"Father Koesler is on the case, thank God." —Baltimore Sun From William X. Kienzle, author of the mystery classic, The Rosary Murders. The priesthood or Lil. It would be a gut-wrenching decision for Rick. Sixty-year-old Father Rick Casserly, the much loved, socially conscious pastor at St. William of Thierry Church, and Lillian "Lil" Niedermeir, the principal at nearby St. Enda's elementary school, share a common bond. They are secret lovers, driven into the closet by the Catholic Church's position on the marriage of its clergy members. And when troubled former nun, now reporter, Dora Riccardo sets her cap for Rick, the already complex state of affairs unfolds into a spiraling scenario that isn't resolved until someone is dead. Till Death is the twenty-second mystery from the pen of William X. Kienzle featuring Father Robert Koesler. In Till Death, Father Koesler is a member of the "St. Ursula Survivors Club"—a group of current and former clergy who served under the tyrannical Father Angelico. Koesler is the confidant whom some of the club members turn to when there's nowhere else to go, but even the temperate Father Koesler struggles to bring closure to a set of circumstances charged with forbidden love and tortured souls. Kienzle fans have snatched up almost two and a half million copies of the author's mysteries. Till Death provides readers with his signature twists and turns, while also exploring the explosive social issue of whether priests should be allowed to marry.From Publishers WeeklyWith 21 previous Father Koesler mysteries to Kienzle's credit, it might be hard to deny that the 22nd (following No Greater Love) belongs to the same genre. But while this latest follows familiar ground in exploring the still-widening rifts in the Church caused (or revealed) by Vatican II, it departs from form by not including a conventional crime. Years before, after leaving the Detroit parish of St. Ursula's, Fr. Robert Koesler established the St. Ursula Survivors Club, to help salve the wounds and heal the souls of those priests and nuns who served as assistants under the despotic Father Angelico, who is now dead but whose victims still suffer from psychic scars. Among the dwindling members of the club are Fr. Rick Casserly, a popular and socially conscious pastor; Lillian "Lil" Niedermier, a lay principal of a parochial school; and Dora Ricardo, a nun turned reporter. In defiance of official church policy, Father Rick and Lil carry on a secret affair. When Dora begins to take a romantic interest in Rick, matters become even more difficult. Only death can bring any resolution. Kienzle's characters usually serve didactic purposes, and here they demonstrate changes in love and marriage and the clergy. Unfortunately, these figures lack the substance to lift the story to tragedy, nor does the novel boast sufficient suspense to succeed as a mystery. Some of Kienzle's fans may appreciate his ability to illustrate issues that confound many American Roman Catholics, but most will find little to cheer. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review“The real mystery of the novel is figuring out who this dead person is. The book’s prologue takes place at the grave of an unnamed person, whose life changed many others, beginning forty years earlier. The identity of the dead person is not revealed until the death finally occurs near the novel’s end.”–Flint Journal“Kienzle uses his considerable skill as a writer to take us deeply into the lives of each of the principal characters, bringing them alive with all their flaws and virtues. Kienzle’s intimate knowledge of the Catholic Church gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at some of the church’s most heated issues.”–Knoxville News-Sentinel“Kienzle has a good eye for detail and a good ear for dialogue. . . . Till Death is one of his best recent novels.”–Star Press (Muncie, IN)

LET US PREYAn impending papal visit is wreaking havoc in Detroit. Rumors run rampant that the pope comes bearing a pronouncement on birth control that will rock devout Catholics to the very foundations of their faith, and Father Koesler can't help but get caught up in the religious controversy. But soon he'll be swept into the secular--and dangerous--business of protecting the pontiff's life. For among the throng of pilgrims lurks a host of predators: a devout man hopelessly twisted by grief, a washed-up reporter desperate to make headlines, and a faceless assassin within the pope's inner circle--all hell-bent on silencing His Holiness."GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL . . . Kienzle continues to provide a superior brand of mystery."--Booklist"CRAFTILY PLOTTED."--Publishers Weekly

LAST RITES AND LETHAL WRONGSFather Koesler is pondering his imminent retirement. But even as he looks toward an uncertain future, circumstances force him to investigate a crime from the past, a murder that only now has come to light. The revelation is revealed after his successor, Father Zachary Tully, clashes with Bishop Vincent Delvecchio. A longtime colleague of the powerful bishop's, Koesler searches his memory for insight into his superior's demanding nature . . . only to discover long-buried secrets involving a devout family haunted by tragedy--and shocking truths about sin, salvation, and the greatest evil. . . .From Library JournalAlthough billed as a mystery, Kienzle's (The Man Who Loved God, Andrews & McMeel, 1997) latest offering is more of a historical view of the Catholic Church's changing attitudes from the 1950s to the 1960s and beyond. Father Robert Koesler is excited at the prosect of having Father Zachary Tully join his parish. Unfortunately, Bishop Vincent Delvecchio has misgivings about Tully's appointment. As Koesler and Tully discuss the matter, Koesler discovers a long-hidden mystery, which takes a back seat to numerous discussions that give fascinating insight into the workings of the Catholic Church before Vatican II. However, fans who expect a more substantial mystery from Kienzle may be disappointed.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From the Inside FlapLAST RITES AND LETHAL WRONGSFather Koesler is pondering his imminent retirement. But even as he looks toward an uncertain future, circumstances force him to investigate a crime from the past, a murder that only now has come to light. The revelation is revealed after his successor, Father Zachary Tully, clashes with Bishop Vincent Delvecchio. A longtime colleague of the powerful bishop's, Koesler searches his memory for insight into his superior's demanding nature . . . only to discover long-buried secrets involving a devout family haunted by tragedy--and shocking truths about sin, salvation, and the greatest evil. . . .

Hard-hitting, hard-running, and, most of all, hard-hearted, Hank "The Hun" Hunsinger, superstar tight end for the Pontiac Cougars, is murdered by ingenious and macabre means in his own shower. There's no shortage of suspects — from the canny club owner to a miffed mistress to a humble rookie.Himself a religious football fan, Father Koesler is thrust from the stands to the center of a mystery that shrouds the spirited God Squad, the Cougars' Bible study group with a disturbingly freewheeling way with Scriptures. The ferreting Father unearths a secret every bit as astonishing as a winning eighty-yard touchdown pass with three seconds to go....

"THE ROSARY MURDERS quickly established Father Koesler as among the most likable and authentic of all recent sleuths .... Since then, few mystery series have been more cozy and persuasive."CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrom their Spartan quarters in downtown Detroit four religious brothers and a priest peform miracles. As the throng comes to them, so do accusations of embezzlement and torture. Father Koesler is finally called to crack a case that mingles sacred and profane and murder....

A cardinal is brutally murdered in his own church. Another is slain in the Vatican. A clue - the black imprint of a clenched fist - is left at the scene of each crime. Who's behind these sinister attacks? And is the ultimate target the Holy Office of the Pope himself? On a detective's trail from Detroit to Dublin to Rome. Father Koesler, the sleuthing priest, plunges back into his own haunted past - and becomes an unholy candidate for assassination.

At a word from critic Ridley Groendal, plays closed overnight. Concert halls went silent. Books gathered dust on bookstore shelves. Thus, many sought revenge. But four were close enough to exact it. The playwright. The violinist. The author. The actress. All with a dark, longtime link to the victim. And to Father Koesler, who'd known Groendal since their school days. Who pulled the curtain down on Ridley? All Father Koesler has to go on are four incriminating letters -- and one burning question.