The Greatest Evil

by William X. Kienzle

Book Overview

LAST RITES AND LETHAL WRONGS Father Koesler is pondering his imminent retirement. But even as he looks toward an uncertain future, circumstances force him to investigate a crime from the past, a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836252063
• ISBN13: 9780836252064
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Fr. Koesler's perspicacity solves family puzzles

I enjoyed the way the flashbacks which at first seemed irrelevant turned out to be very helpful. I wasn't disappointed by the book as others who've reviewed here were, because it was interesting to see Fr. Koesler use a different facet of his intelligence - in this case, his long-term knowledge of a person's life - to build a case. As usual the glimpses of Catholic Church life and problems, and how humans have to deal with them, was priceless. The interview with William Kienzle at the end of the book also answered some questions I had long had.

Different but good....

This book was quite different from Kienzle's earlier books. It was not so much a mystery as a character study. I agree with the previous reviewer that anyone expecting a good mystery (such as The Rosary Murders or Death Wears a Red Hat) will be disappointed. Having said that, though, i still really enjoyed this book. I found all of the characters interesting (especially the Dellvechio family) and really enjoyed the way the author introduced them to us through flash back stories. I would have liked to see more of the familiar characters that we have been introduced to in the previous books but that's only a minor criticism. I also enjoyed the usual Catholic references; reading one of Kienzle's books is like going to Sunday school though much more enjoyable! I would definitely not classify this book as a mystery... more like a good work of fiction. I look forward the next Kienzle book!

Excellent character study....

I've read all of Kienzle's books and would definitely rate this one towards the top of the list. I would agree with the previous review that if someone is expecting a good mystery (ie. The Rosary Murders or Death Wears a Red Hat) they will be greatly disappointed. I would not consider this book a mystery at all but rather an excellent character study of an interesting family. Being Catholic, i also was fascinated with the descriptions of the priesthood and Church pre and post Vatican II (though, someone who is not Catholic might not be interested at all in these passages). The only minor criticism i have is that most of the characters we've come to know in Kienzle's other books were not here (or if they were then only briefly). Im looking forward to his next book!