Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germain: A Blackie Ryan Mystery
- Book Review,
by Andrew M. Greeley
From Publishers Weekly
Full of unexpected turns and twists, Greeley's popular series featuring the wry, resourceful Bishop John Blackwood Ryan continues, with the spiritual sleuth on the hunt for a young, charismatic priest missing in Paris. Blackie, as Ryan is fondly called, is dispatched by Chicago Archbishop Cronin to solve the disappearance of Father Jean-Claude while escorting the church official's sister-in-law Nora Cronin on her vacation to the City of Lights. Distrusted by the church hierarchy for his growing popularity, the telegenic Frenchman vanished without a trace while guiding TV producers through the famed cathedral of Notre-Dame, causing widespread rumors of foul play and unrest among his young followers. Blackie's efforts to gain the cooperation of church officials are thorough (too much so), but Greeley pumps new life into the sometimes sluggish tale with the arrival of the refreshing Celt beggar girl Marie-Bernadette, who acts not only as the bishop's translator but as his savvy interpreter of French culture. A good premise goes to waste here as Greeley appears to run out of steam halfway through this rather slim novel. Lacking much murderous activity, it seeks to satisfy its readers with a sedate blend of modern religious disputes, paired with the usual missing person plot, as well as long, taxing passages discussing French canon history, acts of faith and Gallic arrogance sprinkled with an occasional hint of possible mischief. Unfortunately, even the Greeley faithful may find the mystery's resolution weak and uncharacteristically gimmicky. (July)Forecast: Although this entry may not be as strong as earlier outings in the popular series, it should do little to dampen Blackie enthusiasm, which will be fostered by national advertising plans and a teaser excerpt in Irish Eyes. Greeley fans will take this one in stride and eagerly await the return of their favorite sleuthing bishop.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
With a title straight out of Chaucer, Greeley's tale brings back one of his most popular literary characters: Bishop "Blackie" Ryan, the cleric who specializes in locked-room mysteries. This time, the action takes place in Paris, where a popular priest has disappeared in the vaults below the Cathedral of Notre Dame. His disappearance is both mysterious and filled with consequences: students who loved him blame the antireligious government for complicity in his abduction, while the Catholic Church struggles with the question of miracles suddenly being performed supposedly by the missing priest. Into this maelstrom of theories comes Bishop Blackie, who takes a young beggar girl as his interpreter. Marie-Bernadette and her boyfriend soon become personally involved with the search for the priest. Greeley creates vivid characters, especially Marie-Bernadette, a saucy, casual Catholic who speaks her mind no matter the surroundings. As Blackie delves deeper into the case, he discovers facts that will embarrass just about everyone involved. George Guidall, a master storyteller, brings every character to life and helps to keep the action flowing in a steady if somewhat ponderous manner. Greeley's legion of fans will make this a popular addition to all public library collections. Joseph L. Carlson, Lompoc P.L., CACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Greeley, Catholic priest and best-selling author, returns to the mystery genre and to one of his most popular characters, Bishop Blackie Ryan. In this case, the crime-solving priest is summoned to France by a French archbishop to deal with the sudden and troubling disappearance of a popular priest. It seems that Frere Jean Claude, a simple, humble priest beloved by the French people, has disappeared into thin air. Accompanied by his boss, the cardinal archbishop of Chicago, Sean Cronin, Blackie heads to Paris. While snooping about the Latin Quarter for clues, Blackie meets a beautiful young woman begging for money. He decides to hire her as a translator, and to his delight, she turns out to be just as able and eager a detective as he is. Together, the two battle stubborn French clerics, uncooperative police, and reluctant witnesses and ultimately solve the mystery of the young priest's disappearance. A concise, suspenseful, and lightly comedic novel, Greeley's legions of fans will be salivating for this one--so libraries should stock up. Kathleen Hughes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"A master storyteller."-Nelson DeMille
"Fine for a day at the beach or a bistro on the Boulevard St. Germain."-The Star-Observer, Hudson, WI
"For the reader who enjoys clever dialogue and a thought-provoking story as much as a roller-coaster action thriller, Greeley continues to deliver."-The Tampa Tribune
Book Description
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.
About the Author
A native of Chicago, Reverend Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and bestselling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church-including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination, and sexual behavior of Catholics.
Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1962.
Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the carried by the Chicago Sun Times and may other newspapers. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. He is the author of more than thirty bestselling novels and an autobiography, Furthermore!: Confessions of a Parish Priest.
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