Cardinal Cronin isn't doing so well health wise, but even so he is sending his coadjutant bishop John Blackwood, "Blackie," Ryan to Seville, Spain to assist in settling generations old tensions within one of the city's most revered and noble families. Blackie meets a kindred spirit in Seville's Cardinal Don Pedro, a Moor with a fascinating family history of his own and an irreverent view not unlike Blackie's own. He is also dazzled (as is all of Spain) by the matriarch of the noble family, Dona Teresa, a pious widow who finds herself amidst a host of greedy and controlling relatives.
The Beautiful Dona Teresa
Blackie's job is to be this woman's spiritual advisor and to guide her towards the marriage she desires, yet fears. To accomplish this, he must immerse himself in the rich and diverse history of Seville and the Andulasian region. It's a history of conflict and strong emotions, many of which thrive to this day. Teresa's household includes an overbearing (and sometimes frightening) aunt and her husband; a comic and tragic uncle, who longs for the days of the Spanish Civil War where he was an officer; and Teresa's loving and lively daughter, Maria.
Tragedy in Chicago
Dividing Blackie's attentions is the unsettling news from Chicago that his boss and mentor, Cardinal Sean Cronin has taken a turn for the worse and might be dying. He assembles his Chicago team, including Michael Ryan, Nuala McGrail, and the team of "Megans" that run the rectory, to see to the Cardinal's health, but clearly Blackie is worried and distracted. So distracted that he misses a vital clue to the Seville mystery that almost leads to Dona Teresa's demise.
"The Archbishop in Andulasia" is another solid, enjoyable novel from the master of Catholic-themed cozies, Andrew Greeley. Father Greeley weaves his homily message throughout the pages of each novel, but the theme is refreshing, not heavy-handed. The characters in "Andulasia" are unique and intriguing and reading about Blackie's adventures is like visiting an old friend after a year's absence.
About Andrew Greeley
Father Andrew Greeley is and Irish-American Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, and the prolific author of over 50 mystery novels and over 100 works of non-fiction, mostly about Catholicism in America. His best known mysteries feature Nuala Anne McGrail and Chicago Irish priest (and later Bishop) Blackie Ryan. Father Greeley also writes a regular column in the Chicago Sun Times on religious and social issues. He divides his time between teaching at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona at Tucson.
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