Father Dowling Books In Order

Publication Order of Father Dowling Books

Publication Order of Father Dowling Young Adult Mystery Books

Father Dowling
Father Dowling is the main character in a mystery series by Ralph Mclnemy. The series is based on a popular TV series aired between 1987 and 1991. Father Dowling is one of the lead characters in this series. In the course of his parish work, Dowling gets entangled with parishioners and fellow priests who end up being involved in murder either as victims or suspected killers.

In a funny twist of fate, Dowling’s friend from the seminary is the current Chief of detectives in his region. The two get working together and help solve many crimes for the benefit of their community. The series also introduces the readers to the catholic church and the everyday activities priests are involved in.
Her Death of Cold
Her Death of Cold is the first book in the Father Dowling series. The series stars Father Dowling, a man who is just settling in his new parish. Dowling is woken by a distress call from one of his parishioners one night. The frightened widow, Sylvia Lowry, is concerned about her life. She tells Dowling that she thinks that her children are out to kill her. The father calms the distressed woman down and completely forgets about this incidence, well, until Sylvia goes missing.

Days later, Sylvia’s body is found on the floor of her kitchen. Father Dowling starts to think that Sylvia’s claims were not unfounded at all. Some people wanted the older woman to die before her time, and her children were somehow involved. Could Sylvia’s children have killed their mother, or is there more to this story? What motivated the children to kill her in such a brutal way? Father Dowling purposes of finding the answer to all these questions. This becomes easy when he partners with Phil Keegan, the local detectives Chief, and his former schoolmate in the seminary.

Dark family secrets start to emerge as the investigation begins. The family history is riddled with betrayal and greed, and it seems like this is a family that could go to extra lengths for money. Once the detectives do a little digging, they discover that a whopping $150,000 has disappeared from Sylvia’s account, and no one in the family is accounting for it. Who could have taken the money? Sylvia’s children are rich, so there is no way they could have killed their mother for money. Is there another party involved, and who is Sylvia’s killer? Join Phil and Dowling as the work this case and try to find Sylvia’s killers.

Aside from the case, Her Death of Cold gives readers a glimpse of what happens in the catholic church. From the way the services are conducted to the training in the seminary, this novel provides information that those with interest in the catholic church may find useful. While there is a religious aspect to it, the story can be enjoyed by those who are not religious.

If you love a fast-paced thriller that comes with a fascinating storyline, Her Death of Cold is a great choice. The story flows well, and the book begins with the gore often associated with thrillers. The plot is not complicated, making this an ideal choice for anyone looking for a cozy mystery book.

Bishop as Pawn
Bishop as Pawn, is the second book in the Father Dowling series. This book starts with a murder and then the kidnapping of Bishop Rooney. Things go downhill from here, and the church is thrust in a twisted tale involving all sorts of characters. Once again, the investigative duo sets on a journey to find the killer while doing everything possible to ensure that the kidnapped Bishop is found alive.
Father Roger Dowling is responsible for counseling a young lady on whether to go against her parents’ wishes and marry the man she loves. When the session is ongoing, her lover’s housekeeper’s husband comes in through the kitchen. The man has been gone for one and a half decades. His reappearance comes as a surprise to Marie Murkin. Once she regains her composure, Marie banishes the man to her room, but the shocking thing is that once she goes to check on him later, the man is already dead.

This murder sets the pace for this book. So, who shot the man dead, and why didn’t Marie or anyone else in the house hear any commotion? The police launch an investigation that marks the beginning of a web of deception, thievery, and kidnapping. Once again, Father Dowling is working with his friend Phil to catch the killers. More members of the church are drawn into the mystery father Dowling, and his friend has no choice but to rush against time and ensure that the case is resolved fast.

Join Dowling and Phil on a journey that involves murders, lies, and dangerous men who are keen to keep their secrets hidden. Phil and Dowling make a great team, and it is fun to see how these men from two different world work to bring justice and stop killers in their tracks. Here, you will also read a lot about catholic doctrines and the rituals observed at different times of the year.

Just like the first book in this series, Bishop as Pawn is one intriguing piece. The author creates believable characters, and the main ones are simply a delight. The flow of the story is good, and the pace is steady right from the first page. It is refreshing to see how a Father embraces investigative work and becomes very good at piecing details that may have escaped the normal eye. The relationship between the two friends continues to grow, and the relationship will only grow with time.

Characteristic of the Father Dawling series, Bishop, as Pawn, comes with a straightforward plot that is easy to follow. The characters are relatable, and the pace is just right for a mystery novel. The author’s narration is superb, and because the novel is quite short, you can enjoy this story in one sitting. This book is ideal if you like your mystery novels without sex and too much blood.