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Father Koesler #1
The Rosary Murders
Priests and nuns are his targets. A plain black rosary entwined between the fingers of each victim is his calling card. The police don't have a clue, but Father Koesler sees a pattern -- a consuming religious obsession that can drive one man to serial murder. And to an unexpected and terrifying encounter inside the Father's own confessional.
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
78 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
William X. Kienzle
28 books29 followersWilliam X. Kienzle was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and spent twenty years as a Roman Catholic parish priest. Kienzle left the priesthood in 1974 because of his disagreement with its refusal to remarry divorcees. He became an editor of MPLS Magazine in Minneapolis, later moving to Texas where he was director of the Center for Contemplative Studies at the University of Dallas.
He was married to Javan Herman Andrews, a journalist from the Detroit Free Press, from 1974 until his sudden death from a heart attack on December 28, 2001.
Kienzle was the author of twenty-four crime fiction/mystery novels featuring Father Robert Koesler, a Catholic priest who doubles as a detective. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Kienzle's books are set mostly in Detroit, Michigan.
His biography, Judged by Love, by Javan Kienzle, was published in 2003.
He was married to Javan Herman Andrews, a journalist from the Detroit Free Press, from 1974 until his sudden death from a heart attack on December 28, 2001.
Kienzle was the author of twenty-four crime fiction/mystery novels featuring Father Robert Koesler, a Catholic priest who doubles as a detective. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Kienzle's books are set mostly in Detroit, Michigan.
His biography, Judged by Love, by Javan Kienzle, was published in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 30, 2017
The Rosary Murders was one of the first real adult suspense thrillers I ever read. In fact, as a teenager, when I brought it to the check-out counter at my small hometown library, the librarian called my father to get permission to check it out to me. Still makes me laugh to this day. My dad's response to the librarian? He'd rather I read murder mysteries than bodice ripper romance novels with half naked people on the front. I found that funny because the book cover has a dead woman in a bathtub.....it doesn't show anything vital, but the naked is implied. I guess dead naked people are acceptable, while half naked women contemplating sex with rogues is less so. :)
But I digress......I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. And the movie with Donald Sutherland (even though it made significant changes). But for whatever reason, I never returned to read more of the Father Koesler series. I was a teenager....who knows what I was thinking. :) There are several series that I started when I was younger and never finished....I've decided to backtrack and read them! The Father Koesler series is one....and the Dana Fuller Ross Wagons West! series is another. Just to mention two.....there are more, but I will never get to the review for The Rosary Murders if I keep rambling.
Back on task.....
The basics: Father Bob Koesler is a priest in Detroit. A killer is targeting priests and nuns in the city. Killing them brutally....then draping a black rosary around each one's hand before leaving the scene. Koesler works with the police to try and catch the murderer. They struggle to investigate as more killings occur. The case heats up when one victim lives long enough to scrawl a clue in her own blood, and then Father Koesler has a frightening run-in with the killer inside the confessional. Koesler cannot reveal what the killer said to him in the confessional. He struggles to aid the investigation without breaking the seal of confession. It all builds to an exciting conclusion!
Although it can't be much of a surprise that a story centered around murders of Catholic priests and nuns would contain a lot of details about the Catholic church, for non-Catholics some of the details and situations in this book might be a bit confusing, or at times, even boring. There are many details about church politics, conflicts over Vatican II changes, Catholic practices and the duties of priests and nuns. I grew up Catholic so I didn't find it tedious. Others might though. I rewatched the movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler after I finished the book. The movie made a lot of changes to the story, but some were obviously made to keep the focus on the murder mystery, rather than Catholicism. As usual though some changes between the book and film versions seemed arbitrary and ridiculous. For instance one murdered nun in the book is middle-aged and a religious coordinator for a church in Dearborn, but in the movie she is young and beautiful, preparing to renounce her vows to get married. I guess they wanted to add a little extra drama? *eyeroll*
Kienzle wrote so well about the Catholic church, its inner issues, politics and drama because he was a priest from 1954-1974.He left the priesthood over doctrinal differences.
I'm so glad I re-read this novel. This time I didn't have to get parental permission. ha ha. I'm going to read more of this series (there are 24 Father Koesler books). I'm interested to see how Koesler's character develops throughout the series.
But I digress......I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. And the movie with Donald Sutherland (even though it made significant changes). But for whatever reason, I never returned to read more of the Father Koesler series. I was a teenager....who knows what I was thinking. :) There are several series that I started when I was younger and never finished....I've decided to backtrack and read them! The Father Koesler series is one....and the Dana Fuller Ross Wagons West! series is another. Just to mention two.....there are more, but I will never get to the review for The Rosary Murders if I keep rambling.
Back on task.....
The basics: Father Bob Koesler is a priest in Detroit. A killer is targeting priests and nuns in the city. Killing them brutally....then draping a black rosary around each one's hand before leaving the scene. Koesler works with the police to try and catch the murderer. They struggle to investigate as more killings occur. The case heats up when one victim lives long enough to scrawl a clue in her own blood, and then Father Koesler has a frightening run-in with the killer inside the confessional. Koesler cannot reveal what the killer said to him in the confessional. He struggles to aid the investigation without breaking the seal of confession. It all builds to an exciting conclusion!
Although it can't be much of a surprise that a story centered around murders of Catholic priests and nuns would contain a lot of details about the Catholic church, for non-Catholics some of the details and situations in this book might be a bit confusing, or at times, even boring. There are many details about church politics, conflicts over Vatican II changes, Catholic practices and the duties of priests and nuns. I grew up Catholic so I didn't find it tedious. Others might though. I rewatched the movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler after I finished the book. The movie made a lot of changes to the story, but some were obviously made to keep the focus on the murder mystery, rather than Catholicism. As usual though some changes between the book and film versions seemed arbitrary and ridiculous. For instance one murdered nun in the book is middle-aged and a religious coordinator for a church in Dearborn, but in the movie she is young and beautiful, preparing to renounce her vows to get married. I guess they wanted to add a little extra drama? *eyeroll*
Kienzle wrote so well about the Catholic church, its inner issues, politics and drama because he was a priest from 1954-1974.He left the priesthood over doctrinal differences.
I'm so glad I re-read this novel. This time I didn't have to get parental permission. ha ha. I'm going to read more of this series (there are 24 Father Koesler books). I'm interested to see how Koesler's character develops throughout the series.
December 27, 2008
William Kienzle wrote at least 20 mysteries featuring Father Bob Koessler. Like any series, they vary a LOT in quality. Some are splendid; some are average.
This is the first one ins the series and the plot is pretty good. Try it and see if you like the character--because they are all somewhat similar in being character-driven mysteries.
I find them light, easy mysteries and usually with a good puzzle and not too much graphic violence.
This is the first one ins the series and the plot is pretty good. Try it and see if you like the character--because they are all somewhat similar in being character-driven mysteries.
I find them light, easy mysteries and usually with a good puzzle and not too much graphic violence.
December 7, 2024
The Rosary Murders (Father Koesler, #1) by William X. Kienzle.
This was first published in 1978 an oldie but a goodie and is a reread for me. It was made into a TV movie back in the day, however I remember a different ending to it than the original in this book.
The first of the Rosary Murders begins with a murdered nun found in the bathtub with black rosary beads wrapped a certain way in her hand. And so the murders begin.
The characters are believable and work well with each other as the story unfolds.
I must add that I was so delighted to reread this book after so many years. The excitement is still there. I'll be going on to another by this talented author.
This was first published in 1978 an oldie but a goodie and is a reread for me. It was made into a TV movie back in the day, however I remember a different ending to it than the original in this book.
The first of the Rosary Murders begins with a murdered nun found in the bathtub with black rosary beads wrapped a certain way in her hand. And so the murders begin.
The characters are believable and work well with each other as the story unfolds.
I must add that I was so delighted to reread this book after so many years. The excitement is still there. I'll be going on to another by this talented author.
July 11, 2020
This was a re-read. I originally read this in high school. It was assigned by a priest as a way of teaching teenagers, all born after Vatican II, something about the debate and divisions in the church because of the changes from that conclave.
Still a decent read, although the way men - and male characters- think and speak about women has hopefully changed since this was written in the late 1970s.
Still a decent read, although the way men - and male characters- think and speak about women has hopefully changed since this was written in the late 1970s.
January 31, 2022
Sem dúvida, esta história de detetive está entre as melhores que já li.
Desde a introdução, quando ocorrem rumores de que um velho padre católico deve ter morrido num hospital católico não por causa natural (e nesse caso poderia interessar ao hospital não noticiar a causa da morte), até a conclusão, que suscita uma reflexão acerca da teologia pastoral nos confessionários, a atenção do leitor é mantida durante a narração pelo suspense, apreensão, curiosidade. O estilo de escrita de William Kienzle neste livro lembra o da Rainha do Crime. Porém, enquanto em várias histórias dela, ao menos nas que li, não há um ambiente cultural desenvolvido, em "The Rosary Murders" sim, há um ambiente cultural católico, o que lhe faz semelhante aos contos de Chesterton com o sacerdote-detetive Padre Brown, porém se poderia afirmar que, por um lado, nos contos do Padre Brown, Chesterton expressa um ponto de vista conservador, e, por outro lado, em "The Rosary Murders", Kienzle, um ponto de vista progressista. O personagem Padre Brown é mencionado numa conversa entre freiras, "Father Brown would have caught him by now."
A primeira publicação dessa novela de mistério foi em 1979, um período com polêmicas relacionadas ao segundo concílio do Vaticano, e que, ainda hoje nas primeiras décadas do século 21, tem efeitos que dividem grupos na Igreja. O ambiente fictício criado por Kienzle retrata o ambiente cultural daquele período, sobretudo a partir dos anos 60: conservadores se tornando mais conservadores, progressistas ("liberals" em inglês) se tornando mais progressistas, e indiferentes se tornando mais indiferentes. A história possui uma temática teológica, que, além de lhe conferir maior qualidade artística, é funcional no desenvolvimento da mesma, não sendo meramente um adorno. Focam-se questões de teologia pastoral, como, por exemplo, a modificação nos confessionários, o modo de religiosos se vestirem, de se relacionarem com leigos. Temas de bioética são muito relevantes, sem escapar ao trabalho de sacerdotes e religiosos. Além dos traços de ficção de crime, o ambiente católico poderá agradar aos leitores de religião católica.
Diferentemente de escritos ficcionais de Chesterton e Agatha Christie, onde temas sexuais são praticamente ausentes, afinando-se ao gosto do que se poderia chamar conservador, há um leve conteúdo sexual em "The Rosary Murders" como observação de formas corporais femininas, descrição do assassinato de uma personagem na banheira, piada de sacerdote a respeito de seios de uma mulher. Possivelmente, o autor os inseriu na história quer por um ponto de vista próprio sobre ética sexual, quer para provocar religiosos e leigos conservadores. Há práticas sexuais reprováveis do ponto de vista moral, por outro lado funcionais esteticamente nessa história.
Segundo o narrador, possivelmente refletindo uma opinião do autor, o Papa Paulo VI dividiu a Igreja católica com a sua carta encíclica. Observa-se um conflito "conservador x progressista" no ambiente. Esta obra suscita questões relativas à punição de criminosos, à prisão perpétua, ao modo de tratar penitentes na confissão, servindo ao exame de comportamentos extremistas e indiferentes.
Com relação à mídia, o padre Koesler, fã de histórias de detetives, trabalha num jornal, assumindo na maior parte do tempo uma função normalmente desempenhada por leigos e por bem poucos sacerdotes. Jornalistas, paralelamente à polícia, fazem um trabalho de investigação. O noticiário da mídia, por sua vez, tem o poder de afetar a imagem tanto política do prefeito quanto profissional da polícia.
As personagens são caracterizadas sem profundidade, em via de regra apenas com alguns traços, de modo que haja várias personagens atuando em cenas favoráveis ao desenvolvimento das ações, criadas sem digressão. Em termos de proeminência, o protagonismo acontece primeiramente com membros da polícia e secundariamente com membros da mídia. Durante a maior parte do tempo, o padre Koesler atua pouco, portanto não atua propriamente como um detetive como se poderia esperar a princípio. Mais próximo do clímax, ele tem uma atuação essencial nos procedimentos de investigação.
Desde a introdução, quando ocorrem rumores de que um velho padre católico deve ter morrido num hospital católico não por causa natural (e nesse caso poderia interessar ao hospital não noticiar a causa da morte), até a conclusão, que suscita uma reflexão acerca da teologia pastoral nos confessionários, a atenção do leitor é mantida durante a narração pelo suspense, apreensão, curiosidade. O estilo de escrita de William Kienzle neste livro lembra o da Rainha do Crime. Porém, enquanto em várias histórias dela, ao menos nas que li, não há um ambiente cultural desenvolvido, em "The Rosary Murders" sim, há um ambiente cultural católico, o que lhe faz semelhante aos contos de Chesterton com o sacerdote-detetive Padre Brown, porém se poderia afirmar que, por um lado, nos contos do Padre Brown, Chesterton expressa um ponto de vista conservador, e, por outro lado, em "The Rosary Murders", Kienzle, um ponto de vista progressista. O personagem Padre Brown é mencionado numa conversa entre freiras, "Father Brown would have caught him by now."
A primeira publicação dessa novela de mistério foi em 1979, um período com polêmicas relacionadas ao segundo concílio do Vaticano, e que, ainda hoje nas primeiras décadas do século 21, tem efeitos que dividem grupos na Igreja. O ambiente fictício criado por Kienzle retrata o ambiente cultural daquele período, sobretudo a partir dos anos 60: conservadores se tornando mais conservadores, progressistas ("liberals" em inglês) se tornando mais progressistas, e indiferentes se tornando mais indiferentes. A história possui uma temática teológica, que, além de lhe conferir maior qualidade artística, é funcional no desenvolvimento da mesma, não sendo meramente um adorno. Focam-se questões de teologia pastoral, como, por exemplo, a modificação nos confessionários, o modo de religiosos se vestirem, de se relacionarem com leigos. Temas de bioética são muito relevantes, sem escapar ao trabalho de sacerdotes e religiosos. Além dos traços de ficção de crime, o ambiente católico poderá agradar aos leitores de religião católica.
Diferentemente de escritos ficcionais de Chesterton e Agatha Christie, onde temas sexuais são praticamente ausentes, afinando-se ao gosto do que se poderia chamar conservador, há um leve conteúdo sexual em "The Rosary Murders" como observação de formas corporais femininas, descrição do assassinato de uma personagem na banheira, piada de sacerdote a respeito de seios de uma mulher. Possivelmente, o autor os inseriu na história quer por um ponto de vista próprio sobre ética sexual, quer para provocar religiosos e leigos conservadores. Há práticas sexuais reprováveis do ponto de vista moral, por outro lado funcionais esteticamente nessa história.
Segundo o narrador, possivelmente refletindo uma opinião do autor, o Papa Paulo VI dividiu a Igreja católica com a sua carta encíclica. Observa-se um conflito "conservador x progressista" no ambiente. Esta obra suscita questões relativas à punição de criminosos, à prisão perpétua, ao modo de tratar penitentes na confissão, servindo ao exame de comportamentos extremistas e indiferentes.
Com relação à mídia, o padre Koesler, fã de histórias de detetives, trabalha num jornal, assumindo na maior parte do tempo uma função normalmente desempenhada por leigos e por bem poucos sacerdotes. Jornalistas, paralelamente à polícia, fazem um trabalho de investigação. O noticiário da mídia, por sua vez, tem o poder de afetar a imagem tanto política do prefeito quanto profissional da polícia.
As personagens são caracterizadas sem profundidade, em via de regra apenas com alguns traços, de modo que haja várias personagens atuando em cenas favoráveis ao desenvolvimento das ações, criadas sem digressão. Em termos de proeminência, o protagonismo acontece primeiramente com membros da polícia e secundariamente com membros da mídia. Durante a maior parte do tempo, o padre Koesler atua pouco, portanto não atua propriamente como um detetive como se poderia esperar a princípio. Mais próximo do clímax, ele tem uma atuação essencial nos procedimentos de investigação.
May 30, 2012
The Rosary Murders, first published in 1978, is coming to readers again. This cozy mystery is fun, easily followed, and easily read. The Rosary Murders was made into a movie, starring Donald Sutherland, in 1987. This book is one of some twenty-four crime novels featuring Father Robert Koesler.
William X. Kienzle spent twenty years in the priesthood after leaving due to a disagreement with policy. He was editor of MPLS Magazine in Minneapolis, then later was director of Center for Contemplative Studies at University of Dallas. His wife carries on his publishing career today.
Kienzle leads us on a merry chase as the seemingly innocuous death of a priest near death in a hospital becomes more important as the first death in a series of murders. Key elements are the joking between colleagues in the police department and the conversations between priests during meals. The trust the Catholic priests and nuns place in their parishioners is important. Not only in real life, but in The Rosary Murders, that trust is what makes priests and nuns so susceptible to danger, especially when working in the less desirable areas. The police wisely pay attention to Fr. Koesler as he offers his help and is open to their suggestions to catch the culprit and solve the crime.
This is a short, easy read. Fun and not complicated. The Rosary Murders makes a good read for a quiet day or to lull to sleep at night. Because the reader may be accustomed to today’s technology, please remember this is an older book. Cell phones are not around every corner.
All in all, I’d give this a 4 out of 5 stars for its ingenuity of the time and the easy writing style.
So what are you waiting for? Go read it!
William X. Kienzle spent twenty years in the priesthood after leaving due to a disagreement with policy. He was editor of MPLS Magazine in Minneapolis, then later was director of Center for Contemplative Studies at University of Dallas. His wife carries on his publishing career today.
Kienzle leads us on a merry chase as the seemingly innocuous death of a priest near death in a hospital becomes more important as the first death in a series of murders. Key elements are the joking between colleagues in the police department and the conversations between priests during meals. The trust the Catholic priests and nuns place in their parishioners is important. Not only in real life, but in The Rosary Murders, that trust is what makes priests and nuns so susceptible to danger, especially when working in the less desirable areas. The police wisely pay attention to Fr. Koesler as he offers his help and is open to their suggestions to catch the culprit and solve the crime.
This is a short, easy read. Fun and not complicated. The Rosary Murders makes a good read for a quiet day or to lull to sleep at night. Because the reader may be accustomed to today’s technology, please remember this is an older book. Cell phones are not around every corner.
All in all, I’d give this a 4 out of 5 stars for its ingenuity of the time and the easy writing style.
So what are you waiting for? Go read it!
November 18, 2015
This is an oldie, but I really enjoyed it--especially all of the details about the Detroit area. I understand there are another twenty books in the series and if I can find them, I will definitely read them. They are funny and remind me of a precursor to Stephanie Plum. Thoroughly enjoyed this quick read from days gone by!
Want to read
March 3, 2019Synopsis: priests and nuns are his targets. A black rosary is his calling card. The police don't have a clue, but Father Koesler sees a pattern.
October 10, 2025
Quick-look at the Book
Someone's murdering the clergypeople and leaving behind rosaries. And while Koesler meets the murderer via confession, he can't violate the seal and tell the cops.
Thoughts about the Book
I love the flavor of PD James’ Dalgliesh series and this one was written in the same vein. Except, that our protagonist isn’t a detective but a member of the clergy. Even so, I liked the slow burning progression, ending in a good reveal.
The misplaced reasoning of the serial killer murdering nuns and priests was heartbreaking. If only someone could have helped them when they had needed it. So many lives would have been saved!
I also liked the characters of the detectives in charge of solving the serial murders. The constant ribbing between them spoke of a true friendship. One of them is Black and the other isn’t. Considering this book was published in 1989, I was surprised to see how forward-looking it seemed. Their jokes also touched on racism and discrimination — with the Black detective giving his partner a hard time.
The good thing about finding a new series — which, I did — is that you can add more books to your TBR. The bad thing is that you will add more books to your TBR, such as Death Wears a Red Hat.
Thoughts on this Series
This is a nice enough cozy mystery series. The central character is Father Koesler who by no actions of his own--mostly--keeps tripping over murdered people and getting roped into police investigations.
While the characterization and motivation behind each suspect are well-described, there can be often too many POVs or too many details that detract from the action.
That said, the author repeatedly hits you over the head with the same details about priesthood and religion. If you can bear with that, and are okay with the protagonist arriving at the euphoria! moment while in the bathtub or car or...you get what I mean...read on.
My advice? Space em out. Or, they start to become a blob (Lily & Marshal style).
Review of Book 2 here
Someone's murdering the clergypeople and leaving behind rosaries. And while Koesler meets the murderer via confession, he can't violate the seal and tell the cops.
Thoughts about the Book
I love the flavor of PD James’ Dalgliesh series and this one was written in the same vein. Except, that our protagonist isn’t a detective but a member of the clergy. Even so, I liked the slow burning progression, ending in a good reveal.
The misplaced reasoning of the serial killer murdering nuns and priests was heartbreaking. If only someone could have helped them when they had needed it. So many lives would have been saved!
I also liked the characters of the detectives in charge of solving the serial murders. The constant ribbing between them spoke of a true friendship. One of them is Black and the other isn’t. Considering this book was published in 1989, I was surprised to see how forward-looking it seemed. Their jokes also touched on racism and discrimination — with the Black detective giving his partner a hard time.
The good thing about finding a new series — which, I did — is that you can add more books to your TBR. The bad thing is that you will add more books to your TBR, such as Death Wears a Red Hat.
Thoughts on this Series
This is a nice enough cozy mystery series. The central character is Father Koesler who by no actions of his own--mostly--keeps tripping over murdered people and getting roped into police investigations.
While the characterization and motivation behind each suspect are well-described, there can be often too many POVs or too many details that detract from the action.
That said, the author repeatedly hits you over the head with the same details about priesthood and religion. If you can bear with that, and are okay with the protagonist arriving at the euphoria! moment while in the bathtub or car or...you get what I mean...read on.
My advice? Space em out. Or, they start to become a blob (Lily & Marshal style).
Review of Book 2 here
March 2, 2019
Good plot and decent characters, but for today's reader marred by the fact of the casual racist, sexist and religious quips and jokes that don't sit so well today.
A couple other funny things - the reasoning that the murderer couldn't be homosexual even though the female murdered was not sexually molested, because homosexuality was not involved in the murder of the priest killed previously. This was obviously written in the last days of the church's innocence or denial before the altar boys and choir boys started spilling the beans.
He also badly misquoted Steven Stills lyrics to Love The One You're With. They should read " if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with" That really annoys me. If you're going to quote, get it right.
This series seems to be trying to follow in the tradition of previous priest-sleuth series. I'll try a couple more and see how it goes.
A couple other funny things - the reasoning that the murderer couldn't be homosexual even though the female murdered was not sexually molested, because homosexuality was not involved in the murder of the priest killed previously. This was obviously written in the last days of the church's innocence or denial before the altar boys and choir boys started spilling the beans.
He also badly misquoted Steven Stills lyrics to Love The One You're With. They should read " if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with" That really annoys me. If you're going to quote, get it right.
This series seems to be trying to follow in the tradition of previous priest-sleuth series. I'll try a couple more and see how it goes.
May 14, 2012
Ignore the movie - it has no life compared to William Kienzle's engaging, soul-searching detective Father Koesler.
June 2, 2014
Although convoluted the plot is an interesting premise. Father Koesler is no Rabbi David Small.
November 30, 2024
Not as good as the movie…
The Rosary Murders (Father Koesler #1) 2 of 5 stars ⭐
By: William X. Kienzle
Great premise that never materializes into anything interesting…
WHAT WORKS:
*The book is written well, it's easy to read.
*Several good character studies (that unfortunately go nowhere).
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
*The reporters never come to life, they're like paper dolls, with no depth.
*The cops are just as one dimensional as the reporters, few of the characters seem believable.
*No interplay between Father Koesler & the killer (like in the movie), which makes for a boring, plodding book.
GOOD CHARACTER STUDIES THAT GO NOWHERE
Mother Mary Honora is a good example. The descriptions of her home, the other nuns she cohabitates with, and her daily good works, are all more than engaging. Her struggles to understand the language of the streets, and even her prayer of forgiveness as she is murdered, gives her character depth. But then that's it. Just as we know and care about her, poof! She's gone!
This happens again with the portly Father Fred Palmer. A likable fellow, who's love of pancakes and sausage is hurting his career. He believes going to the gym once or twice a week, and swimming a few laps, is enough to work off those syrup soaked sausages. He's the one character (other than Father Koesler) who really comes to life, and is enjoyable to be with. I wanted more of his silly antics, but again, as soon as you get attached to him, poof! He's gone!
At least these two characters came to life for me, it never happened with Lieutenant Walter Koznicki, the officer in charge of the case, or with Joe Cox, the reporter assigned to cover the case. They were flat, one dimensional, cardboard cutouts, and occasionally, I would get the two of them confused. That shouldn't happen, they are main characters!
BOOK VS MOVIE
There are several scenes that don't come to life in the book, the way they do in the movie. This is mostly due to Donald Sutherland's enormous talent as an actor. He brought Father Koesler to life in a way that William Kienzle was never able to accomplish on the page.
But even in the scenes where Father Koesler is not present, the movie is better than the book. There's a scene in the Carmelite convent (cloistered nuns), where the killer poses as a telephone repairman, so he can dispatch Sister Margaret Mary. In the movie, it's taught and nerve wracking, but in the book, it's just another scene where clergy is killed.
In the movie, there's a bond between the killer, and Father Koesler, a secret connection.
The killer confesses to Father Koesler, and this disclosure both terrifies, and motivates the priest. He's a cleric who believes in his holy covenants, it's his responsibility to save this man, no matter his crimes, or even if it puts his own life in danger.
In the movie, there are several frightening scenes where Father Koesler knows he's being followed, and menaced by the killer, but can do nothing to protect himself. If he goes to the police with what he knows, he'll be breaking the sacred vows of the confessional. In one scene, Father Koesler (Donald Sutherland) has broken into the killer's house, thinking no one is home. He's hoping to learn more about the evil that's driving the killer's merciless crusade. But as he opens the door to the next room, the madman is standing there, smiling. Father Koesler can do nothing but slam the door, and run. It's the best scene in the whole movie, and it's both a jump scare, and a bone chilling look into the eyes of a killer, and his murderous rationalizations.
The book offers none of these types of nerve shattering interactions. There's just a lot of banal looks at a day in the life of the Detroit clergy. There's nothing interesting about it.
There was one thing I did not like about the movie, and it was the implied relationship between Father Koesler & the reporter, Pat Lennon (Belinda Bauer). It's not in depth enough to be interesting, and so it just peters out, much like the short character studies in the book. By trying not to offend anybody, with a priest in a relationship story line, they ended up just boring everyone with another pointless, dead end plotline.
Even with that said, the movie is so much better than the book, and that's down to the two writers. Elmore Leonard adapted William X. Kienzle's book into a much better screenplay. The movie I would recommend, the book, not so much.
Ratings:
The Rosary Murders (Father Koesler #1) 2 of 5 stars ⭐ (book)
The Rosary Murders 6.4 of 10 stars ⭐ (movie)
To be honest, I've been dreading finishing this book, and starting the next in the series. I know I will, but it's not something I'm looking forward to. I wouldn't mind watching the movie again, though.
For my complete review:
https://blondiee10.blogspot.com/2024/...
The Rosary Murders (Father Koesler #1) 2 of 5 stars ⭐
By: William X. Kienzle
Great premise that never materializes into anything interesting…
WHAT WORKS:
*The book is written well, it's easy to read.
*Several good character studies (that unfortunately go nowhere).
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
*The reporters never come to life, they're like paper dolls, with no depth.
*The cops are just as one dimensional as the reporters, few of the characters seem believable.
*No interplay between Father Koesler & the killer (like in the movie), which makes for a boring, plodding book.
GOOD CHARACTER STUDIES THAT GO NOWHERE
Mother Mary Honora is a good example. The descriptions of her home, the other nuns she cohabitates with, and her daily good works, are all more than engaging. Her struggles to understand the language of the streets, and even her prayer of forgiveness as she is murdered, gives her character depth. But then that's it. Just as we know and care about her, poof! She's gone!
This happens again with the portly Father Fred Palmer. A likable fellow, who's love of pancakes and sausage is hurting his career. He believes going to the gym once or twice a week, and swimming a few laps, is enough to work off those syrup soaked sausages. He's the one character (other than Father Koesler) who really comes to life, and is enjoyable to be with. I wanted more of his silly antics, but again, as soon as you get attached to him, poof! He's gone!
At least these two characters came to life for me, it never happened with Lieutenant Walter Koznicki, the officer in charge of the case, or with Joe Cox, the reporter assigned to cover the case. They were flat, one dimensional, cardboard cutouts, and occasionally, I would get the two of them confused. That shouldn't happen, they are main characters!
BOOK VS MOVIE
There are several scenes that don't come to life in the book, the way they do in the movie. This is mostly due to Donald Sutherland's enormous talent as an actor. He brought Father Koesler to life in a way that William Kienzle was never able to accomplish on the page.
But even in the scenes where Father Koesler is not present, the movie is better than the book. There's a scene in the Carmelite convent (cloistered nuns), where the killer poses as a telephone repairman, so he can dispatch Sister Margaret Mary. In the movie, it's taught and nerve wracking, but in the book, it's just another scene where clergy is killed.
In the movie, there's a bond between the killer, and Father Koesler, a secret connection.
The killer confesses to Father Koesler, and this disclosure both terrifies, and motivates the priest. He's a cleric who believes in his holy covenants, it's his responsibility to save this man, no matter his crimes, or even if it puts his own life in danger.
In the movie, there are several frightening scenes where Father Koesler knows he's being followed, and menaced by the killer, but can do nothing to protect himself. If he goes to the police with what he knows, he'll be breaking the sacred vows of the confessional. In one scene, Father Koesler (Donald Sutherland) has broken into the killer's house, thinking no one is home. He's hoping to learn more about the evil that's driving the killer's merciless crusade. But as he opens the door to the next room, the madman is standing there, smiling. Father Koesler can do nothing but slam the door, and run. It's the best scene in the whole movie, and it's both a jump scare, and a bone chilling look into the eyes of a killer, and his murderous rationalizations.
The book offers none of these types of nerve shattering interactions. There's just a lot of banal looks at a day in the life of the Detroit clergy. There's nothing interesting about it.
There was one thing I did not like about the movie, and it was the implied relationship between Father Koesler & the reporter, Pat Lennon (Belinda Bauer). It's not in depth enough to be interesting, and so it just peters out, much like the short character studies in the book. By trying not to offend anybody, with a priest in a relationship story line, they ended up just boring everyone with another pointless, dead end plotline.
Even with that said, the movie is so much better than the book, and that's down to the two writers. Elmore Leonard adapted William X. Kienzle's book into a much better screenplay. The movie I would recommend, the book, not so much.
Ratings:
The Rosary Murders (Father Koesler #1) 2 of 5 stars ⭐ (book)
The Rosary Murders 6.4 of 10 stars ⭐ (movie)
To be honest, I've been dreading finishing this book, and starting the next in the series. I know I will, but it's not something I'm looking forward to. I wouldn't mind watching the movie again, though.
For my complete review:
https://blondiee10.blogspot.com/2024/...
March 13, 2024
Still relevant 2024! We're living de'je vu 60s 70s. Rated 4.5 for semi-hisotrical value.
Author had abiding interest in police work throughout his adult life. This was current when published in 1979.
A refreshing change of pace for a murder mystery. I doubt any contemporary author could do better with this story. An interesting read set in Detroit 1970s: “With widespread social and cultural changes in the 60s and 70s––drug use, hitchhiking, the hippie movement, anti-establishment sentiment––conditions were prime for predators to go on the prowl, Fox says.Apr 26, 2023” FBI.gov.
The psychological insights are valid and human nature is acknowledged as was philosophy per the realistic individual portrayal of the characters.
A crisis of conscience sounded sufficiently psychological for interest. And, (irreverent) humor keeps the story on character focus, complex puzzle, and without undue gore. Based on prevailing “A Catholic priest is specifically required, on pain of excommunication, not to inform anyone of anything revealed to him in the confessional. Jul 16, 2023”.
Father BOB is generally pretty bored hearing confessions until one night he hears a shocking confession from the the “Rosary” killer and his reason/motive for doing the killings is just as disturbing. Obviously he can’t tell anyone, least of all the police he has been trying to help. He can’t identify the man even if wanted to. ~
FATHER PAUL POMPILIO, tells Father Bob there are rumors that someone pulled the plug in the hospital and that the recently deceased Father Lord had black rosary, not his own, wrapped around his left wrist. Father Paul relishes inserting himself into attention-getting events and gossip.
The Detroit Free Press newspaperman, COX, just wants his byline on breaking headline news. COX eavesdrops & confirms nurse NANCY BALDWIN reported Ford’s death. COX got an exclusive headline when autopsy quickly determined murder of Sister ANN. His editor pushes him to independently investigate and find the killer to scoop the other media.
FATHER BOB (ROBERT KOESLER) suffers a natural aversion to witnessing death of Sister Ann, and becomes quickly upset when he finds her.
LT. KOZNICKI, not much taller than Father Bob, appears larger than life and is known to be scrupulous about details. He asked Father Bob and Nancy Baldwin to say nothing more to the press, in particular about how the rosaries were found wound around the victims’ left wrists. He asks Father Bob to work with him to solve this case - he’s noticed in their interview that the priest observes details, and heard of Father Bob’s love of mystery novels, plus Koznicki has been reading the Detroit Catholic weekly newspaper for years so feels he “knows” him well enough to work well with him. ~
We start to feel like we know the characters and feel their pain and frustration, even their fears. I will probably read more of this series. But I think I mostly enjoyed the freshness of this first novel.
This is not PC and has casual swearing is my warning to those might be offended. Mostly, the killer’s motive could push a red button for someone, others will certainly have opinions on what punishment should be. We learn something about Catholic POVs during the Vatican II changes that upset many with a new pope to this day. I don’t know if any Catholics will be offended or not, since this happens in nearly all organized religions, and I am not Catholic. As far as politics, and human nature, I agree with whoever said: “Everything changes, nothing changes.”
Author had abiding interest in police work throughout his adult life. This was current when published in 1979.
A refreshing change of pace for a murder mystery. I doubt any contemporary author could do better with this story. An interesting read set in Detroit 1970s: “With widespread social and cultural changes in the 60s and 70s––drug use, hitchhiking, the hippie movement, anti-establishment sentiment––conditions were prime for predators to go on the prowl, Fox says.Apr 26, 2023” FBI.gov.
The psychological insights are valid and human nature is acknowledged as was philosophy per the realistic individual portrayal of the characters.
A crisis of conscience sounded sufficiently psychological for interest. And, (irreverent) humor keeps the story on character focus, complex puzzle, and without undue gore. Based on prevailing “A Catholic priest is specifically required, on pain of excommunication, not to inform anyone of anything revealed to him in the confessional. Jul 16, 2023”.
Father BOB is generally pretty bored hearing confessions until one night he hears a shocking confession from the the “Rosary” killer and his reason/motive for doing the killings is just as disturbing. Obviously he can’t tell anyone, least of all the police he has been trying to help. He can’t identify the man even if wanted to. ~
FATHER PAUL POMPILIO, tells Father Bob there are rumors that someone pulled the plug in the hospital and that the recently deceased Father Lord had black rosary, not his own, wrapped around his left wrist. Father Paul relishes inserting himself into attention-getting events and gossip.
The Detroit Free Press newspaperman, COX, just wants his byline on breaking headline news. COX eavesdrops & confirms nurse NANCY BALDWIN reported Ford’s death. COX got an exclusive headline when autopsy quickly determined murder of Sister ANN. His editor pushes him to independently investigate and find the killer to scoop the other media.
FATHER BOB (ROBERT KOESLER) suffers a natural aversion to witnessing death of Sister Ann, and becomes quickly upset when he finds her.
LT. KOZNICKI, not much taller than Father Bob, appears larger than life and is known to be scrupulous about details. He asked Father Bob and Nancy Baldwin to say nothing more to the press, in particular about how the rosaries were found wound around the victims’ left wrists. He asks Father Bob to work with him to solve this case - he’s noticed in their interview that the priest observes details, and heard of Father Bob’s love of mystery novels, plus Koznicki has been reading the Detroit Catholic weekly newspaper for years so feels he “knows” him well enough to work well with him. ~
We start to feel like we know the characters and feel their pain and frustration, even their fears. I will probably read more of this series. But I think I mostly enjoyed the freshness of this first novel.
This is not PC and has casual swearing is my warning to those might be offended. Mostly, the killer’s motive could push a red button for someone, others will certainly have opinions on what punishment should be. We learn something about Catholic POVs during the Vatican II changes that upset many with a new pope to this day. I don’t know if any Catholics will be offended or not, since this happens in nearly all organized religions, and I am not Catholic. As far as politics, and human nature, I agree with whoever said: “Everything changes, nothing changes.”
May 11, 2019
Two and a half stars. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I tried, but there were several stumbling blocks.
The action gets to a very slow start, and then the cop interaction smacks more than a little of 1970s TV cop shows, in which the black officer makes jokes that coming from his white partner would be considered racist. Coming from him, they're just...eeehhh. The priests sit around and smoke and drink and crack smutty jokes at the table; I also got very, very tired of the repeated, unnecessary details of how slowly one of them cut and chewed each bite of each meal. None of them seems to have much of a vocation, now or when they started out. Too many of the police officers say things like: "If this were a detective novel, we would..." and at one point someone even says, "Someone ought to write a book about this." That one got old in the 1920s, when Sayers overdid remarks like that in the Wimsey novels. The Cox/Lennon thread seemed to serve no narrative purpose whatsoever, except maybe to whack in a little (undescribed) sex. No details, but they are supposedly at it like rabbits in every free moment. I guess if Harris is the token black cop, Lennon is the token woman reporter.
Then there is the pitiful lack of editing and proofreading. If this had been one of today's direct-download wonders, I wouldn't have been so surprised, but someone really should have been on the job in 1979! First we have "smoke" rising from freshly-baked rolls...well, maybe if they had been burned, but "steam" was what was meant, and there's a huge difference! Our two cops are said to have "invested in a morning coffee break" by which is meant that one of them went out and got some coffee and brought it back. The preponderance of sentence fragments beginning with And or But make the narration judder along uncomfortably, and some of the writing made me wonder if English was actually not the author's first language. Someone smiles "as if he were enjoying a private joke to which he would give no one else privy." One is made privy to a private matter, not given a privy--which is an outdoor toilet. The author speaks of "unseeming" sights instead of the English-language word "unseemly" meaning improper. The victims of the killer are later said to be "all in the same book" instead of "all in the same boat" (ie situation) which is what is obviously meant. Boy, my eighth-grade English teacher would have failed him out of hand--and rightly so.
Good idea, poorly executed. Took me far too long to finish it, even though I knew what was coming two-thirds of the way through the book. Should have been gripping--wasn't.
The action gets to a very slow start, and then the cop interaction smacks more than a little of 1970s TV cop shows, in which the black officer makes jokes that coming from his white partner would be considered racist. Coming from him, they're just...eeehhh. The priests sit around and smoke and drink and crack smutty jokes at the table; I also got very, very tired of the repeated, unnecessary details of how slowly one of them cut and chewed each bite of each meal. None of them seems to have much of a vocation, now or when they started out. Too many of the police officers say things like: "If this were a detective novel, we would..." and at one point someone even says, "Someone ought to write a book about this." That one got old in the 1920s, when Sayers overdid remarks like that in the Wimsey novels. The Cox/Lennon thread seemed to serve no narrative purpose whatsoever, except maybe to whack in a little (undescribed) sex. No details, but they are supposedly at it like rabbits in every free moment. I guess if Harris is the token black cop, Lennon is the token woman reporter.
Then there is the pitiful lack of editing and proofreading. If this had been one of today's direct-download wonders, I wouldn't have been so surprised, but someone really should have been on the job in 1979! First we have "smoke" rising from freshly-baked rolls...well, maybe if they had been burned, but "steam" was what was meant, and there's a huge difference! Our two cops are said to have "invested in a morning coffee break" by which is meant that one of them went out and got some coffee and brought it back. The preponderance of sentence fragments beginning with And or But make the narration judder along uncomfortably, and some of the writing made me wonder if English was actually not the author's first language. Someone smiles "as if he were enjoying a private joke to which he would give no one else privy." One is made privy to a private matter, not given a privy--which is an outdoor toilet. The author speaks of "unseeming" sights instead of the English-language word "unseemly" meaning improper. The victims of the killer are later said to be "all in the same book" instead of "all in the same boat" (ie situation) which is what is obviously meant. Boy, my eighth-grade English teacher would have failed him out of hand--and rightly so.
Good idea, poorly executed. Took me far too long to finish it, even though I knew what was coming two-thirds of the way through the book. Should have been gripping--wasn't.
August 26, 2025
3.5 overall.
I liked this book, for the most part. The only reason that it wasn't rated higher is because if you don't understand the Catholic religion and workings of that religion, you'll likely have a hard time understanding various aspects of the book. Not a lot was explained when delving into those parts of the book, they were just mentioned with the assumption that the reader would know what was being talked about. I do feel, if I had known what was being talked about, I would have enjoyed the book a lot more because overall I did enjoy it.
There were fancy words used when simple words could have been used, but this is an older book, so it makes a little bit of sense that things were flared up a bit. I did, absolutely, hate the way this book was formatted, and I read it on the Kindle. When POVs jumped, there was no break, they just kept going, so it was a bit jarring and took a bit of time to get used to. So, if you read it, go in with that knowledge for formatting
However, overall? It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy murder mysteries and have a knowledge of the Catholic religion.
I liked this book, for the most part. The only reason that it wasn't rated higher is because if you don't understand the Catholic religion and workings of that religion, you'll likely have a hard time understanding various aspects of the book. Not a lot was explained when delving into those parts of the book, they were just mentioned with the assumption that the reader would know what was being talked about. I do feel, if I had known what was being talked about, I would have enjoyed the book a lot more because overall I did enjoy it.
There were fancy words used when simple words could have been used, but this is an older book, so it makes a little bit of sense that things were flared up a bit. I did, absolutely, hate the way this book was formatted, and I read it on the Kindle. When POVs jumped, there was no break, they just kept going, so it was a bit jarring and took a bit of time to get used to. So, if you read it, go in with that knowledge for formatting
However, overall? It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy murder mysteries and have a knowledge of the Catholic religion.
December 18, 2023
The Rosary Murders by William Kienzle, is about a murderer, who leaves a rosary as a calling card. The murder victims are exclusively religous. Priests and nuns are being murdered in Detroit. Naturally, the priests and nuns are nervous and afraid. The editor of the Catholic diocesan newspaper, Father Bob Koesler, loves mysteries. He follows the story both for the story, but also because he loves to read mysteries and here is one right in his neighborhood.
Other characters include:
Joe Cox--newspaper reporter
Police Lieutenant Koznicki
Various priests and police
Why would someone pick priests and nuns to murder? The second victim, Sister Ann, managed to write the name, Rob, with her blood, before she died. That was little help. No one could figure out what was going on until the murderer went to confession to Father Koesler. But what could he do? The Seal of Confession cannot be broken. It is so sacred that I'm not going to tell, you, the reader!
Other characters include:
Joe Cox--newspaper reporter
Police Lieutenant Koznicki
Various priests and police
Why would someone pick priests and nuns to murder? The second victim, Sister Ann, managed to write the name, Rob, with her blood, before she died. That was little help. No one could figure out what was going on until the murderer went to confession to Father Koesler. But what could he do? The Seal of Confession cannot be broken. It is so sacred that I'm not going to tell, you, the reader!
June 30, 2017
HVAD BOGREOLEN GEMTE!
Jeg har endnu engang dykket ned i bogreolen og fisket en god gammel ven frem. Jeg husker da jeg fik bogen - for mange, mange år siden - og dengang var jeg super begejstret for bogen. Det er jeg sådan set stadig. Det der trækker bogen lidt ned, er at den virker lidt gammeldags i det. Men kan man forvente andet? Krimien er skrevet i 1979, så alderen har nok til dels indhentet den. På plussiden er naturligvis genkendelsens glæde, men også det gode plot i bogen. Præster og nonner bliver myrdet, men hvorfor og af hvem? Jeg nød gensynet og sætter bogen tilbage hvor den kom fra. Lur mig om ikke jeg hiver den frem igen om nogle år. 😜
Jeg har endnu engang dykket ned i bogreolen og fisket en god gammel ven frem. Jeg husker da jeg fik bogen - for mange, mange år siden - og dengang var jeg super begejstret for bogen. Det er jeg sådan set stadig. Det der trækker bogen lidt ned, er at den virker lidt gammeldags i det. Men kan man forvente andet? Krimien er skrevet i 1979, så alderen har nok til dels indhentet den. På plussiden er naturligvis genkendelsens glæde, men også det gode plot i bogen. Præster og nonner bliver myrdet, men hvorfor og af hvem? Jeg nød gensynet og sætter bogen tilbage hvor den kom fra. Lur mig om ikke jeg hiver den frem igen om nogle år. 😜
October 6, 2019
I came across this book at my mother-in-laws. After just skimming through the book I found that the story takes place in Detroit, Michigan. Being that I am from Michigan this peaked my interest. I truly enjoyed the whole plot to the story. So the author build up the story but then the ending was flat. I realized later that this was the first book to a series of many books. As much as I enjoyed this book I don't think reading book after book about the Catholic religion and the people that work amongst the religion is something that would keep my interest. But this book was a nice little mystery.
May 10, 2022
Someone is murdering Detroit’s clergy. As the bodies start to pile up, Detectives Koznicki and Harris turn to one of the Motor City’s priests, Father Robert Koesler, for help.
The mystery here is definitely original. You don’t know until the end how the killer targets his victims, and the revealed pattern is not something I expected. There’s definitely a good amount of suspense, and the vast characters are very dynamic. The only issue is that there are an incredible amount of characters, and it’s hard to keep up with all of them. That being said, I very much enjoyed this read. A very intriguing whodunit.
The mystery here is definitely original. You don’t know until the end how the killer targets his victims, and the revealed pattern is not something I expected. There’s definitely a good amount of suspense, and the vast characters are very dynamic. The only issue is that there are an incredible amount of characters, and it’s hard to keep up with all of them. That being said, I very much enjoyed this read. A very intriguing whodunit.
October 14, 2020
This is a Detroit set mystery series featuring the Catholic church. A priest is killed during Lent and the killer leaves a plain black rosary behind. Soon a nun is killed and the hunt is on for a serial killer.
I liked the book but it helps to be somewhat familiar with the Catholic faith to understand all the religious terms and traditions.
#popsugarreadingchallenge
Prompt: book from a series with more than 20 books
I liked the book but it helps to be somewhat familiar with the Catholic faith to understand all the religious terms and traditions.
#popsugarreadingchallenge
Prompt: book from a series with more than 20 books
January 23, 2022
I wanted to read this book after seeing the Donald Sutherland movie and I wasn't disappointed. Sure some things are dated, but it was politically correct at the time. It's like reading Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot - get in the spirit of the book.
I enjoyed all the backstories and Catholic teachings. If you get bored with a good foundation then don't go here.
Great ending! No spoiler, it's dramatic.
I am interested in reading more of the series - a complement to any author.
I enjoyed all the backstories and Catholic teachings. If you get bored with a good foundation then don't go here.
Great ending! No spoiler, it's dramatic.
I am interested in reading more of the series - a complement to any author.
October 5, 2017
I know this is written by a former priest, but I don't understand why the priests in the book have so much swearing and taking God's name in vain and constant sexually dirty jokes. I'm not catholic, but I know pastors aren't like that, and I thought by reputation Protestant pastors often come across as a flakier lot on average.
February 18, 2023
I found this book because I needed it for a challenge and then I was intrigued.
You can definitely tell that this was written a long time ago. Not only because it clearly wasn’t made to be an “ebook” but because of the content.
The mystery was interesting! That ending was a doozy, though, lol.
I will definitely look into reading and continuing with the series!
You can definitely tell that this was written a long time ago. Not only because it clearly wasn’t made to be an “ebook” but because of the content.
The mystery was interesting! That ending was a doozy, though, lol.
I will definitely look into reading and continuing with the series!
April 8, 2020
Loved it !
The FAther Koesler mysteries are the best ! I have reread this one three times . I will go on to the next . Great storyline ,great humor a page turner even a non catholic will enjoy !
The FAther Koesler mysteries are the best ! I have reread this one three times . I will go on to the next . Great storyline ,great humor a page turner even a non catholic will enjoy !
July 15, 2020
I just discovered this series of books. This one was quite enjoyable. It read well, kept my interest and was pretty well written. Yes, the tone and language were a bit dated, it's an old book. But the premise was interesting and I am looking forward to book 2 very soon.
Want to read
October 10, 2022Heard of this book from the article Why J. I. Packer Reads Mystery Novels.
August 10, 2017
I like all the Fr Koesler mysteries, so enjoyed this one. Kept my interest.
January 18, 2018
This book is a run of the mill police procedural, made more interesting by its portrayal of the state of the Catholic Church and the city of Detroit in the late seventies.
March 3, 2019
I enjoyed this. I had previously read all the other books in this series, but had somehow missed this one. It was fun to go back and visit again with Father Koesler.
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