Book Review: The Bishop and the Missing L Train

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Bishop and the Missing L Train     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Andrew M. Greeley
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Religious Fiction
Series: Blackie Ryan # 11
Forge, Jul 2000, $24.95, 285 pp.

The religious leadership of the Archdioceses of Chicago is stunned by the Vatican decision to place ignoble Auxiliary Bishop Gus Quill among them. The Archbishop protests the appointment of the “Idiot”, but is ignored. Even aid Bishop John “Blackie” Ryan states his opposition to Gus’ arrival.

However, soon irony takes a spin as Gus and the entire L train vanish without a trace. Blackie begins an investigation to locate the missing bishop and the other riders. As he begins his inquiries, Blackie wonders who hates Gus so much that other innocents have been taken along for the ride. Meanwhile the police conduct their search based on a radically different hypothesis.

The lighthearted Bishop Blackie investigations are always entertaining fluff that anyone who wants a humorous, enjoyable mystery tour of Chicago will relish. The latest tale, THE BISHOP AND THE MISSING L TRAIN, is fun to read because of the wonderful subplots that spin back into the main theme. Blackie remains charming and the secondary cast, especially the Lioness and the gambler, provides a wonderful joy ride of the Second City. Andrew M. Greeley’s latest Bishop Ryan novel is an amusing winner.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner