Thursday, 5 November 2026

St. Tommy NYPD: Pathway To Heaven - Declan Finn - The Complete St. Tommy, NYPD Short Story Collection

Pathway To Heaven
The Complete Saint Tommy NYPD SHort Story Collection
Declan Finn
eISBN 9781865243511
ASIN B0HFDX1Z58
 
Pathway to Heaven - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD The Complete Short Stories

This is the fifth and final of the  of the new Omnibus editions of this excellent series. It is the complete collection of stories and is great for those who have collected the original novels. It is available in physical from the publisher and the eBook has a wider release. I have absolutely loved rereading these stories. I will again state that Declan Finn is one of my favourite contemporary authors. I have read all the published books and short stories, and many contributions to anthologies. I had been planning to reread this series for a while now, especially as I await the republication of the Pius series. These new omnibus editions look amazing! My son and I both absolutely love these new editions. Without the words on the covers we would both do them as prints and put them up on our wall with Icons we have. 

About the author we are informed:

“As penance for his sins, Declan Finn spent over 40 years in New York City. He has since made his escape from New York to Texas. He is the author of books ranging from thrillers to urban fantasy to SciFi, including the Dragon Award Nominated Novel for Best horror in 2016, Honor at Stake, and the 2017 follow-up, Live and Let Bite. He was also nominated for "Best Apocalypse" novel at the Dragons in 2017. He also won the book of the year award with his novel Hell Spawn from CLFA.

Finn is known for being annoyingly Catholic, his action sequences, and writing faster than most readers can keep up with. In less than a decade, he has written over 30 novels, and is waiting for all of them to be published. He's been part of multiple anthologies, and will write for anyone.”

This is yet another excellent collection, and short stories are a very different art form than novels. The writing needs to be crisper, cleaner and tighter. Finn is a master of both the long form and short form fiction. I was even more impressed reading these stories this time, for some of the stories I have read them 4 or 5 times now. Spiritual warfare and the war on crime collide. Officer Nolan thought he had his work cut out for him. And as he has said many times, to be a Saint you have to be dead!

The stories in this collection are:

One Ranger
Lupus Dei
They Burn Witches, Don’t They?
Succubus Blues
Saints And Monsters
In The Garden Of Madness
Mark Of Kane
Principle Necromancy
Vessel – by John Griffing 

A brief review of each story is:

One Ranger

This volume also includes the story One Ranger, which was previously unpublished. We do encounter Texas Ranger Lloyd Lermon in other future stories. It was a great new offering.

Lupus Dei

It takes place during single night. Nolan has been captured, taken to a remote location and teams of three witches are hunting him. He needs to survive for an hour or he will die. He does battle with several sets of witches. Each is a trio, and each wielding similar powers in similar methods. Tommy on the other hand uses prayer, cunning, and the assistance of certain charisms knowing to be gifts of God to certain saints. The meaning of the title is an interesting twist. But to find out you will need to read this excellent little story.  

They Burn Witches, Don’t They?

This story is told from Alex Packerd’s point of view. He has been staying in Tommy’s house while he is overseas and he is prepared for what happens. Being Tommy’s partner had given him some skills, some tools, and he has been doing his research.

Soon Alex, the chief medical examiner Doctor Sinead Holland and Father Freeman realize what they are up against and they start to work to stop something that will be bad, very, very bad. But can they take on a coven, some of whom are super powered without Tommy?

Succubus Blues

I read this in the original anthology it appeared it, and at the time it was like a visit with an old friend. A creature as the title indicates appears in the stations. Tommy decides to figure out if it is a try or real. And soon Tommy, the woman, and her man are fighting a demon. A great little story with some very interesting twists.

Saints And Monsters

We are informed at the beginning that this story is not official canon. But that being said, what a great story. This is a crossover with the Love at First Bite series. Or I should say specifically a reworking of part of the Honeymoon from hel story called Cross Over. Specifically parts of middle chapters called Saint, Meet Monster to After Action. It is a really fun story of Tommy and Marco both being at the Vatican training, and as happens to both of them often, trouble just seems to find them. It is surprising how well they worked together! A great read. 


In The Garden Of Madness

Having not read this story it was like a visit with old friends. Tommy and Alex working a strange case together. This one reminds me of some of the Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley aka Poison Ivy Story arcs from the past as well as Murder Most Picante by Karina Fabian in her DragonEye, PI series. And of course it makes reference to a certain film with Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Bill Murray. This is an intriguing story. The whole story takes place over the period of a day and night. And Tommy and Alex pull out some old tricks and some new. And even a bit of a Scooby Doo reference in the ending. An excellent story!

Mark Of Kane

Wow! This is an excellent cross over story. A main character from one of Finn’s other series carries relics of Saint Tommy. Those relics are spent brass. And he encounters a demon Tommy had faced before. A short story with a lot of punch. Characters who we know and love. And action galore. Finn has written another excellent story in this piece!

Principle Necromancy

Having seen pictures of Finn I could easily see him beating a person with a book! Reading this story as a short story was powerful. Tommy deals with a vampire, the undead, and even a necromancer. He uses a Charism that he had used once before. And this time it has a surprising effect on the director.

Vessel – by John Griffing

In some ways this story fits between the end of Blue Saint, Saint Tommy Book 12, and Epilogue: Devil’s Advocate. Or it fits in as part of that Epilogue or the events to soon follow. The main part of this story is an action short story with a battle between Tommy’s son and ward and the Chinese agents. The lead agent falls from grace and Saint Tommy and a saint who appears to Tommy appear and rescue Lim. 

This is another outstanding collection to read it brings together for the first time all the shorter Saint Tommy pieces. Excellent stories in a series that are now available in 4 Omnibus editions and a this collection of all the short stories. I highly recommend this series for mature readers. I have recommended these stories to dozens of people and all have loved them. Therefore I recommend them to you. Pick this up and read the shorter works in this awesome series!  

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Declan Finn:
Love At First Bite Series:

The Last Survivors Series:
…

Convention Killings Series:
…

Pius Series:
A Pius Legacy
A Pius Stand
Pius History
Pius Tales (Anthology)
…
Pius Trilogy Short Stories:
...

St. Tommy Series:

Land&Sea Season 2:
...

Other books:
...

Anthologies contributed to:
Luna: Planetary Anhtology Series Book 2
Supernatural Streets
Starflight: Tales From The Starport Lounge
Mercury: Planetary Anthology Series Book 4
Venus: Planetary Anthology Series Book 5
Mars: Planetary Anthology Series Book 7
Places Beyond the Wild: A Z-Day Anthology
Shoot the Devil: Ten Tales of Humans Defeating the Demonic
Fantastic Schools, Volume 6
This Saint For Hire - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD Omnibus Vol. I

Have Saint Will Travel - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD Omnibus Vol. II

A Fistful of Relics - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD Omnibus Vol. III

Dead Saint Walking - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD Omnibus Vol. IV

Pathway to Heaven - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD The Complete Short Stories
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Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children
Inkwell Media, LLC
ISBN 9781734567038
ASIN B0FY4JQMRK

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman

I read A Single Bead by Engelman almost a decade ago, and it still comes to mind often, and is a book I recommend frequently. While working on a different review I stumbled upon this trilogy of books, one for each of the traditional sets of mysteries of the Rosary. This was the second in the set I have read. And though this book and series is completely different I enjoyed it just as much. These three volumes are prayer books, but they are also Visio Divina, which Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing"). It is a traditional Catholic method of praying with sacred artwork, icons, or images.  Each two page spread in the volume has a painting or piece of a painting to help with the reflection. And each station has two different paintings. But I am getting ahead of myself, the description of this volume states:

“Immerse children in the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary with this beautiful book complete with vibrant, classical art to capture their attention and enliven their imaginations.

Each Hail Mary is coupled with one or two sentences detailing the stories of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and Our Lady's Assumption and Coronation. Similar to a scriptural Rosary, these are written in language even young children will understand and enjoy, helping youth learn to love this beautiful prayer.

Color-coded Hail Mary beads further help guide children’s fingers along their Bead-by-Bead rosaries, which can be crafted at home or purchased online if.

Whether your family prays the Rosary together every day or once in a blue moon, or even if the family Rosary is an ideal to which you longingly aspire, this book promises to elevate your family prayer and make contemplation of the Mysteries of Christ a reality.”

The volume begins with a quote:

"Say the Rosary every day, especially to obtain peace in the world."
     Our Lady to the children of Fatima

In note for children we are informed:

“The Rosary is the Blessed Mother Mary's very special prayer, which she gave to us so we could grow closer to her Son, Jesus. When we pray the Rosary, Mother Mary guides us on a beautiful journey, walking with us through Christ's life and helping us to know and love Him better.

Countless miracles have happened through the Rosary. Wars have been won, people who were very sick have been healed, and - most importantly- many, many people have been brought to Christ and His Church.

When you pray the Rosary, you can ask Mary to pray with you for things that are important to you. Do you know someone who's sick or going through a difficult time? Is there something you're afraid of or worried about? Would you like to ask Jesus to help you to always love Him? Or maybe you'd like to ask Jesus to help your priest, the leaders of your country, or your school? While not every prayer is answered in the way we expect, offering our needs to God will always help us grow closer to Jesus and to have peace and joy, knowing that we are beloved children of God.

Today, we will pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, which are usually prayed on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Glorious Mysteries bring our focus to Christ's promise of eternal life and the gift of Mary, who is our Mother in Heaven.”

As mentioned each mystery is three facing pages, A piece of artwork on each set. After each Hail Mary is a biblical verse. Thus the volume is both Lectio Divina and Visio Divina. Each of the Hail Mary’s for each mystery is proceeded by a colour circle. Engelman also offers instructions for making matching Rosaries, especially for while teaching children. The colours are:

Yellow
Rust
Purple
White
Blue
Green
Black
Red
Light Blue
Light Purple

At the end of the volume we are provided the list of Image credits. They are:

Breathtaking Joy, commissioned work by Caris Roller, 2025
Madonna de/ Rosario, Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, 1643
The Virgin in Prayer, Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato, 1640-50
Christ Appearing to His Mother, Juan de Flandes, 1496
Holy Women at Christ's Tomb, Annibale Carracci, 1590's
The Incredulity of Thomas, Caravaggio, 1601-02
Resurrection of Christ, Giovanni Bellini, 1475-79
Ascension, John Singleton Copley, 1775
Pentecost, Juan Bautista Maino, c. 1615-20
St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem, Charles Poerson, 1642
Assumption of Mary, Guido Reni, 1638-39
Assumption of Mary, Paolo Veronese, 1585-87
The Virgin of the Apocalypse, Miguel Cabrera, 17 60
Coronation of the Virgin, Diego Velazquez, 1635-36
The Resurrection, Francesco Buoneri, 1619-1620

I love the eBook edition as I can always have it on me. I am very thankful I picked up this trio of books. I really enjoyed this volume and the volume on The Glorious Mysteries as the third in the series I have read. I will use this volume often. 

This is an excellent book for the young or to be honest anyone who wants to go deeper with the Rosary. This is a fantastic book in a trilogy that would be great for any home, school, or church library. I loved this and can easily recommend it!


Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman - Sample 1

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman - Sample 2

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman - Sample 3

Bead by Bead The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman - Sample 4

Books by Stephanie Engelman:
Walking with Christ: Life Stories of Jeanne Wieck Atkins with Scriptural Reflections
...

Bead By Bead Series For Children:
…

Contributed to:
…

Written As S.J. Engelman:
…
Bead by Bead: The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman

Bead by Bead: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman

Bead by Bead: The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary for Children - Stephanie Engelman
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Tuesday, 3 November 2026

The Last Cabin - James Wenhwaurth

The Last Cabin 
James Wenhwaurth
ISBN 9798172614361
ASIN B0HFGS83YV

The Last Cabin - James Wenhwaurth

This is the second volume I have read from New Ark, and I have several others on my ‘wish list’; both others by Wenhwaurth and other authors. I was intrigued by all the books from Wenhwaurth, when I was browsing the publisher’s site. I was also intrigued by the company’s Seal and mission. Of the books I was intrigued by, both fiction and nonfiction this was the one I dove into right away. The description of this volume states:

“Four friends. One reunion. A stranger who already knows exactly what happened ten years ago.

They reunite at a remote cabin to finally scatter the ashes of the fifth friend they lost a decade ago -- the "accident" they've spent ten years agreeing not to examine too closely. But the cabin isn't empty. A woman named Sloane is already there, and she knows details about that night that were never made public.

As a storm cuts off the only road out, the group's carefully rehearsed story starts to crack -- because each of them remembers a different, self-serving version of the truth, and Sloane seems to know the real one.

None of them are leaving this weekend with the story they arrived with.

A slow-burn, secrets-and-lies thriller for fans of The Reunion and Lucy Foley -- perfect for readers who love a group of old friends with everything to hide.”

About the author we are informed:

“James Wenhwaurth writes psychological suspense about ordinary people discovering that the story everyone agreed on isn't the true one. His fiction lives in isolated places — a lakeside cabin, a chartered boat, a retreat off the grid — where the exits are limited and the people you arrived with are the only people there.

He also writes about attention and burnout from a systems angle, on the conviction that most people don't need more willpower — they need better-designed defaults.”

The chapters in this novella are:

Ten Years
Two Minutes
You’re The One Who Checks
The Photograph
The Only Ending Available

While reading this I thought often about Article 7 by D.L. Gray and our narrator reminded me a lot of Brock W. Winters the main character in that volume. The Precision, the ability to notice, and the need to process the wanting truth even if it is not easy, wanting what is real even if it is costly. It is the story about a friendship, a friendship that has been forged in tragedy and strained because of how they have handled it. Now 10 years later they revisit the scene and the events. To know things do not add up, and have spent the decade trying to process, or trying to repress. 

Early in the story we are informed:

“I believed it completely for exactly four days. Then something in me — the same thing that makes me good at my job and difficult at dinner — started running the numbers, and I put that thing in a drawer and kept it there for a decade, and I want to be honest that keeping it there was a choice I made every single day, not one I made once.

I believe pieces of it still, even now. That's the part people find hardest to understand. It isn't that the story was a lie. It's that a story can be ninety percent true and the missing ten percent can be the whole thing.”

And also:

“I fact-check for a living.

This surprises people, or it disappoints them, depending. They imagine something adversarial — a man in a newsroom being told his lede won't survive contact with reality. It isn't like that. It's mostly a spreadsheet and a phone and a long, patient afternoon establishing that a hospital named in paragraph four was, in the year in question, called something else.

What it actually trains you to do is notice load-bearing sentences. Every account has a few. Most of what a person tells you is decoration — true, checkable, irrelevant. And then somewhere in the middle there's a sentence holding up the roof, and you learn to feel the difference in your chest before you can articulate it. It reads slightly smoother than the sentences around it. It has been said more often. It has been worn.

A missed footing.”

This is a powerful little story. Readers will really feel for the group of friends, what they have been through, what they have carried and what comes to light. But most of all I appreciate the narrator. I cannot but hope we will have more stories with them.

This is an excellent little story. It greatly draws you in and keep your attention. I loved it and look forward to other offerings from Wenhwaurth’s pen!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by James Wenhwaurth:
Overboard
The Fourth Time
Small Resets
…

Graphic Novels:
The Last Cabin
Overboard
The Fourth Time
…
Overboard - James Wenhwaurth

The Fourth Time - James Wenhwaurth

The Last Cabin - James Wenhwaurth

Small Resets - James Wenhwaurth

The New Ark Studio
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Monday, 2 November 2026

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati: The Boy Who Climbed Higher - Paddy Bréagnamh - Mini Saints & Missionaries Library

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati: The Boy Who Climbed Higher 
Mini Saints & Missionaries Library
Paddy Bréagnamh
Mini Saints & Missionaries Library
ISBN 9798899681424
ASIN B0HL6QF1WM
ASIN B0HL5KV5YT

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati: The Boy Who Climbed Higher - Paddy Bréagnamh - Mini Saints & Missionaries Library

I have been wondering how this series would handle Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, since I read the first volume in the collection. I was not disappointed, this is an excellent little biography, for the young or young at heart. There are currently 20 volumes available in this series dedicated to specific saints, 3 the focus on 52 female saints, one that focuses on Saints for boys for first communion; and 2 editions of one about 33 saints. I have greatly enjoyed all I have read in the series, and check regularly for new titles. As I keep checking for when new ones to be released, and typically pick them up as soon after as I can. I have benefited from reading them all and recommended each of them to several people. I especially loved the volume on Pope Leo XIV. This volume I picked up shortly after it was released. It was released in 2026. The description of the book is:

“He loved mountains, skiing, and practical jokes.
He also had a secret.

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati was a cheerful, adventurous young man who proved that you don't have to be serious to be holy.

Born into one of the most powerful families in Italy, Pier Giorgio could have had anything he wanted. He climbed the Alps with his friends, pulled pranks, and struggled with Latin like any other student.

But almost every day, he slipped away to the poorest streets of his city. He gave away his money, his time, and even the coat off his back. He hardly told anyone, not even his own family.

When he died at just 24, thousands of strangers filled the streets for his funeral. His parents finally learned who their son really was.


In 2025, Pier Giorgio was declared a saint, alongside Saint Carlo Acutis. He is the patron of young people, students, and mountain climbers, because his story is about more than adventure.

It's about:
 • Joy: showing that faith and fun belong together
 • Quiet kindness: helping others without needing praise
 • Courage: standing up for what's right, even when it's dangerous

What's Inside
 • A powerful, true story told in a clear, engaging narrative style
 • A relatable saint kids can see themselves in
 • Reflection questions to encourage meaningful conversations
 • Timeline and historical context to deepen understanding

Perfect for:
 • Kids ages 8–12
 • Adventurous kids who love sports and the outdoors
 • Young people choosing a Confirmation saint
 • Classrooms, homeschool, and Catholic education

If your child thinks saints are too serious or too perfect to relate to, Pier Giorgio's story offers a surprising reminder:

Everyone has a mountain to climb. Keep going up.”

Most of the volumes in this series are under the pen name Paddy Bréagnamh. The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction
1. A Boy from Turin
2. The Secret Life of Pier Giorgio
3. To the Heights!
4. Standing Up for What's Right
5. A Heart That Gave It All
6. The Last Week
7. From Turin to the World
8. Climb Higher Like Pier Giorgio
Reflection Questions
Timeline of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati
Author's Note
Mini Saints & Missionaries Library Series

I only highlighted numerous passages in this volume. SO much that I exceeded the amount I could export from the eBook. Some of my highlights are:

“For everyone who is climbing something hard. Keep going up.”

“Pier Giorgio Frassati loved skiing and climbing mountains. He played practical jokes on his friends. He was loud, cheerful, and always hungry. He wasn't very good at Latin. He wasn't a priest or a monk or a missionary in a faraway land. He was a university student in Italy about a hundred years ago, with a busy family, a group of close friends, and big plans for the future.”

“This is the story of how an ordinary young man became a saint. Let's find out his secret.”

“The Frassatis were an important family. Pier Giorgio's father, Alfredo, owned La Stampa, one of the most famous newspapers in Italy. He was smart, hardworking, and very serious. Later he would become a senator and an ambassador. Pier Giorgio's mother, Adelaide, was a painter who liked things done properly.”

“Their parents loved them, but they were strict, and they were not happy with each other. The house was often tense and quiet. Alfredo didn't go to church. Adelaide went, but religion was more of a habit for her than a passion. Nobody in the family expected Pier Giorgio to turn out any differently.”

“School, on the other hand, was not simple. Pier Giorgio was lively, loud, and full of energy, but he was not a star student. Math and science were fine. Latin was a disaster. When he was about twelve, he failed his Latin exam and had to repeat the year. His father was embarrassed.”

“Soon he was going to Mass every morning. He never stopped. His parents weren't sure what to make of it. Some relatives thought he was overdoing it.”

“When Pier Giorgio was seventeen, he joined a group called the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Its members visited poor families in their homes, found out what they needed, and did their best to help.”

“If you had met Pier Giorgio, you might never have guessed he was so holy. You would probably have noticed that he was loud.”

“With a group of friends, Pier Giorgio started a club called the "Society of Shady Characters." It wasn't really shady at all. The members gave each other funny nicknames, wrote each other silly letters, and went on adventures together. But underneath all the fun, the friends had a serious goal. They promised to pray for each other and help each other stay close to God.”

“He joined Catholic student groups that worked for fairness, freedom, and help for the poor. He went to meetings, handed out leaflets, and spoke up for what he believed.”

“In 1922, he joined the Dominicans as a lay member. That meant he promised to follow a special way of prayer and service while still living an ordinary life as a student. He took the name "Brother Girolamo."”

“The day before he died, he asked for paper and a pen. His hand was so weak he could barely hold it. In shaky handwriting, he wrote a note to a friend. It said that there was medicine that needed to go to a poor man named Converso, and a pawn ticket that needed to be renewed so another family wouldn't lose their belongings.”

“When I first learned about Pier Giorgio, what surprised me most was how normal he seemed. He loved the outdoors. He had a big group of friends. He struggled in school. His family was complicated. He could have been someone in your class or on your team.”

“I wrote this book for kids who sometimes think saints are too serious, too perfect, or too far away to understand. I also wrote it for young people preparing for Confirmation and wondering what it means to live their faith for real. Pier Giorgio shows that holiness isn't about being perfect. It's about loving God and loving others, one day at a time, one step at a time.”

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. I have read much about Pier Giorgio and a bit by him over the years. My children and I have a devotion to him, especially my son. Reading this was like a visit with a friend I had not seen in a while. It was a great reminder of his life, and his example.

This book and series are great read for the young and the young at heart! I would love to see how the author would handle standalone volumes on Josemaría Escrivá, Charles de Foucauld, John Henry Newman, and many of my other favourite saints. But these books are so good no matter who is profiled next I know I will pick it up. And this long awaited volume was excellent! 

That being said this volume would be a great gift for first communion or even confirmation. It would be an excellent addition to any home, school, or church library. This latest release in this series is another fantastic read. The series keeps getting better and better. It was an excellent read in a great series. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books in the Mini Saints & Missionaries Library Series:
Saint Cecilia: The Girl Who Sang in Her Heart 
Saint Lucy: The Girl Who Carried the Light 
Saint Josephine Bakhita: The Girl Who Chose Freedom 
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: The Girl Who Found a Little Way 
Saint Francis of Assisi: The Man Who Befriended Birds 
Saint Nicholas: The Orphan Who Became Santa Claus 
Saint Juan Diego: The Man Whose Cloak Held a Miracle 
Saint Faustina: The Messenger of Divine Mercy 
Saint Martin The Soldier Who Shared His Cloak
…
Lives of Women Saints: 52 True Stories of Courage, Faith, and Character 
The Lives of Women Saints Coloring & Activity Book 
The Lives of Women Saints Workbook 
Catholic Saints for Kids: 33 Inspiring Stories of Faith, Courage and Character
Catholic Saints for Kids: 33 Inspiring Stories of Faith, Courage and Character Full Coloring Book Edition
...


Mini Saints & Missionaries Library from Pettyfeather Publishing


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Sunday, 1 November 2026

Holmes By Tuscany Bay - Richard Paolinelli

Holmes By Tuscany Bay
ISBN 9798906106148
ASIN B0HFDR461Q

Holmes By Tuscany Bay - Richard Paolinelli

My introduction to Richard’s work was a story in the anthology Cracked. Since that first story I have read works by him 42 times, not counting contributions to anthologies. I loved these stories when I first read them, and enjoyed them even more reading them again as a collection in this volume. With each story I read I am more impressed with Richard’s skill and talent. And this anthology edition featuring the six Sherlock Holmes pastiches is excellent! Reading it was alike a visit with old friends after a long absence. Richard is not only an author but the driving force behind Tuscany Bay Books, I have read many volumes from the Bay by a number of authors and all have been well worth the read. I regret that I did not dig into his works earlier, so do not make my mistake pick one up and give it a read. The description of this volume is:

“Award-winning, best-selling author Richard Paolinelli has written six critically-acclaimed Sherlock Holmes pastiches in his career. Now, for the first time, all six are available in one collection - Holmes By Tuscany Bay.

In this volume you will find:

The Woman Returns: For a brief period of time the world thought Sherlock Holmes had perished in his battle with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. While Holmes was away from London, he traveled the world. Shortly before his return he took up residence in the south of France. To his surprise Irene Adler showed up on his doorstep. She is looking for revenge. The man who murdered her husband has escaped justice and she wants Holmes to help her in her quest.

A Lesson In Mercy: Most of Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes stories were told from the perspective of Dr. John Watson. In this case, Winston Churchill recalls a time in his youth when he was accused of theft at school. At Churchill's beloved Nanny's insistence, Holmes and Watson are called in on the case. The future Prime Minister will receive a shooting lesson from Watson and learn a valuable lesson in mercy from Holmes himself.

The Misplaced Mystery Writer: H.G. Wells has built his time machine and taken American author Edgar Allan Poe on several trips through time. Unfortunately, he has become separated from Poe while hunting for Jack The Ripper in London. Wells enlists the aid of Holmes and Watson to find Poe and return him to his correct time frame.

Nevermore: Once upon a midnight dreary Sherlock Holmes, though not weak and weary, finds himself in a tale connected to forgotten lore. Now he must solve the mystery of an albino raven that seems to be a harbinger of death for the owner of the manor it has taken up residence in.

The Substitute Thief: When a valuable manuscript has been replaced with a forgery during an important football match, Holmes is called in to find the thief and recover the manuscript.

The Assassination of Alan Pinkerton: History records that the famous Alan Pinkerton - founder of both the Pinkerton Detective Agency and the United States Secret Service - died from a head injury suffered from a fall in Chicago. But a mysterious visitor to 221B Baker Street in London has a story to tell Holmes and Watson. A story that calls into question the cause of Pinkerton’s demise. Months later, and thousands of miles away, can Holmes deduce the truth about Pinkerton’s death?”

Richard in the beginning of the author’s note states:

“Growing up as a kid one of my earliest discoveries in my local library in Turlock was the collected stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A few years later I bought the same two-volume collection to have in my personal library for life.
Then came the 1980s and Jeremy Brett’s portray of Sherlock Holmes. No actor before, and none since (sorry Robert Downey Jr.) have captured Holmes on the screen like Brett did. I have every episode Brett filmed in my digital library as well.
So yes, I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan.

Never once did I ever dare to think that one day I’d be writing Sherlock Holmes stories, or pastiches, much less getting them published.

Then one day, I landed the chance to write my first such pastiche. As an added bonus, I would be in the same anthology along with Jack McDevitt, a fellow sci-fi author, and a man who I credit as being my inspiration to make one last run at being a fiction writer at the age of 49.”

It concludes with:

“All six were a great joy to write and I hope they are a joy for you to read.”

And indeed they are. After reading them in this collection I have recommended them to my son and he is loving them. The stories in this collection with a brief review of each are:


It was fascinating to read this tale of a young Churchill being rescued by Holmes and Watson. Both of whom provide invaluable service and lessons to the young man, that help to shape him into the leader he became.

This story was originally published in the anthology: Beyond Watson, from Belanger Books. If the other stories in that collection are as good as this, it will be one well worth tracking down, but back to this story. This is an excellent story and one I am very thankful I gave it a read!


This is a masterfully written story. It fits in perfectly with the other stories I have read years ago. Paolinelli has breathed new life into the characters and yet remained true to their original creation. Adler shows up asking for Holmes' help, and even promises to his condition. And they are immediately off on the chase.

This is a great short story. It draws you in quickly, it keeps your attention, and leaves you wanting more. Fortunately Paolinelli has written 5 other Holmes stories. The characters are masterfully written. I look forward to the other stories in this series and many of Richard’s other series.


It was fascinating to read this tale of a young Holmes and Watson interacting with the author and scientist H.G. Wells. The story has a very intriguing principal. Wells approaches Holmes because he has misplaced another author in both time and space. The question is can Holmes and Watson help find and put the man back when and when he belongs. It also raises questions about if the timeline the story ends in was the original or if the time hopping has altered things. A masterful short story in the time travel genre. 


This story was originally published in the anthology: Sherlock Holmes Adventures in the Realms of Edgar Allan Poe, from Belanger Books. If the other stories in that collection are as good as this, it will be one well worth tracking down. But Back to this story. This is an excellent story and one I am very thankful I have read!

This one was another excellent offering. It is very well written story. Paolinelli’s stories fit in perfectly with the other stories I have read in both of official and unofficial Holmes canon. Paolinelli breathes new life into the characters and yet he remains true to their original creation. 


The case detailed in this work took place 2 years earlier in Darlington and focused around Lady Lymington and the Library she created as her father’s request when he passed. The case opens with: 

“t had not been Lestrade, or some strange newcomer, that had set Holmes on the trail to Darlington that foggy London night. Rather, it came in the form of a letter. 

“It seems, Doctor,” he said, holding it up after reading it, “that our assistance is required on a somewhat delicate matter in Darlington,” he said. 

“Darlington?” I exclaimed. “What could possibly be of such a delicate nature up there?” 

“A rare manuscript has been stolen,” Holmes replied. “The theft hasn’t yet become public knowledge. Lady Lymington – ” He waved the note. “ – hopes that it can be recovered before news of the theft does get out. Her husband, Lord Lymington, has contacts that are useful to Her Majesty’s government.”

And the chase is afoot. This is an odd case involving a local football rivalry. A substitute baller, a substituted book, and a whole town talking about the past match and the rematch. And very few being informed about the missing object.  


This one was another smashing good story. It is masterfully written story. It fits in perfectly with the other stories I have read in both official and unofficial Holmes canon. Paolinelli breathes new life into the characters and yet he remains true to their original creation. A man shows up at their door asking for an investigation of a murder, and reveals it is he himself who has been killed. Soon Holmes disappears for a few days and gets the ball rolling. But can he solve this case of two men murdered continents apart?

This is an excellent short story. It draws the reader in quickly, it keeps your attention, and leaves you wanting more!

I enjoyed these stories so much when I first read and reviewed them that I wrote a separate piece as an overview of the whole collection to be able to promote it more. I have said it about other books and stories by Paolinelli and I said it about these stories, I can only hope we will see more Holmes stories from his masterful pen. These are excellent stories and I can easily recommend them, especially in the collected edition. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.

Books by Richard Paolinelli:
Maelstrom
When the Gods Fell
The Calling
The Last Lonely Trail
A Zombie Christmas Carol

Infinity Series:
Exploring Infinity
Expanding Infinity
…

Starguest 4th Age Series:
Ranger
Cassandra's Line

Timeless Series:
Odin’s Runes
Empire Of The Golden Dragon
Blackbeard’s Treasure
The Last Quest
…

Jack Del Rio Series:
Betrayals
Endgames
…
Del Rio Omnibus Edition
Del Rio The Complete Trilogy 
…

Divine Trolls Comedies:
The Fall Of The House Of 770 Vile Aromas 
The Corvo
…

SeaDragon:
SeaDragon 1 May 1986
SeaDragon 2 June 1996
Sherlock Holmes Pastiches:

Non Fiction:
Perfection’s Arbiter
From The Fields
The Space Shuttle: 1981–2011 
…

Contributed to:
To Be Men 
Places Beyond The Wild
Space Force Building The Legacy
Secret Stairs 
A Tribute To H.G. Wells (2019 Edition)
Beyond Watson 
Holmes Away From Home, Vol. 2 
Sherlock Holmes Adventures In The Realms Of H.G. Wells 
Sherlock Holmes Aventures In The Realms Of Edgar Allan Poe
The Art Of Sherlock Holmes 
The Mx Book Of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, Part Xxii
…

Planetary Anthology Series:
Sol
Earth
Luna
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
…
Best Of Planetary Anthology Series
…
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