The Sacrifice

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating but talky mystery
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening Mystery
Review: I could not agree with the Library Journal rather negative editorial printed here. I found this to be another excellent addition to the Father Koesler series. The Detroit now-retired parish priest solves the crime once more calling on his knowledge of church politics and scripture. The plot deals with a famous and popular Anglican priest, who decides to sacrifice it all and be a Catholic priest. His reason for doing so remains a mystery to the end. Neither a Catholic nor Anglican I found the narrative fascinating. The murder almost becomes a backdrop to the hate surrounding this sacrifice and a black priest. The author presents us with several red herrings to this complex puzzle. I can honestly say I believe that The Sacrifice has breathed new life into the series. I recommend this book to both fans of the series as well as readers, who enjoy a good intellectual story

Rating:
Summary: Journey to Priesthood
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good Mystery and Excellent Exposition
Review: One doesn't really read William Kienzle without expected a little religio-cultural edification. Indeed, I ended up learning more about Romano-Anglican relationships than about the criminal mind. Like another reviewer here, I suspect that the dear Fr. Koesler's appearance in this story was a little tired. Still, I'm hopeful that he might resurrect (as it were) in yet another tale or two.

I especially value the author's ability to tell stories about powerful, even holy, institutions with rich characters who suffer the flaws that all mankind have borne: Neither the "good guys" nor the "bad guys" are stereotypical. There are rich grays in the personalities of our priests, cops and work-a-day Joes and Janes here while the heights to which some of them aspire are supremely lofty, and the depths for which others yearn are dank and noisome indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Good Mystery and Excellent Exposition
Review: One doesn't really read William Kienzle without expected a little religio-cultural edification. Indeed, I ended up learning more about Romano-Anglican relationships than about the criminal mind. Like another reviewer here, I suspect that the dear Fr. Koesler's appearance in this story was a little tired. Still, I'm hopeful that he might resurrect (as it were) in yet another tale or two.

I especially value the author's ability to tell stories about powerful, even holy, institutions with rich characters who suffer the flaws that all mankind have borne: Neither the "good guys" nor the "bad guys" are stereotypical. There are rich grays in the personalities of our priests, cops and work-a-day Joes and Janes here while the heights to which some of them aspire are supremely lofty, and the depths for which others yearn are dank and noisome indeed.

Rating:
Summary: knows his city, knows his church
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: knows his city, knows his church
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: knows his city, knows his church
Review: 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.