copyright 2020 by John Desjarlais. All rights reserved.
Selena's ride
short story collection cover
The Light of Tara cover draft 2
Bleeder cover Bleeder cover
Viper cover Viper cover
Specter cover Specter cover
Blanche Duval 1 heroine from Relics
Relics cover Relics cover
Tara cover Tara cover
BLEEDER
A stigmatic priest collapses and dies on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners -- a miracle, or bloody murder?
"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
VIPER
Near All Souls' Day, former DEA Special Agent Selena De La Cruz finds her name written in her parish's Book of the Dead -- but she isn't dead. Yet.
"Entertaining and thrilling...a fascinating mystery and a fun read, with more substance than your average best-seller."
St. Austin Review
SPECTER
When the Vatican re-opens a cold case of a Cardinal's assassination in Mexico, Selena De La Cruz must deal with the ghosts of her past -- in more ways than one. "This story deals with ghosts -- ghosts! -- in a totally credible manner. Lightning fast, heart racing and heart-rending."
Erin McCole Cupp, author of Don't You Forget About Me
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THE LIGHT OF TARA
While the Roman Empire crumbles into chaos, the flickering light of civilization is in the hands of a teenaged swine-keeper and shepherd at the edge of the known world. His name is Succat. We know him as Patrick.
"An utterly delightful journey to ancient Ireland. Remarkable!"
Sarah Reinhard, SnoringScholar.com
COMING SOON!
THE THRONE OF TARA
Based on the thrilling true story of Columba of Iona, the hot-headed Irish warrior-monk exiled to Scotland where he dueled the Druids, miracles versus magic.
"A spellbinding tale with a powerful descriptive flair; a striking story not quickly forgotten."
The Milwaukee Journal
to order:
https://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=john%20desjarlais
RELICS
A suspicious cathedral fire...a stolen treasure...a plot to kill the king of France...intrigue, betrayal, romance -- another day in the 13th Century.
"Hours of enjoyment as readers follow Jean-Michel D'Anjou from one perilous adventure to another!" Bookstore Journal
to order:
https://www.thomasnelson.com/search-results/?keyword=john+desjarlais
BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS
An eclectic collection of short stories: a medieval cleric investigates a brutal murder that may lead to millions more. An elderly widower seems to find just what he needs when he needs it - except what he needs the most. A witty lovebird offers his owner advice on relationships. And others, previously appearing in literary journals.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blood+of+the+martyrs+desjarlais&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
A former producer with Wisconsin Public Radio and retired professor of journalism and English, John Desjarlais writes historicals and contemporary mysteries. His first novel, The Throne of Tara , was a Christianity Today Readers Choice Award nominee, and his medieval thriller, Relics , was a Doubleday Book Club Selection. Bleeder, Viper (a Catholic Arts and Letters Award nominee), and Specter constitute the 'Higher Mysteries' series. Blood of the Martyrs , a short story collection, is available at Amazon Kindle Select. A member of Mystery Writers of America and the Catholic Writers Guild, Desjarlais' short fiction has appeared in a variety of literary journals including Critic, Lit Noir, Conclave, Apocalypse 9, The Rockford Review, and Dappled Things. He is listed in Who's Who in Entertainment, Contemporary Authors, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who Among America's Teachers.