The Gambling Adventures of Father Green by Michael Church
Following his acclaimed history of "The Derby Stakes", Michael Church's "The Gambling Adventures of Father Green" comprises 18 fictional short stories about the life of a parish priest in the East End of London. Father Green's consuming interest outside his vocation is gambling - any form of gambling - horseracing, greyhounds, roulette, card games, even a lottery to enable the pupils of St Joseph's to go to Lourdes. It was his keen interest in betting which caused the Rector at his seminary to suggest that he should take a year off to reconsider his vocation - if indeed he had one? As it turned out, he did and you can follow his journey via Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham, Epsom and Wimbledon dogs. There is even a cruise ship romance to contend with, plus some dodgy fund raising methods for his new parish. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that Father Green is the punter's priest.