Turbulent Priests

Turbulent Priests is the third novel of the Dan Starkey series by Northern Irish author, Colin Bateman, released on 6 December 1999 through Harper Collins.[1] Bateman's usage of Rathlin Island (which he renamed "Wrathlin Island" in the novel) as the book's setting led to Bateman being invited to unveil a "Writer's Chair", commemorating writers of all origin and genre.[2][3]

Turbulent Priests
First edition
AuthorColin Bateman
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesDan Starkey novels
GenreCrime, Dark comedy
PublisherHarper Collins
Publication date
6 December 1999 (1999-12-06)
Media typePrint (Softcover)
Pages275
ISBN978-0-00-225416-8
OCLC42274978
823.914
Preceded byOf Wee Sweetie Mice and Men
(1996)' 
Followed byShooting Sean
(2001)' 

Plot

The plot of this novel is based on Wrathlin Island, a small island north of mainland Ireland. Dan Starkey has been sent by Cardinal Daley, the Primate of All Ireland, to investigate reports that the Messiah has returned in the shape of a young girl, Christine, about to start school. Starkey has his wife Patricia and illegitimate child "Little Stevie" join him as he investigates the tiny dry community and meets considerable resistance from the defensive residents.

Reception

The novel received fairly little coverage though was well received.

Writing for The Herald, Allan Laing praised the novels "black-as-two-in-the-morning humour and the high body count", naming these as two Bateman trademarks.[4] In another review for The Herald, Dawn Kofie calls the novel "more than just a straightforward thriller", stating that it "combines the mundane and the bizarre with mordant humour". She goes on to say that "despite its unlikely premise, the book is an engaging, swiftly paced fusion of murder, sex, and religious fundamentalism, loaded with wry one-liners".[5] Isobel Montgomery, reviewing for The Guardian, stated that "Bateman is an engaging comic writer who has created another snappy adventure for Starkey".[6]

gollark: Soviet National Anthem.
gollark: Oh. That thing. Hmm.
gollark: Did you run into my security system?
gollark: What for?
gollark: Hacked κlients are evil.

References
  1. "Turbulent Priests (Book, 1999)". WorldCat.org. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  2. Tracey, Chris (14 August 2010). "Improving with age: Writer's chair, Rathlin Island". Improvingwithage.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  3. Bateman, Colin. "Turbulent Priests". Colin Bateman. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  4. Laing, Allan (6 January 2000). "bookends". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. Kofie, Dawn (23 December 1999). "Straight off the cuff". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. Montgomery, Isobel (8 July 2000). "Fiction | Books". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
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