Call No Man Father [Hardcover]

William X. Kienzle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995

LET US PREY
An impending papal visit is wreaking havoc in Detroit. Rumors run rampant that the pope comes bearing a pronouncement on birth control that will rock devout Catholics to the very foundations of their faith, and Father Koesler can't help but get caught up in the religious controversy. But soon he'll be swept into the secular--and dangerous--business of protecting the pontiff's life. For among the throng of pilgrims lurks a host of predators: a devout man hopelessly twisted by grief, a washed-up reporter desperate to make headlines, and a faceless assassin within the pope's inner circle--all hell-bent on silencing His Holiness.
"GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL . . . Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery."
--Booklist
"CRAFTILY PLOTTED."
--Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Kienzle has written another supremely intelligent puzzler featuring his perceptive priest, Father Robert Koesler, and bolstered by a strong cast of engaging supporting characters. In anticipation of a scheduled papal visit, Inspector Walter Koznicki and Lt. Alonzo Tully of the Detroit Police Department design an elaborate blueprint for security to protect the vulnerable pontiff during his brief stopover in one of America's most blighted urban areas. Meanwhile, Joe Cox and Pat Lennon, sometime lovers and investigative reporters for rival newspapers, vie to outscoop each other when a gang of bored, affluent teenagers initiates a violent crime spree. After three priests are murdered and the pope's safety is threatened, Father Koesler, the police, and the press work in unison to apprehend the culprit and prevent further tragedy before the arrival of the Holy Father. The gripping, suspenseful narrative is underscored by a fascinating philosophical and theological examination of the complex and controversial issue of papal infallibility. Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery with serious spiritual and religious overtones. Margaret Flanagan

From the Inside Flap

LET US PREY
An impending papal visit is wreaking havoc in Detroit. Rumors run rampant that the pope comes bearing a pronouncement on birth control that will rock devout Catholics to the very foundations of their faith, and Father Koesler can't help but get caught up in the religious controversy. But soon he'll be swept into the secular--and dangerous--business of protecting the pontiff's life. For among the throng of pilgrims lurks a host of predators: a devout man hopelessly twisted by grief, a washed-up reporter desperate to make headlines, and a faceless assassin within the pope's inner circle--all hell-bent on silencing His Holiness.
"GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL . . . Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery."
--Booklist
"CRAFTILY PLOTTED."
--Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Pub; 1st edition (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836261313
• ISBN-13: 978-0836261318
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,580,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Suspensful, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Call No Man Father (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the third book I've read by William Kienzle, and I definitely want to read more. The action begins quickly, and you are left in suspense as to who the killer is and what motivates him. The subplots about Catholic views on birth control and Detroit city gangs blend well with the book. This is a great mystery with lots of insight into the world of the Catholic clergy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and thought-provoking, March 30, 2000

By 

Sheila L. Beaumont (South Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Call No Man Father (Mass Market Paperback)

"Call No Man Father" is one of the very best of Mr. Kienzle's mysteries. I've read it three times so far. Once you've read the first chapter, in which a priest is murdered at Dublin Airport so that the killer can assume his identity, you won't want to stop. In addition to giving us a good story, Mr. Kienzle explores the issues of papal infallibility and birth control. There is a bias toward liberal Catholicism, but whatever your religious, or nonreligious, persuasion, you'll find this to be an exciting and thought-provoking novel.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Mystery and Excellent Exposition, May 27, 2002

By 

Mark Lee (Woodruff, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Call No Man Father (Mass Market Paperback)

As always, one gets more than just a mystery when Fr. Koesler shows up. In this case, the expository tour surrounds the historical claims and issues surrounding the doctrine of papal infallibility. Toss into this a murder within the first pages and a controversial scheduled visit to Detroit by the Pope and you've got the groundwork for an exciting story. Kienzel doesn't disappoint either, as conflicting reactions of faithful and faithless Roman Catholics vector toward the anticipated arrival of the Holy Father. This is also a great police story with dedicated believers and unbelievers caught up in the events.