Green Thumb

Notre Dame #8

by Ralph McInerny

One early morning during spring break, Detectives Phil Knight and Jimmie Stewart are enjoying a golf game at the University of Notre Dame when they find a man apparently suffering a heart attack on the green. They summon help and the man is rushed to the emergency room. But it's too late--the man dies at the hospital and an autopsy suggests that his death was not an accident.

The victim--poisoned with deadly nightshade--turns out to be Mortimer Sadler, something of a boor but also an extremely generous donor to the university. He'd returned to campus for an unofficial class reunion, along with several classmates, including his three college roommates. Soon, long-buried animosities surface among the old friends. But are these old wounds strong enough to result in murder? Or was there a more recent disagreement brewing? Phil and his brother Professor Roger Knight team up to uncover the truth behind Sadler's death.

Green Thumb is an intriguing addition to this series by the author of the beloved Father Dowling mysteries. Filled with suspense and plot twists galore, not to mention McInerny's trademark clever wit, it's guaranteed to enchant new readers as well as dedicated fans.

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2004

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

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this entry (#8 in the Notre Dame series), a discovery is made on the golf course; a former student dead. Turns out it was murder, and the hunt for the killer is on.

As appropriate to a book centered in a major university, there's a literary tone to the book. I liked the book up until the end; I have to admit that I don't think the unveiling of the killer worked. Some pieces just did not mesh together.

There were also several editing errors in the book.

Ralph McInerny also wrote the Father Dowling series. I have not read that series but may give it a try. I don't think I will seek out any more of the Notre Dame series.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quick read mystery. Some really good characters, but others weren't well defined.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read other books by this author that I enjoyed but I was disappointed by the slow pace of this mystery which never picked up until almost the end of the book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Mortimer Sadler, a generous donor to the University of Notre Dame, has collapsed on the green and later dies at the hospital. The autopsy suggests death by poison. Enter Phil Knight and Jimmy Stewart to investigate the murder but also keep the story out of the papers. Mortimer was a boor and had very strong opinions about women being accepted into the hallowed halls of Notre Dame. Due to his conduct and comments, he was not liked by any of the women who attended Notre Dame, including one in particular Maureen O'Kelly. The big question is who killed Mortimer, and why are other people still being poisoned?

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author for me. Plus I didn't know Mr. McInerny wrote the Father Dowling mysteries. I loved that t.v. show, but never read any of the books. I'll have to add those to my ever growing TBR list. The story takes place at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Which is about 100 miles from where I live. I've been there several times, but haven't actually seen the university. Phil and Roger are the ones investigating the "mysterious" death of Mortimer Sadler. He is found on the golf course in his golf cart. It appears it may have been a heart attack, but further investigation proves it was murder. Someone gave him deadly Nightshade in his water bottle. There is a very long list of suspects, but the one that stands out is the beautiful Maureen O' Kelly. She is an old foe from Sadler's years at college. She is also a gardener. There are his three college roommates high on the list of suspects. Could there be old animosities among friends? Who is the murderer of Mortimer Sadler? Who will have to read the book to find out.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, didn’t figure it out!

[Ruthmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable mystery set at Notre Dame. Not all that challenging as a mystery, but McInerny has a wonderful way with words, and his description of ND people and places hits home.