Thomas Aquinas on Kindle!

The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas has just been released on Kindle. Here is the Kindle cover.


The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas is my new historical/detective novel of the great 13th theologian/philosopher solving crimes and mysteries.

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon

Thomas Aquinas and The Reclusive Crusader

My new historical mystery/detective novel, The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas, has the 13th century theologian/philosopher solving crimes and mysteries.

Newly arrived in Paris in 1245, young Thomas begins his studies at the University of Paris under Master Albert the Swabian. Thomas soon makes friends with a fellow student, Henri who invites Thomas to his family's home for a visit. There Thomas learns the tale of Henri's sister, Margaret and of her betrothed, Sir Robert le Fleury who has recently returned from a Crusade in the Holy Land.

It seems that Sir Robert's mother has not allowed Margaret to see her betrothed since his return to France. Madame le Fleury gives Margaret a letter, supposedly from Sir Robert informing Margaret that he will not marry her.

Thomas and Henri investigate the strange case of the reclusive Crusader, only to discover more bizarre and inexplicable circumstances surrounding it.

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon

Thomas Aquinas & Sherlock Holmes Part 2

My latest historical mystery/detective novel, The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas,  has the 13th century theologian/philosopher solving mysteries and crimes in medieval Europe.

Last week's blog on Thomas Aquinas and Sherlock Holmes received some very positive feedback, so I thought I would do a follow up.

My previous blog revealed the commonalities between Aquinas and Holmes such as their use of logic and reason. I found the two had other attitudes they shared.

In their viewpoint toward woman, both Aquinas and Holmes have come under some criticism as misogynists.

Holmes: Women are not to be entirely trusted—not the best of them. 
—The Sign of Four

Aquinas: Among perfect animals the active power of generation belongs to the male sex, the passive power to the female.
—Summa Theologiae 


Holmes: Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.
—A Scandal in Bohemia

Aquinas: As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten...
—Summa Theologiae 

Both Aquinas and Holmes were philosophers and Godly men acknowledging God in the world

Holmes: God help us!... I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words and say: 'There but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.
—The Bascombe Valley Mystery

Aquinas: ... man needs the help of grace in order to be moved by God to act.
—Summa Theologiae 

Holmes: What is the meaning of  it, Watson? What object is served by this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable.
—The Cardboard Box

Aquinas: Therefore, God alone can satisfy the will of man...
—Summa Theologiae 

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon

Sherlock Holmes, Thomas Aquinas and Reason

I believe that one of the most appealing aspects of detectives--and I put Sherlock Holmes first on this list---is the use of reasoning in crime solving. That was the main thing that attracted me to Thomas Aquinas as a detective. In my latest book The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas, the medieval theologian/philosopher uses reason in the solving of mysteries.

Reason in man is like God in the world, is a well-known quote of Saint Thomas. He was the man who tried to show the harmony between faith and reason. Thomas believed that God, nature and human beings could be understood through reason. Or as Sherlock Holmes said, There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion. Thomas would agree. 

We cannot have knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.

Thomas was more than a reasoning machine, of course, for he said, Love takes up where reasoning leaves off. And one of my favorite quotes of his is, Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a warm bath and a glass of wine.
Sherlock Holmes said, Work is the best antidote for sorrow.

I enjoyed learning about Thomas Aquinas and his writings and found it challenging incorporating his teachings into the series of stories in my book.

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon.

Thomas Aquinas -- The Pursuit of Truth

    My latest historical novel, The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas, is a collection of detective stories in which the Dominican Master encounters a series of puzzling mysteries during his life.

  The chapter entitled The Pursuit of Truth finds Thomas in 1244, soon after taking his Domincan habit. On his way to meet up with the Master General of the Dominicans Thomas is kidnapped by his elder brother Rinaldo and is taken to the family castle in Montesangiovanni. Not at all pleased that Thomas has joined a mendicant order, his family hopes to force Thomas to renounce his vows. 

    While being held prisoner in the tower of the castle, Thomas learns of the mysterious death of local farmer. Without leaving the confines of his prison cell, Thomas discovers the truth.   
This story has Thomas expounding his views about marriage and sex.                                   

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon                                                                                                                                                                              

The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas

    I first came across Saint Thomas Aquinas while doing research for a historical mystery/detective novel, The Templar and the True Cross. Thomas Aquinas is mentioned only briefly in this book, but what I read about him would stay with me. From the little I knew of the Dominican Master, he seemed like he would make a great detective. I began to research St. Thomas in depth, and though much of his writings for me are heavy and complicated (I have no background in philosophy or medieval thought) I believed there was the making of some great detective stories. 

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon.

Thomas Aquinas (privatus investigo)

    The 13th century was a pivotal point in Western culture. Europe witnessed the rise of the great universities and the resurgence of Aristotelian thought. It was the age of reason. No man exemplified this new age more than Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was a brilliant theologian, a philosopher and privatus investigo. He was the man who perfected faith through reason. 

    The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas is a fictional account of mysteries Saint Thomas Aquinas encountered during his life. Though a work of fiction, extensive research was carried out to maintain historical accuracy and integrity of the life and times of Saint Thomas. The stories also showcase his masterful style of theology and philosophy.

Stephen Gaspar's books can be found on Amazon.

Thomas Aquinas P I

    I have just released my latest historical mystery/detective novel, The Medieval Adventures of Thomas Aquinas. It is available on Amazon.

    Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a Dominican priest, a philosopher and Scriptural theologian. He was born in Italy and taught at the universities of Paris, Cologne and Naples. 

    Thomas wrote a great deal in his life and is credited with the harmonious blending of faith and reason. 


 Stephen Gaspar's books are available on Amazon.