Happy are the Clean of Heart, written by Andrew M Greeley, was published by Warner Books in 1986.
Father Blackie Ryan looked forward to a Christmas reunion with his childhood friends, George Quinn and Lisa Malone, the famed movie star.
Blackie had nursed an infatuation for Lisa all his life; however he was destined for priesthood,
so his emotions were placed on hold. Lisa Malone had become famous, adored by her fans, but envied and disliked by many from her hometown and those around her.
She later married George, and went through some upheavals in her career, as well as family life.
She was brutally attacked and went into a coma that she might never wake up from.
The most obvious suspect was her husband, George, who insisted that he had been knocked down and was unconscious.
Father Blackie started his inquiries and discovered that there were more suspects among the people who worked for her.
They had abundant reasons to harm her - misuse ...