The Sacrifice [Hardcover]

William X. Kienzle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999

He knew his celbrity status, evidenced by his newspaper column and radio show, as a beloved Anglican priest would be in jeopardy. He understood the strain the change would put on his wife and children and the challenges he would face to be accepted as a married Roman Catholic priest. He even acknowledged that reactionaries in both religious camps would oppose such a spiritual changeover. But he never dreamed that his decision would breed such waves of ambition, jealousy, and hatred that the ultimate human sacrifice - murder - would be the result. Nor did he appreciate how much of a sacrifice would be asked of him. In his 23rd appearance, Father Robert Koesler, a Detroit parish priest with a penchant for being involved in murder, accompanies his friend Father Wheatley through his torturous path to conversion and helps him seek resolution of a crime. With his compassion, knowledge of human nature, and experience, Father Koesler is able to not only resolve a murder mystery, but also to give true understanding to the concept of sacrifice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest in the author's long-running series of didactic mysteries featuring Detroit priest Father Robert Koesler (following Till Death) restores a better balance between mystery and religion. As usual, a thorny religious issue is at the center of things, and Kienzle has posited a doozy. Father George Wheatley, an Episcopal priest of some renown, has undertaken to convert to Roman Catholicism. That decision has caused great consternation in Wheatley's family as well as shock in the Episcopal and Roman communities. In addition to continuing to flog the changes wrought by Vatican II, the author explores such issues as the differences and similarities between Anglicans, Episcopalians and Romans (all of whom consider themselves Catholics), and whether Catholic priests should be permitted to marry and women allowed to become priests. Sharing center stage, and danger, with Wheatley are Father Koesler, who has befriended him during his conversion, and Father Zachary Tully, whose church will be the site of Wheatley's ordination. Plenty of folk are opposed to Wheatley's ordination, including his (Episcopal) priest son, Ron; his seminarian daughter, Alice; and various lay and clerical Roman Catholics who see Wheatley's conversion as one more assault on their venerable church. When a murderer strikes before the ordination can take place, Koesler and the police must scramble to unmask someone willing to kill for his or her beliefs. In a series that has not been aging well, this is a refreshingly strong entry. (Apr. 1)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The impending ordination of a former Episcopal priest into the Catholic church in Detroit turns into murder when an explosion at the altar kills a priest. Homicide detective Tully, retired detective Koznicki, Father Robert Koesler (series "resource person"), and George Wheatley, the "changeling," immediately analyze, inform, and hypothesize. Suspects are numerous, including two of Wheatley's own children one an Episcopal priest, the other a closet lesbian seminarian so police face an uphill struggle. A tedious exposition, argumentative and/or didactic digressions, and cheap narrative tricks label this a potboiler; nevertheless, buy for Kienzle's (The Rosary Murders) steady following.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740712268
• ISBN-13: 978-0740712265
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,916,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating but talky mystery, May 21, 2001

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Sacrifice (Hardcover)

Father Wheatley has decided to leave the Anglican church and join the Roman Catholic--as a priest and bringing his wife with him. Catholic fundamentalists, Anglicans, and his family are all concerned and angry. Somebody is angry enough to set a bomb that would have killed Wheatley if he hadn't been delayed. The police ask Catholic Priest, Father Koesler for help.

Author William X. Kienzle gives us an assortment of angry red herrings... Could one of the hot-headed but aging priests have taken this ultimate step to defend their religion? Koesler is certain that there is a religious connection and a way to determine the truth.

Kienzle does a fine job developing his characters. Koesler, in particular, is likable and believable. His writing style, however, does lend itself to talkiness. Although all of the information he presents was very interesting, I would have preferred to have it given to me once, and get on with the mystery.

Look at THE SACRIFICE as a two-fer. It's a fine mystery and a fascinating look into Roman Catholic politics (Kienzle is an ex-priest) as well as some of the differences and similarities between two important Christian religions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Journey to Priesthood, September 10, 2001

By 

John T. Farrell (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sacrifice (Hardcover)

I've been a fan of William X. Kienzle since way back when. In this case, "when" being my introduction to the thoughtful clerical detective, Father Robert Koesler, in Kienzle's first two mysteries, "The Rosary Murders" and "Death Wears a Red Hat." In "The Sacrifice," Father Koesler's twenty-third appearance, Kienzle explores an ecumenical setting dear to my heart: the relationship between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, two denominations that are remarkably similar, vastly different, and deeply misunderstood by the other. To facilitate the plot, the author not only brings Father Koesler out of retirement, but his friend and Watson, the courtly and devout Inspector Walter Koznicki, as well.

Father George Wheatley is an Episcopal priest who is taking advantage of the so-called "Anglican Use Provision" in the Roman Catholic Church that allows priests in the Anglican Communion to be reordained in the Roman church despite being married. Father Wheatley's motives for his switch are complex and engender opposition both from his family and from Anglican and Roman traditionalists. The result is a bomb explosion at his ordination, missing the target but killing another priest.

Despite the beguiling plot and Kienzle's sensitive and informed understanding of Anglicanism (one flaw though: he doesn't really know how Episcopal bishops are selected), "The Sacrifice" fails to deliver as a mystery. Father Koesler spends more time explaining the Anglican ethos than solving the mystery. And the plot has too many weaknesses, including a number of separate crimes masquerading as one, a multiplicity of suspects and detectives, a plethora of one-dimensional characters, and myriad plot threads that are never really resolved -- for instance, the fates of Wheatley's closeted lesbian seminarian daughter and his ambitious daughter-in-law.

The Father Koesler series may have run out of steam. Kienzle has tried various ploys to revive it in recent years, most notably the introduction of a second-string priest/detective team, the long lost Tully brothers. None have really worked. Much as I hate to say it, it might be more merciful to let Father Koesler retire in peace.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars knows his city, knows his church, August 20, 2002

By 

Karen Sampson Hudson "Karen Sampson Hudson" (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

William Kienzle, a former priest, writes darn good mystery novels, filled with lore about church politics, the hierarchy and current issues. Set in Detroit, "The Sacrifice" is a satisfying read which will keep your interest throughout. Kienzle is especially skilled at detailing his characters---cops, cops' wives, priests( and in this case, priest's wife!)

Those familiar with Detroit will be pleased to recognize familiar streets, landmarks, stores, institutions. Kienzle paints an affectionate, even rather proprietary picture of his city. Women will be pleased to find his generous yet accurate assessments of his female characters. His skill at writing about women's feelings and motives has grown in his career, and his more recent books are informed by good insights. (He gives credit to his wife in the dedication of "The Sacrifice.")

This is an enjoyable book which will keep you guessing until the final pages.