Father Frank Mystery Series

Churches are burning and a man is murdered. Father Frank DeLuca is thrust into an impossible dilemma when he learns another church will be burned. But the information comes to him via the confessional, and church law forbids him telling anyone—even the police.   He doesn't know which church, when, or by whom. Still, he can't sit idly by, and no law prevents him looking into the matter himself.   His investigation leads him dangerously close to the local drug scene and he soon discovers the danger has come to him. Can he save his own church? Can he save his own life?

A corporation is seizing land by eminent domain.  Syd Cranzler threatens a court battle to keep his land.   Then Syd is found dead. The police call it suicide. Case closed.   But Father Frank doesn't believe it's suicide. And the more clues he uncovers, the more danger he faces.    Can he find the real killer before he becomes the next victim?  

"A Plot for Murder". From the first sentence, it captures your attention and carries you on an intriguing mystery-solving adventure." Review by Sharon Sehon     "Like a chess game, author James R Callan moves the pieces of his story around until it's impossible to guess who the murderer is until the closing chapters. This cozy mystery is well-plotted, well-written, and polished. Checkmate!" Review by Kelly Marshall.   Rod Granet, award-winning novelist and womanizer, is the main speaker at a writers conference. But in front of a crowd after the opening session, Maggie DeLuca, Father Frank's sister, accuses Granet of stealing her story and says he will pay for it.   That night, Granet is killed.   The sheriff quickly zeros in on Maggie and she is hauled off in handcuffs.  When Father Frank comes to her aid, the sheriff threatens him with jail if he interferes.   A Texas Ranger is assigned to the investigation. Soon the Ranger sees Father Frank as a valuable asset.   As the sheriff continues to harass Father Frank and Maggie, the Ranger pushes Father Frank to help, telling him the sheriff considers Maggie his only suspect.   Can Father Frank stay alive, out of jail, and identify the real killer?

On the first day of Father Frank's vacation, a man says to him, "I'm gonna kill you."   When the threat of violence covers another person, Father Frank knows something must be done. But because the threat came via the confessional, he can't tell the police. He can't even tell the other person who is in jeopardy. Father Frank is on his own.   To make matters worse, this happens in Magnolia Bluff, a place Father Frank has just come to visit. He doesn't know the people; doesn't know the town; and he certainly doesn't have a clue who is issuing the threat.   The attacks start quickly. His vacation hasn't started well, but if he can't stop this man from killing, it will end suddenly – and much worse.