I don’t read
fiction. Usually. Getting wrapped up in a gripping novel that I can’t put down
is time away from my life as a Catholic writer and from the stacks of
non-fiction books I have yet to read.
Exceptions have
been made, however. C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape
Letters, The
Loser Letters: A Comic Tale of Life, Death, and Atheism, by Mary Eberstadt,
and Rachel’s
Contrition by Michelle Buckman, are award-winning books that
masterfully contribute to faith and morals through literature.
been made, however. C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape
Letters, The
Loser Letters: A Comic Tale of Life, Death, and Atheism, by Mary Eberstadt,
and Rachel’s
Contrition by Michelle Buckman, are award-winning books that
masterfully contribute to faith and morals through literature.
Enter Barbara
Golder and the Lady Doc Murders.
It’s a series so I’ll be staying up late periodically with a book I can’t put
down. I’ve never gushed over murder
mysteries before, but here goes.
Golder and the Lady Doc Murders.
It’s a series so I’ll be staying up late periodically with a book I can’t put
down. I’ve never gushed over murder
mysteries before, but here goes.
In Dying
for Compassion, the 2nd book in the series, (I went back now to read
the 1st) Golder takes on the legalization of euthanasia in Colorado
where leading lady Jane Wallace, a medical examiner and lawyer, works. Jane’s
investigation to discover who murdered her beloved’s ex-wife as well as the
suspicious deaths of 3 children, delves into issues of life, death, and who
chooses.
for Compassion, the 2nd book in the series, (I went back now to read
the 1st) Golder takes on the legalization of euthanasia in Colorado
where leading lady Jane Wallace, a medical examiner and lawyer, works. Jane’s
investigation to discover who murdered her beloved’s ex-wife as well as the
suspicious deaths of 3 children, delves into issues of life, death, and who
chooses.
Situations without easy answers arrive at the
Catholic truth as to why each life has value.
Pain and suffering are given respect and arguments for assisted suicide
are revealed as shallow substitutes for the intrinsic value of humanity.
Catholic truth as to why each life has value.
Pain and suffering are given respect and arguments for assisted suicide
are revealed as shallow substitutes for the intrinsic value of humanity.
Golder presents human dignity as deserving
medical care but not as an endless right that exhausts a poor body with futile
treatment that ultimately increases suffering. On the other hand, decisions to hasten death are seen as injustices against human life.
medical care but not as an endless right that exhausts a poor body with futile
treatment that ultimately increases suffering. On the other hand, decisions to hasten death are seen as injustices against human life.
One of the story’s characters, Monsignor
Jamais, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, said it well during a debate at a
pro-euthanasia fundraising event: “We are more than the sum of our thoughts…. That
person deserves our care and respect until his last natural breath. He certainly does not need us to dispatch his
soul into the next life for him because he is inconvenient to us.”
Jamais, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, said it well during a debate at a
pro-euthanasia fundraising event: “We are more than the sum of our thoughts…. That
person deserves our care and respect until his last natural breath. He certainly does not need us to dispatch his
soul into the next life for him because he is inconvenient to us.”
Golder reflects on the world she has lived–an amalgamation of medicine, law, and the
Catholic faith. In
pre-retirement life, Golder was a doctor and a lawyer—a lady doc/lawyer. She has served as a hospital pathologist,
forensic pathologist and laboratory director.
It was her work in forensic pathology that inspired her to get a law
degree, which she used as a malpractice attorney. Golder was able to practice medical law from
home while her 2 kids were young.
Catholic faith. In
pre-retirement life, Golder was a doctor and a lawyer—a lady doc/lawyer. She has served as a hospital pathologist,
forensic pathologist and laboratory director.
It was her work in forensic pathology that inspired her to get a law
degree, which she used as a malpractice attorney. Golder was able to practice medical law from
home while her 2 kids were young.
The Catholic faith, like her literary career,
came later in life. As a Jewish
convert and former Episcopalian and Methodist, Golder appeared on Marcus
Grodi’s EWTN Journey Home
to explain her faith journey. She earned
a certification (with honors) in healthcare ethics in 2014 from
the National Catholic Bioethics Center,
and served 4 years on the US Catholic Council of Bishop’s National
Advisory Council.
Golder is a
Grandma Moses in the literary field, waiting until she was older to craft her
masterpieces. I am no authority on such
things but the highly acclaimed author Joseph Pearce
is. His books include: The Quest for
Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon and the
Quest for Rome, The Unmasking of Oscar
Wilde, and Tolkien: Man
& Myth. Here is what he said about Golder: “In this latest
offering we find the plot twists and twisted characters that one would expect
in a good murder mystery but also the fine character development and deep
insight into the human condition which separates the truly great mysteries from
the run of the mill.”
Grandma Moses in the literary field, waiting until she was older to craft her
masterpieces. I am no authority on such
things but the highly acclaimed author Joseph Pearce
is. His books include: The Quest for
Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon and the
Quest for Rome, The Unmasking of Oscar
Wilde, and Tolkien: Man
& Myth. Here is what he said about Golder: “In this latest
offering we find the plot twists and twisted characters that one would expect
in a good murder mystery but also the fine character development and deep
insight into the human condition which separates the truly great mysteries from
the run of the mill.”
Golder’s writing began when she co-authored a handbook on forensic medicine for a local medical
examiner office in 1984. I’m guessing the plot was not very exciting. She
continues to write and lecture on law, medicine, and bioethics. I’m in awe.
Yet, there have been no reports of her walking on water or having a good
chocolate chip cookie recipe. So
apparently she has her flaws.
examiner office in 1984. I’m guessing the plot was not very exciting. She
continues to write and lecture on law, medicine, and bioethics. I’m in awe.
Yet, there have been no reports of her walking on water or having a good
chocolate chip cookie recipe. So
apparently she has her flaws.
Oh, and by the
way, Golder is the director of Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization at the
Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, Tennessee and she blogs at Catholic.365.com.
She will be the keynote speaker at the Catholic Writer’s
Guild Conference in July. I can’t
wait to meet her. Maybe I’ll share my chocolate chip cookie recipe with her.
way, Golder is the director of Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization at the
Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, Tennessee and she blogs at Catholic.365.com.
She will be the keynote speaker at the Catholic Writer’s
Guild Conference in July. I can’t
wait to meet her. Maybe I’ll share my chocolate chip cookie recipe with her.
~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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