Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Father Frank DeLuca, the protagonist of the Father Frank Mysteries. He’s a very interesting person, who just happens to solve crimes. So, let’s put some questions to him.
JC: How are things going at Prince of Peace church in Pine Tree?
FF: Quite well. Most of the parishioners are healthy, both physically and spiritually. And with the bequest Syd Cranzler left us, we are planning some new programs for all the youth in Pine Tree.
JC: You mentioned Syd Cranzler. I understand you got quite involved in actually identifying the killer. How did that happen?
FF: Mostly luck. The police chief felt like Syd had committed suicide and closed the case. I couldn’t believe Syd would do that. So, I had to find enough evidence to get the police to reopen the case. But, the police really solved it.
JC: Not what I heard. I understand you really provided the evidence to catch the murderer and also to convict –“
FF: Woah. Don’t go any farther down that line. How about our youth choir? Have you heard them?
JC: I have and I was truly impressed – not only with their singing, but also with the money they’ve raised for various causes outside your parish.
FF: Yes. In fact, that was their mission from the beginning: to sing and help others. I’m very proud of them.
JC: And they got started to help those who had lost a church to arson.
FF: Correct. Three Baptist churches were burned, leaving many people without their church. The kids wanted to do something to help them. As I said, I am very proud of them and what they’ve done.
JC: You were instrumental in solving the arsons and putting a stop to them.
FF: Well, I was there when the police caught the arsonist.
JC: I heard you identified the arsonist and led the police to stop another church from being burned.
FF: Would have been better if I’d done it sooner, and saved more churches.
JC: So, this year, you helped the Texas Rangers tie up a case.
FF: Again, they did the real work. I was very impressed with Lieutenant Dick Richards. I believe the Rangers really are the elite of investigative organizations. And Richards is an exceptional person.
JC: Okay, I can see we aren’t going to get much here on Father Frank, the crime solving priest.
FF: My real job is helping people with their spiritual life.
JC: But yet, you get involved in crimes – or rather solving crimes.
FF: Thanks for changing that. I certainly try not to get involved in crimes at all. But sometimes one can’t sit on the sideline. One has to be ready to come off the bench and try to find the solution. With the arsons, churches were being destroyed. I couldn’t sit on my hands and do nothing. And Syd’s family needed some closure. It couldn’t be left that he committed suicide, when he didn’t.
JC: And the murder at the writers conference?
FF: My sister was the sheriff’s prime suspect. In fact, he wasn’t looking for any other suspects. I had to do whatever I could. If he wasn’t looking for suspects, I had to.
JC: So, you’ve become a crime-solving priest.
FF: (Father Frank laughed.) No, no. I’m just a parish priest. But if I can help people, I think that fits within the role of a cleric. And right now, that means I have a couple coming in for counseling. So I must end this. Thanks for your interest in Prince of Peace Church. Go talk to the Popsters – that’s the youth choir. They’ll show you what charity really is. You’ll be surprised what those youths say and do.
JC: And there he goes. Folks, having talked with the police and Lieutenant Richards, Father Frank really is a great sleuth. Callan has chronicled some of the priest’s crime solving in the Father Frank Mystery Series of books.
Father Frank Mystery #4 is now out. The good priest took his first vacation in four years and went down to Magnolia Bluff, in the Texas Hill Country. Well, you guessed it. Trouble found him there. But things took an interesting twist. If you get a chance, check it out.
“You Won’t Know How, or When” by JAMES R CALLAN | WYLDWOOD BOOKS EBOOK COVER
Thank you for your kind words. I do feel like Father Frank is a real person – to me at least. But then, I been working with him through three books. If he doesn’t get transferred, I’m sure we’ll work together again. Thanks, Elaine.
I love this interview, Jim. Having read all about Father Frank in your three books (so far), you really captured him in this interview. He’s so read! In the novels, and in this discussion with you. You must talk to him as if he’s part of your household, and maybe dream about him, too.
I may borrow (steal) this idea when my landlady novel comes out.
Well, Eileen, you are absolutely welcome to steal that idea. And thank you for your comments. I do feel like I know him well at this point. A friend. And I do talk to him when I am writing. But he’s a priest, so I guess that’s okay.
Great interview with a ‘novel’ character who comes across as a real person one would like to meet. It takes a good writer to create that realistic persona in a character, and you certainly do that with Father Frank.