Elem Coelho

Most highly recommended! Many of the main characters are introduced through each one’s psychological and mystical thoughts and experiences. As the story continues, the reader will wonder: who are these people? What is the mystery at the core of the beautifully clever descriptions of each as their personal beliefs are discussed while their equally personal secrets unravel? A definite must read.

Excellent, but to get to know the characters well, it’s best to start by reading the first book in the Sturbridge series, “Glittering Images”. This is the sixth in the series. Other books in this series do involve many of the same character's; in later books these include offspring of known characters but not yet born in the some of the previous books. “Absolute Truths”, as with each of Susan Howatch’s books, can be read on its own but it’s more fun to have read “Glittering Images” before “Absolute Truths” to better understand the characters in the latter book. Howatch’s Starbride series and St. Benet series cleverly develop the characters through each one’s thoughts, theological ideas, their intertwining lives -- the page turning books are mystical mysteries : must reads!