The Man Who Loved God

After 18 previous Father Koesler mysteries, Kienzle isn't about to abandon the formula he's used since The Rosary Murders appeared in 1979: take a religious (Catholic) issue or two; add a crime whose solution is aided by specialized knowledge of Catholic theology or ritual; and put it all in the hands of a genial, caring priest. Here, Kienzle offers a slight variation on the tried and true. Father Bob Koesler, the popular amateur sleuth and Detroit priest, takes a vacation literally and figuratively away from the action. Taking his place is Father Zachary Tully, who comes to Detroit (from Dallas) to present an award to banker and philanthropist Thomas A. Adams. Father Tully is also eager to meet the half-brother he never knew he had, Detroit police lieutenant Alonzo ""Zoo"" Tully. When one of Adams's vice-presidents is murdered just after being named to head a new inner-city bank branch, Father Tully and his brother find themselves working together. Introducing a new, younger sleuthing priest doesn't improve Kienzle's wooden dialogue; nor does it make awkward plot contrivances any easier to swallow. One mystery is solved, but one remains: Is this a vacation for Father Koesler or permanent retirement? (May)