The Wall Street Journal called Vatican Waltz "a welcoming place for parishioners and interlopers alike," continuing "Catholics will identify with its plaintive call for the kind of renewal . . . But others, too, if they have kept their minds open, will be surprised at how uplifted they are by its story of individual courage and conviction."
"Merullo's latest is a page-turning novel of religious ideas written with love and imagination," wrote Publishers Weekly in a starred review. PW named the book to their "Best of 2013" list and said "It also sings with finely observed details of family relationships, ethnic neighborhood life, and the life of prayer."
Cynthia Piantedosi lives a quiet, unassuming life outside of Boston, guided by her Catholic faith. When she loses her beloved grandmother, she begins experiencing "spells" of such intense spiritual intimacy that she wonders about her sanity. Devoted to her elderly father and not particularly interested in dating and socializing, she develops a deep friendship with her parish priest. His congregation sees him as provocative and radical, but he encourages Cynthia to explore her faith--however it presents itself.
When he is killed in a mysterious accident, a message begins to emerge from Cynthia's prayers: God is calling her to be the first female Catholic priest. Her revelation is met with ridicule by certain of the more reactionary officials she reaches out to within the Church. Unable to tune out the divine messages, she lets the power of unswerving faith drive her all the way to the Vatican in pursuit of a destiny she doesn't fully understand--and a turn of events that will inevitably bring long overdue change to the Catholic Church.
"Fans of Alice McDermott and Merullo's earlier work will appreciate the heart, soul, and sheer joy found in Vatican Waltz and one woman's commitment to a life far more miraculous than she ever imagined," said Booklist.