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Father Koesler #22
Till Death
Father Robert Koesler investigates when death follows from the complications that arise when Father Rick Casserly's secret affair with the principal of the parochial school becomes a triangle when a former nun falls for him.
- GenresMystery
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
3 people are currently reading
62 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 20, 2019
When I went to log in William X. Kienzle's "Till Death," I noticed that it was # 22 in the Father Koesler series. So I said to myself, "Hmm, would it of made a difference if I started in the beginning, then in the middle?" I pondered that question for a very, very short time. And my conclusion was, no.
I expect a novel, whether it is the first in a series, the tenth in a series, or the very last in a series, to actually grab you by the collar and shake the living bejesus out of you. The book need to grab the attention of the reader and keep reeling them along.
Let me break it down for you. Let's start with the plot. The plot took way too long to climax. While other novels ill do it by or in the middle of the story, with "Till Death" it occurred within the last one hundred pages. The characters. Oh my, the characters. Though developed through the author's mind, I felt that several of them were dull and uninviting. The dialogue. If you ever wanted a lesson in the business of the Roman Catholic Church, then read this book. Believe me, I learned more about the Catholic church than what I wanted to. Scenes. The scenes in which the story took place, could of been a little more descriptive. To me, the descriptiveness of the areas of Michigan was dull and blighty. Transition. It was rough and sometimes unexpected. The transferring of one area to the next, could of been smoother.
Am I a glutton for punishment? Yes I am. Will I read another Kiezle novel? Yes I am. I believe in redeeming effects; that just because one novel is bad, doesn't mean the next one will be.
The choice is yours on whether or not to read. To be honest, I don't think that I can whole heartedly recommend this book. Flip a coin if you must.
Only a true believer can redeem themselves.
I expect a novel, whether it is the first in a series, the tenth in a series, or the very last in a series, to actually grab you by the collar and shake the living bejesus out of you. The book need to grab the attention of the reader and keep reeling them along.
Let me break it down for you. Let's start with the plot. The plot took way too long to climax. While other novels ill do it by or in the middle of the story, with "Till Death" it occurred within the last one hundred pages. The characters. Oh my, the characters. Though developed through the author's mind, I felt that several of them were dull and uninviting. The dialogue. If you ever wanted a lesson in the business of the Roman Catholic Church, then read this book. Believe me, I learned more about the Catholic church than what I wanted to. Scenes. The scenes in which the story took place, could of been a little more descriptive. To me, the descriptiveness of the areas of Michigan was dull and blighty. Transition. It was rough and sometimes unexpected. The transferring of one area to the next, could of been smoother.
Am I a glutton for punishment? Yes I am. Will I read another Kiezle novel? Yes I am. I believe in redeeming effects; that just because one novel is bad, doesn't mean the next one will be.
The choice is yours on whether or not to read. To be honest, I don't think that I can whole heartedly recommend this book. Flip a coin if you must.
Only a true believer can redeem themselves.
March 22, 2017
A good read in an interesting series.
October 3, 2025
Quick-look at the Book
A pastor falls in love with the principal of a Catholic school. And that affair ends up ruining four different lives by association.
I really liked how those left behind began to see the part they played leading to the loss of a life. Not necessarily guilt, but complicated feelings.
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 21 here
A pastor falls in love with the principal of a Catholic school. And that affair ends up ruining four different lives by association.
I really liked how those left behind began to see the part they played leading to the loss of a life. Not necessarily guilt, but complicated feelings.
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 21 here
August 17, 2013
It was interesting to read this book published in 2000 and contrast it with Let it Burn which was published in 2013 as both books are set in Detroit. The city has not prospered in the interim.
July 9, 2008
Didn't want to put this one down. Something like #22 in the series, but the first I'd heard of or read. Only one part where suspending disbelief was tough. As a Catholic, I found myself nodding in agreement many times.
January 17, 2010
If I were catholic I may have enjoyed it a little more. Too much I was unfamiliar with in the book.
January 4, 2014
more a novel than a mystery, not as good as his usual fare. did enjoy much of it,just didn't grab me
February 20, 2014
I would not recommend this book at all... Absolutely nothing ever happens until you have read 200 pages. I should have quit after the first 50 pages.
January 20, 2015
It's not often I say this "Don't Waste Your Time".
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews