Holy Fools is partly narrated by the protagonist, Juliette, and her antagonist and ex-lover Guy LeMerle. Juliette has been living in a relaxed convent on an island off the French coast, she's left her travelling performer life behind and has found a safe place to bring up her daughter. The Abbess of the convent dies at the beginning of the novel, her replacement brings LeMerle, posing as a Priest, who starts to put in place an elaborate, vengeful plan. Juliette tries to protect herself, her daughter and her friends from LeMerle's plan and the ensuing hysteria.
The relationship between Juliette and Guy is beautifully complex, as is the portrayal of good and evil / right and wrong, collective hysteria and human fallibility. As with all Harris's novels this one has a great sense of place and atmosphere. Religion, ambition, escape, deceit and relationships all play a part.
