What do you think?
Rate this book
Father Koesler #14
Body Count
"A winner...Will leave many mystery buffs impatiently waiting for the next Koesler novel."
THE FLINT JOURNAL
Father John Keating is murdered, and the man who did it reveals all to Father Koesler under the sacred seal of the confessional. Ever the traditionalist, Koesler knows he is bound to tell no one. Fortunately, the new priest-in-residence, Father Nick Dunn, has overheard the killer's confession. Unfortunately, he's been praying for the chance to help Father Koesler crack a case. And when the cops call Koesler for help, the sleuthing father discovers that there is only one thing more annoying than an overeager amateur detective priest nipping at his another murder....
THE FLINT JOURNAL
Father John Keating is murdered, and the man who did it reveals all to Father Koesler under the sacred seal of the confessional. Ever the traditionalist, Koesler knows he is bound to tell no one. Fortunately, the new priest-in-residence, Father Nick Dunn, has overheard the killer's confession. Unfortunately, he's been praying for the chance to help Father Koesler crack a case. And when the cops call Koesler for help, the sleuthing father discovers that there is only one thing more annoying than an overeager amateur detective priest nipping at his another murder....
334 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1992
7 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
William X. Kienzle
28 books29 followersWilliam X. Kienzle was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and spent twenty years as a Roman Catholic parish priest. Kienzle left the priesthood in 1974 because of his disagreement with its refusal to remarry divorcees. He became an editor of MPLS Magazine in Minneapolis, later moving to Texas where he was director of the Center for Contemplative Studies at the University of Dallas.
He was married to Javan Herman Andrews, a journalist from the Detroit Free Press, from 1974 until his sudden death from a heart attack on December 28, 2001.
Kienzle was the author of twenty-four crime fiction/mystery novels featuring Father Robert Koesler, a Catholic priest who doubles as a detective. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Kienzle's books are set mostly in Detroit, Michigan.
His biography, Judged by Love, by Javan Kienzle, was published in 2003.
He was married to Javan Herman Andrews, a journalist from the Detroit Free Press, from 1974 until his sudden death from a heart attack on December 28, 2001.
Kienzle was the author of twenty-four crime fiction/mystery novels featuring Father Robert Koesler, a Catholic priest who doubles as a detective. One of his best known novels is his first, The Rosary Murders (1978), which was made into a 1987 movie starring Donald Sutherland as Father Koesler. Kienzle's books are set mostly in Detroit, Michigan.
His biography, Judged by Love, by Javan Kienzle, was published in 2003.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 19, 2025
Body Count (Father Koesler, #14) by William X. Kienzle.
This is high among my favorites in the Father Koesler series. A man comes in to the confessional in the evening and confesses to being a hit man who had been under contract to murder a priest. He describes himself as a latent Catholic who had not been to a confessional in decades. But that's not all. He offers a detailed description of where the body of that priest is buried. Father Koesler is dumbfounded. He not only knew that murdered priest he also knew where he had been buried and the priests' body was not alone in that coffin. Add to this Father Koesler's new assistant, Father Dunn, who overheard this confession. Father Koesler is bound by the confessional not to reveal this confession to the police.
A few of my favorite characters were in on this case. That of Police Chief Koznicki along with Lieutenant (Zoo) Tully. And there's trouble in paradise between Pat and Joe with Joe being out of town most of the time.
I just loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough.
This is high among my favorites in the Father Koesler series. A man comes in to the confessional in the evening and confesses to being a hit man who had been under contract to murder a priest. He describes himself as a latent Catholic who had not been to a confessional in decades. But that's not all. He offers a detailed description of where the body of that priest is buried. Father Koesler is dumbfounded. He not only knew that murdered priest he also knew where he had been buried and the priests' body was not alone in that coffin. Add to this Father Koesler's new assistant, Father Dunn, who overheard this confession. Father Koesler is bound by the confessional not to reveal this confession to the police.
A few of my favorite characters were in on this case. That of Police Chief Koznicki along with Lieutenant (Zoo) Tully. And there's trouble in paradise between Pat and Joe with Joe being out of town most of the time.
I just loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough.
September 28, 2015
BODY COUNT - Good
Kienzle, William X - 14th in series
Father John Keating is murdered, and the man who did it reveals all to Father Koesler under the sacred seal of the confessional. Ever the traditionalist, Koesler knows he is bound to tell no one. Fortunately, the new priest-in-residence, Father Nick Dunn, has overheard the killer's confession. Unfortunately, he's been praying for the chance to help Father Koesler crack a case. And when the cops call Koesler for help, the sleuthing father discovers that there is only one thing more annoying than an overeager amateur detective priest nipping at his heels: another murder....
Not bad but a bit light for my taste.
Kienzle, William X - 14th in series
Father John Keating is murdered, and the man who did it reveals all to Father Koesler under the sacred seal of the confessional. Ever the traditionalist, Koesler knows he is bound to tell no one. Fortunately, the new priest-in-residence, Father Nick Dunn, has overheard the killer's confession. Unfortunately, he's been praying for the chance to help Father Koesler crack a case. And when the cops call Koesler for help, the sleuthing father discovers that there is only one thing more annoying than an overeager amateur detective priest nipping at his heels: another murder....
Not bad but a bit light for my taste.
September 16, 2019
I haven’t read anything in this series for years, but I remembered most of the characters. The plot becomes focused on the seal of confession, something I know a little about.
My only complaint a out this book is that it seems “too Catholic”. If you’re a practicing Catholic you know all of the traditions the author gives you in depth. If you’re not Catholic, I imagine the detail is boring. Interesting that the publisher agreed to 25 books in the series.
My only complaint a out this book is that it seems “too Catholic”. If you’re a practicing Catholic you know all of the traditions the author gives you in depth. If you’re not Catholic, I imagine the detail is boring. Interesting that the publisher agreed to 25 books in the series.
December 21, 2020
I really enjoy mysteries with priest or nuns as detectives, but this book left me unsatisfied. The plot is interesting and the character of Father Koesler is well-developed, but the author's writing style is too dense and wordy for my taste.
May 25, 2021
Ending is a bit of a twist, welcome after wading through pages of Catholic rules and procedures.
June 16, 2021
An interesting read which combines theological/religious matters with murders.
October 6, 2025
Quick-look at the Book
What can Koesler do when a murderer confesses to him? Violate the sacred seal or find other creative ways to help the cops solve the murder? Throw in an overeager guest pastor who thinks nothing of such a violation, and you have a mess.
I did love how the guilty parties received their just ends!
Thoughts on this Series
This is a nice enough cozy mystery series. The central character is Father Koesler who by no actions of his own--mostly--keeps tripping over murdered people and getting roped into police investigations.
While the characterization and motivation behind each suspect are well-described, there can be often too many POVs or too many details that detract from the action.
That said, the author repeatedly hits you over the head with the same details about priesthood and religion. If you can bear with that, and are okay with the protagonist arriving at the euphoria! moment while in the bathtub or car or...you get what I mean...read on.
My advice? Space em out. Or, they start to become a blob (Lily & Marshal style).
Review of Book 15 here
What can Koesler do when a murderer confesses to him? Violate the sacred seal or find other creative ways to help the cops solve the murder? Throw in an overeager guest pastor who thinks nothing of such a violation, and you have a mess.
I did love how the guilty parties received their just ends!
Thoughts on this Series
This is a nice enough cozy mystery series. The central character is Father Koesler who by no actions of his own--mostly--keeps tripping over murdered people and getting roped into police investigations.
While the characterization and motivation behind each suspect are well-described, there can be often too many POVs or too many details that detract from the action.
That said, the author repeatedly hits you over the head with the same details about priesthood and religion. If you can bear with that, and are okay with the protagonist arriving at the euphoria! moment while in the bathtub or car or...you get what I mean...read on.
My advice? Space em out. Or, they start to become a blob (Lily & Marshal style).
Review of Book 15 here
June 7, 2015
I was excited to see this in my el-cheapo bag of paperbacks because I've saved the videos to my NetFlix queue. I hope Father Brown appears more intelligent on the screen; here, he did not impress me at all as a sleuth.
May 6, 2011
Well created story line that kept me reading. Bonus: all the loose ends were tied up satisfactorily.
December 14, 2016
Double twists will keep the reader turning the pages. Kienzle provides insight into the teachings of the Catholic Church with a background set in Detroit.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews