Sudden Death

Father Koesler #7

by William X. Kienzle

"As more than a million readers have learned to their delight, Kienzle is a font of funny stories. He has created one of the most likable and authentic of all recent sleuths--the shy, sly Father Koesler--whose exploits into crime and insights into parish life have continued in seven gossipy and cozy mysteries." --"Chicago Tribune""Kienzle's best book since "The Rosary Murders."" --"Publishers Weekly""It's a cracking good mystery." --"Houston Chronicle"When Father Koesler joined the God Squad, he learned that all the fouls weren't on the field. Was murder someone's idea of a game? Abruptly removed from his spectator status by a chilling turnover, the amateur sleuth takes on the pros.Hank "the Hun" Hunsiger had made a career out of making enemies. The thirty-seven year-old tight end for the Pontiac Cougars was widely hated. When the clock stopped on Hunsinger's life, the only question was, which one of his many enemies did it?The focus of the police investigation turned to the God Squad, a Bible Study group consisting of a curious assortment of his Cougar associates ranging from owner Jay Galloway to rookie Kit Hoffer--plus the peripatetic Father Robert Koesler. Asked to aid in the investigation, Father Koesler leads us play by play to a startling conclusion.In his seventh appearance, Father Koesler enters the world of pro football, an involvement his readers will want to renew. From kickoff to final gun, Father Koesler wins again.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

256 pages

First published January 1, 1985

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]

Sudden Death (Father Koesler, #7) by William X. Kienzle.

The title may alert some to the focus of this story-football. If you love sports especially football you'll appreciate this book as I did. Hank "Hun" Hunsinger was the tight end for the cougars and the main draw for the sale of tickets to any game he played in. Just as he was a great player he was also not such a nice guy. He made many enemies and few if any friends along the way.
Then under very strange circumstances the Hun was found dead in his shower. The list of possible suspects was 6+ according to Inspector Koznicki as relayed to Father Koesler. Together as a team they focused on each individual as well as their background leaving no stone unturned. Motive for murdering the Hun being foremost in their thoughts.
This was so well researched on the game of football that it was as though I was actually watching a game. My only draw back was the lengthy investigation into each suspects life. Great addition to add to my Father Koesler series and among my favorites.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read, but I guessed the culprit early on. I guess I've read too many Fr. Koesler mysteries.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a Father Koesler mystery. They are interesting in that they always reveal a little catholicism and, at the same time, are great mysteries. This one was no exception.

[Linda Schmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating reflects the fact that I am not a football fan, so although I knew the murder victim was a football player, I didn't expect as much of the novel to be involved with the game as it was. Further, I had solved the mystery, mostly based on the hints the Father leaves for you, though I did miss a few things along the way. However, I liked Father Koesler and felt that I would probably like a mystery featuring this kindly protagonist much more if he was not so involved with football.

[Midu Hadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick-look at the Book
A super popular athlete is murdered and Koesler finds himself in the midst of it all. Another of my faves. The identity of the murderer may or may not catch you by surprise.

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 8 here

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery - I never figured it out! Kienzle does a good job with the mystery part; since the main character is a priest, he also includes a lot of information about Catholicism and the life of a priest. Two-for-one - not just a mystery but also informative! This book is about the death of a pro football player; reading it now at the beginning of football season was just right!

[Tom]

Fr. Koesler series

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

HB-B @ 1985, 4/86. A pro-football player is murdered in his own shower and Father Koesler solves the case. Good.