The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germaine

By: Andrew Greeley

Narrated by: George Guidall

With over 15 million copies of his books in print, Father Andrew M. Greeley has an unmatched flair for writing entertaining fiction that offers wry observations about religious and secular life. His popular novels featuring Bishop Blackie Ryan offer delightful locked-room mysteries set against the intricate politics of the Catholic church.

Bishop Blackie has no desire to leave the friendly confines of his Chicago neighborhood to traipse around Paris searching for Fr're Jean-Claude, a popular priest who has inexplicably vanished while filming a television show. But when his Archbishop boss says, "See to it," Blackie can hardly refuse. As he sifts through a pile of suspects that includes everyone from church leaders to television executives, Blackie begins to wonder whether the reason no one can find Jean-Claude is because Jean-Claude doesn't want to be found.

George Guidall's entertaining narration perfectly captures the sharp wit and worldly wisdom of Bishop Blackie as he puzzles his way through this beguiling mystery.

©2001 Andrew M. Greeley (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC.

A simple story with a twist at the end

What made the experience of listening to The Bishop and the Beggar Girl of St. Germaine the most enjoyable?

This was a change from the action packed books I was used to. The overall pace of the story is slow so watch for that if you are used to a fast pace story. this is the perfect book to listen to while you are doing tasks that require your attention. Also there is little reason to worry about listing to the story through speakers. The story is very clean and makes me think of a book my grandmother would have read. There are only a few parts that might cause some people to turn their heads.

Any additional comments?

Over all it was a great book to listen to while you are cooking or staking boxes at work.

I love this series.

George Guidall is a master at his craft. His rendition of Blackie puts the picture of the character in my mind as firmly as if he was right in front of me.

Good Mystery

Love Greeley’s stories. This one had me engaged the entire read. Greeley’s tales are timely, this one especially.

predictble Greeley but has charm

Bishop Blackie is back with his usual gentle humour and Catholic milieu but with a more interesting than usual setting (Paris) and a more predictable than usual mystery. But I don't download Greeley for edge-of-seat action and suspense, just for an relaxing airport or waiting room listen, one without vivid violence or sex, written well enough to hold attention (but not riveting enough to miss a flight call). This novel suited that purpose. Excellent narration makes up for the pedestrian pace. I give it an extra star for Greeley's acknowledgement of the feminine face of God and the charming creation tale tacked on the end.

Another good Bishop Blackie mystery

Enjoyed the story. Reader George Guidell outstanding. Missed the Chicago atmosphere of earlier stories. Generally recommended.

I will always love Blackie

In every story there is a lesson. It is an amble along side a funny priest with a payoff that will (at least for me), makes you think and sometimes smile. Andrew Greeley has been a great favorite of mine for a long time. I am not a religious person, but I always take the teaching of this gentle bishop to heart. Read the beauties, some of the Bishops finest works.

Everything is grace

There are legitimate criticism to be made of Greeley's fiction -- especially that it can, at times, be overly simplistic -- but for me that's one of his charms. He deals with what are in many ways quite sophisticated theological concepts, but he just focuses on what matters, places them in everyday contexts that non-theologians can relate to, and in so doing communicates deep truths. I just wish more of his unabridged Blackie Ryan stories were available on Audible (c'mon Audible -- step it up!). ;)

Good story

Take time to enjoy this story. Bishop Blackie tells a good story. I have listened to this a couple of times.

Not sure about this one

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

As usual Mr Guidall is excellent and kept me listening to this book longer then I probably would have if another narrator was doing this book.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I found disappointment to be the main "spark" -- the answer to the "mystery" was so very anticlimatic.