MIND OVER MURDER

by William X. Kienzle ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1981

This third case for Father Koesler of Detroit is the weakest on mystery thus far--but it has (along with an unconscionable amount of padding) oodles of the Church-connected satire that Kienzle fans appreciate. The specific issue here: the power of the archdiocesan matrimonial court (""The Tribunal""), whose director decides whether to grant annulments of marriages, thus permitting sanctioned remarriages. And the current director--slimy, status-hungry Monsignor Tommy Thompson--has made a half-dozen furious enemies through his power-play approach to canonical law. So, when Thompson disappears, his Tribunal victims are the suspects (the cops find Thompson's diary, revealing his foul doings); and Kienzle, somewhat tediously, takes us through hypothetical scenarios, with each suspect committing the murder. It turns out, however, that Thompson wasn't murdered at all--just kidnapped and exposed by the very most likely suspect. Thus, the suspense values here are close to nil. But Kienzle's sharp ecclesiastical comedy remains a source of considerable--if longwinded--pleasure.

Pub Date: April 1, 1981

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Andrews & McMeel

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1981

Categories: FICTION