The Book of Kills: A Mystery Set at the University of Notre Dame

Rating:
Summary: Solid Mystery
Review: Ralph McInerny writes good mystery. Notre Dame fans in particular will enjoy this story set on the campus. It shows a delightful understanding of the way major Universities work and the life of the average graduate student. I was not completely comfortable with McInerny's portrayal of women, all of whom seemed willing to do just about anything to get their man. Overall, I enjoyed this mystery and found it very pleasant reading.

Rating:
Summary: So-so
Review: Several incidents on campus have worried the University of Notre Dame administration. Three gravestones at Cedar Grove cemetery were knocked over by vandals. Native Americans disrupt a wedding ceremony at the log chapel. The Blue Cloud Nation kidnaps Chancellor Father Bloom claiming that the university illegally stole the land from their ancestors. At half-time of the nationally televised game with Florida State, a young man parades on the field dressed as a Native American claiming the land belongs to the Blue Cloud Nation. Administration advisor Noonen and Father Anselm are abducted. No one has been hurt yet.

The University turns to insiders Roger and Philip Knight, who have done discrete investigations before. Roger begins making inquiries that leads him to former graduate student Orion Plant, who obsessively feels the land belongs to Native Americans. He has engaged a lawyer to represent him and the Native Americans. Meanwhile Roger and Philip continue with their inquiries trying to find evidence to shut up Orion. Though the "pranks" are dangerous, the ante is dramatically raised when murder occurs.

THE BOOK OF KILLS is an intriguing academic mystery focusing on who owns land that has been questionably taken from ancestors. The story line moves quickly forward as incidents keep occurring. The siblings are wonderful charcaters, though Roger and his golf cart are more prominent. The support cast provides a feel to the university. Though a murder simplifies much of the plot, perhaps too much, Ralph McInerny's fourth Notre Dame novel will attain high rankings in the polls.

Harriet Klausner