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The Endless Knot
Who is killing the Catholic bishops of Los Angeles? One by one, they're dying horribly. The clues surrounding the murders point to an occult connection and the police are stumped. Fr. John Baptist, cop-turned-priest, and Martin Feeney, his faithful gardener-turned-chronicler, are ordered by the anxious archbishop to get to the root of this baffling mystery. Together they uncover a terrifying conspiracy that threatens their faith, their sanity, and their very lives. Such awaits all who get entangled in the Endless Knot.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
13 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2010
In his book, The Endless Knot, author William L. Biersach introduces his readers to the witty, clever, and unpredictable cop-turned-priest, Fr. Baptist, and to Mr. Feeney, his side kick, gardener, and chronicler.
The book cover shows a section of Willie 'Skull' Kapps' curious establishment, “Wide Eye Do Dat?,” where amidst witch quilts, voodoo bags, and other items pertaining to the world of witchcraft and occultism, Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney will find clues and answers to some questions regarding their case.
Catholic bishops are getting murdered without a clear motive. The only clue to each murder is a piece of a witch quilt left behind at each crime scene. In an attempt to conceal these murders from the press and to ensure a satisfactory outcome, Archbishop Fullbright requests the services of Fr. Baptist to solve the mysteries before another bishop is killed.
This case, however, has an unforeseen side effect on Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney. Their relationship will evolve from the quietness of their beloved parish, St. Philomena, to the beginning of their investigative work together to solve mysteries and homicides cases for the Dioceses of Los Angeles.
The case investigation takes them to consult books of occultism and visit places where magic is practiced and understood to gather enough information to decode the messages engraved on each piece of the witch quilt left behind on each crime scene.
The four elements of nature - earth, water, wind, and fire - are staged on a creative way on each murder. All of them have been well-planned, meticulously organized and orchestrated to include each victim's favorite liquor and to bring a feeling of satisfaction and completion for the murderer and his/her collaborators.
As the story unfolds, Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney will be needing divine help to guide and protect them in this hunt for the master mind behind all these crimes. Prayers, wisdom, faith, courage, and trust on God's divine mercy will be their safeguard against the forces of evil involved in this case. Fr. Baptist must think like the killer to prevent the death of the ultimate target, Archbishop Fullbright.
Although Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney are doing their own private investigation for Archbishop Fullbright, they must also cooperate and join forces with Chief Police Billwack's detectives - Sergeant Wickes and Lieutenant Taper - to capture the killer before it is too late.
Through a conversation between Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney, the author shares with his readers a glimpse into Fr. Baptist's detective work and marital life prior to his priesthood vocation. The readers will also get to know many aspects of Millie, the parish's cook, who despise her roughness, cares deeply about Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney.
Mr. Biersach skillfully introduces the main character of his next book, The Darkness Did Not, as he answers a newspaper ad placed by Fr. Baptist while gathering information to solve the case at hand.
After the case is solved and closed, Mr. Feeney is able to understand the meaning of a child's painting given to him many years back, which is now hanging on one of his room's walls. This painting, coincidently, happens to be at the core of the events unfolded in this story.
The underline moral of this story is that evil always disguises itself as good and powerful. It goes around seducing weak people with attractive, false promises leading to perdition and destruction. As shown by Fr. Baptist, wisdom and faith are two mighty tools against the snare of the devil.
I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a truly entertaining homicide story packed with suspense, mysteries, religion facts and humor – while touching on the intriguing world of the occult.
Mr. Biersach's Fr. Baptist mystery series is the best alternative to Dan Brown's best sellers novels!
The book cover shows a section of Willie 'Skull' Kapps' curious establishment, “Wide Eye Do Dat?,” where amidst witch quilts, voodoo bags, and other items pertaining to the world of witchcraft and occultism, Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney will find clues and answers to some questions regarding their case.
Catholic bishops are getting murdered without a clear motive. The only clue to each murder is a piece of a witch quilt left behind at each crime scene. In an attempt to conceal these murders from the press and to ensure a satisfactory outcome, Archbishop Fullbright requests the services of Fr. Baptist to solve the mysteries before another bishop is killed.
This case, however, has an unforeseen side effect on Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney. Their relationship will evolve from the quietness of their beloved parish, St. Philomena, to the beginning of their investigative work together to solve mysteries and homicides cases for the Dioceses of Los Angeles.
The case investigation takes them to consult books of occultism and visit places where magic is practiced and understood to gather enough information to decode the messages engraved on each piece of the witch quilt left behind on each crime scene.
The four elements of nature - earth, water, wind, and fire - are staged on a creative way on each murder. All of them have been well-planned, meticulously organized and orchestrated to include each victim's favorite liquor and to bring a feeling of satisfaction and completion for the murderer and his/her collaborators.
As the story unfolds, Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney will be needing divine help to guide and protect them in this hunt for the master mind behind all these crimes. Prayers, wisdom, faith, courage, and trust on God's divine mercy will be their safeguard against the forces of evil involved in this case. Fr. Baptist must think like the killer to prevent the death of the ultimate target, Archbishop Fullbright.
Although Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney are doing their own private investigation for Archbishop Fullbright, they must also cooperate and join forces with Chief Police Billwack's detectives - Sergeant Wickes and Lieutenant Taper - to capture the killer before it is too late.
Through a conversation between Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney, the author shares with his readers a glimpse into Fr. Baptist's detective work and marital life prior to his priesthood vocation. The readers will also get to know many aspects of Millie, the parish's cook, who despise her roughness, cares deeply about Fr. Baptist and Mr. Feeney.
Mr. Biersach skillfully introduces the main character of his next book, The Darkness Did Not, as he answers a newspaper ad placed by Fr. Baptist while gathering information to solve the case at hand.
After the case is solved and closed, Mr. Feeney is able to understand the meaning of a child's painting given to him many years back, which is now hanging on one of his room's walls. This painting, coincidently, happens to be at the core of the events unfolded in this story.
The underline moral of this story is that evil always disguises itself as good and powerful. It goes around seducing weak people with attractive, false promises leading to perdition and destruction. As shown by Fr. Baptist, wisdom and faith are two mighty tools against the snare of the devil.
I highly recommend this book to readers looking for a truly entertaining homicide story packed with suspense, mysteries, religion facts and humor – while touching on the intriguing world of the occult.
Mr. Biersach's Fr. Baptist mystery series is the best alternative to Dan Brown's best sellers novels!
September 27, 2021
While the subject matter might be a little controversial for some, I thought this book was absolutely enjoyable. The wit of the narrator was just so much fun. I can't wait to read more of Father Baptist and his gardener/chauffer/valet/and right-hand man.
January 18, 2013
Wonderful! If you've made it this far, read the book!
It's fantastic!
It's fantastic!
August 3, 2020
Not perfect but great read
While I am Catholic I appreciate the legacy calibration. I still support many of the aims of the Vatican 2 recommendations. The mystery was complex and kept me engaged. I appreciate the character development and that the teaching time was simple, faithful and not judgemental. A good mystery series I will order the next book of. Referring to red salsa and verde is the only thing that caught me and the humor was direct and very funny to those who know the Catholic faith.
While I am Catholic I appreciate the legacy calibration. I still support many of the aims of the Vatican 2 recommendations. The mystery was complex and kept me engaged. I appreciate the character development and that the teaching time was simple, faithful and not judgemental. A good mystery series I will order the next book of. Referring to red salsa and verde is the only thing that caught me and the humor was direct and very funny to those who know the Catholic faith.
January 19, 2019
I just stumbled across this kindle book and I wasn't sure if I was going to want to read it. I downloaded and sample and in those few pages the gardener, Martin (whose point of view the story is told), had me laughing out loud so I decided to read it. I really liked it and Martin's commentary and a few "gardening tips" had me laughing or giggling out loud throughout the whole book.
December 25, 2021
Better than the poor reviews lead me to expect
This is not a perfect book but it is written with skill and a great degree of wit and charm. I will definitely be pursuing the sequels (but I'll probably read the cryptically mentioned "D & D" first).
This is not a perfect book but it is written with skill and a great degree of wit and charm. I will definitely be pursuing the sequels (but I'll probably read the cryptically mentioned "D & D" first).
July 18, 2008
An interesting mystery novel written by a "tradosaur" -- a truly traditional Catholic who, while in communion with the Pope, advocates a return to the traditional Mass and traditional liturgy. The story presents a goldmine of information about the Latin mass and traditional Catholicism (pre-Vatican II), as well as about Church history and the Church's ongoing battle against the occult.
The writing is a bit stilted at times, and the humor seems a touch contrived. But there are times that it is truly humorous and the plot is quite good. It's not a hard read but it is long.
The writing is a bit stilted at times, and the humor seems a touch contrived. But there are times that it is truly humorous and the plot is quite good. It's not a hard read but it is long.
February 21, 2011
One of Annemarie's favorite books that she recommended me.
July 21, 2013
A great fast-paced mystery investigated by a priest and his gardener. Lots of interesting bits of Catholicism. :-)
July 9, 2013
Far too long for the story it had to tell, and too self-satisfiedly preachy. I was tired of it by about 2/3 in and skipped to the end to see what happened. Too bad. I wanted to like it!
December 31, 2020
Some books are so bad, they're good. Not in this case. While the mystery was fun and inventive, better editing would have helped tremendously. Overlong and overwritten.
May 8, 2021
The Endless Knot
This book gave me a few laughs, but it was too busy with the descriptions of people and their antics. I glossed over the end.
This book gave me a few laughs, but it was too busy with the descriptions of people and their antics. I glossed over the end.
December 19, 2009
This was a very fun read, though some of the characters were a bit stereotypical.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews