Review: A Gathering in Hope: A Novel

A Gathering in Hope: A Novel by Philip Gulley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Gathering in Hope is the third in a series about jaded Quaker pastor Sam Gardner. Sam and his wife have now settled in quite nicely to Hope, Indiana as the spiritual leader of Hope Friends Meeting. His congregation is growing and is becoming quite diverse with the addition of a lesbian couple and a new family with twin baby girls. Time for Hope Friends to spruce up the nursery. The most recent addition appears to be over 100 endangered bats that have taken up residence in the church attic and nearby trees. The Department of Natural Resources comes to inspect the colony and puts a halt to any services or activities until after mating season, when the bats will leave for a while on their own. In the meantime, Sam has to deal with the church elders who are busy preparing a remodel and expansion of the church. The Hope Friends are now left to find a new meeting place while the bats fornicate in the attic, until all 100+ wing residents are found in a garbage bag outside of the meeting house. Crazy antics ensue until the culprit is found.

I love Gulley's writing. He has such a sarcastic sense of humor that I love. The characters are quirky but lovable. I think the book before this one was his funniest, but this one is right behind it.

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