The Ordained

This is my third by Faherty, whose quality of writing is superior to that of most mystery authors. This "millenial" mystery involves some people who "disappear" in the small Indiana town of Rapture. Have they been "raptured"? Abducted by aliens? Of course there is an explanation to the disappearances, but in the meantime Faherty gets you thinking about these phenomena, as he explores his hallmark theme: "the problem of evil." For those who like a well-written and thoughtful mystery which is also well-plotted, I recommend Faherty.

It has been two decades since Owen Keane left his Indiana home after involvement with a murder that ended his quest for the priesthood. He returns to his former home state to testify against the state granting parole to convicted murderer Curtis Morell, a man Owen helped send to prison. While in the town of Rapture, founded by a religious group who expected the world to end in 1844, Owen meets Curtis' daughter, Krystal. They immediately hit it off. However, what attracts Owen is the sudden disappearance of townsfolk, one at a time in a rapture-like environment. Some of the citizens think its aliens while other think Armageddon has arrived. Owen, who once studied for the priesthood, is mystically enraptured with the goings-on until Krystal disappears. Now, he has a personal interest to clearing up the mystery that law enforcement officials feel are simply drug drops. The sixth Owen Keane novel, THE ORDAINED, is as good if not better than the delightful previous tales. Owen is a great character whose believable struggles with life are of epic proportion. The story line is fast paced and interesting with the secondary players adding much to the pace. Terence Faherty continues to write very entertaining mysteries that are well worth reading. Harriet Klausner The sixth Owen Keane novel, THE ORDAINED, is as good if not better than the delightful previous tales. Owen is a great character whose believable struggles with life are of epic proportion. The story line is fast paced and interesting with the secondary players adding much to the pace. Terence Faherty continues to write very entertaining mysteries that are well worth reading. Harriet Klausner