First Among the Dead - J.D. Kirk - Constable Tyler Neish Book 1

A Rock and a Hard Place 

Constable Tyler Neish Book 1 

J.D. Kirk

Zertex Crime

ISBN 9781912767946

ASIN B0G6BNTM8W

I discovered the writing of J.D. Kirk in 2022, since then I have read over 50 volumes across three different pen names. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I have been hooked since that first read. Kirk also publishes under the names Barry Hutchison and Barry J, Hutchison. I have now read the first 19 in the DCI Logan series and all 5 in the Robert Hoon series, The first two in the DI Heather Filson series as well as stand alone VIP exclusive short story. 

I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be or that like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under three different names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He has published over 200 books across the three pen names. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. Being caught up now on his works as J.D. Kirk I will have to wait for each new one to come out, and this volume was well worth the weight. 

The description of this novel is:

“All coppers have a first case. His might also be his last.

Inverness, December 2015.

The streets are frozen, the days are short, and Constable Tyler Neish is entirely out of his depth.

Fresh out of training, Tyler is desperate to make a good impression. He wants to seem capable, commanding, and professional. Unfortunately, he’s mostly known for falling over in the snow and being terrified of his own shadow.

But when sixteen-year-old Laura Wilder goes missing, the job suddenly gets personal. To the weary brass at Burnett Road Police Station, Laura is just a low-risk repeat runaway who’ll be home by dinner time. To Tyler, she’s his best mate’s little sister, and he knows that something is wrong.

Ordered to stay in his lane by the bureaucratic nightmare that is Chief Inspector “Snecky” Grant, and threatened with grisly dismemberment by the terrifying Detective Superintendent Hoon, Tyler must make a choice: follow orders and keep his job, or go rogue and save a life.

For Tyler, that isn't a choice at all.

Armed only with a notebook, damp trousers, and a near total lack of common sense, the rookie constable plunges headlong into the freezing city to uncover the truth.

But in the Highlands of Scotland, the truth is like ice—slippery, dangerous, and liable to break if you push it too hard.”

We are also informed:

“First Among the Dead is a standalone prequel novella following the early adventures of fan favourite character DC Tyler Neish from the DCI Jack Logan series, and the perfect introduction to the world and characters of bestselling Scottish crime fiction author, JD Kirk.”

Tyler Neish is a favourite character in the DCI Logan Books and in the Robert Hoon novels. This is his back story, or at least part of it. He is a new recruit on the Inverness police force, and he wants to make his mark. Unfortunately he seems as good at messing up, and not following orders as he is eager and determined. Not a great combination. But when a mates sister is missing and no one seems to be taking it seriously, he is willing to break the rules because it is personal. 

This story is very different than the rest of the series in that it goes back in time. It gives us a look at a very green Neish. A much younger Detective Superintendent Robert Hoon, Chief Inspector Samuel ‘Snecky’ Grant, DI Ben Forde, and even Dave Davidson. So we encounter a number of the regulars an see them in a different light.

I read most of this while travelling over the holidays. It is a great read, and I really hope Kirk releases more stories like this giving us more insight into Neish or even other members of the team. I love the three series written under the pen name J.D. Kirk and they are definitely Scottish Mysteries, or Scottish Police Crime novels. This story is not as dark or gritty as many written by Kirk, but it is a great expansion of the Scottish Crime novels he writes. A really good story I can easily recommend! Give it a read at Neish tried to figure out how he will handle his first dead body on the job.                

      

Books by J.D. Kirk:

The Bone House

My Daughter is Missing 

The Woman Downstairs

…

DCI Logan Series:

A Little of Bones

Thicker than Water

The Killing Code

Blood and Treachery

The Last Bloody Straw

A Whisper of Sorrows

The Big Man Upstairs

A Death Most Monumental

A Snowball's Chance in Hell

Ahead of the Game

An Isolated Incident

Colder than the Grave

Come Hell or High Water

City of Scars

Here Lie the Dead

One for the Ages

In the Service of Death

A Dead Man Walking

Where the Pieces Lie

A Killer of Influence

A Rock and aa Hard Place

…

Robert Hoon Thrillers:

Northwind 

Southpaw

Westward

Eastgate

Stateside

…

DI Heather Filson Series:

The One That Got Away

This Little Piggy

...

Constable Tyler Neish Series:

First Among the Dead

...

Contributed to:

Everyday Kindness: A Collection of Uplifting Tales to Brighten Your Day

…

Books as Barry J. Hutchison:

Dan Deadman Space Detective Series:

Dial D for Deadman

Dead Inside

Dead in the Water

…

Space Team Series:

Space Team

The Wrath of Vajazzle 

The Holiday Special

The Search for Splurt 

Song of the Space Siren 

The Guns of Nana Joan 

Return of the Dead Guy 

Planet of the Japes 

The Time Titan of Tomorrow 

The King of Space Must Die 

Sting of the Mustard Mines 

Sentienced to Death

The Hunt for Reduk Topa

…

A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories

…

Sidekicks Initiative Series:

The Sidekicks Initiative

…

The Bug Books Series:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

…

Complete Season One

…

Other Books:

World Killer

…

Children’s books as Barry Hutchison:

Invisible Fiends Series:

Mr Mumbles 

Raggy Maggie 

The Crowmaster 

Doc Mortis 

The Beast 

The Darkest Corners 

…

Afterworlds:

The Missing Remote of the Apocalypse

The 13th Horseman 

The Book of Doom 

...

Benjamin Blank Series:

The Shark-Headed Bear Thing 

The Swivel-Eyed Ogre-Thing 

The Moon-Faced Ghoul-Thing 

…

Beaky Malone Series:

The World's Greatest Liar

Worst School Trip Ever

Super Creepy Camp

Weirdest Show on Earth

…

Generator Rex Series:

The Trade

Mirror Mirror

…

Living Ted Series:

Night of the Living Ted

Revenge of the Living Ted

Invasion of the Living Ted

…

Spectre Collectors Series:

Too Ghoul for School

A New York Nightmare!

Rise of the Ghostfather!

…

Other works:

Rise of the Rabbits

The Tooth Fairy MurderS

…

Discovering A Mission - Alexandre Havard - My Way to Virtuous Leadership

Discovering A Mission

My Way to Virtuous Leadership

Alexandre Havard

Anthony T. Salvia (Translator)

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9781594174889

eSIBN 9781594174896

ASIN B0CTW6TV1N

This volume was previously published as My Russian Way: A Spiritual Autobiography, this new edition contains a note from the author in 2023 when it released. That note states:

“Delving into one’s past and discerning its meaning are tasks everyone should undertake.

In my Virtuous Leadership classes I always call on my students to discover their own essence in order to identify a mission. And to help determine what that is, I ask them to write the story of their lives to that point.

I suggest that in the writing they will begin to see themselves for who they are, to develop a concept of self, and, in the process, discern a mission—the thing they were born to do.”

I read the older edition of t5his after reading From Temperament to Character: On Becoming A Virtuous Leader, I became fascinated with this book. I am thankful this is now available as an eBook in English, as now all of Havard’s volumes in English now have digital editions. . This book was a fascinating read, even this second time through. While reading it I have mentioned it to numerous people and shared numerous quotes from the book with friends, family and co-workers. This edition omits the original 2013 Preface, which was significantly more indepth than the authors note in this edition.

The chapters and sections in this volume are:

Dedication

Contents

The Passionate Ones

The Gentle Ones

The Magnanimous Ones

The Martyrs

The Russian Idea

Vocation

Tbilisi

Escrivá

Wojtyla & Soloviev

Paris

Helsinki

Tallinn-Vilnius

Mission

Moscow

Epilogue

Postscript

There are also full page icons of: 

     Saint Josemaria Escriva

     Our lady of Fatima

Alexandre begins with his grandparents. And works his way through their history, and his own history. He writes clearly and succinctly. And yet there is a passion and power in his prose. He is writing about his life but more importantly about his spiritual life. One quote appears twice in the book, in the dedication and as part of a longer quotation later on, from Anton Chekhov’s The Student: 

“The past is linked with the present by an unbroken chain of events flowing one out of another. It seemed to him … that when he touched one end the other quivered.”

Alexandre writes about the strings that impacted him, and he writes about some of the impact he has had. Other than a brief conclusion the book ends with:

“I sense that my life is about to take a new turn. I feel this is not the end of my Russian way but merely the end of the beginning. I feel I am entering into one of the most rewarding periods of my life – even if, objectively, all if fraught with uncertainty. But that is a story for another time. For now, enough is enough.”

I hope someday he writes that next story, and that it becomes available in English. Alexandre was shaped and influenced by men whom I have only known through their writings, writings about them, and their impact on others. Specifically, Saint Josemaria Escriva and Blessed Alvaro del porta. Their impact on his life, it’s direction, and his lifelong mission is undeniable. And as the chains travel through time, their impact on Alexandre has ripples and impacted me, and I believe will impact any who read this volume. 

I cannot share all the quotes that impacted me while reading this volume but a random selection below will give you a sampling. 

Speaking about Modern Education:

“The modern university outs the accent more and more on information, and less and less on education in the broad sense of the term. It produces managers rather than leaders, knowledge rather than wisdom, techniques rather than courage. It Concerns itself more and more with things, and less and less with persons. The Crisis of the modern world is not a crisis of information, it is a crisis of formation, a crisis of authentic education.”

Recalling part of his family heritage:

“The descendants of Gedeon and Elioz—the Gedevanishvilis — were charged by royal decree with protecting the cloak and the cathedral. On my family’s coat of arms are the Ten Commandments engraved on two tablets (indicative of our Jewish origins), the cloak of Christ, the episcopal miter and scepter, the sword and the banner, and the keys to the cathedral at Mtskheta.”

Remembering his grandfather:

“Pavel is an intense worker. He is tough and persistent. His motto is: “As long as the ball isn’t punctured, it bounces back.”

He is highly intelligent. He listens a lot and says little.

Everyone comes to him for advice.

This man who suffered so much has a hard time smiling,

but he is gentle and humble of heart.”

Family wishes:

“In 1991, the Soviet regime falls. A year later, my parents move to Georgia, thus fulfilling my maternal grandfather’s most cherished dream—that the family return to liberated Georgia. My mother is 54 years old.”

About his attraction to Russian literature:

“What strikes me about Russian literature is its moral and Christian content. It is aimed at the reader’s heart. It seeks to ennoble and transform.”

Speaking on Vocation:

“It is 1979 and I am 17 years old. In a few months, I will graduate from secondary school.

I must decide on a career but am more concerned about what kind of life I will lead, what kind of man I will be. I know that if I do not decide the matter soon, others will do it for me—my parents, my friends, the girls I know, French

society with its empty slogans and fads.

…

I seek refuge at the famous Sacré Coeur Basilica at the summit of the Montmartre butte. Sacré Coeur is French for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in which I now find comfort and consolation.”

“One of the most important Russian theologians of the emigration, Alexander Schmemann, says that the Christian’s on-going flight from the world stems from an inability to square the circle of a basic Christian paradox: to be “in the world” but “not of this world.”

Saint Pope John Paul II:

“During my university years, it is John Paul II who shapes my thinking.

Later, I would have the chance to be in his presence, to listen to him and speak to him in Rome, Helsinki and Tallinn.

John Paul II, like Escriva, is a giant. For me, he is also a father and a master.”

And a final quote:

“The years pass and nothing happens.

Or so it seems outwardly. In reality, these are years of great spiritual intensity.”

This book is an excellent read. It is also an inspiring read. I have loved his leadership material I have read, and now I want to read the rest of his works. I can easily recommend this volume, it will inspire, encourage and challenge readers of all ages. 

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

Books by Alexandre Havard:

Virtuous Leadership: An Agenda for Personal Excellence

Created for Greatness: The Power of Magnanimity

From Temperament to Character: On Becoming A Virtuous Leader

My Russian Way: a spiritual autobiography

Discovering A Mission: My Way to Virtuous Leadership 

Free Hearts: Understanding Your Deepest Motivations

Coached By Joan of Arc

…

Other books about Joan of Arc:

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

Joan of Arc - Paul Dunn and Colin Jeffery - CTS Biographies

Saint Joan of Arc: God's Soldier - Susan Helen Wallace – Encounter the Saints

Saint Joan The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl – Vision Books

Joan of Arc The Maid of Orléans - Andrew Votipka

Joan of Arc The Girl Who Fought For France - Jeannie Meekins

Born to Do This 30 Days with Joan of Arc - Jaymie Stuart Wolfe - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

…

Prayer of the Day Prayer to Joan of Arc

9 Year Novena Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc 

...

Sharing the Sorrow - Theresa Linden and Kelsey Doherty - Caitlyn and Peter's Rosary Adventures Book 2

Sharing the Sorrow

Caitlyn and Peter's Rosary Adventures Book 2

Theresa Linden

Kelsey Doherty (Illustrator) 

Silver Fire Publishing

ISBN 9781734992991

ASIN B0G1N5Y3L4

This story marks the 41st time I have read a book by Linden, and I have read her contributions to anthologies numerous times as well. My children are well past the reading age for this book, but I love Linden’s writing so much I decided to give it a read anyways, who knows hopefully someday I can read it with grandkids. 

The description of this volume states:

“Sharing the Sorrow is the second in this Rosary-themed chapter book series.

When Peter’s friend Caitlyn comes to visit, he can’t wait to play outside. Last time they traveled through the Portal to the Rosary Mysteries all the way to Bible times, and he wants to go again! Caitlyn doesn’t seem as anxious to go. She tells him that the next mysteries of the Rosary are sad, and she doesn’t want to be sad. Then she finds a note in her Rosary journal that changes her mind: “Saint Faustina said Jesus gives us great graces when we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries.”

Peter remembers how they moved from each mystery after finding the virtue for that mystery, so he plans to find the virtue quickly if a mystery gets too sad. It’s a good plan, but once they step into Bible times, nothing goes as expected.

Join Caitlyn and Peter on their adventure to Bible times as they experience the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with Jesus, the Apostles, and the Blessed Mother in this Rosary-themed chapter book geared toward six- to nine-year-olds. Readers will learn to use their imaginations to meditate on the mysteries and will think of praying for specific virtues. After the story, find Bible verses and a list of virtues specific to each mystery, along with a "Prayer before the Rosary" for children.”

This story and series are really interesting and a unique twists on the time traveller motif. In some ways it is similar to Lisa M. Hendey’s Chime Travellers Series or the Mr. Baker’s Book Series by Andrew Votipka and even Douglings Adventures by Carissa Douglas. The main difference is that in this volume and I assume series is that the children are witnessing events but often appear to not be seen or heard, at least for the most part. There are jumping through events from the Bible for the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, in this cause the sorrowful mysteries. The sections in this volume are:

Chapters 1-10

Dear Reader,

Virtues for the Sorrowful Mysteries

Bible Verses for the Sorrowful Mysteries

Prayer before the Rosary

About the Author

About the Illustrator

Books By This Author

The story begins with Peter wanting to get out of the house, and see if they can go on another Rosary adventure. His mother wants him to spend some time with his little brother. Caitlyn’s doll has an arm ripped off by her sister. But the two escape the house and soon they are on another adventure bac in time to the holy land. Caitlyn is concerned about the sorrowful mysteries as she is already sad and upset. Peter’s plan is to just figure out the virtue they need to learn and move on quickly. Things do not go according to plan. 

The Sorrowful Mysteries are my favourite, and default when I do not know what to pray. But this little volume brought them to life and a new and moving way. I was impacted deeply by the encounters with Jesus, the disciples and even Mary our mother. I was almost brought to tears during the end of the last mystery. Linden has done an amazing job opening up these mysteries to young readers, and to turning them into deep meditations where we can picture ourselves witnessing the events.

This is an excellent little read. It is a great volume and series and they that would be a great additions to any home, school, or church library. I concluded that this is a much younger version of Caitlyn and Peter that we encounter in the West Brothers Series when they are teenagers. 

This is another great volume from Linden’s masterful pen. It is written for a younger audience than many of her books, but tie some of them together. It is a great read in a wonderful series.   

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

Books by Theresa Linden:
Tortured Soul
...

Chasing Liberty Series:
01 Chasing Liberty
02 Testing Liberty
03 Fight For Liberty
Bound to find Freedom - Short Story
...

West brothers Series:
Roland West Loner
Life-Changing Love
Battle for His Soul
Standing Strong
Roland West Outcast
Fire Starters

...

Anyone But Him

Summer At West Castle

...

Armor of God Series Original Editions:
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Boot of Peace
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit

…

Armor of God Series Second Edition:

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Boots of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit

…

Caitlyn and Peter's Rosary Adventures Series:

Jumping Into joy

Sharing the Sorrow

…

Other Books:
A Symbol of Hope - Short Story
A Battle for the Faith (with John Paul Wohlscheid)
...

Books contributed to:
Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories - Catholic Teen Books
Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens
Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens

Ashes Visible & Invisible 10 Stories for Teens

Shadows Visible & Invisible 7 Stories for Teens

...

Author Profile and Interview with Theresa A. Linden.
Character interview with Roland, Jarret, and Keefe West and Peter Brandt.  

Willow Leaves Lyrics in the Manner of the early Chinese Poets - John Irvine

Willow Leaves

Lyrics in the Manner of the early Chinese Poets 

John Irvine (1903-1965)

Chiang Yee (Preface)

William Mullan & Son

The Talbot Press Limited

Belfast

1941

This volume will mark the ninth I have read by Irvine. I stumbled upon this author. I was reading one of the Vision Books for young readers, Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly, and there was an excerpt of a poem from A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems. It was really intriguing and after reading that first volume I made it a mission to try and track down everything Irvine published. At first my dyslexia had me thinking it was John Irving, and I have read a few of his fiction books. But some quick searching put that idea to rest.  This author John Irvine lived from 1903-1965. This volume was originally published in1941. 

About the author on a site with information about Irish authors states:

“John Irvine was born in Belfast and published several collections of poems: A Voice in the Dark, 1932; Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets,1941; Lost Sanctuary and other poems among others. He edited The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present.”

Another online description of the author states:

“Irvine, born in Belfast, published about six collections of lyrics between 1932 and 1954, mostly from small presses in Belfast and Dublin.  He also edited an anthology of Irish poetry, The Flowering Branch.”

This book begins with a dedication To Seumas O’Sullivan with deepest admiration and Gratitude. The quote the volume begins with is:

"'If you have two loaves, sell one and buy hyacinths for your soul."

     -Chinese Proverb.

We are informed in the preface:

“The postman's ring wakened me and I found that he had brought me a typed copy of a collection of poems. I began to read them one after another and thought that they were translations of Chinese poems. My tiredness vanished, my mind became fresh and my thoughts sped far away. Then I investigated the origin of these poems and was puzzled to find that they had been written by an Irish poet, John Irvine, in the manner of the early Chinese poets. It was indeed a surprise to find that an Irishman could write poems m our manner. I have often been told that the Irish and the Chinese have many points in common both in character and feeling. Were these poems a proof? They appealed to my feelings as harmoniously as many good translations of our ancient poems, and I can imagine that Mr. Irvine's inner world has not been changed either by the present war.”

And further it states:

“The little fl.at where I read the poems for the first time is no more in existence, but although I have in the meantime been turned out of my living space several times, I have always carried them with me and have borne in mind that I was to write something about them. Indeed it is too difficult for me to explain them. Poetry is the voice of the human heart, and the poems in this volume have spoken in harmony with my heart in many ways. What need of explanation?”

The preface was written in 1941 and makes a number of references to the War going on at the time. And it shows poetry to be a stabilizing force in the world, no matter the circumstances. Like Mr. Lee I find that these poems stay with the reader, as do all of those I have read by Irvine. The poems in this volume are:

Preface

Transience

The Poet

The Gardener

To Li-Po

The Trysting Place 

Nocturne

Dusk

Loneliness

We Are As Dust

The Sorrow Of Ming Huang 

Spring

Wu

To Yuan

The Soldiers

Drinking Alone At The New Year

Morning

The Dancing Girl

The Unforgotten

Impatient For The Spring

Meeting With Friends

Music At Dusk

Cheng

Farewell

I enjoyed this ninth collection of poems that I have read from the pen of Irvine. The one bio above mentions 6 collections of poems but I have found 9 listed below, 3 other works, also 6 volumes Irvine edited of other poems. And a note further down indicates another previously unaccounted for volume edited by Irvine. A few sample poems from this volume are:

     The Poet.

     Li came from a village of Chang-Chou

     In early time when Yang-ti sat on the Dragon Throne.

     He was a sociable man and a poet

     Nor worried overmuch regarding examinations,

     Which were necessary to obtain the appointment

     His parents desired for him in the provincial

     Government. His onetime neighbour Feng,

     From the same village, was now a personage

     Of power under the Emperor. Although a

     Foolish man, vain, jealous, and inclined

     To much self-esteem, (his kinsmen were in

     High places), Li eventually obtained a minor

     Appointment but never rose in favour.

     His parents were bitterly disappointed

     And his father died, believing him a failure.

     All this was many centuries ago . . .

     The Emperor is remembered only for his excessive

     'Indulgences: his gardens are desolate,

     His pavilions dust. Feng the man of power,

     Long since forgotten;

     The works of Li are reverenced throughout the land,

     His songs are immortal.

     An Emperor, though his armies

     Be as numberless as the blades of grass,

     Is a passing shadow,

     His governors the echo of a voice . . .

     But a poet is a wanderer from the *Purple Hills.

THE TRYSTING PLACE.

A faint wind stirs the cherry trees.

The dew lies heavy on the grass.

The herdsmen pass.

I linger by the Eastern Gate:

Till suddenly a shadow falls

Aslant the walls.

I heard him not, so soft he came,

Nor saw his coming from the hill.

Oh heart be still!

     SPRING.

     Day long the merchants sell their silks.

     The spring-delighted swallows pass.

     A child lifts up his hands to catch

     The petals falling on the grass.

FAREWELL.

Songs they have made, but every song has ending.

Their lutes are silent now and laid away,

The parting cups are empty, lamps extinguished,

The singers gone like shadows in the night.

I hope those four poems give you a feel for the collection. In many ways it feels like his other works, but there is the hint of the new. Some of the poems have footnotes about the characters or places, or historical figures in the works. The poems vary from one stanza to several, but all poems are contained on single page. I read a few of them a couple of times before moving on, yet again, and sent two of them to friends. It is a moving collection to work through on a cold winter evening, over a large mug of tea. There is a note of thanks to the Dublin Magazine for permission to reprint several of the poems.

I was able to track down a copy of this thanks to the National Library of Ireland. The NLI has all volumes I have found written by Irvine and 5 of the 8 edited by him. I am now trying to hunt them all down. These poems were very enjoyable, and I am certain they would be to you as well, if you give them a chance. We are also informed 10 of the poems in this volume are reprinted with permission. I will note the introduction has left me trying to track down some of the works of Mr. Chiang Yee to read.

If you can track down a copy to read it is well worth it! Another great collection of poems I can easily recommend it.

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

Books by John Irvine:

A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems 

A Voice in the Dusk  

A Voice in the Dusk Lyrics  

By Winding Roads 

Fountain Of Hellas: Poems From The Greek Anthology 

Green Altars: Poems  

Lost Sanctuary and Other Poems  

Nocturne: Poems 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi 

The Quiet Stream  

Two Poems 

Voces Intimae 

Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets 

Wind From the South 

With No Changed Voices: Poems 

…

Edited by John Irvine:

A Christmas Garland - as J. Pennington Irvine

The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present 

The Poems of Robert Burns 

The Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson 

The Poems of Tennyson 

The Poems of Thomas Moore  

… 

A Prayer of the Day Prayer for the Pope

Prayer Imploring for Holy Popes   

Prayer of the Day  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, 

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Jesus, 

Please bless our Holy Father, the pope. 

Lead him to be a pontiff who is holy and humble, 

brave and bold.

Help him follow in the footsteps of St. Peter 

to guard the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Make him a good shepherd who governs and guides 

the whole Church.

May the pope serve You faithfully every day of his life. 

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, 

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  

Note: Every so often I post a prayer I use as part of my daily prayers. I started praying this one in 2025, as soon as it surfaced after the election of Pope Leo XIVI plan to continue to pray it daily.

Relates posts and links:

Prayer of the Day Posts

Prayer Book Reviews

My Prayer Notebook. 

My Daily Prayer List April 2024

My Daily Prayer List October 2025

...

Prayer of the Day Pope John Paul I 

Daily Study Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI

Prayer for our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV

Prayer to Pope Benedict XVI 

Prayer Imploring for Holy Popes

Rerum Novarum: Encyclical Letter Rights and Duties of Capital and Labour - Pope Leo XIII - CTS Books 

A Prayer of the Day Prayer for the Pope

...

Books about Pope Leo XIV:

LEO XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope - Matthew Bunson

When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to Pope Leo XIV's Early Days

- Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Fr. Josh Johnson, and Katie Prejean McGrady

Pope Leo XIV - Jesús Colina 

Pope Leo XIV Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy - Christopher White

Pope Leo XIV - Paddy Bréagnamh - Mini Saints & Missionaries Library

10 Things Pope Leo XIV Wants You to Know - Sister Gemma Morató Sendra, OP 

Leo XIV The New Pope and Catholic Reform - Christopher R. Altieri

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Books By Pope Leo XVI:

God Loves Everyone: The Essential Pope Leo XIV

Dilexi Te On Love for the Poor

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A Pocket Guide to Living the Divine Mercy - George W. Kosicki

A Pocket Guide to Living the Divine Mercy 

George W. Kosicki

Our Sunday Visitor

ISBN 9781592762798

eISBN 9781612781556

ASIN B0070Y4FSW

After reading Dr Hahn’s A Pocket Guide to St. Paul from OSV I have been able to track down all the series; though this one took some time to find at a price point within my budget. It appears there was an eBook edition but both the eBook and Prinnt edition appear to be out of print.  I have been jumping around reading them. I have read books by Patrick before, and looked forward to working through this volume. Both the physical edition and eBook of this book appear to still be in print. This is a wonderful little read.

The description of this volume states:

“Find refuge from your anxieties and fears. Embrace God's infinite mercy as revealed to Saint Faustina and draw hope and inspiration from the actual words of Our Lord, faithfully recorded in her diary. 

Saint Faustina and the Divine Mercy message were canonized by Pope John Paul II as "God's gift to our time." Make this gift your own through this short course on the merciful way.”

About the author we are informed:

“Coordinator of the Bethany House of Intercession for eight years, a noted retreat master, and disciple of the teachings of St. Faustina, Father George W. Kosicki is a popular writer on Divine Mercy.”

The chapters and sections in this booklet are:

Introduction

1. What Is Life All About? 

2. Jesus Is the Way to the Father's House 

3. Each Saint Followed Jesus as the Way to the Father's House 

4. The Merciful Way of St. Faustina 

5. How We, Too, Can Be Saints 

6. Pope John Paul H's Ways of Living the Divine Mercy 

7. Practical Ways to Live the Merciful Way 

I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume, some of them are:

“Now that Sister Faustina Kowalska of the Most Blessed Sacrament has been canonized by Pope John Paul II, she is enrolled in the major leagues of saints. By her canonization, on the Second Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2000, John Paul II declared her a model for us to follow in our spiritual pilgrimage and a unique and special member of the Body of Christ, now interceding for the Church and the whole world for God's mercy.”

“In yet another declaration, the Holy Father declared that the message of Divine Mercy is the message for the third millennium, to all people, as "God's gift to our time." He repeated this strong affirmation of "a gift of God for our time" three times, assuring us that the light of mercy gives us hope and comfort, as we abandon ourselves in trust, in the midst of the suffering of our time.”

“In his homily al the Mass of Canonization, Pope John Paul II expressed the need to welcome mercy, to welcome Jesus, to receive Him, and to experience His mercy by trusting Him and so be enabled to be merciful, even as our heavenly father is merciful (sec Lk 6:36).”

“Thanks be to God, there is a way for the inadequate, the weak, and the miserable! It is the merciful way that St. Faustina proclaimed from the beginning to the very end of her Diary. It is, as John Paul II said, the message and the way for the third millennium.”

“Consider a few fascinating "statistics" about St. Faustina's Diary as a promise of hope for you and me:

• Some 120 times, she speaks of her own misery, and ours.

• Bur some 240 times - twice as many as "misery" - she speaks of her trust in the

Lord.

• But even more encouraging, she speaks of God's mercy some l,200 times - ten times more than about misery!”

“And there is the rub! Trusting in Him. Trusting in Jesus Christ is a free act of the will, a believing faith in Him. It "means 'to abandon oneself' to the truth of the word of the living God" (Pope John Paul II, Mother of the Redeemer [1987], n . L4).”

“But all of the saints expressed their pilgrimage with the Lord in unique and precious ways, as gems in the great mosaic of God's family. Each had to climb the mountain of the Lord along the path the Lord chose for them.”

“I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first - by deed, the second - by word, the third - by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.”

“Trust in God is one of the great ways to express our love for God. Distrust of God , on the other hand, is one of the great pains Jesus complains about to St. Faustina (see, for example, Diary, 50 and 300).”

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. There are not as many quotes as other volumes; but still a good example. Much of this volume is quotes from Saint Faustina and Saint John Paul II’s  talks and writings about Divine Mercy. This little volume is a great resource. 

When I was in university, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, there was a series of booklets by the founder Bill Bright, called Transferable Concepts, and by reading them many times you could almost memorize them and the message so that you could share it. This volume and series reminds me a lot of those books, but specifically geared for Catholics. 

I was very thankful to have tracked this down and given it a read. I wish the eBook was still available, I would pick it up immediately. This is the one of eight volumes in the series but only 2 appear to still be in print. It is a pity because the whole series is excellent. I have been able to track down and read the complete series now, and see myself returning to them again in the future. This is a great book in an excellent series. I encourage you to give this volume a try if you can track it down.

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

Books by George W. Kosicki:

A Pocket Guide to Living the Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Minutes

Faustina, Saint for Our Times

I Demand Deeds Of Mercy

Intercession: Moving Mountains by Living Eucharistically

John Paul II: The Great Mercy Pope

Meet Saint Faustina: Herald of Divine Mercy

Mercy Minutes with Jesus

Mercy Minutes: Daily Gems from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalski

Now Is the Time for Mercy: The Story of God's Mercy

O Blessed Host, Have Mercy On Us

Reconciliation, Encountering The Mercy Of God

Rejoice In The Lord Always

Special Urgency of Mercy

Spiritual Warfare: Attack Against the Woman

Tell My Priests

The Good News of Suffering

Why Mercy Sunday?

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Other books about Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina:

Divine Mercy for Children: A Guided Tour of the Museum of Mercy - Vinny Flynn and Brian Kennelly

Divine Mercy in My Pocket - Marianne Lorraine Trouvé

Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy Missionary Handbook - Michael E. Gaitley

Marrying the Rosary to the Divine Mercy Chaplet - Shane Kapler

Divine Mercy Explained - Michael E. Gaitley

The Divine Mercy Image Explained - Michael R. Gaitley

52 Weeks with Saint Faustina - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Faustina Kowalska Messenger of Mercy - Susan Helen Wallace and Joan Waites - Encounter the Saints Series Book 23 

Divine Mercy Prayer Book - The Marian Fathers - CTS Prayers and Devotions 

33 Days to Divine Mercy - Matthew Kelly 

The Divine Mercy & Sister Faustina - Fr Andrew Witko - CTS Prayers and Devotions 

A Pocket Guide to Living the Divine Mercy - George W. Kosicki 

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Books by Michael's Dubruiel:

John Paul II's Biblical Way of the Cross - with Amy Welborn
A Pocket Guide to Confession - 2009 Review

A Pocket Guide to Confession - 2025 Review
A Pocket Guide to the Mass
The How-to Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
The Church's Most Powerful Novenas
How To Get The Most Out Of The Eucharist
Praying the Rosary: With the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries - with Amy Welborn
The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life
Praying the Rosary: With the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, & Glorious Mysteries - with Amy Welborn
Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with Fulton J. Sheen

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Books in the OSV Pocket Guide Series:

A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics - Patrick Madrid  

A Pocket Guide to Confession - Michael Dubruiel

A Pocket Guide to Purgatory - Patrick Madrid 

A Pocket Guide to St. Paul - Scott Hahn 

A Pocket Guide to the Bible - Scott Hahn 

A Pocket Guide to the Mass - Michael Dubruiel 

A Pocket Guide to the Meaning of Life - Peter J. Kreeft

A Pocket Guide to Living the Divine Mercy - George W. Kosicki 

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Books in the Handy Little Series from OSV:

The Handy Little Guide to Adoration - Michelle Jones Schroeder 

The Handy Little Guide to Confession - Michelle Jones Schroeder

The Handy Little Guide to Prayer - Barb Szyszkiewicz

The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion – Michael R. Heinlien

The Handy Little Guide to the Holy Spirit - Michelle Schroeder

The Handy Little Guide to the Lent - Michelle Schroeder

The Handy Little Guide to Novenas - Allison Gingras 

The Handy Little Guide to Fasting - Greg Kandra

The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours - Barb Szyszkiewicz

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Books in the OSV Companion in Faith Series:

For Those Who Grieve - Jeannie Ewing

Living in Peace - Father Jeffrey Kirby

The Beatitudes - Kathleen M Basi

The Lord's Prayer - T.J. Burdick 

The Power of Forgiveness - Patrice Fagnant-Macarthur

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