Book Reviews and More: The Case of the Stolen Rosaries - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis

The Case of the Stolen Rosaries
Sisters of the Last Straw Book 3
Karen Kelly Boyce
Sue Anderson Gioulis (Illustrator)
TAN Books
ISBN 9781505111903

eISBN 9781505111910

ASIN B07DLBGB5W

With each book I read in this series, I appreciate it more. Late last year I read the fifth book in this series, The Case of the Christmas Tree Capers, a Christmas story. Over the last three weeks I have read the first three books in the series. I have enjoyed each of the volumes. And thing they are great fun reads for younger readers or really for readers of any age. I previously stated that the series reminds me of Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk. These are really fun reads. Bu they also have good lessons. Lessons that kids will pick up on and lean from, but also lessons that we as adults can appreciate and be challenged by. I plan on reading a book a week until I have finished the series. As I am prereading them prior to reading them with my youngest two children. A great story in a very entertaining and amusing series.

In each volume we find out more about Sisters of the Last Straw. How they came to be, and what some of them are working on personally in their process of striving to become saints. They always seem to end up in a awkward circumstances. They still have a grouchy neighbour. And in this story, a thief is taking things in the neighbourhood. They are trying to prepare a surprise birthday party for Mother Mercy. Deal with the repeated thefts, and live life in community, while witnessing to the world around them.

The sisters in this story are fun, and the tale is often funny. The sisters are:

Sister Krumbles

Sister Shiny

Sister Lovely

Sister Wanda

Sister Lacy

Mother Mercy

In this volume the black and white illustrations by Sue Anderson Gioulis continue to add to the story. The book teaches us about human nature, about living the gospel, and about trusting God. It also teaches us about the different strengths and weakness in different characters, and how to live in community. The nuns seem to end up in strange situations, but with faith, hope, and prayer they usually come to a solution. From the chapter titles you always have a preview of what is about to happen next:

That Darn Rooster

Baffling Bandits

Planning a Surprise

A Visit to the Farm

Making Friends

A Little Powder

A Shining Example

A Big Party

In this story we have nuns getting lost, because of an upside-down map, losing the map in the wind. An exploding cake. And a most unusual thief. I admin I figured out who the thief was fairly early on, but that did not detract from the fun and humor in the story.

There are some excellent lessons for the young readers of the series for whom it is written for, and also for us older folks who might read it with or to them. Or even just on our own. It is another great story in a very fun series. And we look forward to reading the rest of the stories, and hope there are yet more to come. Pick it up and laugh at and with the sisters of the last straw.