Authorpreneur Dashboard – Sal Tocco
The Cardinal and the Crook
Religion & Spirituality
Discover a captivating tale of family, love, faith, and the pursuit of justice in "The Cardinal and the Crook" by Sal Tocco. This emotionally charged work of fiction takes readers on a journey through multiple time periods and locations, following the intertwining lives of Father Pat and his adopted twin sons, John and James. When James becomes an FBI informant to take down the Martoni crime family, he risks his life and relationships in the pursuit of justice. His decision sets off a chain of events that explores loyalty, morality, and the difficult choices made in the name of truth. As James prepares to testify against the Martonis, the narrative shifts to his twin brother John's journey to the priesthood and reunion with their birth mother. Their complex relationship delves into themes of faith, forgiveness, and the intricacies of family bonds. Finally, Father John's rise to archbishop sees him battle sexual abuse within the church, addressing the need to expose evil and reclaim moral authority. Recurring motifs of love, redemption, and the power of family resonate throughout this multifaceted tale. Tocco's masterful exploration of the triumphs and tribulations faced by the cardinal, the crook, and their loved ones creates a rich, emotionally resonant narrative that stays with you long after the final page.
Book Bubbles from The Cardinal and the Crook
A Friend's Pain
Christmas is based upon an unwavering trust in God. I recently heard from a reader who said that he thoroughly enjoyed The Cardinal & the Crook. He was especially touched by the message of faith which permeates the novel. In this scene, John comes to the aid of his close friend who has just received terrible news. A strong faith helps us through the most difficult times in our lives. I hope that each of you experience a blessed holiday season!
The Reunion
It has been over thirty years since John and his brother were left on the doorstep of the rectory. Now his adopted father has an unexpected surprise for the young priest.
An Unexpected Reaction
James is excited about his job offer and wants to share it with his closest friend-his twin brother. However, the response from John is not what James had anticipated. In fact, the normally calm and even-tempered brother reacts quite angrily. His emotional rebuke to James will appear unfortunately prescient as events unfold.
From Victim to Winner
The lyrics from Frank Sinatra's song-That's Life: "You're riding high in April, shot down in May" refer to the up's and down's that we all face in our lives. In this scene, James has just learned that he will not be offered a job at any of the large accounting firms. He is feeling "shot down". His friend Anthony makes an amazing offer that seems to put James "back on top'. Little does James realize that this offer will lead to unexpected consequences in his life.
Holy Spirit/Wild Spirit
As parents we often notice the differences in character, nature and disposition of our children. In this scene, Father Pat is having a discussion with his assistant pastor about the contrast between his two sons. Since they are identical twins, Father Pat relies on their different personalities to tell his sons apart. However, at the same time, he worries about his son James' wild spirit.
The Fist Fight
Every parent dreads receiving a phone call from their child's school principal. In this scene, Father Pat receives such a call and learns that his sons have been in a fight. How embarrassing! How will he handle the situation?
A Very Special Delivery
Two infants are abandoned at the doorstep of a charismatic priest. This is the amazing beginning to a captivating tale of family, love and faith. This evening will change forever the lives of these three individuals.
Awfully Familiar
The underlying message of The Cardinal and the Crook is that the hardships which we experience in life can weigh us down and destroy us or provide us with an opportunity to grow and become stronger. John was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. There were clearly times that he felt like a victim, especially when he saw other children with their mothers. However, through the loving nurturing of his adoptive father, John overcame these negative feelings. Now, he is asked to speak to a young unwed woman who is pregnant and extremely confused. His personal experience and growth will help her to navigate through her tragic circumstances.
An Unexpected Meeting
After uncovering a horrible scandal, John is summoned to Rome. He is thoroughly surprised when he meets with the pope rather than an administrative cleric in the Curia. This unexpected meeting leads to a dramatic turning point in John's life.
A Change in Plans
Many of us carefully lay out our future plans. Then fate has a way of impacting them. John is nearing his final year at the seminary. He met Danielle while hiking in the Berkshires. During the past year, they develop a strong relationship. John is experiencing something he has not felt before. Could this be real love? Should he give up on the priesthood? This could be a very important turning point in his life.
Realization
James decides to proactively perform an audit at the restaurants. His intention is to ensure no employees are stealing cash receipts. He is confused by what he discovers. Not only is there no theft occurring, but the receipts appear inflated. He gathers his audit work and shares his results with the controller. The response he gets leads James to the shocking realization of what is truly taking place. This episode ultimately leads to a critical decision with significant consequences.
Unwavering Commitment
In watching the Paris Olympics, I have been impressed with the focused determination of each athlete. It's obvious that these near-perfect performances are the result of intense preparation and an unwavering commitment even in the face of significant challenges. In this segment of The Cardinal and the Crook, an assassin has just attempted to kill James in order to prevent him from testifying against the crime family. Rather than causing him to back down, this incident has only intensified his commitment to bring these criminals to justice.
Unexpected Response
John had been considering the priesthood since he was a teenager. Now that he is in his final semester of college, he announces that he has decided to apply to the seminary. John expected his adopted father--a Catholic priest--to be thrilled by this decision. Instead, he is shocked by his father's initial response.
A Shocking Revelation
A friendly card game in a college dorm room quickly deteriorates into an angry brawl. In the aftermath of this confrontation, James learns something surprising about his roommate's father. This news strengthens the bond between these two friends and ultimately leads to a major turning point in their lives.
Painful Encounter
Painful experiences are unavoidable in our lives. These stressful moments can cause us to lose faith resulting in bitterness and apathy. Alternatively, these difficulties can strengthen our faith and help us to grow into more determined and empathetic individuals. The incident described in this excerpt is a dramatic turning point in the life of John Donnelly. The young priest has just come upon a boy who has been sexually abused by another priest. John's response and subsequent actions will have a powerful impact on this young victim, John's future in the priesthood, and the entire church.
A Different Perspective
This is one of the most powerful scenes in the novel. Throughout life, decisions-especially major ones-are not always black and white. These are the times that we need to step back and holistically consider the choices from various aspects. James is struggling with a decision that will impact the rest of his life. If he testifies against the crime family; he will be placed in the witness protection program and will never see his loved ones again. He has just shared his dilemma with his family. Father Pat helps James to view his decision from a different perspective.
Special Guardian Angels
Our faith can be severely tested when we observe pain and suffering throughout the world. This is especially true when a loved one is taken at a early age. In this scene, a father and his young sons are deeply distraught over their untimely loss. In seeking to provide comfort and support, the old priest provides an enlightened message of hope.
One Problem
John and Danielle encounter each other while hiking in the Berkshires. Danielle quickly recognizes the empathetic nature of this young man. She has recently ended her engagement with the love of her life and feels comfortable sharing her rationale for making this difficult decision.
Opportunity to Grow Stronger
The young seminarian seems to have changed since his brother's tragic death. It takes an encounter with the tough, but empathetic monsignor to turn John around. This scene is an excellent example of the underlying message of the Cardinal and the Crook. We can allow tragedy and loss 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 Challenges of Parenthood
Father Pat, who has become extremely attached to the abandoned infants, has made the bold decision to adopt them. His close friend from The Department of Children and Families attempts to dissuade him. The priest acknowledges Frank's concerns and then with passionate eloquence refutes his friend's argument. Father Pat's response will resonate with all parents who have faced the challenges of raising children.
Love Never Dies!
The two brothers are having a deep conversation. James will soon be placed into the FBI's witness protection program and will never be able to see his family again. He continues to berate himself for his poor judgment which resulted in this painful situation. In consoling his brother, John reminds him of a very important fact.
