"A meaty, involving drama which will catch you up in an emotional rollercoaster -- great reading"

"A meaty, involving drama which will catch you up in an emotional rollercoaster -- great reading" (My Weekly )

"Very spine chilling... keeps you going right until the last page" (Amanda Ross )

Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 1940s, he was at the centre of series of killings of young girls in his small rural community. The girls were taken, assaulted and left horribly mutilated. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph becomes determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the predations of the killer. But despite banding together with his friends as 'Guardians', he was powerless to prevent more murders - and no one was ever caught. Only after a full ten years did the nightmare end when the one of his neighbours is found hanging from a rope - with articles from the dead girls around him. Thankfully though, the killings finally ceased. Ill-fortune was not yet done with Joseph though and in desperation he leaves the town of his birth to forge a new life in New York. But the past won't leave him alone - for it seems that the real murderer still lives and is killing again. And the secret of his identity lies in Joseph's own history?

Joseph Vaughan's life has been dogged by tragedy. Growing up in the 1950s, he was at the centre of series of killings of young girls in his small rural community. The girls were taken, assaulted and left horribly mutilated. Barely a teenager himself, Joseph becomes determined to try to protect his community and classmates from the predations of the killer. But despite banding together with his friends as 'Guardians', he was powerless to prevent more murders - and no one was ever caught. Only after a full ten years did the nightmare end when the one of his neighbours is found hanging from a rope - with articles from the dead girls around him. Thankfully though, the killings finally ceased. Ill-fortune was not yet done with Joseph though and in desperation he leaves the town of his birth to forge a new life in New York. But the past won't leave him alone - for it seems that the real murderer still lives and is killing again. And the secret of his identity lies in Joseph's own history?

I would like to take this opportunity to communicate my thanks to all those who have read my book, and those who have taken the time and trouble to post a comment or review on Amazon. It is rare indeed, as an author, to actually receive any feedback, as writing a book is a somewhat individual and insular activity! To hear word back that a book has been enjoyed, or perhaps not enjoyed, means the world to me, and I am very grateful.

It is not my intention to confound or disappoint anyone with the books that I write. In the main, and evidenced by the very kind responses that have been posted, my work has been well-received. I am grateful indeed for the acknowledgement. But more important than anything, I wished always for my work to evoke and precipitate a response, to be something that people could either love or hate, embrace or discard as they decided. If it has accomplished any part of this, then I am happy.
I thank you for your time and attention, for the hours that you have devoted to reading what I have written, and I hope that we will continue from this point forward with a long and rewarding relationship as writer and reader.

My very best wishes,
R J Ellory.

R.J. Ellory originally studied graphics and photography, he intended to pursue a career in photojournalism, but for many reasons - all of them well within his control - this never came to fruition. He started writing more than ten years ago and hasn't stopped since. His novels have been translated into Italian, German and Dutch, and his novel 'Candlemoth' was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Steel Dagger for Best Thriller in 2003.
He divides his time between his work as a novelist and voluntary programmes in the areas of drug rehabilitaion and youth literacy. He is married with one son, and currently resides in England.

2008-08-28 Emotional rollercoaster!

I had seen A Quiet Belief In Angels at the top of the book chart for a while and decided it was time for me to see what all the fuss was about.

Rarely does a book live up to the hype that has surrounded it but R.J Ellory delivers such a haunting, emotional story that even 5 stars doesn't do it justice.

It starts during the late 1930's in the deep south of America and continues for three more decades. The story is based on a young boy, Joseph Vaughan, and a series of murders that desolates a town in Georgia. The raw emotion, fear and tension of the residents of Augusta Falls is almost life like and you have genuine sympathy for the nightmare that they are going through.

Its extremely well written and you will more than likely end up flying through it. If its a happy story you're looking for then I would advise you to go elsewhere but if you are after a thrilling emotional rollercoaster with heart wrenching content, then this is the book for you.

Brilliant!