The Enemy of God - Robert Daley

The Enemy of God
Robert Daley
Harcourt

Mystery

In the 1950s at Fordham Prep, four young men, members of a swim team relay, bonded in a friendship that stood the test of time. Now all well into middle age, one of their number is gone. Frank Redmond became a priest and activist. Gabe Driscoll became chief of NYPD Internal Affairs. Andy Troy is a journalist with a Pulitzer Prize to his credit. And Earl Finley is a prosecutor.

When he hears the news that Frank is dead, Gabe insists on attending the autopsy. Frank’s death was ruled a suicide, but Gabe has serious doubts that a devout Catholic priest would leap to his death. While Gabe reaches out through his PD network, Andy uses his own methods. Soon, the trail will lead them back through their pasts to unravel the puzzle of the present.

While this novel works wonderfully as a character study, coming-of-age story, and a sort of time capsule; as a murder mystery, it’s not as involving as it should be. There’s at least one twist that ought to be surprising, but, for me, at least, was quite obvious. The author handles the past and present elements gracefully, without interrupting or confusing the narrative flow. Although not up to the author’s usual standards, this is still a solid read with memorable characters.

Rating: 6 ½
July 2006
ISBN# 0-15-603228-7 (trade paperback)