Book Review of 'The Alcuin Letter' by Jeff Raymond

Hello Bookworms!

Gotta love when life gets uber overwhelming and things you love have to be pushed back to do what needs to be done. I am already missing the lazy days of summer, where I devoured book after book.  I have really had to fight for reading time but when I was able to finally sit down and read it felt so good.  I was introduced to another new-to-me author and to say I got lost in the narrative is an understatement.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this mystery and suspense and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Alcuin Letter by Jeff Raymond, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Alcuin Letter
Series: International Intrigue Series #2
Author: Jeff Raymond
Publisher: Winged Publications
Release Date: July 11, 2024
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense  

What price success? 

When a tragedy sparked by a medieval letter brings Matt and Camilla together in London, they never could have imagined the death and peril that would accompany their search for answers. The letter, rumored to lead to a relic of Biblical importance, holds ancient clues that others are also desperate to uncover. 

Amidst the pressure and danger of the hunt, Matt and Camilla must confront their past heartbreaks and battle their inner doubts and beliefs. But even if they are successful, what will it mean for their faith? And what will it mean for their budding relationship? 

From a quaint antique shop in Frankfort to a grand cathedral in Geneva to a secluded Swiss abbey, the pursuit of answers takes the pair on a harrowing ride. With success in their grasp, the journey culminates with a decision that will test their convictions. 

Enhanced with historical figures, locations, and facts, The Alcuin Letter is a gripping tale that will entertain while prompting readers to examine their own faith. Come and join Matt and Camilla on their exciting journey.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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My Review

The quickest way to my heart is through a good mystery and suspense that is paired with a historical fiction narrative, and this is exactly what I found in The Alcuin Letter.  Mainly told from the viewpoint of Matt, a grieving father and widow that is trying to pick up the pieces after such a great loss, we go with the college professor as he tries to solve a mystery that truly falls into his lap.  Matt instantly had a likability to him and that admiration grew the deeper I read into the story.

Let me just say, this is how you do a clean mystery and suspense!  This is a multi-layered story with fiction and nonfiction seamlessly interwoven.  I was engaged the entire way through, connecting with the characters and narrative as a whole, and completely immersed in the settings and storyline.

The entire premise is quite intriguing to a history nerd like me.  Though I personally prefer studying more recent history, there is something fascinating about studying ancient times.  I learned so much while reading this novel due to much of it being based on truth.  It is clear that this was meticulously researched, the historical fact and fiction becoming a blurred line.

There are quite a few characters that are thrown at you, with their own unique viewpoints, but the way it’s organized and written makes it easy to follow and adds a richness to the novel.  What really amazed me was how immersive this novel was.  This is my first novel I’ve read by this author, and I am venerably impressed.  The imagery is breathtaking as we are taken to multiple locations all across Europe.  I soaked up the architecture and historical facts like a sponge and even did some research on the side to see what these places actually look like.  This novel also has a great message that really makes you think, and it is something I will be thinking about for awhile.

I am truly blown away with The Alcuin Letter.  Immersive and entertaining, this novel truly has everything you could ever want in a clean mystery.

My Rating: ★★★★★

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More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Jeff Raymond comes from a publication-oriented family, as both his father and older brother had accomplished careers in the newspaper business. He has had numerous articles published and has won awards for both writing and publication design. His debut novel, The Medici Quest, was honored with a Pencraft Award for Best Christian Fiction Book in the summer of 2024. Raymond graduated from Taylor University in Indiana, where he was a member of the track team. He also spent a year writing for the university newspaper and worked as a color commentator for basketball broadcasts. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. In addition to writing, Raymond has an interest in history, including Biblical history and the origins of the Bible. He has a growing collection of Olympic Games memorabilia, is a member of his church’s Worship Team. His interest in travel has allowed him to visit several international locations, both as a tourist and as part of short-term mission trips.

Connect with Jeff by visiting jeffraymondfiction.com to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of each book in this series - The Medici Quest & The Alcuin Letter!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 26, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. 

All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.