Barnaby Shea


Fiction - Crime
328 Pages
Reviewed on 04/22/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Barnaby Shea by J.E. Delehanty is about a priest sent from a big city to a tiny town. Moving is a massive adjustment for Barnaby, and he does not pay proper attention to what is happening around him. Barnaby is called when a boy is found hanging in the cemetery by the caretaker. The townspeople are unhappy because Barnaby has not anointed the boy's body. They believe Barnaby is sending the boy straight to the devil. Barnaby is not allowed to anoint the body because the boy committed suicide. Rumors begin to circulate that Barnaby has abused the boy and that he is the cause of the boy's suicide. Years later, all these wounds are reopened when action suits are filed against the archdiocese and Barnaby regarding the abuse.

Barnaby Shea chronicles the emotional and spiritual journey of a former priest. J.E. Delehanty had me engaged from the start until the end. I could not put it down, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to know why the young boy committed suicide. The story is compelling and full of action. The more I read, the faster I turned the pages. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. The characters are well-developed and authentic, captivating and relatable. The story is beautifully written and is a great read. Solving the mystery surrounding the young boy's death exceeded my expectations. I could not hope for a better ending to this story.