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

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

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

A former producer with Wisconsin Public Radio and retired professor of journalism and English, John Desjarlais' 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, 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, Desjarlais is listed in Who's Who in Entertainment and  Who's Who Among America's Teachers.