The Bishop at the Lake by Andrew M. Greeley is a fantastic mystery featuring Blackie Ryan, a well known Greeley character. Blackie is sent by his boss, Cardinal Sean Cronin, to investigate a priest spreading false rumors about a prestigious appoinment…held by the Cardinal! What Blackie finds is an ineffectual lush who is not worth the worry. But, while there Blackie is introduced to the Priest’s family, the Nolan’s. Each character is described with Greeley’s typical wit and humor the reader is pulled in by his writing cadence and delightful leading characters. The Patriarch of the Nolan clan is sympathetic and strong, as is his enduring love for his wife. Their Granddaughter, Peggy Anne is at turns immature and wise beyond her years.With the introduction of Joseph, a balancing character for Peggy Anne, a secondary story is intrduced, that of young love. When the Priest Blackie is investigating, Malachai Nolan, is almost killed by a Hornet attack, Blackie is pulled deep into the family’s drama as he tries to find out who (and why) such an attack was made. Even though the villian is over-the-top and easily spotted, an observation voiced by Blackie Ryan himself, the reader is carried along to the predictable and fun ending.
This is not my first (and won’t be my last, I hope) Greeley book. His characters are always bold, bright and full of life. The books seem to end too soon and the glimpses into the families lives are true, just and usually full of love. I have been a huge fan of this authors works for years and have never been dissapointed. Thank You dear author.


The Trouble With Paradise by Jill Shalvis



