A Prayer for the Devil - Hardcover
WINNER! Kirkus Reviews--Selected as one of the Best Books of 2013
WINNER! ForeWord Reviews--Book of the Year--Best Thriller and Suspense
WINNER! National Indie Excellence Book Awards--Best Fiction, Best Thriller
Top 4! International Book Awards--Best New Fiction, Best Mystery/Suspense
Top 4! USA Book Awards--Best New Fiction
Top 10! Paris Book Festival--General Fiction
Awarded the Kirkus Star for Books of Exceptional Merit
Twin brothers Luke and Aaron Miller could not lead more different lives. Aaron, a rising political star who manages the campaign of a man many believe will be the nation's next president, embraced his father's Jewish heritage. Luke, on the other hand, honored his mother's faith and entered the Catholic priesthood. When Aaron and the candidate he supports are killed in a bombing at a presidential stump speech, the Miller family's core is destroyed. Fear of a terrorist threat grips the nation, but the FBI and the press seem more focused on the death of a presidential candidate than on the other innocent victims like Aaron. Suddenly, Luke begins to feel the lure of a vengeance that is stronger than the bond of faith.
As he falls deeper into the abyss of political intrigue that surrounded his brother's mysterious professional life, Luke is tempted to break his promise to God and reassess his own sense of right and wrong. What sort of priest carries a concealed weapon? How can he judge others when he himself has strayed so far from his own flock?
Luke's comfortable life in Boston collides with the faraway world of the Middle East as he sets out on a journey to unravel the truth behind Aaron's murder. Will he take an eye for an eye?
In this murder mystery wrapped in a thoughtful meditation on the intersection of faith and justice, Luke's journey through his own darkness propels him to a shocking ending that will leave readers breathless.
WINNER! ForeWord Reviews--Book of the Year--Best Thriller and Suspense
WINNER! National Indie Excellence Book Awards--Best Fiction, Best Thriller
Top 4! International Book Awards--Best New Fiction, Best Mystery/Suspense
Top 4! USA Book Awards--Best New Fiction
Top 10! Paris Book Festival--General Fiction
Awarded the Kirkus Star for Books of Exceptional Merit
Twin brothers Luke and Aaron Miller could not lead more different lives. Aaron, a rising political star who manages the campaign of a man many believe will be the nation's next president, embraced his father's Jewish heritage. Luke, on the other hand, honored his mother's faith and entered the Catholic priesthood. When Aaron and the candidate he supports are killed in a bombing at a presidential stump speech, the Miller family's core is destroyed. Fear of a terrorist threat grips the nation, but the FBI and the press seem more focused on the death of a presidential candidate than on the other innocent victims like Aaron. Suddenly, Luke begins to feel the lure of a vengeance that is stronger than the bond of faith.
As he falls deeper into the abyss of political intrigue that surrounded his brother's mysterious professional life, Luke is tempted to break his promise to God and reassess his own sense of right and wrong. What sort of priest carries a concealed weapon? How can he judge others when he himself has strayed so far from his own flock?
Luke's comfortable life in Boston collides with the faraway world of the Middle East as he sets out on a journey to unravel the truth behind Aaron's murder. Will he take an eye for an eye?
In this murder mystery wrapped in a thoughtful meditation on the intersection of faith and justice, Luke's journey through his own darkness propels him to a shocking ending that will leave readers breathless.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Dale Allan is a graduate of Fordham University, has held several senior positions in Fortune 250 companies, and has traveled the world. A black belt in martial arts, avid fly-fisherman, political junkie, and devout Christian, the storylines of his novels reflect his diversified life.
Review:
When Dale was just twelve years old, his father was murdered while away on an extended business trip. A week before his death, Dale had struggled to write a letter updating him on the family's activities. When his father was buried with the handwritten note in his pocket, Dale fully understood the power of writing.
“...a fast-paced, brilliant thriller that literally begins with a bang and never lets up...Honoring the intelligence of his audience, the author takes a minimalist approach that sucks readers in, keeps them thinking, and makes all 314 pages fly by with breathtaking speed. The ending packs a real punch to the gut, leaving an impression that lasts far beyond the final page...Allan’s debut novel is as well written, suspenseful, and engaging as one might expect from the likes of Clancy, Grisham, or Le Carré...likely the first of many noteworthy novels by an extraordinary writer.”
— ForeWord Reviews
“An engaging mystery, and a sizzling debut... Allan’s novel is a blistering tale with all the right ingredients for a mystery...But the author’s multifaceted characters are what give the book distinction... The book’s stellar ending addresses a lingering uncertainty and leaves much for readers to ponder.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Awarded the Kirkus Star for Books of Exceptional Merit
Allan’s taut thriller is well plotted, and the explication of the mystery and the many odd characters with whom Father Luke becomes involved will keep readers engaged and turning the pages...fans of the genre will enjoy this highly readable thriller with a final shocking revelation that seems to signal a sequel.
— Publisher’s Weekly
“Dale Allan is a novelist to watch. He scores a fine debut with this explosive thriller --- action packed, character rich and sure to keep you up late at night!"
— Jordan Rich WBZ Boston, CBS Radio
“This year’s crop of crime thrillers star everyone from a mild-mannered clock maker to a Ranchero-powered repo man, but Long Island author Dale Allan wins top honors with Luke Miller, a Catholic priest who sets out to find the killers of his politically connected twin brother...A Prayer for the Devil moves at breakneck speed across New England, then on to the Middle East and back, as Luke struggles to uncover whodunit and why, while squirming in the tight spot at which religion crashes headlong into justice. The surprise ending screams sequel.”
— Long Island Business News
“Have you ever noticed that there are books where you really have to struggle to get into it while some others you just breeze through it and hope the story will never end? Dale Allan's bold and clever debut novel falls into the latter category...he fully understands the value of careful plot construction as his story unfolds with an intriguing cast of characters. And listening to the exchanges between these characters, we actually feel that we are eavesdropping on real conversations-all of which leads to a splendid novel on all counts.”
— Norman Goldman–Publisher and Editor of Bookpleasures.com
“I promise you a compelling read. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. If you’re a James Patterson or David Baldacci fan, you’ll love this local author’s style and ability to tell a story and keep your interest, even with several subplots in play...This exciting thriller could easily be made into an action-packed motion picture”.
— Ed Wilkinson – Editor: The Tablet
“A Prayer for the Devil is a gripping tale of mystery, politics and religion. Fast-paced and entertaining, it is also an important cultural marker. It deserves a wide audience.”
— Bill Donohue — President - Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
“Author Dale Allan succeeds where many authors fail in keeping the reader not just interested in the well-developed characters, but curious about what the next page will bring through the twists and turns which permeate this book...Allan is a skilled writer...Will there be a “next chapter” - a sequel to this book? One can only hope - and encourage the author to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and imagination into action!”
— June Maffin – Author of Soulistry
— ForeWord Reviews
“An engaging mystery, and a sizzling debut... Allan’s novel is a blistering tale with all the right ingredients for a mystery...But the author’s multifaceted characters are what give the book distinction... The book’s stellar ending addresses a lingering uncertainty and leaves much for readers to ponder.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Awarded the Kirkus Star for Books of Exceptional Merit
Allan’s taut thriller is well plotted, and the explication of the mystery and the many odd characters with whom Father Luke becomes involved will keep readers engaged and turning the pages...fans of the genre will enjoy this highly readable thriller with a final shocking revelation that seems to signal a sequel.
— Publisher’s Weekly
“Dale Allan is a novelist to watch. He scores a fine debut with this explosive thriller --- action packed, character rich and sure to keep you up late at night!"
— Jordan Rich WBZ Boston, CBS Radio
“This year’s crop of crime thrillers star everyone from a mild-mannered clock maker to a Ranchero-powered repo man, but Long Island author Dale Allan wins top honors with Luke Miller, a Catholic priest who sets out to find the killers of his politically connected twin brother...A Prayer for the Devil moves at breakneck speed across New England, then on to the Middle East and back, as Luke struggles to uncover whodunit and why, while squirming in the tight spot at which religion crashes headlong into justice. The surprise ending screams sequel.”
— Long Island Business News
“Have you ever noticed that there are books where you really have to struggle to get into it while some others you just breeze through it and hope the story will never end? Dale Allan's bold and clever debut novel falls into the latter category...he fully understands the value of careful plot construction as his story unfolds with an intriguing cast of characters. And listening to the exchanges between these characters, we actually feel that we are eavesdropping on real conversations-all of which leads to a splendid novel on all counts.”
— Norman Goldman–Publisher and Editor of Bookpleasures.com
“I promise you a compelling read. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. If you’re a James Patterson or David Baldacci fan, you’ll love this local author’s style and ability to tell a story and keep your interest, even with several subplots in play...This exciting thriller could easily be made into an action-packed motion picture”.
— Ed Wilkinson – Editor: The Tablet
“A Prayer for the Devil is a gripping tale of mystery, politics and religion. Fast-paced and entertaining, it is also an important cultural marker. It deserves a wide audience.”
— Bill Donohue — President - Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
“Author Dale Allan succeeds where many authors fail in keeping the reader not just interested in the well-developed characters, but curious about what the next page will bring through the twists and turns which permeate this book...Allan is a skilled writer...Will there be a “next chapter” - a sequel to this book? One can only hope - and encourage the author to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and imagination into action!”
— June Maffin – Author of Soulistry
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherEmerald Book Company
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 1937110346
- ISBN 13 9781937110345
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages320
- Rating
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A Prayer for the Devil
Published by
Emerald Book Company, Austin, Texas
(2012)
ISBN 10: 1937110346
ISBN 13: 9781937110345
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. First Edition stated, with correct number line sequence, no writing, marks, underlining, or bookplates. No remainder marks. Spine is tight and crisp. Boards are flat and true and the corners are square. Dust jacket is not price-clipped. This collectible, " NEW" condition first edition/first printing copy is protected with a polyester archival dust jacket cover. Beautiful collectible copy. GIFT QUALITY. Seller Inventory # 002991
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