The Bishop at Sea

Greeley's Bishop John Blackwood Ryan is famous for solving locked room mysteries. In Bishop at Sea the room is not only locked, it is guarded by two Marines and is on the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier at sea. Blackie solves the puzzle while the reader is treated to a very suspenseful time. Blackie comes to the ship assigned by his boss the Cardinal to conduct the sacrament of Confirmation while solving the strange disappearance of crew members. The Cardinal's nephew, Captain Dave Cronin, is Commander of the Langley. His career may be ruined by the scandal on his ship. Greeley's talent for description shines in this book. Although I have never been on a aircraft carrier, I now feel that I have. I can picture the cramped quarters and the maze of corridors that make one lost. I also hope to avoid landing on a carrier since it is "nothing more than a controlled crash". Blackie's humor is delightful, for example: the sailor "saluted like he was a Swiss Guard and I the Pope (at least)"; and "Congress would choke on their gin martinis". The Bishop at Sea also periodically includes Greeley's wonderful view of Christianity as having a gracious and forgiving God who understands and loves humanity. The Bishop at Sea is beautifully written story with charming characters, and an intriguing plot. I recommend it for a rainy day escape.

Andrew Greeley is back with Bishop Blackie Ryan and his adventures. Part detective novel, part romance, and part Catholic religion, Bishop Blackie is always one step ahead of the reader, and usually a half-step behind the criminal mind. Truly delightful reads.

I served on a Nimitz class carrier, so some of this was so familiar, but a few items seemed out of place. I found it brought back many memories, and some long buried feelings. Father Greeley did a wonderful job conveying the feel of the ship, sprinkled with many of the terms I remember so well. I even visited the captain's in-port cabin a few times for various reasons, and I was so envious. I lived in a compartment with 30 other guys. This was before women on ships, and I think it would be hard to separate them the way he portrayed. I know the one ship I was on this was not possible. At any rate, this book has me hooked to try another Blackie Ryan novel!

This was my second Blackie Ryan book and I found that I enjoyed it far more than the first which was The Bishop and the missing L Train. This one kept me on the each of seat and page turning, trying to guess what had happened, along with all the other enjoyable characters kept me going untill the final page. A first rate book and a new author to read had me doing handstands for joy.

Andrew Greeley is a master story teller - especially with Bishop Blackie Ryan. This is probably the first Greeley book I read and, once started, I lilterally couldn't put it down - finally finished it at 4:57 A.M. For mystery lovers, this is a "must read".