Customer Reviews

The Bishop at Sea (A Father Blackie Ryan Mystery)

5 star:		(5)
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2 star:		(1)
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Andrew Greeley is a master story teller - especially with Bishop Blackie Ryan. This is probably the first Greeley book I read and, once started, I lilterally couldn't put it down - finally finished it at 4:57 A.M. For mystery lovers, this is a "must read".

This was my second Blackie Ryan book and I found that I enjoyed it far more than the first which was The Bishop and the missing L Train. This one kept me on the each of seat and page turning, trying to guess what had happened, along with all the other enjoyable characters kept me going untill the final page. A first rate book and a new author to read had me doing handstands for joy.

An enjoyable, page-turning novel, but not up to the standard we expect of Bishop Blackie. As the plot thickens you'll be inclined to throw up your hands and 'leave it to Blackie'. He doesn't seem as real as he is in the other novels he graces; here, he's a narrator who expresses his own confusion/ignorance. But you, the reader, suspend your belief: you KNOW Blackie will solve it.

Greeley's Bishop John Blackwood Ryan is famous for solving locked room mysteries. In Bishop at Sea the room is not only locked, it is guarded by two Marines and is on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier at sea. Blackie solves the puzzle while the reader is treated to a very suspenseful time.
Blackie comes to the ship assigned by his boss the Cardinal to conduct the sacrament of Confirmation while solving the strange disappearance of crew members. The Cardinal's nephew, Captain Dave Cronin, is Commander of the Langley. His career may be ruined by the scandal on his ship.
Greeley's talent for description shines in this book. Although I have never been on a aircraft carrier, I now feel that I have. I can picture the cramped quarters and the maze of corridors that make one lost. I also hope to avoid landing on a carrier since it is "nothing more than a controlled crash".
Blackie's humor is delightful, for example: the sailor "saluted like he was a Swiss Guard and I the Pope (at least)"; and "Congress would choke on their gin martinis". The Bishop at Sea also periodically includes Greeley's wonderful view of Christianity as having a gracious and forgiving God who understands and loves humanity.
The Bishop at Sea is beautifully written story with charming characters, and an intriguing plot. I recommend it for a rainy day escape.

I had alot of hopes for this book and came away disappointed. I'm a big Fr. Greeley fan and usually really enjoy his stuff especially his Blackie Ryan books but this work just didn't grab me. For starters it's well known that Fr. Greeley is a little Left leaning and he leaned a little too far this time for my liking. Second I thought the story line had alot of potential but he just didn't make it work this time around; too political not enough mystery. I think if this book were reworked it could be a fantastic read but I doubt that's gonna happen. I guess I know now why this title has droped out of circulation.

I just love the Blackie Ryan series. The suspense & laughter are a good combination

Greeley's Bishop Blackwood Ryan is famous for solving locked room mysteries. In Bishop at Sea the room is not only locked, it is guarded by two Marines and is on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier at sea. Blackie solves the puzzle while the reader is treated to a very suspenseful time.
Blackie comes to the ship assigned by his boss the Cardinal to conduct the sacrament of Confirmation, while solving the strange disappearance of crew members. The Captain of the Langley is Dave Cronin, the Cardinal's nephew, whose career may be ruined by the scandal on his ship.
Greeley's talent for description shines in this book. Although I have never been on a aircraft carrier, I now feel that I have. I can picture the cramped quarters, the maze of corridors that make one lost, and I hope to avoid landing on a carrier since it is "nothing more than a controlled crash". Blackie's humor is delightful, for example: the sailor "saluted like he was a Swiss Guard and I the Pope (at least)"; and "Congress would choke on their gin martinis".
Bishop at Sea is beautifully written story with charming characters, and an intriguing plot. I recommend it for a rainy day escape.

While I've read several of Andrew Greeley's novels, this was my first Blackie Ryan story. I found the story fast-paced and a real page-turner -- I read it from start to finish in one sitting (less than 300 pages.) Enough twists to keep you interested, but a bit predictable.

Fr. Greeley sure can write a mean dectective story. This one is loaded with his trademark Irish, Chicago, Notre Dame and Catholic references. It moves quickly and keeps you guessing for just long enough. It is like a sip of the Cardinal's whiskey....smooth and full of Irish flavour.

Andrew Greeley is back with Bishop Blackie Ryan and his adventures.
Part detective novel, part romance, and part Catholic religion, Bishop Blackie is always one step ahead of the reader, and usually a half-step behind the criminal mind. Truly delightful reads.