Customer Reviews

Call No Man Father

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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.

"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.

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.