Next Book in the Series Browse A–Z
This site contains affiliate links. The creator of this site may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Father Dowling

by Ralph McInerny

30 books Started 1977 Latest 2011
Publication Reading Order

The Father Dowling is a YA Fiction / Mystery series by Ralph McInerny, made up of 30 books published between 1977 and 2011. It begins with Her Death of Cold (1977), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The Compassion of Father Dowling (2011), spanning 34 years of storytelling.

30books
34years active
5decades
~1.2yrs between books
2011latest release
# Title Year Buy
1970s
1 Her Death of Cold 1977 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2 Bishop as Pawn 1978 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
3 The Seventh Station 1978 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 Lying Three 1979 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1980s
5 Second Vespers 1980 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
6 Thicker Than Water 1981 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 A Loss of Patients 1982 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
8 The Grass Widow 1983 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
9 Getting a Way with Murder 1984 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
10 Rest in Pieces 1985 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
11 The Basket Case 1987 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
12 Abracadaver / Slight of Body 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
13 Four on the Floor 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1990s
14 Judas Priest 1991 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
15 Desert Sinner 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
16 Seed of Doubt 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
17 A Cardinal Offense 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
18 The Tears of Things 1996 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2000s
19 Grave Undertakings 2000 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
20 Triple Pursuit 2001 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
21 Prodigal Father 2002 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
22 Last Things 2003 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
23 Requiem for a Realtor 2004 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
24 Blood Ties 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
25 The Prudence of the Flesh 2006 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
26 The Widow's Mate 2007 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
27 Ash Wednesday 2008 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
28 The Wisdom of Father Dowling 2009 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
29 Stained Glass 2009 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
30 The Compassion of Father DowlingLatest 2011 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Father Dowling series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Father Dowling series?

Start with Her Death of Cold (1977), the first book in the Father Dowling series by Ralph McInerny. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Father Dowling series?

There are 30 books in the Father Dowling series by Ralph McInerny, published between 1977 and 2011.

What is the first book in the Father Dowling series?

The first book in the Father Dowling series is Her Death of Cold, published in 1977 by Ralph McInerny.

What is the latest book in the Father Dowling series?

The most recent book in the Father Dowling series is The Compassion of Father Dowling (2011) by Ralph McInerny.

More books by Ralph McInerny View all series and reading orders →
More series by Ralph McInerny
ISI Guides to the Major Disciplines 15 books Notre Dame 13 books Murder Most 11 books Sister Mary Teresa Mystery Series as Monica Quill 10 books Andrew Broom 6 books
Similar YA Fiction series
1-800-Where-R-You Series as Jenny Carroll Meg Cabot · 5 books Heather Wells Meg Cabot · 5 books From The Notebooks Of A Middle School Princess Meg Cabot · 5 books Horizon Scott Westerfeld · 5 books Cat Kid Comic Club Dav Pilkey · 5 books The Dragon Tales Dav Pilkey · 5 books
About Ralph McInerny

Ralph McInerny (1929-2010) was an American Catholic priest, philosopher, and prolific author. Ordained as a priest in 1954, McInerny later pursued academic studies, earning a doctorate in philosophy from Yale University. He taught at the University of Notre Dame from 1961 until his retirement. A prolific writer, McInerny published over 100 books, including novels, philosophical treatises, and biographies. His best-known works include the "Father Dowling" mystery series and the "Thomistic Metaphysics" trilogy. McInerny received numerous awards, including the Aquinas Medal from the American Catholic Philosophical Association (1986) and the Cardinal Newman Award from the Catholic Theological Society of America (1995). His writing earned widespread critical acclaim for its intellectual rigor, literary merit, and insightful exploration of philosophical and religious themes.

View all Ralph McInerny series →