Happy Are the Clean of Heart

. . . if not most of Fr. Andrew Greeley's "Father Blackie Ryan" mysteries -- and I liked "Happy are the Clean of Heart" the best -- by far. This series of mysteries was originally based on the Beatitudes. Each book featured a main character who exemplified the characteristics of that particular beatitude. The mysteries almost always involve a murder (or attempted murder), a rather obvious (and usually innocent) suspect -- and a host of characters with varying degrees of motive. In addition, Fr. Greeley uses these books as theological teaching tools, also frequently linked with Beatitudes, expressing the many unique ways that God expresses His love. Finally, for those fans of Fr. Greeley's "Time Between the Stars" characters, each of these mysteries "fleshes out" the character of one or more of the Ryan clan and their many friends, in this case, the singer/actress Lisa Malone and her husband George "the bean counter". I recommend this book.