Customer Reviews

Irish Alibi (Thorndike Basic)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On page 27 of Irish Alibi, McInerny mentions that part of a Father Dowling mystery was once set in the heating tunnels on the Notre Dame campus, but he failed to tell us which mystery that was. Having finally located it, I am posting the information that the title of that mystery is A Cardinal Offense, published in 1994. But be aware that, although the story line includes a Notre Dame/USC football game, the main focus of this rather long book involves the effects of the proliferation of marriage annullments granted in the United States.

This is the first of Ralph McInerny's mysteries I have actually read although I was familiar with the Father Dowling stories through TV.

I really enjoyed this book...I actually felt like one of the characters! The reason is that apart from the murder mystery, the theme that runs through this book is the role that the University of Notre Dame played in the American Civil War. One of the characters - Roger Knight is a rotund professor teaching a class on that subject; another is a modest and earnest student who wrote an article on the subject for one of the school newspapers. I felt a strong connection to both characters as I've written a book on the subject! (Really! You can find it on amazon!)

The realization that Notre dame sided with the Union in the war raises the ire of two Southern students who - in the wake of a loss to Georgia Tech - avenge their ancestors by stealing a tow truck to tear down the statue of Fr. William Corby, the most famous of the seven Notre Dame priests that the school sent to serve as chaplains.

The murder mystery is well done, although I was a little amazed by the portrayal of the local police, prosecutor, and coroner as being rather clumsy...the characterizations of illegal immigrants with crude nicknames was also off-putting.

The most admirable character is the professor Roger Knight...a man of strong faith and a strong brain to match.

Very entertaining and recommended.

Right from the first page I was hooked. I really enjoy the writing style of Ralph McInerny. His Father Dowling stories weave good values and strong virtues into fascinating plots. Father is a much more interesting character than the one portrayed on television. In the Irish Alibi,McInerney puts a Nero Wolfe type intellectual with a svelte Archie type character in the Knight brothers. If you enjoy a good adventure with very good people who follow their Catholic values, you will enjoy this book.