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The Bishop at the Lake: A Bishop Blackie Ryan Novel
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Product Description
Archbishop Malachi Nolan has designs on the Diocese of Chicago despite the fact the Most Reverend Blackwood Ryan, himself recently appointed an archbishop, is currently in line for the post. Assigned to keep watch on his rival, Blackie travels to the Nolan family estate in Grand Banks, where he soon finds himself immersed in an entirely different dynastic struggle.
Spike Nolan, founder of Aviation Electronics, isn’t even dead yet, but his children, grandchildren, and their respective spouses are already feuding over who will inherit control of the multimillion-dollar company. The only family member who doesn’t have a stake in the quarrel is the clerical Malachi . . . so why is he the one targeted by an unknown killer?
To get to the bottom of the mystery, Blackie will have to sort through the tangled family dynamics of this highly dysfunctional clan, as well as figure how out his fellow archbishop was nearly stung to death by hornets inside a locked room!
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #244908 in Books
- Published on: 2008-07-29
- Released on: 2008-07-29
- Format: Illustrated
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Mass Market Paperback
- 320 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In Greeley's winning sixth Blackie Ryan novel (after 2006's The Bishop in the Old Neighborhood), Ryan's boss, the archbishop of Chicago, sends Ryan to check up on Malachi Howard-Nolan, a fellow priest who's jockeying for a prestigious appointment. Blackie heads out to the compound where Nolan's extended family has gathered for a reunion and discovers that matters are both simpler and more complex than he'd imagined. Nolan turns out to be obnoxious and ambitious, but also lazy and incompetent, so his ecclesiastical aspirations aren't likely to come to much. When Nolan suffers a life-threatening attack of hornets, Blackie suspects someone in his rich, nutty family wishes him ill. There's also romance afoot: Blackie's strapping nephew finds himself attracted to Nolan's charming niece. A few chapters narrated by the nephew jar, but strong character development, snappy dialogue and a multilayered plot make this one of the better entries in the series. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Blackie Ryan returns in another predictable but fun Chicago-based whodunit featuring the usual amalgamation of stereotypical Irish-American characters. Urged by boss Cardinal Sean Cronin to assess the less-than-noble ecclesiastical ambitions of a fellow bishop, Blackwood visits the Lake Michigan shore home of his beloved sister, Dr. Mary Kate Ryan Murphy. When an attempt is made on the life of Bishop Malachai Nolan, Blackie, with the assistance of various Ryan family members, investigates a puzzling locked-room mystery. Of course, the requisite romance blossoms for two of the younger auxiliary characters. Nothing new here, but most Greeley fans won't want or expect anything beyond this comfortably familiar plot. Flanagan, Margaret
Review
“Father Greeley always succeeds at penning a fascinating tale, complete with ripe moments of humor and a touch of romance.”--Romantic Times BOOKreviews on The Bishop Goes to The University
“Greeley interweaves both spiritual and educational topics into another supremely entertaining adventure.”--Booklist on The Bishop Goes to The University
“Blackie once again proves to be a loyal friend, a formidable foe, and a gifted spiritual advisor. An entertaining romp through the West Wing.”--Booklist on The Bishop in the West Wing
“Will delight Greeley fans because it follows his near-perfect formula of adventure and amusement, mystery and mastery of the English language. Enjoy this one--The Bishop in the West Wing is a winner”--Star Newspapers
“Fun is the word for bestseller Greeley’s latest, lively Bishop Blackie Ryan thriller....[Readers] will appreciate the well-drawn characters, swift action, and logical resolution.”--Publishers Weekly on The Bishop in the West Wing
“It’s an especially enjoyable tale for a mystery fan on a hot day when murder is just too heavy to deal with and a poltergeist’s antics can be just the thing.”--Abilene Reporter-News on The Bishop in the West Wing
Customer Reviews
There is no escape...
"Every time I try to get out, they suck me back in"----paraphrase of Al Pacino's lament in "Godfather" part three about attempts to take the family mob racket into legitimate businesses. I have been reading Fr. Greeley's books for about thirty years, with quite a bit of enjoyment. His novels, however, do fall into certain formulas, and he is so prolific I do get a bit tired every now and then. Just how many affluent, talented but dysfunctional Chicago Irish families will have locked room murders or attempted ones in any given decade? Especially if the family is connected in some manner to Fr. Blackie, the assistant to the Cardinal in charge in the Windy City? I try to quit Greeley, with varying degrees of success. For instance, I have totally avoided the seven novel series about the O'Malley family in the 20th century. But I have read every Blackie Ryan mystery, six or more now, every Nuala McGrail book, ten of those, and at least ten of his other works, fiction and non-fiction. Fr. Greeley's plots are often unrealistic, his characters' dialogue and emotions either idealized or demonized to a fault, his happy endings welcome but predictable. Still, he creates a world of families with as much to be envied as to be lamented. His heroes and heroines are people you wish you knew, and for whom you root without reservation. In this latest Blackie mystery, to my surprise, I really was not certain of the villain until the end. Therefore, it counts as quite a success. I found it a slow start, and after a chapter or two I was not sure I would finish it. Then, however, some twists occurred and I became reluctant to put the book down at all. If you like Greeley's past work, this is more of the same but well-done.
Clean Up The Mess
It is with great expectation when a new Blackie Ryan mystery arrives to join my must read pile. Father Andrew M. Greeley doesn't disappoint his fans with the current THE BISHOP AT THE LAKE. Bishop Blackie is sent to vacation with his family while sleuthing out the designs of Archbishop Malachi Nolan who has his sights set on replacing Cardinal Sean Cronin.
Before Malachi Nolan can cause Blackie's boss any problems he is the victim of an attack by hornets, which for him is a life-threatening allergy known to his entire family. Who would want to kill an ineffectual member of the church in the home of his parents and family?
A must read that flows quickly to the final pages. Greeley interweaves ambition, greed, malice and romance into a satisfying read.
Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.
The Bishop at the Lake
This is the BEST Blackie Ryan mystery yet!! A wonderful read. I pray that Fr. Greeley will continue to write more Blackie Ryan mysteries and soon!!
