The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

Danny is a priest acting as God's avenger. He thoroughly researches evil characters the police cannot or will not touch. When he is convinced of their guilt, he kidnaps them and gives them a chance to change their ways. If not, he kills them.
His first deed of vengeance was while he was yet a teen in Bosnia. He had survived an attack while his mother and sister were brutally murdered. He was able to kill the men who did it.
He comes across a young woman, Renee, a past drug addict, who desperately wants to avenge the murder of her lover/husband. He reluctantly takes her under his wing and shows her the way.

There is lots more to the story but this gives an idea of the plot. There are plenty of twists and turns in this novel. One wonders more than once whose really the bad guy. When it looks like the wrong man may have been murdered, the whole issue of judgment comes to the surface. Does any one of us really have the right to judge and declare one guilty?

I've read many of Dekker's books. Some, when I've finished, I have to admit that I just didn't get it. With this novel, I think I got it. The story is straightforward, no fantasy or strange happenings. Just good and evil. Granted, some of the evil is cloaked, but it all comes out in the end.

This was a rewarding read. I'd recommend it for those who like to read thrillers but also be challenged with moral dilemmas. The last third of the book is filled with so many twists and revelations, it will keep you reading to the last page.

Center Street, 368 pages.

Buy the book from ChristianBook.com.