On a damp, dreary evening a young unwed mother abandons her two infant sons. The twin brothers, James and John, are adopted by a loving and nurturing father. As they grow older, their distinct personalities become more evident and each chooses a divergent path. Despite impassioned pleading from his brother, James makes a fateful choice which results in deadly consequences. John enters the priesthood and years later, upon learning of his elevation to cardinal, reflects—through a series of flashbacks—upon the people and tragic events that formed him into a powerful, dynamic and compassionate leader.
The message which permeates John’s retrospection is that disappointments, tragedy and loss are inevitable in our lives. We can allow these hardships to weigh us down and destroy us, or we can embrace them with unshakable faith, determination, and courage that transforms these adversities into opportunities to grow and become stronger.
The Cardinal and the Crook is an inspirational novel set in contemporary times. It incorporates elements of suspense, action, and crime to tell the story of two adopted twin brothers and unshakable faith, courage, and perseverance.
John, an archbishop at the novel’s start, visits his brother’s and father’s graves and reminisces on their surprising pasts. Dominant points of view are the brothers’, but several chapters focus on their father’s and birth mother’s stories, enhancing the theme of a strong family whose love endures many trials. Tocco draws a delightful contrast between the angelic John and James, a hot-headed girl magnet who’s always lovable. Authentic details of Boston and family life infuse the tale with a biographical feel. Humor lies in people’s surprise at learning that a celibate priest is a father. Although interesting, their birth mother’s story interrupts the flow of the protagonists’ journeys, but an excellent plot twist rooted in these tangled backstories rewards readers.
The tension that drives much of the narrative’s first half is a classic case of informant suspense: how John obtains incriminating documents from corrupt associates and his witness-protection experience. Other compelling elements include the mystery of anonymous, annual financial donations that ensure the boys’ education and John’s struggle between love and the priesthood. Tocco effectively delves into the Boston child sexual abuse scandal without explicitness. In The Cardinal and the Crook, Tocco explores family, the Catholic community, and the role of faith in the lives of very different brothers.
Takeaway: Inspirational novel of suspense, family secrets, and Boston over decades.
Comparable Titles: Shawna Coleing’s Hidden Trial, Jeremy Scott’s When the Corn Is Waist High.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B
