Into the Fire

Dustin Stevens writes Book 1 of the City of Sin Thrillers: Buried Confession.

A nervous mother (Linda Perlin) goes into the confessional booth while “not that kind of priest” Father Michael Kane is conducting confession. What she shares and why she’s there lead to further conversation outside the booth and presents a mission which is at times awkward, sometimes messy, and Father Kane soon learns is very dangerous.

The young woman (Stacy Perlin) Father Michael is trying to find left her safe and comfortable mid-western home to travel to Las Vegas to realize a dream of becoming a stage actress in one of the shows on the strip. Instead, she ends up at one of the many clubs that feature all that pretty young women have to offer. When she learns what this particular club is doing to the girls who perform there, she wants out, but there’s always a price to be paid to get out – one that no one can afford.

As she attempts to break free, she goes on the run and is forced into a hidden life that begs for a rescue.

Enter Father Michael Kane.

The opening scenes for this novel establish the hardcore action for the story. With the quiet, mature assistance and encouragement from another priest (Father Gallini), Father Michael Kane is relentless in his search for the missing girl combined with his quest for justice. He gets his share of personal assaults before he finally makes progress.

If you’re looking for perfect theology, don’t. It isn’t present. There’s enough Catholicism to establish the basis for this story, but as the series title implies, it’s going to be Father Michael Kane facing sometimes insurmountable problems to either rescue and/or end a conglomerate of evil with plenty of physical, emotional, and spiritual chaos and damage along the way.

The story is entertaining. If violence makes you squeamish, probably better pass on this one, but if you can get through the tough stuff, you’ll find this take on the priesthood interesting.