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This story in the series is a slow burner. 3.5. The ending was excellent. Marthe and her husband with their children live an idyllic life. However, Mouret the husband decides to let the room to Abbe Faujas and his mother. So begins a story of the Abbe slowly manipulating the family and town of Plassans to his advantage. Marthe becomes obsessed with religion bordering on madness. Her husband hopelessly looks on and unknowingly becomes accused of false happenings which become more and more exaggerated.

Political intrigue, gossip, lies, clerical power struggles all contribute to a road to madness. At the Centre is the Abbe a power hungry cleric who is sent to Plassans after being disgraced to redeem himself.

The narrative ramps up the tension with the in laws of the Abbe moving in and Rose the cook on the side of the Abbe. Ultimately, the climax in violence is brilliant in this fourth novel of the series.