Mom and Dead

Andrew Broom #5

by Ralph McInerny

From title page to final line, Mom and Dead shines with the irresistible humor and deft touch so loved by fans of Ralph McInerny. It also marks the return of successful lawyer Andrew Broom, who casts a watchful eye over the goings-on in Wyler, Indiana. Years ago Broom left the big city for the comforts of his native town. But being the top lawyer in Wyler isn't all fun and games. While the golfing is great, the outside world does intrude from time to time. And much to Broom's dismay, he's often the one to sweep everything up and sort it all out. Here, Broom finds himself confronting his old nemesis, Frank McGough, over the sale of property lying along the Tippecanoe River, just west of town. The potential buyers? Some shady out-of-town characters who are willing to pay a king's ransom for what the locals nostalgically think of as common land belonging to hunters, kids, and fishermen. Broom is skeptical of the deal, especially because McGough is involved. If McGough's clients have an interest in the river acres, then Broom is instinctively opposed to the sale. His suspicion deepens when a human skull turns up on the property. Remains from an old Indian burial ground, or something more ominous? A possible homicide is just the worst of Wyler's problems. There is also talk of drugs in the schools and even a growing movement to ban bingo. Nothing, it seems, is sacred. Veering from the local truck stop to the halls of the state legislature, Ralph McInerny takes us on a whirlwind adventure that involves a score of plot twists and diverse characters, each more pointedly depicted and brilliantly captured than the next. In short, a feast of devilish wit.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

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

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a silly, but still somewhat interesting story. I don't think I ever took it too seriously. But still it was entertainment in these difficult times we are going through. I guess that's enough.

[Tyler Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youtube review Here.