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And God Laughed
Private detective Terry Luvello has just been handed the biggest case of his career. During confession, a man has twice declared his intent to commit murder. In both cases, the murders later occurred in exactly the way the unknown man had described.
Hoping to keep the church connection out of the newspapers, the parish pastor asks Terry to find the killer and act as his liaison with the Cleveland Police and Detective Hannah Page. While dealing with their own growing attraction, Terry and Hannah race from Cleveland to New Orleans to catch a brilliant and ruthless killer acting on his own twisted compulsion.
Those who know Terry describe him as intelligent, obsessive, and annoying, often all at once. To solve this case, Terry must also put his uniquely wry sense of humor into play, coming to terms with a longstanding grudge against the Catholic Church and his identity as a transgender male.
Hoping to keep the church connection out of the newspapers, the parish pastor asks Terry to find the killer and act as his liaison with the Cleveland Police and Detective Hannah Page. While dealing with their own growing attraction, Terry and Hannah race from Cleveland to New Orleans to catch a brilliant and ruthless killer acting on his own twisted compulsion.
Those who know Terry describe him as intelligent, obsessive, and annoying, often all at once. To solve this case, Terry must also put his uniquely wry sense of humor into play, coming to terms with a longstanding grudge against the Catholic Church and his identity as a transgender male.
- GenresMystery
ebook
Published September 6, 2022
39 people want to read
About the author
Joe Rielinger
3 books3 followersJoe Rielinger lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, Lisa, and their two fun-loving, though often borderline crazy golden retrievers. With a lifetime love of mystery, crime, and detective novels, Joe is currently working on the third book in the Terry Luvello series. When he isn’t writing, Joe likes to cook, read, and pretend he might someday learn something about training his two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Did not finish
June 15, 2023DNF 6%
Terry is a private detective. A woman hired him because the campus police ignored her reports due to a lack of evidence. The quarterback had tried to rape her, and when she fought him off, he started stalking and harassing her instead. I thought Terry was going to collect evidence so the football guy would get punished appropriately. And legally.
Instead, Terry called in a favor with a mafia guy and attacked the quarterback and destroyed his car. They then threatened him and told him to never go near the woman he was stalking again or they'd destroy his kneecaps and therefore make sure he'd never play professional football.
I am baffled. There was not even an attempt to resolve this legally, there was no evidence (so Terry could not be certain his client was even speaking the truth), and the attempted rapist is still free to go hurt others as long as he stays away from the woman who hired Terry.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely think rapists should be punished. But if I had wanted to read a book about a vigilante, I would have picked up a book about a vigilante, not about a private detective.
Terry is a private detective. A woman hired him because the campus police ignored her reports due to a lack of evidence. The quarterback had tried to rape her, and when she fought him off, he started stalking and harassing her instead. I thought Terry was going to collect evidence so the football guy would get punished appropriately. And legally.
Instead, Terry called in a favor with a mafia guy and attacked the quarterback and destroyed his car. They then threatened him and told him to never go near the woman he was stalking again or they'd destroy his kneecaps and therefore make sure he'd never play professional football.
I am baffled. There was not even an attempt to resolve this legally, there was no evidence (so Terry could not be certain his client was even speaking the truth), and the attempted rapist is still free to go hurt others as long as he stays away from the woman who hired Terry.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely think rapists should be punished. But if I had wanted to read a book about a vigilante, I would have picked up a book about a vigilante, not about a private detective.
September 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I’m just sorry I finished it so quickly. I suppose the premise of Terry, the main character, a transgender private investigator, is what peaked my interest. The case he decides to accept was intriguing, as he would be working for the Catholic Church. Admittedly I don’t know much about transgender, but the author answered some of my questions in a very no nonsense way. I liked Terry’s first person delivery, because it was easier to empathize when someone made a thoughtless comment.
The case he was investigating went from, “let’s see if there’s something to this” to a multifaceted psychological murder and missing persons case. The author tied it all together with a satisfying ending. I’m hoping there will be a second book featuring Terry Luvello. I love his wit, sarcasm, and hey, I’m learning new things.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The case he was investigating went from, “let’s see if there’s something to this” to a multifaceted psychological murder and missing persons case. The author tied it all together with a satisfying ending. I’m hoping there will be a second book featuring Terry Luvello. I love his wit, sarcasm, and hey, I’m learning new things.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2023
This book was a delight. I love a well crafted whodunit and this hit all the beats. A whodunit doesn't work without great characters and Terry is engaging, quirky and suffering from believable angst (which adds that layer of humanity). He's very likeable. Being transgender is important to him, but it's not everything, being a lapsed Catholic, not upsetting his girlfriend and being estranged from his brother are all equally part of his life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book two.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book two.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2024
It has been a bit since I read a physical book so it took me awhile to finish. I lived in N Olmsted for a bit and a friend who still lives there sent me this book.
It’s also not a genre I typically gravitate toward. I was intrigued by Terry, not sure I really liked him at first- the vigilante side wasn’t appealing but I do like a character who is flawed and by the end I did find Terry an overall good POV character and would like to read the next installment.
There was a touch too much specific to Cleveland. At first I liked those details but later found them almost distracting. I also grew up going to Catholic school which helped me follow along. I think I liked the book overall but find the niche maybe too narrow - you almost have to be from Ohio & familiar with Catholicism & open to a FTM trans character POV to really get into the book. Luckily I fit that mold but I can’t think of many friends I would rush to recommend the book to right away.
I also almost wish the epilogue was cut in half - leave a bit more open ended so we are anxious for book 2.
Overall a solid first installment.
It’s also not a genre I typically gravitate toward. I was intrigued by Terry, not sure I really liked him at first- the vigilante side wasn’t appealing but I do like a character who is flawed and by the end I did find Terry an overall good POV character and would like to read the next installment.
There was a touch too much specific to Cleveland. At first I liked those details but later found them almost distracting. I also grew up going to Catholic school which helped me follow along. I think I liked the book overall but find the niche maybe too narrow - you almost have to be from Ohio & familiar with Catholicism & open to a FTM trans character POV to really get into the book. Luckily I fit that mold but I can’t think of many friends I would rush to recommend the book to right away.
I also almost wish the epilogue was cut in half - leave a bit more open ended so we are anxious for book 2.
Overall a solid first installment.
September 14, 2022
A beautifully written book from a new author and clearly a shining, shooting star. I really enjoyed this. It's an unusual and complex story which for some reason reminded me of Throw Me to the Wolves I have no idea why. Maybe because of the issues about religion? I'm not sure. I love books about complicated matters which don't necessarily reach conclusion. How could they? I also appreciated the great humour, and look forward to reading more from this amazing author in the (hopefully) near future. Please write quickly, Joe Rielinger!
5 hooting owl stars.
5 hooting owl stars.
February 9, 2023
This was a great mystery. Rielinger does an excellent job of introducing the key players and piquing the reader's interest. Terry was a great MC, and faces challenges head on, without backing down. The story moves along smoothly at a good pace, and I loved the premise. I was a little hesitant about the inclusion of the church until I read the prologue - then I knew I was going to enjoy this story and the narrator (but I won't give any spoilers). The story overall was engaging and interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I seriously hope to see Terry in future books, and look forward to seeing what Rielinger has in store for us next!
September 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and read it in a matter of hours. The writing was very humorous and reminded me of the style of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. The fact the private investigator isn't really central to the book but there were some very funny reactions to Terry. There was a nice little twist at the end and nicely set up for a sequel. Would read this author again.
October 26, 2022
This book was so good - I had to read it twice before leaving a review
First of all I loved the story.
It sounds like a bad joke. 2 priests, a P.I. and a cop and a transgender.
But this book is no joke
It is a long book- I noticed right away.
But every word is necessary.
With authors satire comedy and cop drama- this book is one of my favorites!
First of all I loved the story.
It sounds like a bad joke. 2 priests, a P.I. and a cop and a transgender.
But this book is no joke
It is a long book- I noticed right away.
But every word is necessary.
With authors satire comedy and cop drama- this book is one of my favorites!
October 29, 2022
Very enjoyable crime thriller.
If you are a fan of the crime show Criminal Minds then you will probably love this book. It has everything you want in a detective novel and more. A little bit gritty, some murder a good mystery, humor and enjoyable characters.
I’ll definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
November 9, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this, it had what I was hoping for from a thriller novel. It had a great atmosphere going on and I was invested in what was happening from beginning to end. The characters were so well done and I'm glad I read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 15, 2023
What an excellent way to start a series. I hope this is only the first of many.
Characters that are real and that you want to cheer for. Love the way the transgender aspects are handled, with true insight and confidence. Great plot and the twists didn't disappoint. Can't wait to start the next one.
This was given to me as a free ARC from booksirens.com in the hopes of an honest review.
Characters that are real and that you want to cheer for. Love the way the transgender aspects are handled, with true insight and confidence. Great plot and the twists didn't disappoint. Can't wait to start the next one.
This was given to me as a free ARC from booksirens.com in the hopes of an honest review.
September 8, 2022
Very engaging crime/thriller novel. Characters and relationships are genuine and well developed. Does a great job of keeping you guessing! Love that it takes place in Cleveland and includes LGBT components. Couldn't put it down!
December 24, 2023
This is the first time I have read any of Rieinger's books and I am delighted that I did. What can I say, other than I have thoroughly enjoyed it and that it was absolutely brilliant. Heartfelt and humorous, exciting and fast paced with good relatable characters and a solid plot. A very clever twist in the tail to top it all. I cannot give it enough stars and am really looking forward to reading more from this fast becoming one of my favourite authors!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews