McDonald's hero "Flynn" is not as popular as his "Fletch" series, but "The Buck Passes Flynn" is the best of the series and every bit as good as a Fetch novel. The theme, that someone is making random $100,000 deposits on the doorsteps of every home in small communities around the country and creating havoc in the process, is quite fascinating (though admittedly dated, it would probably be about $250,000 today). It is a mystery worthy of the great Inspector Flynn, and is told in a humorous style for which McDonald is known. Overall, a great book for fans of detective fiction.

This is a rare work by a gifted author, one who is able to juxtapose the wisdom of the Hindu tradition with the traditional Judeo-Christian framework most readers will bring to his work. The book not only tells you about Hinduism, but is an example of how Hindu religious ideas and practices can speak to those of other religious faiths. It is the work of a scholar and there are certainly elements which reveal the author's expertise in Hinduism. Yet the book is true to its title, Hindu Wisdom For All God's Children, and the author is successful in making pearls of theological wisdom from the East accessible to the average reader in the West. Beautifully written.

If you are a fan of Louis De Wohl's books or if you have a fond spot in your heart for St. Francis Xavier and have not read this book...

READ IT! You will love this book!

If you have not read any of De Wohl's works or would like to learn more about St. Francis Xavier...

DITTO!

Every year, Pope John Paul II selects a preacher for a course of Spiritual Exercises for himself and the Vatican's Roman Curia. For the Jubilee 2000, he chose Vietnamese Archbishop Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan.

I originally read Archbishop Thuan's exercises by way of Zenit - the News of Rome. As compelling as those accounts were, the book is even better. Archbishop Van Thuan's experiences, as a prisoner in Communist prisons for 13 years, and his insight on faith are true food for a hungry soul.

Testimony of Hope is the complete text of those Exercises. Archbishop Van Thuan's description of isolation and abandonment, and his secret for finding hope in despair makes for moving and uplifting reading.

I guarantee that readers will be moved by the 22 meditations. Archbishop Van Thuan offers light amidst the darkness. The book is a quick, easy, and inspirational read.

I enjoyed reading this book. I picked it up because Flynn was the Boston Inspector Fletch worked with/against in "Confess, Fletch" (a very good book). The book is a fun, engrossing read. But, the ending is a bit weak. Oh, the bad guys are found out, but there's no satisfaction in it. Various third parties clean things up once Flynn figures things out, but Flynn doesn't really get to say "I told you so" or to rub someone's nose in their stupidity. Truth, Justice, and the American Way are served, but it's an intellectual service, not a visceral one. Nevertheless, it's still a good book to read.

This is the first novel featuring "Francis Xavier Flynn," a Boston police inspector who investigates some most unusual cases. This novel is typical Gregory McDonald, fast paced, often funny and a good mystery. Fans of his "Fletch" series, in particular, should enjoy it.

I can't figure out why Gregory McDonald's "Flynn" series has paled in comparison to his much more well known "Fletch" novels. Flynn has his own share of fast paced, funny and interesting mysteries. In this case, he investigates a murder among the political elite of his native Boston. Those of you who are Fletch fans, I urge you to give Francis Xavier Flynn a chance.

Msgr. Bezou gives a scholarly review of the early days of New Orleans,including the Indian tribes, and explorers, and historical personages. AND, he finds items that are often missed in more lengthy studies. His primary focus settles in on the suburb of Metairie. How Metairie came to be, who lived there and why, even exactly what the name signifies in French, all of this is written in a grand style. The author has the credentials of an old French family, and the background of an inquisitive churchman, and an easy way of saying what is important in a conversational way. This is a must read book for the inhabitant of Metairie, or for anyone who is interested in Louisiana history. The research is done for you. Msgr. Bezou passed away in 1989 but his work will live on.