the church. Agent: David Godwin, David Godwin Associates (U.K.). (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

The prequel to the beloved Grantchester mystery series takes Sidney Chambers from his halcyon university days to the horrors of World War II and finally to a life-changing decision.Along with his best friend, the ebullient Robert Kendall, Sidney has signed up with the Scots Guards. They arrive on the Italian coast only to see many of their mates cut to pieces in a hail of German bullets, grenades, bombs, and artillery fire. Robert's cricket success and Sidney's first-class degree in classics at Cambridge seem a distant dream as every day they face the horrors and deprivations of war. They use irreverent humor to keep them going and also make friends with "Rev Nev" Finnie, an Episcopal priest with whom Sidney has philosophical discussions. When Robert is killed in battle, Sidney is given the Military Cross and promoted to captain, but as a lifelong friend of the Kendall family, especially Robert's sister, Amanda, he cannot help but feel guilty he is alive, and his inattention leads to his being wounded by a sniper and eventually returning to England. Sidney mopes about trying to comfort Amanda, Sir Cecil, and Lady Kendall while he slowly realizes he must give a thought for his own future. His old friends suggest teaching or diplomacy, but Sidney finds himself inexorably drawn to the priesthood and the peace he seeks. Amanda is somewhat horrified by this choice, and he dithers for awhile but finally comes to a decision after two weeks of religious retreat in a monastery arranged by Rev Nev. His first assignment, perhaps by choice, cuts him off from his friends as he struggles to conform and deem himself worthy of his new life. The eventual move to Grantchester sets him up in the life we have come to admire.Fans of the books (Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love, 2017, etc.) and the popular PBS series will find very little mystery but much to delight them in this often moving look at how life's difficult decisions are made. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.