The Wisdom of Father Dowling (Thorndike Basic) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Ralph M. McInerny (Author)

Book Description

Series: Thorndike Basic | Publication Date: March 2009

Here, collected for the first time, are fifteen of the best Father Dowling mystery short stories. Each cunning case is carefully examined by the good father, accompanied by the cast of characters that fans around the world have grown to know and love. In a sleepy Illinois town on the banks of the Fox River lives one of the greatest fictional detectives ever created. Father Dowling, the benevolent, brilliant priest of the St. Hilary church, leads and cares for his congregation, and also finds the time to unravel the knottiest of mysteries. Ralph McInerny's sleuthing priest has appeared in more than twenty-five novels, and his exploits were also made into a television series, The Father Dowling Mysteries. But Father Dowling has also appeared in many short stories as well, solving crimes no less complicated for their brevity. Whether unraveling the identity of a skeleton found under the parish parking lot, or figuring out what really happened to the parents of a distraught parishioner, Father Dowling brings his unique perspective and quiet determination to bear on each crime he encounters, leaving the guilty nowhere to hide.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of McInerny's Father Dowling novels (Ash Wednesday, etc.) will welcome this collection of 15 short stories featuring the compassionate priest of St. Hilary's church in Fox River, Ill., and such beloved supporting characters as his feisty indispensable housekeeper, Marie, and his friend, police captain Phil Keegan. Included are tales of murder and betrayal, long hidden crimes and secrets that are discovered when bodies are found—or in some cases unearthed from old graves. The motives vary from calculated greed to embarrassment, and are as human as Father Dowling. Among the highlights are The Giveaway, The Dunne Deal and Hic Jacet. Maintaining his sense of humor throughout, Father Dowling is never satisfied until he discovers the truth and understands the motive behind every crime he encounters. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 497 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (March 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410413705
• ISBN-13: 978-1410413703
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,725,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fine compilation, January 29, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wisdom of Father Dowling (Five Star First Edition Mystery) (Hardcover)

This anthology contains fourteen stories published between 1995 and 1998, and one entry in 2000. The usual players besides the title lead character show up as does his housekeeper Marie, and police captain Phil Keegan. All take place in Fox River, Illinois in or near St. Hilary's church. Each tale is well written and fun to read with Father Dowling's usual amusing asides and witty intelligent commentaries on life enhance the collection. The short story format is a terrific method for the Father Dowling mysteries as he provides his compassionate solace to the flock and others while also solving cases that prove to the reader to kill or steal is human, but to catch the felon is divine. Fans of the series will fully appreciate this fine compilation of the short cases of Father Dowling as the format is heavenly.

Harriet Klausner