A miracle?
Or bloody murder?
BLEEDER
a mystery
by john desjarlais
Sophia Institute Press, 2009
When classics professor Reed Stubblefield is disabled in a school shooting, he retreats to a rural Illinois cabin to recover and to write a book on Aristotle in peace. Oddly, in the chill of early March, the campgrounds and motels of tiny River Falls are filled with the ill and infirm -- all seeking the healing touch of the town’s new parish priest, reputed to be a stigmatic. Skeptical about religion since his wife’s death from leukemia, Reed is nevertheless drawn into a friendship with the cleric, Rev. Ray Boudreau, an amiable Aquinas scholar with a fine library -- who collapses and bleeds to death on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners. A miracle? Or bloody murder? Once Reed becomes the prime 'person of interest' in the mysterious death, he seeks the truth with the help of an attractive local reporter and Aristotle’s logic before he is arrested or killed -- because not everyone in town wants this mystery solved...
The reviews are coming in...
"A truly entertaining mystery. Highly recommended."
Midwest Book Review
"Excellent...Smart, frequently witty, and beautifully researched (the author’s paraphrasing of Aristotle’s logic is an intellectual delight), it is refreshing to read a book where faith is neither demanded, nor held up to ridicule."
Mystery Scene
"A complex plot, multi-issue characters and an amazing climax. Wonderful!"
The Catholic Company
"It brought tears to my eyes!"
Dappled Things
(click to see the full Dappled Things review)
"I was absolutely floored! Go out and buy this book!"
Family and Faith
"A delightful page-turner full of twists and appealing characters to make it a complete mystery thriller. Enthralling!"
d-review
"It's not often that you come across a book that captures your full attention on an emotional level, and challenges you intellectually and spiritually, too. Bleeder was such a book for me. Desjarlais presents the reader with a suspense-filled mystery that is difficult to put down. A gifted writer, Desjarlais captures the reader's attention from the very first page with his sharp imagery, gripping plot, vivid characters, amazing climax and satisfying conclusion. Exciting and thought-provoking!"
St. Anthony Messenger
(click here and scroll down for the full review)
"You'll love it!"
Bonnie Rodgers, CatholicTV
"An intriguing mystery."
Mostly Mystery Reviews
"Raises intriguing questions."
Mystery Circle
"This is a wonderfully crafted mystery with several unexpected plot twists just when you think you've got things all figured out. The characters are engaging, the language beautifully descriptive. I had a hard time putting it down."
LH, Amazon.com reviewer
"Desjarlais' Dickensian love of setting frames the scenes, creating vivid, memorable places. A good read."
Nat'l Association of Independent Writers and Editors
"I just finished reading John Desjarlais' fascinating work of fiction, Bleeder. From the initial pages of the book through its great conclusion, this novel was action packed and quite thought provoking. This book is incredibly well written, and enhanced by the inclusion of quotations and teachings of Aristotle. The novel's Catholic setting is never heavy handed or preachy, but rather contributes to the richness of the story. I loved Bleeder and raced to the end to learn "whodunnit". Stunning writing! Strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great mystery!"
Lisa Hendey, CatholicMom.com
“This book found me staying up late, turning the pages as fast as I could!”
Sarah Reinhard, snoringscholar.com
“Shocking! [You'll] say ‘What the ...’ and drop your jaw on the floor!”
B&N.com reviewer
"Desjarlais is able to have his characters address deeply human issues in a manner that is in no sense heavy-handed or preachy. [BLEEDER is] a story that transcends any particular set of beliefs, and is a good mystery besides."
TheGenReview.com
"An exciting read from the first page to its satisfying resolution. I found myself turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next. The story builds in a crescendo like a symphony--beginning with the muted strings of questions unanswered to the crashing cymbals of its exciting conclusion. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
Gerard Webster, author of In-Sight
"BLEEDER is an intelligent, deftly written mystery that offers a skillful blend of reason and faith. A fascinating tale."
Tom Grace, author of The Secret Cardinal
SEE THE 30-SECOND TRAILER ON YOUTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht1OnlLnwKo
Read an excerpt!
Purchase from the publisher or Amazon.com
BLEEDER
by John Desjarlais
ISBN: 978-1-933184-56-2
Format: Paperback
Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
Page Count: 272
Price: $14.95
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For information on mystical stigmata, click here.
For information on the first stigmatic priest, Padre Pio, click here.
And don't miss the forthcoming sequel:
VIPER
see next page for details
