The Gathering (Father Koesler, 24th) [Unabridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

William X. Kienzle (Author), Edward Holland (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2002

The late William X. Kienzle is best known for his Father Koesler mysteries, starring priest/detective Father Robert Koesler. Here, we go back to Father Koesler's past, to a time when young Catholic men and women were encouraged, even expected to become priests and nuns. Kienzle follows a group of young men and women through the paths of their religious life, as they test their commitment, their faith, and their vocation against the high standards of the Catholic Church. Together and separately, they struggle, making difficult choices and facing guilt. Now, twenty years later, one of their number has been murdered, and Father Koesler must intervene to solve the case and tie up the unspoken threads of the common life they have chosen. "Another excellent addition to the Father Koesler series." (Amazon.com)

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Books on Tape; Unabridged edition (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736686304
• ISBN-13: 978-0736686303
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,038,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars So disappointed, March 6, 2006

By 

Joan Wester Anderson, "Author of 'In the Arms... (Prospect Heights IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gathering (Mass Market Paperback)

I hated The Gathering to be the last mystery William Kienzle wrote. For years I have waited in happy anticipation for the next book, loving Father Koesler and all the characters Kienzle drew with such a fine hand, as well as his even-handed explanations of Catholic doctrine and thought. I grabbed The Gathering with the same joy---only to be tremendously disappointed.
The most difficult part of this book was the endless repetition and back-tracking---explaining and re-explaining the already tedious details. The characters were wooden--I couldn't care less about any of them.... And the dialogue: had Kienzle ever tuned in to a conversation between Catholic teenagers, even in that era? About as unrealistic as I could imagine. And was it necessary to create perhaps the worst priest to ever be ordained as the antagonist here? Having gone all through Catholic school during this era, and knowing hundreds of priests, I can't imagine any of them playing with Church doctrine in this way. Bottom line--an awful book. Save your time and money.

P.S. I seriously wonder if Keinzle's mind was going when he wrote this book. If it was, I do beg his pardon. And in any case I thank him for earlier years of true reading pleasure.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a mystery at all..but still good, September 29, 2003

By 

S. Colbert (Portsmouth, NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gathering (Hardcover)

If you picked up this book expecting a good mystery like The Rosary Murders, you will be greatly disappointed. However, if you're interested in a pretty decent character study of 4 young people preparing to enter the religious life, then you might enjoy it. In the last 10-12 years, Kienzle really hasn't written mysteries but rather character studies set against a Catholic background. Taken on that level, this is one of his best in the last few years.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gathering, May 5, 2003

By 

joanne weimer (MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gathering (Hardcover)

How do you explain growing up Catholic to your non-Catholic spouse, friend?
This book evokes the feelings and isolation of being raised Catholic.
It is written in a timeline any baby-boomer or younger will relate to.
The ending is a tribute to William Kienzle's life.
The story circle back to the beginnings of William Kienzle's choice of vocation and leaves the reader knowing why he left the priesthood.
The question remains where and what do today's Catholic's do with their faith.
Thank you,
William Kienzle
for all the insights about beinging Catholic