A synopsis of "Cedars of Necropolis"

Doctor Brendan Cleary was raised in Ireland and educated in Great Britain. Having inherited a substantial estate, Doctor Cleary immigrates to the United States.  He purchases a small printing shop in the Midwest. Driven by his desire to succeed, Doctor Cleary turns this modest venture into a publishing conglomerate which he names Emerald House Publishing.

Continental Associates is a literary agency and a subsidiary of Emerald House. Steve Walker is the executive vice president.  His feature author is Daniel  Doyle.  Doyle’s genre is crime fiction. Daniel Doyle is frequently tormented by emotional issues.  Although not fully understanding the nature of these issues, Doyle realizes they drive him, and have often contributed to his successes.

Archbishop Aloysius J Hennessy has an agenda that relates little to do with his faith or church dogma. He has had an ongoing conflict with Emerald House for years. The Archbishop aligns himself with Aaron Sharpiro, an avaricious financial consultant. Together they conspire to wrest control of Emerald House from Doctor Cleary.  Shapiro’s wife Marie, is a professional fund-raiser, and directs all of the Archbishop’s fund-raising events.  Two young priests, Fathers John Moriarity and Mark Rossi serve on the Archbishop’s staff. Over a period of time the Archbishop coerces the two young priests into a world of degradation, deceit and intrigue.

Frank Rourke is a retired police officer. During the Viet-Nam conflict, he arrested a young Daniel  Doyle at a student protest at Kent State University. Surprisingly they form a deep and lasting friendship. Daniel Doyle would eventually use Frank Bourke’s persona as the feature detective in his crime novels.

The rugged Galway coast of Ireland sets the stage. The novel also visits briefly Pearl Harbour in December of 1941. Years later an event in Vietnam impacts greatly on two of the main characters.  Does the city of Toronto hold the key to the mystery surrounding Daniel  Doyle?

The novel portrays passion, intrigue and mystery.  An anonymous emissary from the Vatican Cure secretly visits with Father Mark Rossi. He confers intensely with the young priest leaving him confused, and frightened. Father Rossi has been given a directive which forces him to question his vocation and his allegiance to the archbishop. Each chapter is introduced with several pages in italic text.  This text threads its way through the entire novel captivating the reader.  
 
~ Available Sept 2011