Eminence

Father Koesler #11

by William X. Kienzle

MINOR WEAR ON EDGES OF COVERS. CREASE ON CORNER OF COVER. NO WRITING OR MARKS ON PAGES.

Genres: Mystery, Religion, Fiction, Ebooks

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

William 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.

Reviews

[Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rogue group of Brothers and a Priest enter the diocease and cause havoc as they cure a blind woman. Father Koesler is asked to investigate and in the process uncovers a rather strange plot filled with murder and greed.

[Diane Waddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book and the entire series going to read more of them

[Midu Hadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick-look at the Book
When a mysterious monk brotherhood starts faith healing people, it's up to Koesler and Tully--to some extent--to find out what's really going on.

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 12 here

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A priest and four lay brothers found a monastery in Detroit. After curing a blind woman they receive a large donation and followers flock in. Father Robert Koesler is detailed by the diocese to investigate.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it, plot wanders, don't like the characters, rehashed discussion of what constitutes a miracle

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that has been rotting on my shelves for a long time. That was too bad, since I found it to be an enjoyable read and not a mystery that was extremely transparent.

[Jo Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four priests set up office downtown and miracles begin to happen. But one of them truly is the Dark One, so it was a bit hard to read. But it is Fr. Koesler after all. There were some nice twists.

[Yvonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Koestler books are always interesting reads to me. This mystery had twists that made the outcome not immediately obvious, though I didn't like many of the characters.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit too Catholic for my liking but still a good story and would recommend.

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK read. A good book for the beach or plane - won't tax the brain.