Retreat From Nuala by Harriet Steel Series: Inspector de Silva Mysteries #14
on March 30, 2024
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 198
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon
Shanti and Jane de Silva’s peaceful retreat at a mountain monastery rapidly turns into something far more challenging when they become involved in the search for a stolen ancient manuscript that is reputed to have the power to shake Christianity to its foundations.
As they investigate their fellow guests and the monks themselves, the mystery seems as impenetrable as mountain mist – until events take a deadly turn. Will they succeed in bringing the truth to light?
A chance to get away for a quiet holiday above the heat and crowds at a Buddhist Monastery doesn’t quiet offer the peace and tranquility Jane and Shanti were hoping for in this latest Harriet Steel historical cozy mystery.
Retreat From Nuala is the fourteenth book in the Inspector de Silva series and jumps forward a few years after the events of the last book. WWII is over and the de Silvas, Nuala, and the whole island of Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) look back on how the war affected them and are ready to look to the future. Retreat From Nuala is a standalone mystery in the series, though there is little backdrop and character development because there is the understanding that readers got that from previous books.
Jane meets a personable middle-aged Buddhist monk at a Vicarage group meeting and it gives her the idea of wanting to pursue a couple of the disciplines he spoke of- yoga and meditation as guests of Soma’s mountain monastery. Shanti is due for a break from work, there’s nothing much beyond some routine tasks, and the heat in Nuala does make a getaway sound inviting.
Shanti and Jane meet the head monk, a couple of the younger ones, and four other guests in their first night. They notice a couple oddities, but, until Soma comes to them about the theft of an early medieval manuscript that had been housed at the monastery, they were enjoying their quiet pursuits.
Retreat From Nuala was a more cozier mystery than usual for this series. Shanti is introspective about growing older and retirement coming and thoughts on what Ceylon will be like when Colonial rule is over. Not much happens in the way of a mystery until after the half-way point and then it is a robbery and not a murder. Though yes, a murder does eventually take place. That said, the activities and little intrigues of the guests and people of the monastery provide enough of a curiosity that I didn’t miss an early mention of a crime.
All the guests seem to have something interesting about them and a few of the monastery community as well. I enjoyed that Jane got a few brief narrative portions and a chance to detect along with Shanti. I spotted a few of the reveals before they came and guessed accurately what were the late action crime mysteries and suspects, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.
All in all, another entertainment installment in the historical cozy Inspector de Silva mysteries.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Candy Apples and Clairvoyants by Danielle Garrett @daniellegarrett.bsky.social #AmandaRonconi @tantoraudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited @sophiarose1816 @authordgarrett @TantorAudio - March 23, 2025
- The Unquiet Bones by Melvin Starr #MelvinStarr @sophiarose1816 - March 19, 2025
- Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge @colleengleason.bsky.social @colleengleason @kensingtonbooks.bsky.social @KensingtonBooks @sophiarose1816 - March 16, 2025
Sounds like a great cozy mystery series! One that probably should be read from the beginning it sounds like. Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
I do have a good time with these and enjoy the colorful, historical culture with the mysteries. Yes, in order gives the perspective.
I’m glad it was an entertaining read for you.
Yes, very much so, Mary. I have a good time with these. 🙂
I love that cover!
This series has the most beautiful culture art covers. 🙂
Love the setting. Good to know this was more of a cozy than the other books in the series.
Yes, the Ceylon setting and culture is a big draw to these. I love that they draw me in, but don’t dig deep into the shadows and stay cozy.