The Penitent Priest

The Father Tom Mysteries, Book 1

By: J.R. Mathis, Susan Mathis

Narrated by: Cliff Miller

Ten years ago, his wife died in his arms. God saved him for himself. Now, he wants his first love to catch her killer.

Father Tom Greer is playing with fire.

Tom Greer left Myerton six months after his wife Joan’s death, determined to leave the painful memories behind. Ten years later, now-Father Tom Greer returns for a four-month assignment as the temporary pastor of Saint Clare's Parish in Myerton. His only desire is to serve God's people quietly, then leave again.

But the past won't leave Father Tom alone....

When he uncovers Joan’s long-buried secrets - secrets he believes point to her killer - Father Tom seeks help from the local police. But Detective Helen Parr is a woman he once loved - and whose heart he broke 20 years before. She refuses to reopen the investigation, so Father Tom turns to an ambitious reporter with her own agenda. When the reporter winds up dead, he must work with Helen to catch her killer - and potentially Joan’s.

But Father Tom has secrets of his own, secrets about the night his wife was murdered. The closer he gets to the truth, the closer gets to confronting what he’s avoided for 10 years....

His own guilt.

Don’t miss this first book in a new murder mystery thriller series in the tradition of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, introducing Father Tom Greer, a 21st-century Father Brown.

Now includes a preview of The Framed Father, Book Two of the Father Tom Mysteries!

©2020 James and Susan Mathis (P)2021 James and Susan Mathis

loved it

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

4/5 stars

Do you want it posted to audible?

4/5 stars


The Penitent Priest by J.R. Mathis, Susan Mathis

Narrated by Cliff Miller

Run Time: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Genre: mystery (sort of small town)

Summary:

Father Tom Greer is assigned to his old hometown to be the temporary priest. He’d left that place for good reasons. It’s where his wife was murdered. What ensues is a twisty whodunit of sorts.



Additional Comments:

· Tom’s an okay main character. Detective Helen Parr (one of Tom’s old flames) is probably my favorite character, besides the crazy old lady who thought bingo was rigged. She was hands-down my favorite.

· I don’t like Joan much. Everybody and their brother loved Joan for some reason, but not me.

· Well narrated.

· Had a few laugh aloud moments.

· There are a lot of instances of you’ll never believe what happened next sort of blah writing tactics.

· It’s probably about 3 hours too long for the story substance they had.

· There are a few references to Father Brown, so I’m guessing this is a pseudo homage to that.

· I hate audiobook previews.

· Clearly, this is going to be a series. It’s got a solid start in that regard.

· The dynamic between Helen and Tom is interesting, it wouldn’t surprise me if he left the priesthood after 10-12 long stories.

· There’s some cursing, but it’s not gratuitous.

· The descriptions of his duties were handled well.



Conclusion:

Clean whodunit with a Catholic church flair.



*I received a free copy of the audiobook. I’ve chosen to review it. All opinions are my own.

Not bad

In general I liked this novel but there were times that the characters or their actions didn’t ring true for me.