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Andrew M. Greeley
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Happy Are the Poor in Spirit Mass Market Paperback – December 1, 1994

by Andrew M. Greeley (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Responding to a call for an exorcist, Bishop Blackie Ryan learns about rich and famous Bart Cain's three narrow escapes from attempted murders and the eerie phone calls that Cain received from a woman who is believed to be dead. Original.
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  1. Print length
    293 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Jove
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 1994
  5. Dimensions
    4.24 x 0.84 x 6.74 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0515115029
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0515115024
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bishop Blackie Ryan is never deterred by a mystery, especially when members of his Chicago parish are affected. The popular hero of Happy Are the Meek, Ryan must try to save a troubled family and prevent murder in this engrossing outing. When young Candi Cain comes to him for help, Blackie Ryan had no idea he'd not only have to deal with her large and divisive family but with a ghost as well. This ghost is believed to be Mary Anne Haggerty, who had disappeared almost 50 years earlier after attending the prom with Bart Cain, Candi's father. Three attempts are made on Bart's life, each followed by a call from a mysterious woman. Candi and her new stepmother, Julia, believe the ghost is to blame, but the police and Ryan are not so sure. Bart Cain is multimillionaire with a new, young wife-a situation that unsettles the heirs. It's up to Blackie Ryan to investigate who has the most at stake as he faces two mysteries in one. In a crowd of sleuthing Catholic clerics, Ryan is still a most unlikely and unforgettable hero and his creator is a droll scribe.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Greeley's clerical criminologist solves another whodunit while saving both the life and the soul of a troubled parishioner. Despite his mild demeanor and unobtrusive appearance, Bishop Blackie Ryan, clergyman, scholar, and sleuth, possesses the uncanny ability to unravel complex patterns of evil. When Bart Cain, a wealthy and politically connected commodities broker with a sheaf of enemies and disgruntled relatives, begins receiving a series of threatening anonymous phone calls, his young wife and teenage daughter band together in order to protect him. With the able assistance of Bishop Blackie, Julia and Candi Cain attempt to decipher a 40-year-old puzzle involving the inexplicable disappearance of 17-year-old Bart's prom date. A diverting mystery featuring the ever-appealing Blackie Ryan. Margaret Flanagan

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jove; Reissue edition (December 1, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 293 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0515115029
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0515115024
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.24 x 0.84 x 6.74 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

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Andrew M. Greeley

Andrew M. Greeley

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A native of Chicago, Father Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and bestselling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church-including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination, and sexual behavior of Catholics.Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1962.Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the Chicago Sun Times and many other newspapers. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. He is the author of more than thirty bestselling novels and an autobiography, Furthermore!: Confessions of a Parish Priest.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

luckylizard
5.0 out of 5 stars Prompt service.
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
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I received the book quickly and it was in excellent shape.
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Opa Wayne
5.0 out of 5 stars The Patient Ghost
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2012
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Forty five years after her disappearance, the ghost of Mary Ann Haggerty apparently returns to haunt Bart Cain, a wealthy commodities broker. Candi, Bart's teenaged daughter is convinced that the ghost is real because there seems to be no other explanation for a series of dangerous accidents that plague her father and step mother.

Upon hearing the story of a "ghost", Sean Cardinal Cronin, Archbishop of Chicago, charges his assistant, Auxiliary Bishop John Blackwood Ryan, to solve the case. Bishop Ryan, who insists upon being called Blackie, begins a long tedious investigation.

Blackie discovers that Bart Cain has a number of enemies, most of them in his own family. His eldest son, Bart Jr., resents that his father constantly criticizes him. Brother David and his wife, resent being pushed out of the family business. Daughter Jenny hates her father because he in not involved with her politics and her activities.

Happy are the Poor in Spirit is an excellent mystery full of suspense and intrigue. Blackie wonders whose resentment against Bart Cain is so severe to lead a person to murder. Could Bart Jr. Be desperate to take over the family business? Could Jenny have found someone to help her take down her father? Could the ghost be a family friend or business associate angry with Bart or jealous of Bart's new wife Julia?

In addition to the mystery, Happy are the Poor in Spirit is a testament to Christian teaching. Father Blackie gives an in depth explanation of the Samaritan women at the well. When Bart expresses concern regarding his feeling toward his wife, Blackie counsels that a husband is allowed two feelings toward his wife: Joy and Gratitude. The Bishop frequently reminds people that God loves us more than we can imagine.

Happy are the Poor in Spirit is a suspenseful story. The novel is well written and the story engaging. I recommend this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Robin C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Give me more!
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2015
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I love all of Greeley's fiction and wish we could have kept him writing his Irish mysteries for decades. Greeley captures the lilt of Irish speech beautifully and joyfully. His characters have their failings, but he always presents them with respect and usually with genuiine love. His treatment of the Catholic church is clear-eyed, but wise and loving. Had I had a priest like him around as a young person, he's have made me convert from my childhood Methodism. Greeley's protagonists are wise, fun, and loving people, with really positive interpersonal relationships.
3 people found this helpful
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Melody Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars I had already read this book, but am trying ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2016
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I had already read this book, but am trying to complete my collection of hard cover books by Andrew Greeley...
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Robert C. Demark
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2014
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His way of story telling leaves a reader feeling good about all things in life. You do not need to be Irish to enjoy them.
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vicki
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015
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interesting series, sometimes the same thing is stated in every book, not really needed, but good
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pegasus9000
5.0 out of 5 stars Shipment of book
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2010
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The book arrived quickly and in good condition. I look forward to reading it as Fr Greely is one of my favorite authors.
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Novel Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Father Ryan triumphs!
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2014
Blackie Ryan does it again! He is the most cerebral detective around. His relationships with others in the church and family are amusing and endearing. The book may be "OLD" but the story is still great!
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Top reviews from other countries

Bob Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty well most of Andrew M Greeleys books are readable and I enjoyed this one
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2013
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I read this book some years ago and so was glad to have the opportunity to read it again after such a sometime I enjoyed it again
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