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Father Koesler #17
Call No Man Father
LET US PREY
An impending papal visit is wreaking havoc in Detroit. Rumors run rampant that the pope comes bearing a pronouncement on birth control that will rock devout Catholics to the very foundations of their faith, and Father Koesler can't help but get caught up in the religious controversy. But soon he'll be swept into the secular--and dangerous--business of protecting the pontiff's life. For among the throng of pilgrims lurks a host of a devout man hopelessly twisted by grief, a washed-up reporter desperate to make headlines, and a faceless assassin within the pope's inner circle--all hell-bent on silencing His Holiness.
"GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL . . . Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery."
--Booklist
"CRAFTILY PLOTTED."
--Publishers Weekly
An impending papal visit is wreaking havoc in Detroit. Rumors run rampant that the pope comes bearing a pronouncement on birth control that will rock devout Catholics to the very foundations of their faith, and Father Koesler can't help but get caught up in the religious controversy. But soon he'll be swept into the secular--and dangerous--business of protecting the pontiff's life. For among the throng of pilgrims lurks a host of a devout man hopelessly twisted by grief, a washed-up reporter desperate to make headlines, and a faceless assassin within the pope's inner circle--all hell-bent on silencing His Holiness.
"GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL . . . Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery."
--Booklist
"CRAFTILY PLOTTED."
--Publishers Weekly
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1995
8 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
William X. Kienzle
28 books30 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2025
Call No Man Father (Father Koesler, #17) by William X. Kienzle.
This was one story in this series that was almost a DNF for me. It was difficult for me in the first third of this book as it dealt primarily with Catholic doctrine and church teaching. So it was slow going but I decided to stay on course and it paid off.
The pope is scheduled for a visit to Detroit and the Catholic community is uncertain just what His Holiness has on his agenda to discuss. Rumor has it the pope will deliver speeches on the infallibility of church doctrine especially pertaining to birth control. This doctrine has not only caused division in the church, it has resulted in some members leaving the church itself. First in order is the safety of the pope which has Inspector Koznicki making arrangements for his team plus outside law enforcement officers to be on guard.
There arises more than just division against the church but deep seeded hatred towards the pope. At least three sources of danger towards His Holiness has awakened to this scheduled visit. It's at this point in the story that my interest was beginning to perk up. Indeed this book was drawing me into itself with an intelligent plot and believable characters. Pat and Joe made their appearance but on a new level which they both agreed to. Of course, Inspector and Wanda Koznicki were working with Father Koesler in uncovering what lies beneath the murders of priests prior to the pope's arrival.
The solving of this mystery was astonishing as well as sad.
This was one story in this series that was almost a DNF for me. It was difficult for me in the first third of this book as it dealt primarily with Catholic doctrine and church teaching. So it was slow going but I decided to stay on course and it paid off.
The pope is scheduled for a visit to Detroit and the Catholic community is uncertain just what His Holiness has on his agenda to discuss. Rumor has it the pope will deliver speeches on the infallibility of church doctrine especially pertaining to birth control. This doctrine has not only caused division in the church, it has resulted in some members leaving the church itself. First in order is the safety of the pope which has Inspector Koznicki making arrangements for his team plus outside law enforcement officers to be on guard.
There arises more than just division against the church but deep seeded hatred towards the pope. At least three sources of danger towards His Holiness has awakened to this scheduled visit. It's at this point in the story that my interest was beginning to perk up. Indeed this book was drawing me into itself with an intelligent plot and believable characters. Pat and Joe made their appearance but on a new level which they both agreed to. Of course, Inspector and Wanda Koznicki were working with Father Koesler in uncovering what lies beneath the murders of priests prior to the pope's arrival.
The solving of this mystery was astonishing as well as sad.
March 25, 2021
Meh. Sometimes I think I’m reading these just to see how bad they can get.
November 7, 2017
More explanation than mystery, it was good to visit some old friends from the series, but it wasn't an edge of the seat, who-done-it. That said, there just isn't much fiction out there with a Catholic theme so I still appreciate the series - though, like most (including the Tempe Brennan series which I also enjoy), it's not one I read through back-to-back, but rather a periodic visit to the series spread over months or years.
This particular one was not the author's best work, but still a pleasant diversion and easy read enjoyed when one is tired and not too picky.
This particular one was not the author's best work, but still a pleasant diversion and easy read enjoyed when one is tired and not too picky.
July 18, 2022
"Finished" isn't really accurate. After four chapters I gave up. Had read another of his that I liked but this one did NOTHING for me.
October 6, 2025
Quick-look at the Book
When rumors of the Papal visit to Detroit and taking a stance on birth control flying, matters heat up. A visiting priest's murdered, and then Koesler has to catch the person who wants to go after the Pope!
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 18 here
When rumors of the Papal visit to Detroit and taking a stance on birth control flying, matters heat up. A visiting priest's murdered, and then Koesler has to catch the person who wants to go after the Pope!
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 18 here
March 30, 2012
Being a Roman Catholic, this book caught my eye because it promised to address to interesting topics: Papal Infallibility and the Church's stance on birth control. The latter is a particularly relevant topic these days because the question has been raised as to whether the state can require the Church to pay for birth control as part of health insurance.
Yes, the book did address these topics, and it intertwined them with a murder mystery story. I give credit to the author for attempting that combination. However I was ultimately displeased with his characters and their stories -- it was just too implausible and unpalatable.
Yes, the book did address these topics, and it intertwined them with a murder mystery story. I give credit to the author for attempting that combination. However I was ultimately displeased with his characters and their stories -- it was just too implausible and unpalatable.
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February 1, 2015too much dogma
February 23, 2016
The 17th in the series revolves around preparations being made for an upcoming papal visit to Detroit.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews