Wrapt in Crystal examines religious faith and the nature of love while providing a riveting murder mystery. Shinn's setting is the desert planet Semay, whose culture and language are mostly Spanish, with some French and Italian influences. Here, two orders of priestesses worship the goddess Ava: the Triumphantes, who live in worldly comfort and celebrate her with joy; and the Fideles, who renounce wealth to serve the poor and see her as the comforter of the hungry, the sick, and the sorrowful.

A serial killer is murdering members of both orders alternately, and Semay has asked Interfed, an alliance of federated planets with an elite peacekeeping force called the Moonchildren, for assistance. Cowen Drake, the Moonchild assigned, is under pressure to solve the case quickly, impressing Semay with the benefits of joining Interfed and keeping the priestesses safe. Though he has lost his own faith, Drake sets out to understand the victims, the orders, and the role of religion in Semay. His guides are the powerful, charismatic Jovieve, head of the Triumphantes, and the self-abnegating, dedicated Laura.

Readers will find the characters compelling, the suspense taut, and the developing love story moving. If you enjoyed Shinn's Samaria trilogy, you shouldn't miss this one. --Nona Vero


From Publishers Weekly
The author of the Samaria Trilogy (Archangel, etc.) returns with another story of religious faith crossed by mortal will. The Intergalactic Alliance of Federated Planets has been courting the isolated world of Semay, source of rare and expensive spices, for more than a decadeAso Interfed is eager to assist when Semay asks for help solving a baffling serial murder case. All of the victims were priestesses of two different religions dedicated to the Semay goddess Ava. The sybaritic Triumphantes' teachings are the most popular, drawing rich and influential followers, while the Fideles appeal to stern asceticsAthe two, a Triumphante says, are "as different as night and day. As sun and shadow. As joy and grief." When Lt. Cowen Drake of Interfed's elite Moonchild Forces arrives to investigate the crimes, he knows he's treading delicate diplomatic terrain. In a land where piety can wear such opposing forms, his own irreligious attitude makes him an outsider twice over. Even so, he finds himself drawn to both a Triumphante high priestess and a Fidele "ermana." A possible link between the deaths and the mysterious disappearance of a Triumphante woman five years ago hints at an off-world murderer. And, as Drake tracks down the killer, the case takes on a dangerous personal dimension. Shinn's flair for intriguing settings and sympathetic characters remains strong. Although feminists may cringe a little at the final pages, readers who like old-fashioned romantic endings will not be disappointed. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Two religions worshiping the same goddess exist on the planet Semay; a serial killer chooses his victims from the priestesses of both sects. Called in to find the murderer, Interfed Agent Cowen Drake discovers that the path to his goal leads between opposing forces of joy and sorrow, hope and despair. The author of the "Samaria Trilogy" (which concluded with The Alleluia Files, LJ 4/15/98) has produced a story both rich in detail and profound in spiritual underpinnings. A topnotch selection for most sf collections. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The governors of Semay carefully debate joining Interfed, a powerful alliance that seeks to open trade with the peaceful, isolated planet. As powerful on Semay as its elected leaders are the Triumphantes and the Fideles, woman-administered religious houses serving the goddess Ava. Though both unite people in marriage and console them in death, each worships different aspects of the deity. The Triumphantes believe that Ava rejoices in the celebratory rites of love, laughter, and beauty, while the Fideles believe in the serene values of chastity, austerity, and communal service to the poor and lonely. Now the leaders of each turn to Interfed to apprehend a serial murderer of six sisters, first a Triumphante, then a Fidele, etc. Drake Cowen is sent to discover the killer and, perhaps, bind Semay gratefully to Interfed. As he studies evidence and the killings' patterns, he is drawn to both a warm, beautiful Triumphante and a controlled, striking Fidele who hides some tragic secret. Shinn skillfully combines suspense, sf, and romance while posing thoughtful questions on worship, faith, and sacrifice. Roberta Johnson


From Kirkus Reviews
Science-fiction murder mystery from the author of Jovah's Angel (1997), etc. Desert planet Semay hosts two sects who revere the goddess Ava, the joyful and sensual Triumphantes and the austere, selfless Fideles. But now a serial killer stalks the priestesses, killing first a Triumphante, then a Fidele, at three-week intervals: altogether, five have died. Governor Ruiso calls in the interplanetary peacekeepers known as Moonchildren. Just as agent Cowen Drake arrives, a sixth priestess dies, under similar circumstances. According to the local police liaison, Benito, there are no clues, no motive, and no witnesses. Drake, attempting to understand both sects, meets Triumphante Jovieve and Fidele Laura. Priestesses, Drake learns, fearlessly give evidence in trials where they are witnesses, revealing a possible revenge motive. Five years previously, a certain Triumphante, Diadeloro, whose brother and boyfriend were murdered, subsequently vanished. Drake painstakingly attempts to trace her but the trail peters out. He tells the priestesses to go in pairs, teaches them self-defense, and finds he's falling in love with the emotionally damaged Laura. The next attack comes on schedule, but this time the pair of Triumphantes escape: Drake gets a description, learns that the killer has off-planet connections, and why he's so interested in the crystal pendants the priestesses wear. Intriguingly, only Diadeloro knew that the monks sign each crystal they prepare. Drake realizes that Laura is Diadeloro, and travels off-planet to gather information about the killer. When he returns, Laura has gone missing. Taut, realistic police work, an involving love story, and a fetching backdrop, if somewhat top-heavy with religious debate: well up to Shinn's previous high standards. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

On a planet of barren beauty near the edge of the civilized galaxy, two religions are practiced. Both sects worship the same goddess - the Triumphantes in joy and splendor, the Fideles in solemnity and selflessness. As different as day and night, sun and shadow, joy and grief, the two sects are now bound together in death... A serial killer is stalking the priestesses, killing first a Triumphante, then a Fidele, in turn. Six women are now dead, and the planetary authorities are at a loss. Enter Interfed Agent Cowen Drake. A cunning professional, he must immerse himself in an unfamiliar world of stark spirituality to catch the killer. A world that will trap him between opulence and sacrifice, between duty and desire, and between two extraordinary women - one who could become the killer's ultimate victim...

FROM THE CRITICS

Faren Miller

...[T]here's a whiplash of comedy driving through the grim and gritty scenes, the perceptive comments on serious moral questions... —Locus

Library Journal

Two religions worshiping the same goddess exist on the planet Semay; a serial killer chooses his victims from the priestesses of both sects. Called in to find the murderer, Interfed Agent Cowen Drake discovers that the path to his goal leads between opposing forces of joy and sorrow, hope and despair. The author of the "Samaria Trilogy" (which concluded with The Alleluia Files, LJ 4/15/98) has produced a story both rich in detail and profound in spiritual underpinnings. A topnotch selection for most sf collections. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

James Seidman - SF Site

Set in the future on a distant planet, it is, at heart, a murder mystery...Wrapt in Crystal has something to interest almost any reader.

Faren Miller - Locus

...[T]here's a whiplash of comedy driving through the grim and gritty scenes, the perceptive comments on serious moral questions...

Kirkus Reviews

Science-fiction murder mystery from the author of Jovah's Angel (1997), etc. Desert planet Semay hosts two sects who revere the goddess Ava, the joyful and sensual Triumphantes and the austere, selfless Fideles. But now a serial killer stalks the priestesses, killing first a Triumphante, then a Fidele, at three-week intervals: altogether, five have died. Governor Ruiso calls in the interplanetary peacekeepers known as Moonchildren. Just as agent Cowen Drake arrives, a sixth priestess dies, under similar circumstances. According to the local police liaison, Benito, there are no clues, no motive, and no witnesses. Drake, attempting to understand both sects, meets Triumphante Jovieve and Fidele Laura. Priestesses, Drake learns, fearlessly give evidence in trials where they are witnesses, revealing a possible revenge motive. Five years previously, a certain Triumphante, Diadeloro, whose brother and boyfriend were murdered, subsequently vanished. Drake painstakingly attempts to trace her but the trail peters out. He tells the priestesses to go in pairs, teaches them self-defense, and finds he's falling in love with the emotionally damaged Laura. The next attack comes on schedule, but this time the pair of Triumphantes escape: Drake gets a description, learns that the killer has off-planet connections, and why he's so interested in the crystal pendants the priestesses wear. Intriguingly, only Diadeloro knew that the monks sign each crystal they prepare. Drake realizes that Laura is Diadeloro, and travels off-planet to gather information about the killer. When he returns, Laura has gone missing. Taut, realistic police work, an involving love story, and a fetching backdrop, if somewhattop-heavy with religious debate: well up to Shinn's previous high standards.