The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain

Blackie Ryan #12

by Andrew M. Greeley

The bestselling priest & novelist Andrew M. Greeley continues the tales of the intrepid Bishop Blackie Ryan with this absorbing & suspenseful mystery, set in France, of a missing beloved television priest. Not just an ordinary priest but a priest/television superstar, idolized by the people of France, loved by everyone except, of course the French hierarchy, the church, state and the Paris television community. The Archbishop of Paris, familiar with Bishop Blackie Ryan's impressive sleuthing skills, asks Blackie's boss, the Archbishop of Chicago Sean Cardinal Cronin, for help in finding this missing priest. As usual, Cardinal Cronin resolves the matter with a brusque "See to it, Blackie." In Paris, Blackie meets a young and beautiful woman begging for money at the door of the church of St-Germain-des-Prés. When he hires her as a translator, she turns out to be an excellent Dr. Watson and a brilliant musician as well. She is at his side as Blackie learns that neither the Church nor the police are eager to have the saintly priest returned, and once the public discovers the disappearance of their beloved priest, the miracles start-and nothing scares the Church more than miracles. Undaunted, Blackie and his beautiful sidekick defy uncooperative Paris police, an unbending church, and reluctant witnesses to find the bizarre solution to one of the most fascinating puzzles he has ever encountered.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 20, 2001

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

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing I had ever intended to read, but a house guest left it behind so I figured, "Why not?"

For the most part, this reads smoothly and fast. Blackie Ryan is a likable enough character, a bishop with a special talent for locked room mysteries. He is witty and unfailingly kind to people with whom he is in contact, though less charitable on occasion to those who are not. I did get a bit tired of his saying "patently," and found some of the French suspect. (I have not had French since my first year of college, so I need to be careful in thinking I found occasional errors).

As a mystery, this book has the almost-fatal flaw that not much happens. Indeed, for the first half of the book, nothing does. The reader absorbs 124 pages of interviews about the priest who has gone missing, and these interviews do not seem to be zeroing in on any answers. The final explanation is surprising, and a bit hard to swallow, but hey, this is fiction so anything is possible.

I got the sense that this book may be more about the Catholic church than the story it conveys. It is surprising (though not unwelcome) to see God referred to as "her." And the priest has a name which might well be symbolic -- Jean-Claude (J.C.) Chretien ("Christian"). This book can easily be read as a veiled statement of support for a greater role for women in the Catholic church, though I am unfamiliar with Greeley's writing and have no idea whether this interpretation is at all plausible.

Well, this was a "different" reading experience for me, and an ok one, but I am not expecting to return to Greeley again any time soon.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Nope. And Nope.
A family friend gave me this book. They weren't Catholic. I thought 'hm. this will probably be good.' I started it and it seemed to be an easy and quick read. Then I looked at some of the reviews and realized it might not be something I will like.
It is really sad/disappointing. The author (a priest) was a good author, why did he feel the need to end the story the way he did? Do I even want to know? As I got closer to the end it became apparent what was going to happen but it wasn't fully clear until the last 20ish pages. Then to have all the characters back it up and act like it was normal and there wasn't anything wrong with the situation? UGH. It made me a bit upset and for it to be written by a priest.
I can't recommend this book to anyone and that is pretty sad because it could have been something wonderful.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I did not figure out the puzzle ahead of time--and it was a puzzle with an interesting twist--I wasn't more than minimally engaged in the story. I had not read other books in the series, so some of the ongoing characters were new to me and everyone else in the story seemed well acquainted with them. Greeley uses the genre to make some points and delivers a thinly veiled critique of the goings on within the hierarchy of the Catholic church as an institution, though he is ever faithful to a belief in a benevolent, more openly welcoming God than many of his colleagues profess and preach. Great literature this isn't, but it is not intended to be. A mildly enoyable read, but not one that stands out.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I excitedly picked this up, thinking a mystery with a Bishop as the protagonist would be great. After all, Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries were good. The difference, unfortunately, is that Chesterton was completely orthodox while Father Greeley, may he rest in peace, was not. Since unorthodox elements are central to the story and even praised in the book, I cannot recommend it, personally.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always feel a little duped by Andrew Greeley's novels. In fact, I think that's why I have not read one in years. The plots seem unnecessarily complicated and the dialogue is a bit too coy. But there is something of that great tradition of Celtic story-telling in each of them that draws me in. But it was worth listening to all 7 hours to hear the story in the epilogue.

[Patricia Boksa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was kind of boring. Much as I like books set in Paris, and I often likes books with characters from the Catholic Church hierarchy, this book was pretty repetitive and dated. The priest was just too preciously cool. And not too much to the story.

[Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery is great, but I got sick of phrases being repeated ad nauseum (every other page, no lie).

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow moving but well told story. The Bishop is to find out about the disappearance of a popular priest. Hires a beggar to help him translate.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should the author have used a pseudonym such as Herr Heinrich, I still would have suspected he was an Irish man. "Of Milord Cronin someone (arguably me) once remarked that he was definitive proof that the Irish had the Blarney Stone not because they needed it but because they deserved it". The author and his storytelling resemble this remark!
An American bishop is encouraged to solve the case of a missing French priest while visiting Paris. Before the mystery, a rather cozy one one, is solved, he will acquire a beggar girl/translator and the reader will become acquainted with scores of French Catholic history. Yet, while the reader sits and shakes her head, there will be a noticeable smile on her face. The solution to the mystery isn't a surprise but the fun is in the story.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. The first half of which moves pretty slow and then things begin to happen. The clues for understanding these moving things are effectively laid in the first half which is fun for those who enjoy these kinds of things.

Ultimately, the "mystery" turns out to be a product of the times. Perhaps much more difficult to figure out when it was published then it is when I listened to this book (2017). I saw the revelation coming a long way off with my modern sensibilities, but it was an enjoyable twist nonetheless.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another great installment by Andrew Greeley in his Bishop Blackie Ryan series. The story is tightly woven and follows yet another mystery for the good Bishop to solve. There were generous helpings of French dialogue thrown in which was slightly confusing buy usually the meaning ws obvious from the context. A good ending and interesting characters.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Matters arrange themselves nicely" in this French-flavored drama. A beloved priest has disappeared, in a sort of locked room mystery. Will Blackie Ryan, the self-deprecatory bishop, unravel the plot?
Bien sûr!

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. The readers "French" dialogue was well done, but I also caused me to miss a few lines now and then, because my aural French skills are very very rusty . And I must be dense, because the mystery had me in the dark until is was blatantly clear.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this mystery set in France. Even though I havent read any other books in the series I had no problems following along. It was fast paced and different. I am looking forward to starting this series from the beginnng.

[Robert Lariviere · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read in an entertaining series.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cardinal Cronin takes Blackie to Paris to determine what happened to a priest who simply disappeared. As usual Bishop Blackie solves the mystery when the church and the police had been unable to do.

[Connie Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strange book…the last 10 pages dragged on.

[Marysue Gulick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to read Greeley's books a lot and loved them. I had a hard time getting into this one, but the plot twist was really good.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, but I hope to look for more. Appealing characters, a mystery and a surprise, and an ending that made me laugh and ponder the vast mystery of grace. Plus a detective priest who wears a Chicago Bulls jacket in Paris. The unorthodox elements of the character's religious beliefs didn't bother me as much as they did some other reviewers, maybe because I'm not Catholic, and he wanted some church practices to change. We wouldn't agree on everything, but enough, and the differences are food for thought. The author tells a compelling story with wry, subtle humor without dragging the reader through the mud, and the reader interpreted it well. I wish some of the characters were real, which to me is one sign of a good book.

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, indeed all of Andrew M Greeley's Bishop Blackie mysteries.
A young French priest who is loved by students, nuns, and through his TV addresses goes missing in what appear to be impossible circumstances. Bishop Blackie is in Paris with Cardinal Sean and his sister-in-law Nora. Miracles have started to be associated with the missing priest. To translate for him, despite adequate French, Blackie hires a young Frechwoman he finds begging outside a church. The fun is then on as they talk to the media, to church officials, nuns, students. Will say no more. Just read and enjoy.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Bishop Blackie Ryan series of mystery novels. Columbo in a collar. This Catholic cleric who specializes in locked door mysteries is witty and insightful as he describes his investigation. His temporary assistant is an endearing 'Dr.Watson.' Althought the prevalant use of Latin and French asides may be a trifle interruptive to those not familiar with the languages, this is a good-hearted read.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Greeley novel I have read, er, listened to on audiobook, and it probably will not be the last. I'm not normally "into" mysteries, but this one was full of interesting characters and fascinating commentary about the state of the church, French society, and more. And it is set in Paris, and this is always a plus, n'est-ce pas?

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Ryan leaves Chicago for Paris to search for a missing priest and gets help from a talented young musician. Although lots of comment on the Catholic church, this certainly isn't a diatribe, and moves along well with an interesting twist at the end. George Guidell, the reader, does the french accent very nicely.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about Bishop Blackie from Chicago. I have read others and find them fun and a glimpse into the world of the Catholic Church behind the scenes. Blackie is asked to find out about a young Catholic priest who has a radio show and is very popular with the young people of France. He has gone missing and no one can find a trace of him. Fun story and great ending!

[Lois Hecksel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enticing locked-door mystery by Andrew M Greeley with a US Bishop sent to France to find a missing priest who had become a television superstar. The Bishop hires a beautiful, young beggar girl to be his translator and she emerges as an excellent musician and a skillful investigator. Multiple suspects lead to frequent twists and turns.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read of Andrew Greeley, the more I enjoy his writing. The thing I appreciate most about his books are the embedded illuminations about faith and religion. Bishop "Blackie" doesn't take himself too seriously, but we have a lot to learn through his gentle humor and insight.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun mystery book. I haven't read anything else by Greeley, I think I will. I did the book on tape, it was narrated by George Guidall. He is the best. And, it was just about the right length for the Hawthorne to Ogden trip. Oh, The twist at the end of the mystery was great.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great! I should have figured out the mystery but I didn't and I liked that! The plot is well crafted and, of course, I like the references to the idea that maybe one day the Catholic Church will be less restrictive about the role of women.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are fun, maybe because of their pro-Chicago bent, maybe because I've never heard of a Catholic priest referring to God as "Her." Mysteries sometimes with a supernatural tinge, and always with some good Chicago Irish.

[Juliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted an audio book during a weekend of driving & the library had this one. Certain phrases were used too frequently for me, but all in all the book was enjoyable and Andrew Greeley's views surprised & delighted me.