"Trying to work out which books featured Cadfael's son. I loved the site - just what i was looking for, so thank you!" (Sue Evans)

"I am so glad you included (to a few raised eyebrows, no doubt) my late friend and former colleague, Kyril Bonfiglioli, on this excellent website.
May I strengthen his claim? Not only were his novels strewn with religious references; his wife Margaret writes, 'Bon was a constant reader of, and quoter from, the Bible. He owned several, including a handsome leather-bound folio.'
He was well-connected, too: Uncle Giuseppe B. became Archbishop (no less) of Cagliari. Allow me my favourite quote from his novels, then I'll take up no more of your space.
(In prison) I asked for something to read. He was back in ten minutes with a tattered Bible. 'I think I've read this,' I said.
'It's all we've got,' he retorted,'Enid Blyton is only for trusties.'
For more stuff on Bonfig, see my blog Bonfiglioli remembered." (Don Wells)

'"Please note that the Father Ananda Mysteries you cover on your site are currently being republished in brand new re-edited Kindle and paperback editions by Crime Wave Press." (Tom Vater, Crime Wave Press co-owner)

"Thanks for all the information.Is it possible to obtain any of the Rabbi Small books? I have Friday the Rabbi slept late." (Pat Whittle)
Yes, all the books are available. Look them up on bookfinder.com for a complete list or try Amazon. (Philip Grosset)

"I came across your site while researching James Hiram Watson (a GGG uncle). You noted that you would appreciate more detail on his life. He resigned the ministry in 1883, so he did not commence work as an author until after his resignation." (Christine)

"Thank you for this brilliant site. When I came across it I thought all my birthdays had come at once. I was looking for information about Sr.Fidelma. I have read books featuring about 50 of the detectives and am looking forward to introducing myself to so many more. I expect that many will be out of print but I will enjoy the search. Thanks again for such a wondrous resource." (Sandra)

"Wow Nice section on Father Dowling" (Sean)

"I am currently reading ' Sovereign ' C J Sanson. I was curious to see if Mathew Shardlake was an historical figure, or mere fiction." (Stan Oakley)
He's fictitious. (Philip Grosset)

"I love to read historical mysteries and discovered Alexander Seaton in Waterstones. An amazing character and an exceptional plot. I have already downloaded the next two books on to my Kindle and will leave these to savour while I am away in Grand Canaria in two weeks time. Thank you so much for the enjoyment that you have given to me already." (David Cox)

"Thanks for the speedy response Philip (see below). Unfortunately I don't think this is the one. My recollection is that the book/ series was set in the 60s/ 70s and I can still picture the cover, if only I could come across an image ..." (Bradley McLaren)

Trying to find a book (part of a series ?) which I got at a fete bookstall probably early to mid eighties, but book probably published late 70s. Story was of a UK detective clergyman, and the cover seemed to be a still from I suspect an ITV show (or regional derivative from the 70s). Cover photo was of the main character within the church. Any thoughts ? Thanks. Bradley." (Bradley McLaren)

Are you thinking of "Meet the Rev" by Gale Pedrick? This came from a radio series. (Philip Grosset)



"I am very much addicted to historical mystery fiction and find your site so very helpful. I tried to read Tyrant of the Mind by Priscilla Royal and find it tedious in the extreme. When an author takes 4 pages of description to get the narrator from one side of a courtyard to the other, they lose me. I am sure she does deep research but I do not have to know every minute detail." (Donna)

"Great reading stumbled across your book of peter decker by accident, now reading the whole series like mad." (Monika Morgan)

"So glad to know of this site. I have also enjoyed the Notre Dame series by Ralph McInerny." (Joanne)

"Thank you so much for introducing me to Mark Schweizer and his character Hayden Konig. My sister in CA sent me the sheet music to "Poli Woli Doodle" and I'd never heard anything about Schweizer's comic whodunits, even tho he's been publishing for 10+ years." (Roberta Mouheb)

"Just wanted to say it's a great website. Not a huge murder mystery fan, but I've read a little bit. I just absolutely love the idea and execution of the site. I will definitely look up some of these authors, hail from Virginia, United States. Keep doing the good work!" (Hunter)

"I was fascinated to learn that I had a third child by my second partner. Where is he, my other two children ask. I would love to know. Perhaps you could enlighten me on this. A second point, I think your summation of my characterisation is absolute rubbish. Have you ever lived in village?" (Deryn Lake)
I'm sorry to have given you an extra child, but thank you for putting me right. I've now corrected the text. Yes, I have lived in a village but would still agree with your character Nick Lawrence that the village you describe is "a truly strange place".(Philip Grosset)

"Most useful site, thanks. I needed to find the correct order to read the Merrily Watkins series and your summaries are most helpful." (Paul Fulbrook)

"Any idea, or can you find out, if all of the Sister Joan titles will be made available for Kindle? I have just read the first novel, and I loved it. I can get the next 4, and am hoping the rest will be available at some point in the near future." (Elizabeth Mackman)
I'm afraid I have no information about this. (Philip Grosset)

"Fabulous- discovered the books on my kindle & love them- so nice to have a Christian mystery- thank you!" (Coralie Duckworth)

"Hello again. I hope I'm not being a pest. I just discovered another United Methodist mystery in another of our publications. Wednesday Night Services by Rev. William Boyer. Detective is Rev. Hugh Derrick. There is at least one other. Available only on Kindle and Nook as best I can tell. I just ordered for my Nook." (Marsha Priesmeyer)
I'm always delighted to get new suggestions! I've now added a page about The Rev Hugh Derrick. (Philip Grosset)

"Marilyn Brown Oden is the wife of a United Methodist bishop who has written at least one mystery (Dead Saint) about a bishop and his wife. As far as I know, she has only written the one mystery and I don't know if others are plannned. Her non-mystery novel provides the family history of characters in the mystery. I do hope she does more of the mysteries. She has a good set up and it is a shame to waste it. Actually, it is the bishop's wife who was the "detective"; she tried to keep him from knowing what was going on. I read about it a year or so ago in a denominational publication and read both books.
Debbie Viguie has written a series based on the phrases in the 23rd Psalm with a protestant church secretary and a rabbi who solve mysteries. I did not find them in your author list.
I am sooooo glad I stumbled across your website. I am from a clergy family and I especially enjoy clergy-related books. Thanks for all the hard work you have done in compiling so much information." (Marsha Priesmeyer)
Many thanks for your suggestions. I've now added Marilyn Brown Oden. Debbie Viguie is already on my site. (Philip Grosset)

"Just wanted to say that I love your summary of Dom Camillo, I think you have done great justice both to the book and its author. Thank you." (Teresa)

"Just discovered the Gervase Fen mysteries. I love his eccentricities, brilliance, and the way everyone smoked back then. Never been to Oxford, would love to go there, it is described so well. I wish they had made movies of the books, I'm not aware of any. Don't think they would go over so well now, but, I can picture a young Jeremy Irons playing Gervase Fen. I normally stay away from current fiction, these books are a delight. Any good recommendations?" (Tom)
For my book recommendations, see my introduction and also the contents page where recommendations are marked by a *. (Philip Grosset)

"Didn't Ralph McInerny write a book called "Death of a Donor"? I've been trying to track the book down for years, with no success. Have you ever heard of it? Thanks!" (Anne Wolfe)
Sorry, I too can find no trace of this book. Could it be the title of one of his numerous short stories? (Philip Grosset)

"looking for information on old book. I have a Penguin book By H.H.Holmes-Nine Times Nine-1945." (Linda)
So do I! For more information see my H H Holmes page. (Philip Grosset)

"In Ellis Peters, I have found an author of crime books that one can read without having to dodge or ignore the "F Word" and other curses. And enjoy doing so! Your synopsis of each book is very helpful in reminding me what I have or have not read. Thank you." (Bill Baab)

"read god's spy and the moses expedition. real good story line leave out the F-words and it would be so much better. my wife listens to books on disk and i would hate to have her listen to the F word for an hour!" (Dennis)
I have now included The Moses Expedition on my Father Fowler page. (Philip Grosset)

"I am hoping this is shona's guestbook. I have recently traced my ancestry to alexander seaton and was intrigued to find these novels. My hubby and I are planning a trip to Scotland this november. I would love to read your first novel before coming. How do I order it? Thank you so much." (Susan Bragg, usa)
Are you muddling two Alexander Seatons? The one that Shona MacLean wrote about is a fictitious character. You can buy inexpensive copies on Amazon. (Philip Grosset)
"Yes, I know the book is fiction. In a review I read however, the person said it gives a vivid feel for 1620 Aberdeen, Scotland. That is the time and place I have traced my ancestor, alexander seaton. Hope this makes my objective clearer. Thank you. I will check amazon for the book." (Susan Bragg)

"I loved your books and swift mind. I happened to open "The chatter of Maids" and fell in love. It saddens me that you have retired the good nun, but all good things must come to an end. Thank you for giving me a fresh breath of cool air and a chance to laugh at good clean humor. Kudos." (Rose Patterson)
I'm not Alys Clare so did not write 'Chatter of the Maidens'! Unfortunately (I think) she subsequently decided to bring back Sister Helewise after she had left the monastery. It was the earlier books that were by far the best. (Philip Grosset)

"Thanks for your intelligent and non-partisan review of Jan Guillou's Crusades Trilogy. So often online I find only shallow plot summaries or hard-sell promotion masquerading as reviews (these feel as if they're written with the publisher and author looking over the reviewer's shoulder). Thanks too for your similarly honest and eye-opening bio of Jan Guillou, also not standard fare.
I've just started his Crusades Trilogy and am already finding it dry and slow, so I think I'll end up agreeing with your comments in that respect (I smiled in understanding, even at this early stage). Investigative journalism and fiction writing are not necessarily interchangeable skills." (Noa)

"I really enjoy reading the mystery and crime. I find them very entertaining to read." (Irene Woodruff)

"Liked the Simon Quinn books very much. Wish he would write more. Also read Polar Star and enjoyed it. Could not get into other books." (Robert Hopkins)

"Just thank you for such penetrating reviews. I am an Aberdeen exile pleased to have found by chance a book set in Aberdeen (Crucible) I shall try it & then, assuming I enjoy it, follow your advice and buy the 1st book, perhaps giving the 2nd a miss!" (Mike Lawrie)

"Was looking for some info about D M Greenwood having just chanced on one of her books in audiobook format.Chasing through your list of clerical sleuths I wondered whether Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins qualifies ? Not a detective in the orthodox sense but there's often some kind of crime lurking amidst the paranormal manifestations." (Mike Vawdry)
Thanks for the suggestion, but she is already included. (Philip Grosset)

Philip, Thanks for the review of my novel The First Stone. One of the delights of publishing in the e-book format is that corrections and edits can be adapted. You are the second vote for eliminating the extended preview, which is now only the first three paragraphs. Spelling errors (at least 5 were caught) and the comment by the boyfriend near the end has been clarified. As for whether contemporary clergy actually deal with the kinds of things raised here, the answer is: Yes, they really do. Thanks for a quick and very helpful review. Your voice counts. You are added to my thanks list. (Robert Reid)

"Enjoyed reading your site but what happened to the sixteenth book in the (Susan Gregory) series, The Killer of Pilgrims? It follows Vein of Deceit and in it Matthew states that he has every intention of returning to Clare in the spring to see the village as he missed it when they visited Suffolk the previous year - falling off a horse and breaking his leg before they reached Clare which was taken as a sign that he wasn't meant to travel to Clare at that time. Haven't found the book set in York yet, will look in my local bookshop for it at once. Have you tried reading the books by Candace Robb set in York at the same period in history about an Owen Archer who is an agent to the Archbishop of York. The difference between the two series is immense and I can't wait to compare the different impressions of York from the 2 different writers." (Karen Blackburn)
Thanks for the suggestion. I've now added The Killer of Pilgrims. As for Owen Archer, I don't think even I could count him as a clerical detective! (Philip Grosset)

"You write re. Father Dowling: He is told, "About all you can get is someplace no one else wants", but, aged almost 50, is happy to accept the downtown and neglected parish of St Hilary's in Fox River, where the pastor had died several months before. It was "a parish that had fallen on evil days, the interstates having isolated the parish plant in a triangle bordered by incessant noise. Can you possibly confirm the late pastor's name? Sounds like Hanicker on the TV, but I have no reference and need it for subtitling. Thanks for any soonest assistance".
Sorry, I no longer have a copy of "Her Death of Cold" where the answer will be found. (Philip Grosset)

"Good reading. Became engrossed in the history and geography of Vault of Bones. Later I found out that there a previous book, Relics, and also one after V of B. I will definitely get those books as well." (Andy Beltrame)

"Cool! The Website is very well done." (Terry Chesney)"

"I just uploaded an e-novel, The First Stone, with the newly created American religious protagonist, Rev. Jonah Newman, at smashwords.com. I hope he will be added to the list. It should be up at B&N, Amazon, etc. circa April 2012. It is already up on smashwords.com. I am the author of a number of non-fiction books in print with mainstream publishers, but elected to try my hand with the e-world for my first novel. While researching for my novel, I found your website to be very useful in sorting out the various literary clergy sleuths. So it was natural to return when I had a character of my own to add to the list. Concerning my protagonist, Jonah Newman, I am aware of how few low-church clerical detectives exist. Of all things, mine is Baptist. But with the demographic shift of dominant Protestant religious groups (mainstream vs. mainline) in the United States, it seems only fitting that we see a character emerge that provides a window into the world of the low-church congregations. The standard complaint is that such characters should be avoided because authors creating them would typically be too preachy. Though I actually publish about preaching in my other life, I suspect few people will complain that this is the issue with Jonah Newman novels. The challenge with writing a good clergy sleuth novel is to create a context that provides readers with a window into a world they would otherwise know little about. Along the way of a good yarn, the reader should also be able to learn something about the internal workings of a world they would otherwise not know. The other challenge is to let the lead character be sufficiently believable while keeping the plot twists interesting enough to keep readers turning the page (or tapping for the next frame). I hope folks like Jonah Newman and look for him in the next book I am working on: The Second Death." (Robert Reid)
Many thanks for telling me. I have now included a review of The First Stone. (Philip Grosset)

"Was just browsing through a book when i came across a article by kyril bonfiglioli i remember reading his books about 20 yrs ago really enjoyed them im just about to order some of his novels again . A trip down memory lane." (Ken Jones)"

"i just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. i saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. i see he's also releasing a children's book." (Wendell Parker)
Many thanks for the information. I'll look out for Forgotten Road. (Philip Grosset)

"Your guestbook on Clerical Detectives doesn't seem to be sending so I'm using the direct method. Edmund Crispin should have been an early post-modernist but had too many personal foibles to make a real go of it. I'm grateful to your synopses which save me the trouble of reading the books. I did read Holy Disorders twice, at different stages of my life.
I thought the idea of Literary Critic as Detective should be fruitful. Latterly there have been professional forensic style analysts, one of whom is called Don Foster whose claim to fame is that he proved that letters received from the Unabomber showed the same linguistic tics as writings found in the hut of the man eventually convicted.
Mme Sesosteris is a 'clairvoyant e' in The Waste Land.
Your quote "lost he the other eye?" He lost both in the first attack on him in King Lear while his bastard son (guess who) Edmund, stands indifferently by.
"... The fitchew nor the gilded fly goes to't with a more riotous appetite" Leontes, A Winter's Tale, a remarkable study in extreme male possessiveness. Remarkable because we've all met men a bit like him in the real world.
I found Don Foster's memoir discarded on a chair at Bath City Library. The previous reader probably took it off the shelf thinking it was by Bath's LibDem MP, also called Don Foster, and finding it was not did not trouble to put it back. There is an interesting chapter on his investigation of the funeral eulogy, allegedly written by Shakespeare, for a man who was killed by a trio of aristocratic roughs after leaving a pub in Exeter. I wonder if Exeter County Library, which also houses the Devon Archive, would have a copy of it, or maybe even the original.
It's on my list of things to do before I die, to find this poem. Another on the list was Find out More about Edmund Crispin, with which you have been extremely helpful. Thank you." (Robert Palmer)

"Would you know where I could get a copy of a prayer book called 'Days of Praise' by William Brodrick? Thank you." (Maryan Lisle, Australia)
Used copies are available from http://abebooks.com or http://amazon.com (Philip Grosset)

"Thank you for the info and review of Irene Allen's Quaker mystery series. I read them a number of years ago and really enjoyed them. I had hopes she would continue writing the series, yet there have been no more. Do you know why she stopped writing them? Thank you." (Carol Ketler)
I have no information about this, but you could always email the author, Dr Kirsten Peters. Her email address is on her Rock Doc page. I too would be interested to hear the explanation, so would be grateful if you would let me know what she says! I'd guess she'd just been too busy. (Philip Grosset)
"I had a reply from Dr. Peters. She does not plan to write any more mystery books. Her focus is on geology textbooks. Thanks again." (Carol Ketler)

"I liked Father Crumlish's stories very much. It is a pity that Alice Scanlon Reach is underestimated." (Ruy Furst)

"I am very happy to find this site. Clergy myself, just retired, I am now working on my own mysteries and will find your handy collection invaluable. Since we clergy live with mystery-- that is of people's lives shared with us in confidence--maybe that's why so many of us enjoy good mystery/crime stories, and turn up in them as well.
I only recently discovered the Crispin mysteries, and love them for their quirkiness and erudition. Yours was the most complete information I found doing a Google search for Edmund Crispin. Thank you!" (Digbyde)

"Currently the only existing, I believe, on-line version of Charles Smith's very funny book "How to become a bishop without being religious" is on a Christian Identity website. I can only assume that God has quite a sense of humor. This is at: http://www.sheldonemrylibrary.com/becomeabishop.htm
Are you in contact with anyone from the Smith family who could have the authority to post the book on a website that is not odious?" (Ross Hyman)
I'm afraid I have no contact with the Smith family but thank you very much for the very useful link. Despite his criticisms, Charles Merrill Smith remained a practising Christian throughout his life, so a Christian website may not really be so inappropriate! (Philip Grosset)
My point is that Charles Merrill Smith's book is on a racist website. Christian Identity is a white supremacist ideology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Identity
I think it is safe to assume that if Charles Merrill Smith were alive he would be appalled." (Ross Hyman)

"I love the Merrily Watkins books of Phil Rickman, and agree that apart from the main characters, a lot of the players are not well characterised. But they are still a cracking read. On number 6 next." (Gary Robinson)

i've used the list off and on for a year, and have found lots of good books to read. Thanks very much." (Larry Lawrence)