Happy Are the Peace Makers

Blackie Ryan #5

by Andrew M. Greeley

Rich, beautiful, seductive … and suspected of murder. Nora MacDonaugh had bad luck with husbands: they both died under mysterious circumstances. Her latest, an Irish millionaire, had changed his will in her favor a week before the bomb went off in his study. Was it political terror? Suicide? Or the work of a very clever Black Widow? Bishop Blackie Ryan is the only man who can resist the widow’s charms … and solve the perfect crime.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Novels, Romance

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Andrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...

Reviews

[Nancy Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

In classic Greeley style this novel is half mystery, half romance that involves Tim Pat McCarthy and, Blackie Ryan trying to solve the mystery of who killed Jim Lark McDonaugh. Along the way, Tim Pat falls for the principal person whom all believe to be guilty of the murder. That is, his second wife Nora.

Unlike most of Greeley's Blackie Ryan's locked-room mysteries, Blackie plays an ancillary role in solving the case. Of course, the unpretentious little bishop has it all figured out...even the why, but it is Tim Pat, recruited from Chicago, who is over in Dublin (along with the aforementioned bishop and two others) to track down the murderer. He is the one doing the leg work and the one who becomes involved with Nora.

Is she really a Black Widow and responsible for killing both of her husbands? Will Tim Pat be her next victim? Is it a terrorist killing? Lots of questions to be answered before the end.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up and put down this book many times. Sometimes because I had many library books that had time limits and I owned this book. I had read Blackie Ryan years ago and was looking forward to revisiting. Unfortunately this one did not feature the good Bishop and was set in Ireland rather than Chicago. The story was good but I look forward to my next book with the Bishop as the main character.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love the Blackie Ryan novels, but this one ran all over the place and had far too many references to James Joyce. I got to the point that you weren't sure if the characters were current or from a Joyce novel. Every road in Ireland was described in far too much detail. By the end of the book i didn't much care who the murderer was. And the whole convoluted suspect list and eventual murderer was just overdone.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were a bigger fan of Dublin, James Joyce, or other prominent Irish authors, I would have enjoyed this book more. It was still a good read.

[David Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished up the Father Blackie Ryan books with this one! Enjoyed the series over the years.

[David Freas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, the fifth in Greeley's Blackie Ryan series, is a touch better than earlier entries. However, it is not a true Blackie Ryan book. It is told from the point of view of Timothy Patrick McCarthy, a retired Chicago cop who is in Ireland to investigate claims Nora McDonaugh murdered her husband. Blackie only has a secondary role as the recipient of information Tim Pat (as he is called) gathers.

Why Tim Pat is asked to investigate her is never clearly established, nor is there any apparent connection between Blackie and Nora that would motivate her to ask for his help.

Again, Greeley, holds the revelation of the who, how, and why of the crime until the end of the book where Blackie reveals all to the dead man’s family assembled at his estate in what someone once called an “I’ve called you all here…” scene. I had some trouble following the convoluted explanation here.

And, of course, Tim falls in love with Nora along the way.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic tale from the Irish-lovin' mind of Father Andrew Greeley, may he rest in peace. Such a unique priest...plus sociologist, journalist and novelist.... outspoken, firm in his beliefs, and sometimes a thorn in the side of the Vatican. But casting aside my admiration of him, and getting back to this book; could not wait to read the final chapter, yet not wanting to see this story come to an end... that's my definition of a fine read. In it, he leads us through both the classy and the seamy sides of Dublin, exposing us to its various characters from all walks of life... with a few time outs for prayers, hoisting jars of Guinness, bedroom romps and explosive devices. Conversational Irish colloquialisms are simply divine.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm more intrigued by Greeley and whether Blackie Ryan is his alter ego than in the mysteries themselves. This one is set in Dublin around Bloomsday and has many Joycean references. All of Greeley's mysteries so far have included a sub-plot of forbidden or difficult love which Ryan must give his approval to in order for one or both of the parties to fully engage in. I don't really "get" Irish-Americans and their references and idioms and to have Irish-Americans in Ireland just adds to my confusion about them.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Dublin, a retired Chicago cop is hired to look into the murder of an Irish mogul. Everyone wants to blame the young widow, but Blackie is sure she didn't to it so they have to figure out who did. It's a very sweet story as well. If you like history, romance and mystery rolled into one, you'd like this book.

[Brett]

Mystery

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow at times but it was pretty good.

[Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's a bit dry... and I'm struggling to finish. Is it a mystery? it is suspense? or romance? Ugh..

[Diego Huaraca chumbes]

is very interesting book ... i like it

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Greeley books, this one was good but not one of my favorites.

[Peggy]

#11, good