The Reluctant Rector: The Father Tom Mysteries Books 1-3

Father Tom #1-3

by J.R. Mathis

The Reluctant Rector is an anthology of the first three books in The Father Tom Mysteries. Meet Father Tom Greer and Detective Helen Parr, former lovers reunited after twenty years, as they solve crimes old and new--and explore the profound mysteries of the human heart. The Penitent Priest (Book 1)- -My wife died in my arms, the victim of a nameless killer's bullet. I should have died with her. But God had other plans for me. Fifteen years later, I'm back where it all happened. I just want to forget, but the past won't leave me alone. Now, I'm asking a woman who I left broken-hearted twenty years before to catch my wife's killer. I'm Father Tom Greer, a Catholic priest, and I'm playing with fire. The Framed Father (Book 2) --My wife's killer finally caught, I was content to leave Myerton to serve in the isolation of the same monastery where I found my call to the priesthood. The temptations of the past still occupy my mind, but behind these walls I'm safe from them. A call from the Archbishop sends me back to Saint Clare's, to find out if a young priest has broken his vows. Confident I'll find nothing wrong, I'm content to return. Then a young woman is murdered, and the priest stands accused. Helen is on the case, and I must work with her again to find the truth. But the feelings we left unspoken before are harder to avoid, and I find my heart struggling with my head. Can I save a young man's life without risking my soul? The Redemptive Return (Book 3) --My faith lies in tatters after the events of the summer. I've neglected my prayers. I've avoided my priestly duties. I am questioning everything about myself--except my feelings for Helen. When my estranged sister goes missing, I fly home to look for her--with Helen surprising me on the plane. My sister's dead when I arrive. I'm too late to save her. But I swear to find her killer. But emotions are fragile things, and in the depths of my despair, my love for Helen bursts forth in a grief fueled frenzy of passion and longing. In coming home, what have I found--my damnation, or my redemption?

Genres: Mystery, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Amazon

658 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2021

About the author

Susan 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.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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[Walter Stumpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, well written mysteries

Loved the first 2 books in this set. As a cradle Catholic, the third book was a little unsettling for me to read. I learned a lot of things and understand the feelings, but it made me uncomfortable. By the way, there were a lot of editing errors in the books. In book 2 you mixed up the names of the twins several times, you got pronouns wrong, and you mixed up names in the third book, also. In the third book, you had him look right and see one thing, but then when he looked right (should be left), he saw something different. Someone needs to re-edit.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting set of mysteries that I couldn't put down. The first story reopened a cold case. It was compelling to see a d follow the clues. The second story is twisted with fact, fiction and revenge . I was on the edge of my seat. It's a volatile story!! Win made me sick. He was weak in all aspects of his life a d a disgrace as a man a d human being. The third story gives a look at father Tom's life/relationship with family. It goes much deeper and darker.An intense story!

[Cinnabug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this set not sure what to expect. But I’m so glad I gave them a try. This introduction to the Father Tom mysteries was full of the unexpected. The mysteries really impressed me. They drew me in, held my attention, and were full of unexpected twists and turns. The characters are unique, interesting, and ones that I hope to see in the rest of the series. I am not Catholic, but I appreciated the little insights into the Catholic faith and the dedication to God that some of the characters had. I also appreciate how well the characters were developed and how realistic they felt with their human faults and their life struggles on display.

I’m invested in this series now and am looking forward to reading the rest of these books!

[Jim Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patience with love

Father Tom and Helen venture into an uncharted relationship. With their commitment to each other and with God's help they will succeed.

These two make a great mature team. The authors have been just in keeping a pure and loving relationship. They work well together in keeping their occupations separate and still work the mysteries that surface.

Thanks for the clean read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I'm married to a Fr. Tom (we're Episcopalians). These mysteries, while they have some death in them, aren't grizzly and they have a religious theme woven in which gives the books a different "take" than most mysteries. This particular volume has three books in it and apparently there are three more as part of the series. If you're Roman Catholic, you may particularly like these.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your regular priest

Father Tom becomes a priest after his wife is murdered. Crossing paths with the woman, who is now a police detective, he was engaged to prior to meeting his late wife, disrupts his life and his calling in so many ways. Will he remain a priest or follow his heart?

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Father Brown

What a great series! Well written with likeable, realistic characters. And the plots are to die for. So twisty, you'll be second guessing yourself all the way to the end, not only over Whodunit, but whether Father Tom and Detective Parr will ever become a couple.

[Robert C. smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Exciting, Memorable Page-Turner!S turning.

These co-authors did a great job of creating an enjoyable and suspenseful novel that keeps the pages turning. My only criticism is that the Father Tom character was a bit too weak and feminine in his thoughts, actions (or lack of) and masculinity.

[Whitney Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is three books. Each of them is captivating, and intriguing. The underlying love story, the difficulties of the priesthood, the murders...all of it is told in a way that captures your attention and leaves you waiting for the next story. I love these books. I feel like I know the characters and can picture them in my mind.

[Carla Liermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 3 set read. Watching Father Tom and Helen solve mysteries, which I love to read, was enjoyable, plus seeing them deal with their feelings in a pure way is a life lesson in itself. We do not have to give in to sin. A good clean introspective read.

[Ron Pospisil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting saga

I found this an easy and intetestiǹg read. As a cradle Catholic I appreciate this story and applaud the author's approach. Looking forward to reading the next installments.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good reading

The relationship problem between priest and parishioner is a story unlike any I have read before. There were twists in the mystery that one would not expect and kept me interested.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the series of books has an unexpected turn of events. It’s hard to put the books down once I start them.

[Monty Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Insight

Great insight into the Holy Catholic Church. Of course most of it is fiction.
I can read the next one for sure!

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun reads. Though I like more grit in my novels, the lack of it here works. The stories are good and the characters are indelible.

[Peni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see individual stories for review.

[Becky Blackwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Tom mysteries are a blessing for the reader.

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly well written

The author has created an amazing and innovative collection of plots and combined with a unique cast of characters made this hard to stop reading

[Sandra Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

compelling

Intriguing stories that keep you guessing. The characters are fully written and the mysteries well plotted. I enjoyed them all.

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written tales of soul-searching angst, if you can put up with 19th century Catholic ritual and beliefs.

[Allyn Voorhees]

DNF

Read the first 2 books. 3 1/2 Stars for those 2.

The 3rd book I got annoyed by Character behavior.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging trilogy

Having some experience in this field, one can applaud the authenticity of the author's presenting of the issues and challenges of priestly calling.

[gwen graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

"Three Interesting Stories and the Characters were also very interesting. Father Tom certainly was a slightly mixed up priest by likable!

[Gail Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first three books in the series and purchased the next three books. My only complaint there is too much emphasis on Fr. Tom's relationship with Helen.