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Father Tom #3
The Redemptive Return
When his sister is murdered, Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr are plunged into the seedy world of human trafficking to find her killer. Doing so puts them both in mortal danger as they seek to break up an organization intent on exploiting young women.
But that’s the least of their problems.
The six months since Father Leonard’s suicide have left Father Tom an emotional and spiritual wreck. He’s neglected his duties in the parish. He’s alienated most of the members of his congregation. His secretary and ex-mother-in-law Anna is increasingly worried about him. His prayer life is non-existent. Increasingly, he’s questioning his very calling to the priesthood, even the very existence of God.
The only thing he’s not questioning? His growing love for Helen.
After a frantic late-night call from his estranged sister begging for his help, his mother informs him his sister is missing. Tom and Helen travel together to his Florida hometown to search for her. But his sister’s already dead, murdered, his boyhood friend the local Sheriff says, as part of a drug deal gone wrong.
But something doesn’t ring true about the story. For one thing, Tom’s sister was found miles from where she apparently called him. For another, Tom’s convinced that his old friend the Sheriff is hiding something.
With these doubts in mind, Father Tom and Helen work to unravel the mysteries surrounding his sister’s life and how they led to her murder. With help from Helen’s assistant, the precocious genius Gladys Finklestein, they uncover a human trafficking ring and go undercover for answers.
But a brief explosion of grief-fueled passion in an old cabin during a Florida thunderstorm complicates things, as Father Tom and Helen are finally forced to confront the most profound mystery of all.
The mystery of love and friendship.
But that’s the least of their problems.
The six months since Father Leonard’s suicide have left Father Tom an emotional and spiritual wreck. He’s neglected his duties in the parish. He’s alienated most of the members of his congregation. His secretary and ex-mother-in-law Anna is increasingly worried about him. His prayer life is non-existent. Increasingly, he’s questioning his very calling to the priesthood, even the very existence of God.
The only thing he’s not questioning? His growing love for Helen.
After a frantic late-night call from his estranged sister begging for his help, his mother informs him his sister is missing. Tom and Helen travel together to his Florida hometown to search for her. But his sister’s already dead, murdered, his boyhood friend the local Sheriff says, as part of a drug deal gone wrong.
But something doesn’t ring true about the story. For one thing, Tom’s sister was found miles from where she apparently called him. For another, Tom’s convinced that his old friend the Sheriff is hiding something.
With these doubts in mind, Father Tom and Helen work to unravel the mysteries surrounding his sister’s life and how they led to her murder. With help from Helen’s assistant, the precocious genius Gladys Finklestein, they uncover a human trafficking ring and go undercover for answers.
But a brief explosion of grief-fueled passion in an old cabin during a Florida thunderstorm complicates things, as Father Tom and Helen are finally forced to confront the most profound mystery of all.
The mystery of love and friendship.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2021
66 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Mathis
40 books48 followersSusan Mathis was born in and grew up in an extremely small town in Alachua County, Florida where her family has lived for more than 100 years. When Susan was still very young, James (J.R) Mathis was born in a somewhat bigger small town about 100 miles south of where she lived. Within a decade, James' small town would become part of Orlando, the biggest tourist destination in the United States. He was not amused. That is how, while Susan was running barefoot, swimming in lakes full of alligators and feeding chickens, James was sitting in his bedroom reading books faster than his father could bring them home from the library.
Were James and Susan to write their love story, it would definitely be an enemies-to-lovers trope. They met in the library where he was working. He found her demands for books that he had to pull and bring to her so unreasonable that he actually turned her into the head librarian. She in turn was so anxious to drive him away that when some friends secretly set them up she laid out an entire speech about how miserable her life was (she is typically very upbeat). Little did she suspect that he had a passionate attraction to misery and they were married just over a year later.
Fast forward 26 years, three children, four grandchildren and 20 years of James working for the Federal government. He was diagnosed with a highly treatable but still very scary form of cancer. As so often happens, this brush with mortality inspired him to do something he’d always wanted to do, write a novel. After the publication of the second Father Tom Mystery, Susan joined him as coauthor. As far as the Mathises are concerned, writing together is the most fun a couple can have sitting at a computer.
Were James and Susan to write their love story, it would definitely be an enemies-to-lovers trope. They met in the library where he was working. He found her demands for books that he had to pull and bring to her so unreasonable that he actually turned her into the head librarian. She in turn was so anxious to drive him away that when some friends secretly set them up she laid out an entire speech about how miserable her life was (she is typically very upbeat). Little did she suspect that he had a passionate attraction to misery and they were married just over a year later.
Fast forward 26 years, three children, four grandchildren and 20 years of James working for the Federal government. He was diagnosed with a highly treatable but still very scary form of cancer. As so often happens, this brush with mortality inspired him to do something he’d always wanted to do, write a novel. After the publication of the second Father Tom Mystery, Susan joined him as coauthor. As far as the Mathises are concerned, writing together is the most fun a couple can have sitting at a computer.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 27, 2022
Turned a good crime series into a romcom
There are so many things I hate about this book. Instead of the main focus being the crime it focuses on Tom and Helen’s romance. The "solution" is ridiculous and may not break the letter of the law but clearly isn't in the spirit of the vow. They all act like teenagers instead of mature adults. Gladys needs to grow up, she's 26 not 12. Calling Helen and Tom Mom and Dad is annoying especially as Helen is her boss. Helen acting soppy, jealous and pouting is again annoying along with her use of honey and sweetie. Won't be reading any more of then series now. A huge disappointment as the first two books were great. The crime story itself drags. It's obvious early on what's going on and who's involved.
There are so many things I hate about this book. Instead of the main focus being the crime it focuses on Tom and Helen’s romance. The "solution" is ridiculous and may not break the letter of the law but clearly isn't in the spirit of the vow. They all act like teenagers instead of mature adults. Gladys needs to grow up, she's 26 not 12. Calling Helen and Tom Mom and Dad is annoying especially as Helen is her boss. Helen acting soppy, jealous and pouting is again annoying along with her use of honey and sweetie. Won't be reading any more of then series now. A huge disappointment as the first two books were great. The crime story itself drags. It's obvious early on what's going on and who's involved.
March 19, 2023
A call from Father Tom Greer's estranged sister ends abruptly, leaving the priest concerned for his sibling's well-being. Travelling to his hometown, Father Tom finds his sister has died in mysterious circumstances and the local Sheriff is not inclined to look further. It will be up to Father Tom and Detective Helen Parr to get to the root of the matter.
This novel let down the promise of the first book in the series. The smart, tight writing of The Penitent Priest was lacking in this entry. So much of the story was soap opera material rather than engaging mystery. The antics of a tech specialist who called her boss "Mom" and the Father "Dad" made me grind my teeth. I probably will give this series a miss in the future.
This novel let down the promise of the first book in the series. The smart, tight writing of The Penitent Priest was lacking in this entry. So much of the story was soap opera material rather than engaging mystery. The antics of a tech specialist who called her boss "Mom" and the Father "Dad" made me grind my teeth. I probably will give this series a miss in the future.
January 6, 2021
Book Three in this outstanding series is no slouch! It packs a solid punch and will make the reader stop and think. The characters are engaging and human. As a reader, you become invested in what happens to them, and you want them to succeed, whatever direction they take.
And they're off this time to find out what happened to Father Tom's sister. and in so doing, they discover that things were not at all what Tom thought. A journey of discovery and ultimately redemption awaits our two main characters as they delve into the seamy corners of life. In the process of "finding" his sister, Tom finds himself as well; and while the ending to this one may not have been what some were hoping for, it is, oddly, completely appropriate for these two.
Redemptive Return can easily be read as a stand-alone, but do yourself a favour and read the other ones too, you won't want to miss a moment of this writer's magic!
[I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader Copy of the book from the author with no obligation to review. The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
And they're off this time to find out what happened to Father Tom's sister. and in so doing, they discover that things were not at all what Tom thought. A journey of discovery and ultimately redemption awaits our two main characters as they delve into the seamy corners of life. In the process of "finding" his sister, Tom finds himself as well; and while the ending to this one may not have been what some were hoping for, it is, oddly, completely appropriate for these two.
Redemptive Return can easily be read as a stand-alone, but do yourself a favour and read the other ones too, you won't want to miss a moment of this writer's magic!
[I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader Copy of the book from the author with no obligation to review. The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
July 28, 2023
Third in the series. Father Tom gets a phone call from his estranged sister in Florida saying she is in trouble and begging him to help when the call abruptly ends. A few days later he is informed that she has been found murdered in a dumpster behind a big box store a few miles fro home. Father Tom goes to Helen to ask her professional advice as he feels she was murdered but the local Florida police feel she was involved in drugs and that is why she was murdered. So he sets off to Florida for the funeral and to help his mom and Helen comes along for the ride as she knew Toms sister as well. Something is definitely hunky in Florida and Toms old friend the current sheriff is not really being very forthcoming. When they start to investigate how the sister could afford two very expensive new cars they find she paid cash for them. Their leads them on a trail to a very complicated and complex crime ring. A good story.
January 7, 2021
The Redemptive Return is book 3 in the Father Tom Mysteries series, but the first one I read.
Father Tom is a widower-turned-priest who's struggling with a crisis of faith. Shortly after he gets a disturbing call from his sister, she's reported missing and later found murdered.
Together with detective Helen Parr, his ex-fiancée prior to their respective marriages, and genius investigator Gladys, he delves into his sister's seedy private life. Meanwhile old friends turn into suspects and the sexual attraction between Tom and Helen is rekindled..
The storyline is very well plotted and builds up gradually. The main character's desires, motivations, fears and conflicts are key to the story's development. Compelling and well written, but in my humble opinion, the ending is not very realistic.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Father Tom is a widower-turned-priest who's struggling with a crisis of faith. Shortly after he gets a disturbing call from his sister, she's reported missing and later found murdered.
Together with detective Helen Parr, his ex-fiancée prior to their respective marriages, and genius investigator Gladys, he delves into his sister's seedy private life. Meanwhile old friends turn into suspects and the sexual attraction between Tom and Helen is rekindled..
The storyline is very well plotted and builds up gradually. The main character's desires, motivations, fears and conflicts are key to the story's development. Compelling and well written, but in my humble opinion, the ending is not very realistic.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2021
Review of The Redemptive Return by J. R. Mathis and Susan Mathis
Father Tom Greer has returned to Saint Clare’s church in Myerton taking up his permanent position as the pastor. Detective Helen Parr, Tom’s ex-fiancé, has also remained in Myerton. Father Tom receives a frantic phone call from his sister asking for his help. Since he hasn’t seen or heard from her in several years, he flies to his hometown to find that she has been murdered. Detective Parr also goes with Father Tom. Helen and Tom have had an ongoing struggle in their personal relationship. After 20 years, Tom and Helen still love each other deeply and while they are investigating his sister’s demise, they work out how to deal with their feelings for each other and how to move forward.
Father Tom Greer has returned to Saint Clare’s church in Myerton taking up his permanent position as the pastor. Detective Helen Parr, Tom’s ex-fiancé, has also remained in Myerton. Father Tom receives a frantic phone call from his sister asking for his help. Since he hasn’t seen or heard from her in several years, he flies to his hometown to find that she has been murdered. Detective Parr also goes with Father Tom. Helen and Tom have had an ongoing struggle in their personal relationship. After 20 years, Tom and Helen still love each other deeply and while they are investigating his sister’s demise, they work out how to deal with their feelings for each other and how to move forward.
January 5, 2021
I loved this mystery thriller featuring Father Tom. The action packed story starts with a bang when Tom's sister, Sonya, calls asking for his help. When she turns up dead, Tom decides that he should be the one to find her killer. As more and more secrets are uncovered, Tom questions everything he believes in including his faith and his love for Helen. this story will make you wonder what kind of world do we live in. I would highly recommend it. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
February 9, 2021
This is definitely not a saccharine coated murder mystery where a man of the cloth is the main character. This man of the cloth, Fr Tom Greer has not only to help solve a murder but must to grapple with the age old dilemma of following the Church’s rules or loving a woman. This is a well written, complex story.
June 28, 2024
The Redemptive Return (Book 3 of the Father Tom Mysteries) is another fine, sensitive mystery with the additional confusion of a forbidden and unfulfilled love. Father Tom and Detective Helen Parr are great together, the murder mystery is well plotted, and the character interactions are fascinating.
September 9, 2025
I am glad this is not the first Father Tom book that I have read. I found this one good for the mystery, but really boring for the "love story". If this had been the first book, I am pretty sure I would never pick up another one. Hopefully if I get my hands on another one, it will return to the great stories of the previous 2 novels.
February 23, 2021
As a Catholic, this book is hard to read. It shows the frailties and doubts of a priest. But we sometimes forget that priests are human too. The mystery was easy to figure out. This was more of a fleshing out of Father Greer. I enjoyed the book. It made me feel strong in my faith.
August 21, 2023
Ugh! The despicable mother in this book. I hope she is not patterned after someone the authors have to deal with regularly. Here’s another mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat and tell you “just one more page” until it’s finished.
January 9, 2025
Yes!!! Thank you for another fantastic story line for our Tom
What a book!! Third in the series and every word as much of a page turned as the last 2 books have been. These books really do make you feel like you know Father Tom personally and you feel his ups and downs with him
What a book!! Third in the series and every word as much of a page turned as the last 2 books have been. These books really do make you feel like you know Father Tom personally and you feel his ups and downs with him
January 20, 2022
This one had a few proofreading errors the first two didn't. I love that Father Tom is both a priest and a very real person with struggles.
November 2, 2022
The mystery was interesting, but I just couldn't get behind the romance. They may not be breaking the rules, but come on... seriously?
October 27, 2023
Really amazing book. In love with the narrative.
September 11, 2024
Pretty good yarn. Lots of emotional turmoil. Plus a crime that gets solved.
July 29, 2025
#3 in Father Tom series
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews