Cruel Sanctuary

by Brad Reynolds

Book Overview

Father Mark Townsend is mystified by evidence that St. Joseph parish has an unknown visitor hiding in the church each night. Believing that it could be one of Seattle's homeless youth in need of help, the priest leaves a brief note along with a $20 bill, urging whomever it is to come and see him. To his surprise, it's the police who pay him a visit. The dead body of a fourteen-year-old boy has been found in the park, badly bruised and violated, with Father Mark's incriminating note and $20 bill in his pocket. The police want to know about Mark's relationship with the boy, a runaway originally from a small Alaskan village whose family now lives in Carnation, Washington. The priest is stunned, yet concern for the boy's family, as well as his own reputation demands that he look for answers. But his investigation becomes entangled with the rest of his pastoral duties, causing a storm of disapproval and suspicion among parish leaders. Now the only way this busy Jesuit can calm the troubled waters and clear his name is to find the real killer. . .before he strikes again.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380798433
• ISBN13: 9780380798438
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

An exciting story with a twist at the end.

This fascinating look at street life and the life of a Jesuit priest, makes for an easy and enjoyable read. The story opens with a dramatic murder and doesn't stop until the last page. You see the life of young street kids and the life of a parish priest and how they intertwine. Fr. Reynolds takes you through the complex maze of life with a very human approach. You know the people when you are through with the book. You identify with their trials and heartaches, their lifestyles and burdens. Just a very enjoyable book that will keep you up late to finish.

Pray for the homeless who are the prey...

Father Brad Reynolds, S.J. has created a winning protagonist in this mystery set amongst the pews of St. Joseph's -- and the downtown streets where the homeless youth's struggle to survive. It is nice to have a mystery that tugs the heartstrings a bit without trying to "preach." (Sorry, pun intended)I haven't read the author's two previous mysteries, but you can bet I'll be searching them out after reading this one. It is rare that a contemporary mystery can have a plot that still surprises, and motives that become apparent only in the last few pages. Deftly handled, I look forward to reading more of Father Brad Reynolds' mysteries! Highly Recommended.