The Compassion of Father Dowling

Father Dowling #32

by Ralph McInerny

A collection of short stories featuring the incomparable Father Dowling. In a sleepy Midwestern town on the banks of the Fox River, he cares for the congregation of St. Hilary Church-- and also finds time to unravel the knottiest of mysteries.

1. Occult Compensation
2. Queen Bee
3. The Base of the Triangle
4. The Missing Leonardo
5. Into Thin Air
6. Bingo Next Time
7. The Dutiful Son
8. Where There’s Smoke
9. The Lottery of Life
10. Ex Libris
11. Light Footed
12. Giving No Quarter
13. The Dead Weight Lifter
14. The Fat Cat
15. Winter Schemes
16. I Love the Dear Silver

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

346 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2011

About the author

Ralph Matthew McInerny was an American Catholic religious scholar and fiction writer, including mysteries and science fiction. Some of his fiction has appeared under the pseudonyms of Harry Austin, Matthew FitzRalph, Ernan Mackey, Edward Mackin, and Monica Quill. As a mystery writer he is best known as the creator of Father Dowling. He was Professor of Philosophy, Director of the Jacques Maritain Center, and Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Notre Dame until his retirement in June 2009. He died of esophageal cancer on January 29, 2010.

Reviews

[Kcoloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it's my Catholic background, but I love the Father Dowling stories. They were even on TV in the 80s or 90s, with Tom Bosley (Mr. C of "Happy Days" fame) playing the lead role. Fr. Dowling confronts all of the seven deadly sins -- without blood spatter, 4-letter words or loss of faith. These stories are kind of like an American version of the Miss Marple stories, with Fr. Dowling exposing whodunit by dint of observation and knowledge of human character.

[Jlnpeacock Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was comprised of several short stories and did not necessary involve a mystery. The stories were interesting and Father Dowling is a comforting character with good advice often. Many times his advice is silence which showed great wisdom. It was a lovely read.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen the tv show before I knew there were books. I really enjoyed the book even though there were slight differences from the tv show. I do wonder though, why those people keep going back to that senior center?

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good set of short mysteries all set in one place