Grave Undertakings

Father Dowling #21

by Ralph McInerny

Father Dowling's latest investigation revolves around the small town of Fox River, Illinois. A local mobster, Vincent O'Toole, has just died and has been buried in the local cemetery. While questions still surround the cause of the gangster's death, someone has been attempting to dig up his grave. And when the town's police finally disinter the coffin, they find it empty.Who and why would anyone wish to steal the mobster's corpse? And how does this relate to the death itself? Father Dowling begins to realize that the answers involve a manuscript by an Italian poet, and a love triangle between two very different young men and the woman they both covet.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

374 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

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

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this book was more like a jigsaw puzzle than linear storytelling. By the end of the book all the plot elements were there although I don't think their chronology bares too much scrutiny. One character acts as a sort of Machiavellian god of chaos. Some of his manipulations seem to be purely there to shake up the situation. Father Dowling does much towards solving the crime, but is not much in the book. I don't know if this is usual or not. The characters were all likable or recognizable enough, but not really three dimensional. The young lovers, especially Oscar, were enjoyably goofy.

[Marjorie Kubacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

To say I struggled with this book is an understatement. I am leading the discussion at my mystery book club on this book,so I had to push through it. About 1/2 way through I started getting more vested in the characters, though there was a lot of holes in the plot.
It will be interesting to hear what the others thought.

[Bayneeta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't know if this is typical of the series, but based on this one I have no interest in reading more. Read it for a book discussion and only finished it for that reason. Confusing timelines, errors in character names, too many characters; just did not work for me.

On the plus side, I have not discovered a new series I want to add to one of my staggering "to read" lists.

[Margaret Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This murder mystery has so many levels of meaning, witty dialogue, inside Catholic humor, and diabolical plot twists, not mention the retro, small-town America context (2000), it is a slow but delicious read. That said, it is also threaded through with gravitas, which offsets the dark, often hilarious humor. In all, an exceptional read!

[Sue Herbine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Farther Dowling mystery. As I read it I heard Tom Bosley speaking and the only loss is Sister Steve who was a TV add-on. This was an excellent mystery with insights into the times it was written. Although dated it is still enjoyable.

[Jo Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointing! Badly written and poorly edited.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rhythm of this book threw me. I found myself reading s entrance twice to get their real meaning.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A member of a mob family is killed and then attempts are made to disinter his body. The son of a private becomes engaged to the daughter of a mafia leader and a spurned suitor attempts to discredit him. Other murders occur, while Father Dowling sits on the sidelines in a minor role.

[Geri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't care for this book at all.

[MaryJo Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Dowling is a re-discovery for me. I read one or two years ago and for reasons now forgotten never got back to this series. I'll be reading more.
You cannot help but like the father, who is wise,commited to his calling, has a wry sense of humor, is keenly observant, and has no aspirations to becoming a bishop.
McInery's writing is nothing like Chesterton's but one is reminded of Father Brown
He is very good at character descriptions, which includes the good, the bad, the ugly, and the not very smart, and he pulls no punches.
In this tale of the body of a murdered mobster whose body isn't allowed to rest in peace, the plot includes two lovers from different worlds, the mobster who wants the girl for himself and stoops to desperate measures to get her, and a very ambitious man who uses everyone to him own ends and finally outwits himself. Father Dowling is quietly watching it all.