Green Thumb: A Mystery Set at the University of Notre Dame (Roger and Philip Knight Mysteries Set at the Univ. of Notre Dame) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "GOLF CAN BE PLAYED AT ANY time of the day, but morning is best, the earlier the better..." (more)
Key Phrases: sixth green, deadly nightshade, poisoned water, Notre Dame, Mortimer Sadler, Father Carmody (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

To help protect the university's reputation, private investigator Phil Knight and his brother Roger, Huneker Professor of Catholic Studies at Notre Dame, are asked by Father Carmody to investigate the death of Notre Dame alumnus Mortimer Sadler, who was at the university to attend a class reunion. Sadler dies on the golf course of deadly nightshade poisoning while sneaking in some extra practice time before a tournament. Best remembered as the student who was most vocal against Notre Dame becoming a coeducational university, Sadler had many enemies. Suspects include his college roommates, the woman whose scorn for him led to his diatribes against female students, and even his own relatives. A further poisoning and a potential poisoning confound the brothers, and Roger must decide the ethics of concealing information he has learned that may hurt people he cares about. The casually paced tale comes to an unexpected conclusion, and McInerny steeps the story in Notre Dame facts and lore. This eighth in a series will please those who enjoy gentle academic mysteries. Sue O'Brien
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Product Description

One early morning during spring break, Detectives Phil Knight and Jimmie Stewart are enjoying a golf game at the University of Notre Dame when they find a man apparently suffering a heart attack on the green. They summon help and the man is rushed to the emergency room. But it's too late--the man dies at the hospital and an autopsy suggests that his death was not an accident.

The victim--poisoned with deadly nightshade--turns out to be Mortimer Sadler, something of a boor but also an extremely generous donor to the university. He'd returned to campus for an unofficial class reunion, along with several classmates, including his three college roommates. Soon, long-buried animosities surface among the old friends. But are these old wounds strong enough to result in murder? Or was there a more recent disagreement brewing? Phil and his brother Professor Roger Knight team up to uncover the truth behind Sadler's death.

Green Thumb is an intriguing addition to this series by the author of the beloved Father Dowling mysteries. Filled with suspense and plot twists galore, not to mention McInerny's trademark clever wit, it's guaranteed to enchant new readers as well as dedicated fans.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (October 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312324197
• ISBN-13: 978-0312324193
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #369,649 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine academic who-done-it, October 27, 2004

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Part of the class of 1977 is holding a reunion at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Police Officer Jimmy Stewart and Private Detective Phil Knight are attending the gala when they find a dead man at the sixth green. The victim is Mortimer Sadler, who gave significant financial contributions to his alma mater. His water jar contained the deadly poison belladonna; the university asks the Hinekar Professor of Catholic Studies,Frank Knight, who also happens to be a sleuth, to investigate.

Suspicion immediately falls on Maureen O'Kelly, who was in the same class as Mort. The two argued in print and in debates back in school and in the present about females attending the hallowed halls. They even bet a hundred dollars on a golf game. Additionally it is common knowledge that Maureen has a garden back home; her daughter finds the fatal plant in her golf bag. Roger believes everything is too obvious so he sets out to prove Maureen is innocent and catch her framer.

The latest Fighting Irish mystery proves why Ralph McInerny is a highly ranked mystery author as the rivalries and hatreds of the past rekindle in the present. Frank has two roles: protect the college from being sacked by a media frenzy and identify the killer. This likable chap sets out to do both, which makes the tale believable. Mr. McInerny aces the eighth hole with this fine academic who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner