Deathbed

Father Koesler #8

by William X. Kienzle

When Father Koesler becomes chaplain in an inner-city Detroit hospital he discovers that the beds are used for more than convalescence and that the dark passageways lead to murder

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Religion

258 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1986

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

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deathbed (Father Koesler, #8) by William X. Kienzle.

This was the author's first attempt at comedy in this series and I went along for the ride. Good fun with a mystery in there too.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good storyline but too much rehashing and religion.

[Midu Hadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick-look at the Book
Koesler serves as the chaplain at a hospital, and of course, discovers a murderous plot! I liked this one. It described a chaplain's job and its challenges well.

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 9 here

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty dumb mystery. Father Koesler is an engaging enough character; in this mystery temporarily assigned to a hospital as a chaplain. The hospital is a Catholic one in a poor section of Detroit and close to bankruptcy. The nun in charge has made a number of people unhappy, two because she wants them to retire, one because of his slightly muddy medical ethics, and another, because the hospital provides family planning despite being a Catholic institution. The most active antagonist is also a terrible klutz, in love with another klutz so that few of the plans go well. The theological discussions may have been profound in the mid 1980s; now they're just tedious.

[Gilbert G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably one of the worst books I’ve read by William X Kinzle. I was very disappointed after reading many of his other books.
I found my self trying to figure out if the book was a a mystery, or a comedy.
Two of the characters were “clumsy “ and in my opinion, they didn’t make the book interesting.
I probably should have only give two stars but I felt charitable and VERY HAPPY when I was FINALLY finished.
What a let down!!

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

PB-B @ 1986, 6/12. When Father Koesler fills in as chaplain at a Catholic hospital in Detroit, an operating room is blown up, beds are used for more than convalescence and Sister Eileen is under attack. Okay.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fr. Koestler series

[Mandy Huot · Rating 3 out of 5]

started out great and interesting, but quickly turned pathetic and boarded on insulting the catholic faith. I guess every writer has a bombed book.