Has anyone read the "Father Frank Mysteries" by James R. Callan?

[StElizabeth]

I was looking for good Catholic fiction novels and stumbled upon these mysteries. The author is Catholic, and the protagonist in his books is a Catholic priest, who was once a police officer. The plot lines look interesting, and I’m wondering if anyone has ever read any of these novels? What age levels are these books appropriate for? Finally, does anyone know of any other Catholic mystery novels worth reading? Thank you! Blessings on this feast day of St. Lazarus!
With Christ’s Love and Blessings,
StElizabeth

 

[bluerose]

James Callan is a wonderful author and the Fr. Frank series is terrific! I interviewed him on my blog some time ago. Here’s the link to that interview:

amymbennettbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-otp-author-james-r-callan.html

Other Catholic mystery novels? Are you sitting down? Here’s a list of authors and some of their work:

Erin McCole Cupp: “Don’t You Forget About Me”
Leslie Lynch: “Opal’s Jubilee”
Ronald B. O’Gorman: “Fatal Rhythm”
Aimee and David Thurlo: The Sister Agatha series
Ellen Gable Hrkach: “Stealing Jenny”
Karl Bjorn Erickson: “The Blood Cries Out”
Mary Higgins Clark: categorized under “romantic suspense” but her last six or seven books usually include a priest or nun as a character. “The Lost Years”

Here is a link to the Catholic Fiction website and its mystery listings. You will also find several great books in other genres as well. I did reviews for them for a while:

catholicfiction.net/book-reviews-by-genre.php?genre=13&category=2

Catholic Writers Guild also has listings of books that have been awarded their Seal of Approval. Their guidelines are very strict and you’ll find many great books in many different genres:

catholicwritersguild.org/index.php/awards-contents/soa-recipients

And last, but not least, check out my signature line. Two of my books have been awarded the CWG Seal of Approval!

 

[StElizabeth]

James Callan is a wonderful author and the Fr. Frank series is terrific! I interviewed him on my blog some time ago. Here’s the link to that interview:

amymbennettbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-otp-author-james-r-callan.html

Other Catholic mystery novels? Are you sitting down? Here’s a list of authors and some of their work:

Erin McCole Cupp: “Don’t You Forget About Me”
Leslie Lynch: “Opal’s Jubilee”
Ronald B. O’Gorman: “Fatal Rhythm”
Aimee and David Thurlo: The Sister Agatha series
Ellen Gable Hrkach: “Stealing Jenny”
Karl Bjorn Erickson: “The Blood Cries Out”
Mary Higgins Clark: categorized under “romantic suspense” but her last six or seven books usually include a priest or nun as a character. “The Lost Years”

Here is a link to the Catholic Fiction website and its mystery listings. You will also find several great books in other genres as well. I did reviews for them for a while:

catholicfiction.net/book-reviews-by-genre.php?genre=13&category=2

Catholic Writers Guild also has listings of books that have been awarded their Seal of Approval. Their guidelines are very strict and you’ll find many great books in many different genres:

catholicwritersguild.org/index.php/awards-contents/soa-recipients

And last, but not least, check out my signature line. Two of my books have been awarded the CWG Seal of Approval!

Thank you so much! I am excited to read several of the books you’ve recommended! Would any of these books be appropriate for Catholic teens?
Blessings, StElizabeth

 

[bluerose]

Visit the CatholicFiction website for a breakdown of books according to genre (including young adult, which may encompass mysteries among other sub-genres.) One series I did not include (because my memory can be deplorable and you didn’t mention teens specifically in the original post) is the John Paul II High series by Christian Frank.

Depending on the age and maturity of the teens, I think most of the books are suitable for almost any “teen” age… 13 and up. I was reading Agatha Christie at the age of 12, if that helps!

Speaking for my own series, I keep it clean with the murders taking place “off screen” and no language stronger than “damn” or “hell”. There is a romantic triangle, but it’s chaste and true to Catholic teaching. And I have readers as young as 11 years old (she asked if she could write fan fiction of my series!)

I’m sure there are many more books I could recommend, but you specifically said “mysteries” so I limited myself to that genre. But enjoy browsing through the lists on the websites… you’ll find a lot to read!

 

[StElizabeth]

Visit the CatholicFiction website for a breakdown of books according to genre (including young adult, which may encompass mysteries among other sub-genres.) One series I did not include (because my memory can be deplorable and you didn’t mention teens specifically in the original post) is the John Paul II High series by Christian Frank.

Depending on the age and maturity of the teens, I think most of the books are suitable for almost any “teen” age… 13 and up. I was reading Agatha Christie at the age of 12, if that helps!

Speaking for my own series, I keep it clean with the murders taking place “off screen” and no language stronger than “damn” or “hell”. There is a romantic triangle, but it’s chaste and true to Catholic teaching. And I have readers as young as 11 years old (she asked if she could write fan fiction of my series!)

I’m sure there are many more books I could recommend, but you specifically said “mysteries” so I limited myself to that genre. But enjoy browsing through the lists on the websites… you’ll find a lot to read!

Thank you so much! I’m mostly concerned about making sure the novels I recommend promote chastity. I’m excited to read your novels, as well!
Blessings, StElizabeth

 

[bluerose]

Thank you so much! I’m mostly concerned about making sure the novels I recommend promote chastity. I’m excited to read your novels, as well!
Blessings, StElizabeth

If the books have the CWG Seal of Approval, then there is nothing in them that would be contrary to Catholic teaching. Mary Higgins Clark, though her books are published by a huge secular publishing company, is a devout Catholic and her books are mostly clean. The Sister Agatha series ended after six books because the author, Aimee Thurlo (who was a good friend of mine–she passed away two years ago) refused to cave in to her publisher’s demands that she “tone down the praying” and that the main character should have a romantic interest… Aimee said, “She’s a nun. That’s not happening.”

If you want other YA novels to recommend (even if their not mysteries) you can search around this site for other threads about them. Right off the top of my head, “Finding Grace” by Laura Pearl is my favorite book to recommend to young girls!