The Hour before Dawn (The Hawk and the Dove)
“Once again Penelope Wilcock drew me back into fourteenth-century monastic life with a fine mix of descriptive details and evocative language. The peaceful world of St. Alcuin’s Abbey is quickly shattered by a violent tragedy and its aftermath, creating genuine heartache, tension, and spiritual angst. The timeless themes woven throughout the pages ofThe Hour Before Dawnspoke to my heart, in particular William’s journey of faith and John’s hard-won understanding of the power of the Ascension. Even in the darkest moments of the story, hope tarries in the wings. A wonderful writer, a wonderful read!”—Liz Curtis Higgs,New York Timesbest-selling author, Mine is the NightandBad Girls of the Bible“The Hour Before Dawntakes Penelope Wilcock’s saga of life at St. Alcuin’s Abbey to the next level. The emotions are real, vivid, and raw. Gritty realism and heart-wrenching suffering are layered into this story, counterbalanced by redemptive tenderness and noble self-sacrifice. Wilcock weaves a tale of complex interpersonal relationships against the backdrop of a medieval monastery. This novel is a brilliant exploration of what it means to be human—and more importantly, what it means to be a human remade in the image of Christ.”—Bryan M. Litfin, Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute; author,The Sword,The Gift, andGetting to Know the Church Fathers“Penelope Wilcock has created a wonderful cast of characters for her medieval series.The Hour Before Dawndeals with the universal theme of evil and the Christian response, and sets the tale in a marvelously accurate fourteenth-century monastery. For the lover of medieval mysteries this is a book not to be missed.”—Mel Starr, author,The Unquiet Bones,A Corpse at St. Andrew’s Chapel, andA Trail of Ink “The Hour Before Dawnshows vividly how the wrenching horror of cruelty can be overcome by the unspeakable beauty of restoration. I know of no other writer who sees so clearly into the souls of her characters as does Penelope Wilcock. And sees with such humor and love. Her prose is like rich, dark chocolate poetry. This book offers a deep well of mercy and grace and forgiveness—even forgiveness of self. Drink from it.”—Donna Fletcher Crow, author,Glastonbury: The Novel of Christian EnglandandThe Monastery Murders