A Plot for Murder, A Father Frank Mystery

Both the author and the Father Frank Mystery series are new to me. I'm glad I found A Plot for Murder, #3 in the series. This is a thoughtful, entertaining cozy mystery and the writing style of James R. Callan is impressive. There are too many suspects in the murder of nasty author, J.R. “Rod” Garnet. Attendees and colleagues at the writers' conference who knew him well detested the guy, some more than others. Unfortunately, Father Frank's own sister, Maggie DeLuca, had just learned that Garnet stole her story and earned a lucrative, best-seller from the theft. She publicly confronted and threatened him hours before his demise and is suspect numero uno.

Father Frank tirelessly works to discover the truth which places him in local officers' and the killer's crosshairs. Yet he will not be frightened off the defense of his sister. A Plot for Murder is an excellent weekend or several evenings of enjoyment.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

This story was an interesting approach to a murder mystery. Father Frank's approach is to try to understand every angle of the murder mystery and show compassion while doing it. I was disappointed a bit by the ending but it was holding true to Father Frank's character.

I hadn't heard of this author and now I'll never forget. This book has everything I love. A writer's conference, stolen stories, and a mystery that was well crafted, and engaging characters. I've picked up the first two books in the series and can't wait to get to them.

This was my first Father Frank mystery and I look forward to reading the rest as well!
I really enjoyed this one. Father Frank and his family ( I thin the close friends also count as family in this one) are a unique and tight knit group. I liked how Father Frank is like a conduit for information back and forth. He isn't nosy or bossy but helps the Texas Ranger to solve the crime with quiet guidance. I liked the different take on your usual cozy mystery.
Sheriff Bark seemed too over the top and melodramatic compared to the rest of the cast and in my opinion upset the otherwise nuanced and unique storyline (I understand the need for his character but I think it was taken too far...). Also, I thought it strange that Bud Sullivan had not taken any steps to help his daughter in three years... is that normal?
Nevertheless this is a great read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the book!

I absolutely loved this book. For me it wasn't your typical mystery it actually had me guessing to the very end. This book has it all where family is first.

This is an investigation novel in the classical tradition of Father Brown or Miss Marple. A murder happens and the police (in this case Sheriff Bark) is utterly clueless. Logical thinking and good observation paired with some knowledge of human psychology are more important than modern technology.
In the end there's the dilemma between formal justice and compassion or mercy. Is putting someone into jail always the "right" solution?

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Father Frank mystery series by James R. Callan.

I thought this was a pretty compelling mystery. It kept my attention throughout and was a real page turner of a novel. I enjoyed the main character of Father Frank and how he tackled the mystery surrounding all the events involving his sister and the dead guy at the writer’s conference.

I thought the Texas Ranger character was pretty funny since he was making Father Frank do all his investigating for him. That seemed odd since they kept mentioning how good the Rangers were at finding the bad guys.

I definitely want to check out other books in this series and plan to do that very soon. I enjoyed it so much. It was like a cross between a detective novel and a cozy.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Father Frank's sister, Maggie Deluca, is at a writers conference at a tranquil Lakota Lake Retreat. Maggie publicly threatened an author- speaker, Rod Granet for stealing her manuscript. The following day, Granet who was scheduled to speak never showed up and later found dead. Maggie became an obvious suspect.

I'm always keeping an eye out for a cozy mystery. When I saw this one, a priest amateur sleuth? I just had to check it out as it is very different from other cozies I've read. Despite this being a third in the series, I have no trouble catching on with the characters and it's filled with amusing prose. Father Frank and Richards the Texas Ranger are my favorite characters. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you Pennant Publishing, James R. Callan and Netgalley for this copy.

In James Callan's A Plot for Murder, third in the Father Frank Mystery series (Pinnacle 2021), Father Frank's sister, Maggie DeLuca, is suspected of murdering Rod Granet, a prominent author, while both are at the Piney Woods Writers Conference, he a featured speaker and Maggie an attendee. She did accuse him of stealing her manuscript, the one that made him 'prominent', in front of a roomful of people but she insists that's all it was. It didn't take much for the Sheriff to leap to murder and close the case almost as soon as it opened. Father Frank knows his sister and is determined to prove her innocence. When the Sheriff threatens to throw Father Frank into jail for interfering with his investigation, Father Frank realizes freeing his sister will not only require he prove her innocence but find the real killer. No job too large, especially when God is on his side. Turns out, there's also a Texas Ranger who isn't convinced of Maggie's guilt and is willing to work with Father Frank to find the truth.

This is a fun, easy reading cozy mystery that mostly avoids the procedural aspects of solving crimes and concentrates on the human side. It lightly touches on spirituality in a positive way. The characters are likeable if a bit shallow which led me to believe I might have benefitted by reading Callan's earlier books first. The plot doesn’t depend on prior books but I might better understand the motivations of Father Frank.

Overall an enjoyable satisfying read. 4/5

A writers conference and workshop organized for a number of years and several writers attending and looking after the general workings of this conference. Maggie was one of them. She did not expect to find Rod Gravet the man who robbed her of her book, being a guest speaker there and she openly denigrated him, saying he should get what he deserved.

When his body is found the next day, Maggie becomes the prime suspect for Detective Bark of the local police, who seems to have a personal grudge against both Maggie and her brother the local priest at the Catholic church nearby.
Father Frank is concerned for his sister because she has a fiery temper and does not moderate her speech. However his private enquiries and working with the Texan Rangers he does uncover many people who had a grudge to face with Rod Gravet. His womanising had left several victims behind and the net could be spread wider but still Detective Bark was only focussed on Maggie.

The story involves the priest's moral dilemma of using information given to him not as a confession but as a conversation to protect his sister as against another girl's fiancee. A story nicely told with good characterization.

When best-selling author Rod Granet is murdered at Piney Woods writers conference, one of the prime suspects

is writer Maggie DeLuca. She calls her brother, Father Frank, to help her defence. Frank is no newcomer to the

justice system and works with Richards, a Texas Ranger, to try and solve an extremely baffling case. We are

given a glimpse inside the writer's world - competitive and nasty as well as being creative and emotional.

There are many suspects, lots of clues, and of course, ample red herrings. The tension builds with many

humorous moments. A very good read.

So much to like about this cozy murder mystery book. The plot is a good one. We all know of someone that has succeeded with seemly no effort while others struggle. How many of us has a good idea but in the hands of another it flourishes. In this story there are 2 kinds of characters to me. The ones you like and the ones that are awful. I don't see any in between. The sheriff is clearly awful with anger issues and a grudge. He decides quickly who is guilty of murder and is blind to all other suspects. Father Frank happens to be her brother so oops for the sheriff. And I sure do like the Texas ranger. I like how he never gives up and actually listens to Father Frank's information. The ending doesn't close all of the subplots to completion but it doesn't give you enough to draw your own conclusions. Who do you think shot at Father Frank?

Fun read which was enjoyable . Well crafted mystery with characters that you actually would like and hang out with in real life.

I have never read anything by this author and really enjoyed it. Father Frank is good at solving mysteries and when his sister needs his help he is there like a shot. When a man turns up dead a local cop seems quick to lay the blame at his sisters feet. Can father Frank prove her innocence before it's too late.
I would read other books in this series as it was a really good book.

Set in a rural East Texas town - Pine Tree -there is one Catholic Church and it is here that I met Father Frank DeLuca, the story's protagonist. The third book in James R. Callan's series tracks the aftermath of the murder of Rod Granet, a plagiarist and a bit of a womaniser.

I rather liked Father Frank who is tall, a decent sleuth, very fit and showed integrity. This mystery has an engaging cast of characters, a gripping plot and plenty of twists to keep your mind engaged. Towards the end, I was still guessing. The first instalment in the series is “Cleansed by fire” which I intend to read soon. A Plot for Murder is a very worthwhile mystery read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Father Frank was your calm, cool, and collect gentleman, no matter what the Sheriff threatens him with. But his sister Maggie now, she was a different sort, she had a temper, and boy, she didn’t stand fools lightly. Maggie and Pastor Frank found themselves at odds with the Sheriff, who seemed to hate the sight of them. He used every opportunity to cause them grief, like arresting Maggie for murder. This has been hilarious, intriguing, and entertaining, I enjoyed it immensely.

If your sister's big mouth got her in trouble, you would probably do what you could to defend her. That's the situation between Maggie, accused of murder, and her younger brother Father Frank. He knows she is innocent and does what he can to find the true killer.
Father Frank is a crime solving priest whose favorite drink is Dr. Pepper. He is compassionate, wise, and gracious. Maggie, on the other hand, is outspoken and has a short fuse. Those two traits got her in trouble with the law. Add a psychotic sheriff and a no-nonsense Texas Ranger and you have an interesting mystery.
James R. Callan is a new-to-me author. I enjoyed this book and plan to read the others in the Father Frank series.
Thank you #netgalley for a copy of #APlotForMurderAFatherFrankMystery.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this book incredibly interesting the author really kept me hooked until the end. very well written I highly recommend.