Bleeder: A Mystery [Paperback]

John J. Desjarlais (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2009

When classics professor Reed Stubblefield is disabled in a school shooting, he retreats to a rural Illinois cabin to recover and to write a book on Aristotle in peace. Oddly, in the chill of early March, the campgrounds and motels of tiny River Falls are filled with the ill and infirm -- all seeking the healing touch of the town's new parish priest, reputed to be a stigmatic. Skeptical about religion since his wife's death from leukemia, Reed is nevertheless drawn into a friendship with the cleric, Rev. Ray Boudreau, an amiable Aquinas scholar with a fine library -- who collapses and bleeds to death on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners. A miracle? Or bloody murder? Once Reed becomes the prime 'person of interest' in the mysterious death, he seeks the truth with the help of an attractive local reporter and Aristotle's logic before he is arrested or killed -- because not everyone in town wants this mystery solved...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Smart, frequently witty, and beautifully researched (the author's paraphrasing of Aristotle's logic is an intellectual delight), it is refreshing to read a book where faith is neither demanded, nor held up to ridicule."
--Mystery Scene

"A delightful page-turner full of twists and appealing characters to make it a complete mystery thriller. Enthralling!"

--d-review

"Sharp imagery, gripping plot, vivid characters, amazing climax and satisfying conclusion. Exciting and thought-provoking!" --St. Anthony Messenger

"A complex plot, multi-issue characters and an amazing climax. Wonderful!" --The Catholic Company

"I was absolutely floored! Go out and buy this book!"
--Family and Faith

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Chisel and Cross Books from Sophia Institute Press (August 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933184566
• ISBN-13: 978-1933184562
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A former producer with Wisconsin Public Radio, John Desjarlais teaches journalism and English at Kishwaukee College in northern Illinois. His first novel, The Throne of Tara (Crossway 1990, 2000), was a Christianity Today Readers Choice Award nominee, and his medieval thriller, Relics (Thomas Nelson 1993, 2009) was a Doubleday Book Club Selection. Bleeder and Viper (Sophia Institute Press 2009 and 2011) are the first two entries in a contemporary mystery series. His work has appeared in periodicals such as Student Leadership Journal, U Magazine, The Critic, On Being, Student Soul, Apocalypse, The Upper Room, The New Pantagruel, Dappled Things, The Karitos Review and The Rockford Review. He took Honorable Mention in the 1997 Writers Digest Competition (essay), 2nd Place in Fiction in the 2004 Phidian Art Society of Illinois Contest and 1st Place in 2006. He holds an MA in Media from Columbia University and an MA in Writing from Illinois State University. A member of The Catholic Writers Guild, The Academy of American Poets and Mystery Writers of America, he is listed in Contemporary Authors, Who's Who in Entertainment, and Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Suspenseful and Soulful, September 16, 2009

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bleeder: A Mystery (Paperback)

I just finished reading John Desjarlais' fascinating work of fiction, Bleeder. From the initial pages of the book through it's great conclusion, this novel was action packed and quite thought provoking. The main character, Reed Stubblefield, finds himself in a small town looking to heal from his physical and emotional wounds. He strikes up a begrudging friendship with Father Ray, a priest who is widely believed to be a stigmatic and a miracle healer. When Father Ray dies suddenly during the Good Friday service, Reed finds himself accused of the murder of this beloved priest.

This book is incredibly well written, and enhanced by the inclusion of quotations and teachings of Aristotle - these fit into the story since Reed is a professor, on sabbatical, looking to write about Aristotle. The novel's Catholic setting is never heavy handed or preachy, but rather contributes to the richness of the story told and the mystery that unfolds. Reed, a skeptic who finds himself surrounded by believers, must question some of his long held beliefs and philosophies.

I loved Bleeder and raced to the end to learn "whodunnit". At this point, I will likely go back and reread the book again to enjoy Mr. Desjarlais' stunning writing and the intricacy with which he creates and shares the lives of his characters.

Strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great mystery!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner, October 6, 2009

By 

Gerard Webster, award-winning author (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bleeder: A Mystery (Paperback)

Reed Stubblefield--a college professor on sabatical--is a wounded man...both physically by a student's random shot and emotionally by his wife's recent death. He retreats to his brother's remote cabin in the small town of River Falls, Ill. in hopes of writing a book on Aristotle. It's the middle of March and Reed expects the campsite to be empty; but he's both disappointed and aggravated when he finds that the campsite and town are overflowing with throngs of believers--sick pilgrims seeking a cure from "the stigmatist" priest. Not only that, but Reed suspects that his brother deliberately set him up for an encounter with "Fr. Ray" in the hopes that it would lead to his physical and spiritual healing.

Reed's skepticism and Aristotelian logic are an offset to the sometimes blind devotion of the believers. His natural curiosity and desire to find logical explanations are what leads him into becoming more embroiled in the frenzy going on around him. But when Fr. Ray dies suddenly in the middle of a church service, Reed's skepticism and unique physical ailments place him in the position of being a prime suspect in the priest's murder. Now he must rely on his intellect and training to find the real killer.

BLEEDER was an exciting read from the first page to its satisfying resolution. I found myself turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next. The story builds in a crescendo like a symphony--beginning with the muted strings of questions unanswered to the crashing cymbals of its exciting conclusion. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The plot thickens...and takes some interesting twists, September 1, 2009

By 

Laurie Hoecherl - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bleeder: A Mystery (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully crafted mystery with several unexpected plot twists just when you think you've got things all figured out. The characters are engaging, to the point where I wanted the story to continue after I got to the end of the book. The language used is beautifully descriptive and it's not at all gory as you might expect from the title. Being from a small town in Northern Illinois and teaching at a community college, I also appreciated the references to local geographical features as well as academic life. The first part does a very nice job setting the stage for the mystery; once the main event occurred, I was hooked into the mystery and had a hard time putting it down. I recommend it highly.