Prodigal Father

Father Dowling #23

by Ralph McInerny

Father Roger Dowling is a busy man. He's got the ambitious and all-encompassing task of running St. Hilary's Parish, dealing with his busybody housekeeper, Mrs. Murkin, and counseling his flock with his characteristic blend of faith and compassion. He's not complaining, but it's no surprise that even a superior priest like Father Dowling needs a break now and again. So off he heads for a week-long retreat in Indiana on the quiet grounds of an old Catholic religious order, where he can meditate, reflect, and pray for a quick recharge of his waning energy.

Unfortunately, Father Dowling's spiritual retreat turns into a baffling murder investigation when a dead man is found in a grotto on the grounds with the handle of an axe protruding from his back. Complicating matters is a long-running real-estate dispute that has pitted the brothers of the order against the previous owners of the huge and valuable piece of land on which their sanctuary sits.

Who could have killed the man and why, and does it have something to do with the high-stakes mind games being played out between the parties vying for the land? No one's too sure, but what is clear is that Father Dowling is once again at the center of it all in another winning entry in a mystery series that's become an institution.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Ralph Matthew McInerny was an American Catholic religious scholar and fiction writer, including mysteries and science fiction. Some of his fiction has appeared under the pseudonyms of Harry Austin, Matthew FitzRalph, Ernan Mackey, Edward Mackin, and Monica Quill. As a mystery writer he is best known as the creator of Father Dowling. He was Professor of Philosophy, Director of the Jacques Maritain Center, and Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Notre Dame until his retirement in June 2009. He died of esophageal cancer on January 29, 2010.

Reviews

[Marloes D]

Father Dowling is de pastoor van St. Hilary's in Chicago. Nu is hij - zoals wel vaker - op retraite in Marygrove, Maryland bij de Order of St. Athanasius. De leidinggevende, Boniface, moet aanzien hoe zijn orde uitdroogt: er zijn nog maar zeven priesters en geen nieuwe roepingen. Wel is er Richard Krause: een uitgetreden priester die na het overlijden van zijn vrouw weer priester wil worden maar nu nog in zijn proeftijd zit. Als Father Dowling terug is in St. Hilary's, vertelt zijn huishoudster Marie Murkin dat er een bezoeker is geweest die Krause zocht. Niet veel later hoort Dowling dat Krause is vermoord en natuurlijk komt hij Boniface helpen.

Het boek is spannend en heeft een typisch rk-sfeer maar het plot is toch voorspelbaar. Hoewel het modern Engels is, vind ik de taal toch pittig.

[Leslie Jem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn’t grab me. Points for the amazing vocabulary of the author, though.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled about whether to give this book 3 stars or 4 stars. It is probably between 3.5 and 3.8 stars. There was a lot to like about the plot, but it seemed to take a while to get off the ground. The first half of the book introduced the characters and their various relationships, and that was enjoyable reading, but I was wondering how long it would be before the murder was committed. Finally, it happened, and the plot quickly became intriguing. I was very happy with the ending! This is the first book in the Father Dowling series that I have read, and I don't doubt that I will continue to read at least some of the other books in the series. There are so many!

[Trailhoundz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Father Dowling book and I REALLY enjoyed it. Great mystery, wonderful characters, nicely written and I loved the Catholic perspective and lore. I loved the Father Dowling Mysteries TV show in the late 80's/early 90's and when I realized recently they were based on books... Hooray! I rushed to the library. There ARE some definite differences between the TV series and the book but still... loved it. Will definitely be reading more of this series!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A priest who has left the religiouys life seeks to return to his old order after his wife's death. The order is dying out and its rich properties are coveted by a real eastate developer. Then the prodigal priest is murdered. Father Dowling must solve the crime to help his friend who is the abbot of the monastary. A delightful read.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think I have read another in this series and liked it. This is a good one too. Father Dowling mysteries are well cone and create a lotof interest in the reader.The characters are well knowl well sketched out and mortal human beings, just like the rest of us. Enjoyed reading this mystery and so will you.

J. Robert Ewbank author "Wesley's Wars" and "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms"

[Sue Herbine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a good read and has character development. Feel like I know the three main characters and all the minor characters are also nicely fleshed out.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Characters to love.