Mysteries Solved by Clergy. Really.
a book list by Leah Smith, librarian and avid reader
shelved under
Mystery
Ok, these aren't real mysteries... but fictional mysteries that're solved by nuns, priests and various and sundry members of the clergy. Some of the more famous crime-solving clerics are Father Dowling brought to life by Ralph McInerny and Ellis Peters' fabulous Brother Cadfael. And because I culled these books from a much, much longer list I have, they're really some of the best.
A Cardinal Offense: A Father Dowling Mystery
by Ralph M. McInerny
Father Dowling investigates the murder of a man who was pursuing an annulment from his wife of 30 years. Good overview of the Catholic Church's stance on divorce.
The Eagle Catcher
by Margaret Coel
Banished to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming to recover from his alcoholism, Father John O'Malley teams up with Arapaho attorney Vicky Woman Alone to solve the murder of a tribal chairman.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
by Harry Kemelman
This 1964 Edgar Award winner has young Rabbi David Small trying to solve the murder of a nanny. Quick read.
In the Bleak Midwinter
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This well-written first in the series mystery features unorthodox, liberal Episcopal priest Claire Ferguson and chief of police of Miller's Kill, a small town in upstate New York, Russ Van Alstyne. The two team up to find out who left a baby on the doorstep of Claire's church. This book has it all: intrigue, a budding romance, and a great sense of place.
The Name of the Rose
by William Weaver, Umberto Eco
Natasha Yar-Routh says:
Sherlock Holmes as a medieval monk with his opponent possibly being the anti-Christ. The monk, William of Baskerville, must solve a series murders before they disrupt a debate on the wealth of the church. Puns, inside jokes and literary theory don't get in the way of a gripping mystery, but rather add to it.
The Tentmaker
by Michelle Blake
Lily Connor is back in Boston, working as an interim priest (or tentmaker) at a wealthy church where the priest has just died under unusual circumstances. The reader will find Lily to be a strong, likable character.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime.
more...
About Leah Smith
Leah lives near Washington D.C. and is an obsessive list maker. She loves lists so much that she creates topical bibliographies -- for fun. She also collects volvelles, nutcrackers, unusual names and map hankies. She talks about books and many other things on her blog, Fig Newtons and Scotch.
Stay in Touch
Newest book lists
President Obama's Favorite Books of 2017
Books for an Adventurous Childhood
Visiting Venice Through (Mostly) Fiction
Childhood Remembered: Books Of Indelible Childhood Memories
Novels on Art, Artists and Art World Shenanigans
Picture Books with Fun (and Sometimes Friendly) Monsters
Robert Rodi’s Favorite Books About Italy
Fractured Novels that Mirror the Uncertainty of Everyday Life
Mysteries Solved by Clergy. Really.
a book list by Leah Smith, librarian and avid reader
shelved under
Mystery
Ok, these aren't real mysteries... but fictional mysteries that're solved by nuns, priests and various and sundry members of the clergy. Some of the more famous crime-solving clerics are Father Dowling brought to life by Ralph McInerny and Ellis Peters' fabulous Brother Cadfael. And because I culled these books from a much, much longer list I have, they're really some of the best.
A Cardinal Offense: A Father Dowling Mystery
by Ralph M. McInerny
Father Dowling investigates the murder of a man who was pursuing an annulment from his wife of 30 years. Good overview of the Catholic Church's stance on divorce.
The Eagle Catcher
by Margaret Coel
Banished to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming to recover from his alcoholism, Father John O'Malley teams up with Arapaho attorney Vicky Woman Alone to solve the murder of a tribal chairman.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
by Harry Kemelman
This 1964 Edgar Award winner has young Rabbi David Small trying to solve the murder of a nanny. Quick read.
In the Bleak Midwinter
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This well-written first in the series mystery features unorthodox, liberal Episcopal priest Claire Ferguson and chief of police of Miller's Kill, a small town in upstate New York, Russ Van Alstyne. The two team up to find out who left a baby on the doorstep of Claire's church. This book has it all: intrigue, a budding romance, and a great sense of place.
The Name of the Rose
by William Weaver, Umberto Eco
Natasha Yar-Routh says:
Sherlock Holmes as a medieval monk with his opponent possibly being the anti-Christ. The monk, William of Baskerville, must solve a series murders before they disrupt a debate on the wealth of the church. Puns, inside jokes and literary theory don't get in the way of a gripping mystery, but rather add to it.
The Tentmaker
by Michelle Blake
Lily Connor is back in Boston, working as an interim priest (or tentmaker) at a wealthy church where the priest has just died under unusual circumstances. The reader will find Lily to be a strong, likable character.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime.
more...
About Leah Smith
Leah lives near Washington D.C. and is an obsessive list maker. She loves lists so much that she creates topical bibliographies -- for fun. She also collects volvelles, nutcrackers, unusual names and map hankies. She talks about books and many other things on her blog, Fig Newtons and Scotch.
Stay in Touch
Newest book lists
President Obama's Favorite Books of 2017
Books for an Adventurous Childhood
Visiting Venice Through (Mostly) Fiction
Childhood Remembered: Books Of Indelible Childhood Memories
Novels on Art, Artists and Art World Shenanigans
Picture Books with Fun (and Sometimes Friendly) Monsters
Robert Rodi’s Favorite Books About Italy
Fractured Novels that Mirror the Uncertainty of Everyday Life
Mysteries Solved by Clergy. Really.
a book list by Leah Smith, librarian and avid reader
Ok, these aren't real mysteries... but fictional mysteries that're solved by nuns, priests and various and sundry members of the clergy. Some of the more famous crime-solving clerics are Father Dowling brought to life by Ralph McInerny and Ellis Peters' fabulous Brother Cadfael. And because I culled these books from a much, much longer list I have, they're really some of the best.
A Cardinal Offense: A Father Dowling Mystery
by Ralph M. McInerny
Father Dowling investigates the murder of a man who was pursuing an annulment from his wife of 30 years. Good overview of the Catholic Church's stance on divorce.
The Eagle Catcher
by Margaret Coel
Banished to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming to recover from his alcoholism, Father John O'Malley teams up with Arapaho attorney Vicky Woman Alone to solve the murder of a tribal chairman.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
by Harry Kemelman
This 1964 Edgar Award winner has young Rabbi David Small trying to solve the murder of a nanny. Quick read.
In the Bleak Midwinter
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This well-written first in the series mystery features unorthodox, liberal Episcopal priest Claire Ferguson and chief of police of Miller's Kill, a small town in upstate New York, Russ Van Alstyne. The two team up to find out who left a baby on the doorstep of Claire's church. This book has it all: intrigue, a budding romance, and a great sense of place.
The Name of the Rose
by William Weaver, Umberto Eco
Natasha Yar-Routh says:
Sherlock Holmes as a medieval monk with his opponent possibly being the anti-Christ. The monk, William of Baskerville, must solve a series murders before they disrupt a debate on the wealth of the church. Puns, inside jokes and literary theory don't get in the way of a gripping mystery, but rather add to it.
The Tentmaker
by Michelle Blake
Lily Connor is back in Boston, working as an interim priest (or tentmaker) at a wealthy church where the priest has just died under unusual circumstances. The reader will find Lily to be a strong, likable character.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Leah Smith
Leah lives near Washington D.C. and is an obsessive list maker. She loves lists so much that she creates topical bibliographies -- for fun. She also collects volvelles, nutcrackers, unusual names and map hankies. She talks about books and many other things on her blog, Fig Newtons and Scotch.
Stay in Touch
Newest book lists
President Obama's Favorite Books of 2017
Books for an Adventurous Childhood
Visiting Venice Through (Mostly) Fiction
Childhood Remembered: Books Of Indelible Childhood Memories
Novels on Art, Artists and Art World Shenanigans
Picture Books with Fun (and Sometimes Friendly) Monsters
Robert Rodi’s Favorite Books About Italy
Fractured Novels that Mirror the Uncertainty of Everyday Life