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Father Koesler #20
The Greatest Evil
LAST RITES AND LETHAL WRONGS
Father Koesler is pondering his imminent retirement. But even as he looks toward an uncertain future, circumstances force him to investigate a crime from the past, a murder that only now has come to light. The revelation is revealed after his successor, Father Zachary Tully, clashes with Bishop Vincent Delvecchio. A longtime colleague of the powerful bishop's, Koesler searches his memory for insight into his superior's demanding nature . . . only to discover long-buried secrets involving a devout family haunted by tragedy--and shocking truths about sin, salvation, and the greatest evil. . . .
Father Koesler is pondering his imminent retirement. But even as he looks toward an uncertain future, circumstances force him to investigate a crime from the past, a murder that only now has come to light. The revelation is revealed after his successor, Father Zachary Tully, clashes with Bishop Vincent Delvecchio. A longtime colleague of the powerful bishop's, Koesler searches his memory for insight into his superior's demanding nature . . . only to discover long-buried secrets involving a devout family haunted by tragedy--and shocking truths about sin, salvation, and the greatest evil. . . .
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 30, 2024
Well, I wasn't expecting THAT! Another winner read from Kienzle.
October 3, 2025
Quick-look at the Book
If I were allowed to murder one fictional character, it might be the Bishop in this one. His actions and holier-than-everybody attitude ruins so many lives. No wonder Koesler had such a hard time pinning down the murder on someone. This was a sad, sad one.
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 19 here
If I were allowed to murder one fictional character, it might be the Bishop in this one. His actions and holier-than-everybody attitude ruins so many lives. No wonder Koesler had such a hard time pinning down the murder on someone. This was a sad, sad one.
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 19 here
September 22, 2013
4th e book on nook!
November 28, 2017
#20 in the Father Koesler series.
#20 - Father Koesler relates the intertwining of his life with that of Bishop Vincent Delvecchio and his family
#20 - Father Koesler relates the intertwining of his life with that of Bishop Vincent Delvecchio and his family
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews