The Priest's Graveyard

The Priest's Graveyard, by Ted Dekker, is a thrill a minute book! This book will have you shaking with excitement, throughout the 360 pages. I sat to read this book with no trepidation at all. The only fear I had was that I would destroy the book.
Don't let the title get you to thinking, "Is this a book that will bombard me with religion?" because the answer is no. The title name is The Priest's Graveyard, but you will not be chucked into a religious book!
Ted Dekker has written a complete masterpiece, again. I do have to say though, THIS IS THE BEST SO FAR! Dekker wrote the story great! There are no flaws that I see!
You will not be disappointed in buying this book! If you are to read any books by Dekker, I recommend this book! I rate this book a five out of five.
The main characters, Danny Hansen, and Renee Gilmore, are characters that you will instantly fall in love with! I did, yes most definitely I did. The characters seem real, not almost but real.
There are some parts in the story that are really graphic. But if you can get past those, you are as good as gold!
Pick up this book, and enjoy an amazing story. You will not be disappointed. No you will definitely love this book dearly.
Judge not lest you be judged.

Escapism has reached its full potential! From the first word, I entered into another world and often forgot that I was just reading a book! Dekker has a skill at character formation that other authors must envy. It is not uncommon for a reader to be relate to his characters; however, Priest's Graveyard was exceptional! Rather than relating to them, I felt as if I BECAME the character (hence why I often forgot I was reading). This book was impossible to put down! It made me cry on one page and then on the very next page I was laughing! As someone who has read the majority of Ted Dekker's books, I am used to a variety of emotions in 1 book, but Priest's Graveyard blew me away! For the first time, I couldn't dislike the killer! I think all of us can relate to Danny Hansen. Before the release, Dekker asked fans if they would kill someone if it would stop a rape; the question threw me off guard until now. I was forced to search myself once again (as I do with all of Dekker's books) since every time Danny killed, in my mind I was understanding and supportive. The references to law were enough to bring me to tears as I was reminded of how we were trapped by the law until we were rescued by Christ! Priest's Graveyard lived up to all of my expectations and then some! I will be recommending this book for a long time!

Wow. When I thought Dekker's writing couldn't get any better, I was dead wrong. The Priest's Graveyard is an amazing piece of literature. It's amazing how each story Dekker writes is unique in it's own way. I never feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again like I sometimes feel when it comes to other authors. Believe me when I say The Priest's Graveyard will not disappoint you.

Escapism has reached its full potential! From the first word, I entered into another world and often forgot that I was just reading a book! Dekker has a skill at character formation that other authors must envy. It is not uncommon for a reader to be relate to his characters; however, Priest's Graveyard was exceptional! Rather than relating to them, I felt as if I BECAME the character (hence why I often forgot I was reading). This book was impossible to put down! It made me cry on one page and then on the very next page I was laughing! As someone who has read the majority of Ted Dekker's books, I am used to a variety of emotions in 1 book, but Priest's Graveyard blew me away! For the first time, I couldn't dislike the killer! I think all of us can relate to Danny Hansen. Before the release, Dekker asked fans if they would kill someone if it would stop a rape; the question threw me off guard until now. I was forced to search myself once again (as I do with all of Dekker's books) since every time Danny killed, in my mind I was understanding and supportive. The references to law were enough to bring me to tears as I was reminded of how we were trapped by the law until we were rescued by Christ! Priest's Graveyard lived up to all of my expectations and then some! I will be recommending this book for a long time!

The Priest's Graveyard is certainly a unique book for Ted Dekker. After finishing it, it definitely FEELS like a classic Dekker thriller, but this book is darker than any of his (often quite dark) other thrillers. There are moments of deep, penetrating insight into the human psyche, and he really goes out of his way to expose those pieces of us that none want exposed, pieces that we shove down deep, hoping that no one will ever find. That is the classic Dekker, and this is his most successful endeavor in that style yet.

Plotwise, Dekker has admitted that he is a fan of "Dexter", a TV show that runs on Showtime, and I see many elements of Dexter in The Priest's Graveyard, especially from Season 5. Dekker mixes up the themes and the plot considerably, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading Dexter as Dekker would tell it. Not that it's a bad thing, since he's taking elements from one of the best storylines ever written (in my opinion). It is slightly disappointing that I found elements from another work in Dekker's though, since he's always been so original in the past. Nevertheless, Dekker mixes the plot with many other elements and enough originality to make the story his own.

Dekker's past thrillers have always taken a specific thematic "point" and used that to expose love to the world. In a way, all of his works as far back as "The Circle Trilogy" or even "Heaven's Wager" (the earliest Dekker books I've read) are about love. Dekker takes many tacks and different themes, but in the end, his final point is "love conquers all". He uses the theme of "Judge not, lest you be judged" as his revolving point in Priest's Graveyard, but in the end, it really is about love and its infinite power.

Dekker is as technically proficient as ever, expertly drawing readers deep into his dark, often twisted, and always slightly disturbing world. Dekker is a master of his craft and his story is expertly honed to never leave the reader with too long to collect themselves. It moves, and moves fast, the short pauses are barely enough for the reader to catch his breath before being thrust along to the next gut-wrenching, pulse-pounding moment. When reading a Dekker book it doesn't matter if there are outside distractions, because you won't notice them anyways.

A word of warning before you click buy, do not buy this if you are comfortable in your box. If you are afraid of your dark nature, The Priest's Graveyard will confront you head on, and force you to look straight at your hypocricy. The mastery of Dekker fiction never shines brighter than in this book. Whether this is your first Dekker, or simply your latest, it will certainly not be your last after reading The Priest's Graveyard.

Wow. When I thought Dekker's writing couldn't get any better, I was dead wrong. The Priest's Graveyard is an amazing piece of literature. It's amazing how each story Dekker writes is unique in it's own way. I never feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again like I sometimes feel when it comes to other authors. Believe me when I say The Priest's Graveyard will not disappoint you.

This is a great book. There are great plot twists this story. You won't be able to put the book down because you'll be so immersed in the story and the characters. It's like a great movie playing out in your head

As always, Ted Dekker came through with a good read. Once you start, it is hard to put the book down. I believe I have read most of his books, and this one keeps your attention and is as exciting and suspense filled as you would expect from Ted Dekker. Highly recommended

I really enjoyed this book. Ted Dekker is very good at grabbing the reader's attention and holding onto it. I have read 5 of his books so far and plan to read more. There's alot going on in The Priest's Graveyard that makes you keep reading. Very entertaining and exciting. Highly recommended.

Two broken souls. Two very different, very twisted paths. Two ways of looking at life. But when their paths converge, both of their lives will be shaken. Danny Hansen is a Bosnian immigrant to America who grew up amidst a terrible war between those who called themselves Christians. Now he is a priest to those who acknowledge their need for redemption, and an avenging angel to those who are not.

Renee Gilmore is a captive, but she doesn't know it. Her life started out so innocently, but soon devolved to a place where it took a special man to save her - Lamont Myers. But there's more to Lamont than meets the eye. Renee adapts slowly to his strange behavior and weird sense of control, but soon comes to accept it as completely natural. But then one day Lamont never returns, forcing Renee to seek out the man she believes killed him. Thus it is that Danny and Renee meet, forging a friendship that based on their mutual interest in one man.

Ted Dekker's writing has never been better than in The Priest's Graveyard. His ability to keep the reader glued to the page just gets better and better as he weaves a unique tale about a very unlikely duo. Unlike most novels, where the protagonist's goal is to stop the serial killer, Dekker puts you into the minds of the killers themselves and makes them the good guys. Empathy comes easy. Danny only kills those who despise redemption; Renee seeks vengeance for a great wrong.

The pace is blisteringly fast--perhaps too fast at points--as Danny and Renee's story all leads to a final shocking conclusion. The story that precedes is totally written for the twist, bringing the novel thematic depth and personal introspection. From a thematic aspect, Dekker is completely in his element, penning one of his most interesting takes on Law and Grace yet. My one complaint is that I would liked to have seen Lamont's character developed more fully to really draw out the symbolism Dekker was trying to convey.

But overall, it is my love for the theme of being saved from the power of Law that really caused me to enjoy The Priest's Graveyard. In the process of telling a page-turning story, Dekker engages the eyes of those that can see and the ears of those who can hear to ask deep questions about the nature of morality, the purpose of the Law, and the power of Grace. Dekker challenges those who think they have their lives together, suggesting that the monster within is something they are not without and that it is but by Grace can we stand victorious. The only question is whether or not Danny and Renee will discover this to be true before they are judged with the same judgment through which have judged.

Dekker's writing continues to get better and better as he tackles more complex themes and brings to life more complex characters. His writing shines like a light upon the soul, inviting introspection and demanding thought into humanity's deepest issues. More than just an author who seeks to solely entertain, Dekker is a Storyteller--one who laces their tales with meaning, purpose, and passion for the sake of helping the reader discover some new Truth. And The Priest's Graveyard is another solid accomplishment in that goal. Good thing too, because Dekker has recently revealed that his April 2012 release is going to be a sequel. I can't wait to see where Dekker takes these gripping characters.

Ted Dekker do we really need to say anymore? Love this book as well as majority of his others. Think this was the last actual book I have purchased cause I bought the Kindle. Great read from one of the top christian authors out there.

I couldn't stop reading! It was incredible.

The first chapter was gripping, and the moral questions were compelling.
And the end was exactly what it should have been.

The book is like a clash of James Bond (you'll love the white-collar scenes) and Bourne Ultimatum, as the characters hunt down their enemy.

Read it!

"The Priest's Graveyard," Ted Dekker's newest book, is a twisted piece of literature examining the ethical dilemma of whether violence and murder can be a moral action given a certain set of circumstances. The two primary characters struggle with how they perceive right and wrong, and violently and emotionally struggle with doling out their own sense of justice while trying to retain the moral upper hand.

It opens with a horrible depiction of a boy witnessing his mother's and sisters' rape and murder, and sets this traumatizing event as the backdrop of justification for Danny's actions. You will feel that actions he takes are extreme, harsh, and wrong, yet you will admire the decisions he makes and understand his reasoning for them. In the process, his "apprentice" Renee will have a similar struggle as she is placed on a quest for revenge with a determined focus that colors all her other actions.

There is a major twist near the end that is hard to see coming, and then a quick ending that reminded me of "Heaven's Wager."

Long time fans will see similarities to some of Dekker's earlier works, such as "When Heaven Weeps," and "Thr3e," but the violence in this story is elevated above both of those.

I have friends and family that enjoy Dekker's works, and many of them are younger than I am, but I don't feel that I could recommend this book to them because it deals with some serious psychological issues that I don't think the teenagers that I know are equipped to handle.

I like to take advantage of sample chapters of new books on my Kindle. If they draw me in, I quickly buy the rest of the book. In the case of The Priest's Graveyard, it popped up as "suggested" after I finished the latest John Sanford novel. It was a hard-hitting sample, telling the early history of the protagonist during the Bosnian-Serb war. He was so emotionally brutalized, I figured the book was set to deliver justice, revenge and plenty of action. And then I bought it. I immediately felt a different writer had produced the sample, because the very next chapter introduced the most unconvincing, insipid excuse for a female I've ever read. A female heroin addict, supposedly, although that aspect of the character is just the first unbelievable trait. The whole book is a big hack; two obsessive-compulsive ex-priests, one obsessive-compulsive ex-heroin addict, bad guys with no depth or dimension, there is no one to like. I feel soiled having read it.

"Judge not lest you be judged"...The Priest Graveyard is the newest book from New York Times bestseller author Ted Dekker. It's a beautifully crafted story that will leave your mind racing, even after you finish the book, and wanting to read it again. It's a story about Love, Betrayal, Grace, and Judgment. The story is told from the perspective of two separate, but similar characters. Danny Hansen, whom was raised in Bosnia during the war between the Serbs and Croats, now a Priest that's mission is to rid the world of the vipers or criminals who escape the law. Some would call him a vigilante, but for him it's his calling and what he's known since the day he saw his family killed. Judge not lest you be judged. The story is also about Renee Gilmore, a heroin addict, who in the midst of overdosing is saved by a man who takes care of her, and helps her break her addiction. For over a year the man, named Lamont, cares for her and helps her. However, not all is as it seems, and one day Lamont doesn't return from a business trip. Afraid of what has happened to Lamont, Renee seeks vengeance for Lamont's disappearance. While seeking vengeance, Renee and Danny's paths cross, leading down a road in which nothing is as it seems. Worlds are shattered as the story reaches it's climax ending with a plot twist you could never see coming. At the heart of the story it's about Love and Grace, which to get there, the story travels through the darkness leading up to the Truth and Light at the end of the tunnel! This truly is a masterpiece of a story, and will have your mind racing for days. It's a story that at parts had me laughing, shaking in fear of what could happen next, and then in tears of joy as the story ended. This is a great story for any Ted Dekker fan or anyone who is looking for a great suspense thriller. "Judge not lest you be judged."

The Priest's Graveyard- The Priest's What? Graveyard? Yes- Graveyard. The tittle alone compells you to pick up this book, by one of the most remarkable best selling authors, Ted Dekker. Once you hold this book in your hands you will not be able to put it down, as you are drawn into the horrific lives of a tormented justice seeking priest, Danny Hansen, and the tortured soul of the tiny and pathetic Renee Gilmore. These two are destined to play an unbelievable game of life, death, justice, revenge, rituals, laws and love. The pages will fly by and the ending will leave you questioning the value of your very soul. Get The Priest's Graveyard today and be changed, if you dare.

I would call myself an experienced reader(able to read a 400 page book in a day), and enjoy a good story above all else. the book starts off in an intriguing way and continues on the same path the entire book. having been a fan of Ted Dekker for years, i can tell you with certainty that he as done it again. Dekker has never put out a boring book or a slow read and this is one of my favorites.
I would encourage anybody and everybody to read this book. :)

I really could NOT stop reading The Priest's Graveyard!! Not only is it super-readable, but once you start, the stopping point is when you've run out of pages or your head falls onto the book from trying to finish it before you pass out from exhaustion. I will say this is the first book EVER that I've been able to read without having to put it down and process what I just read.
The character development is stunning! I felt like I'd known the characters all my life. The choices they made, however awful, could very well have been choices I'd make without much more than a second thought.
Danny Hansen is a priest-turned-vigilante set on making the world a better place by ridding it of those who have done unjust things and gotten away with it. As horrible as this may sound, I found out by the end of the book, that I really liked Danny and was even agreeing with how he thought things out and justified them in his mind.
Renee Gilmore is a former drug addict who's been practically traumatized by her lover's death and sets out on finding and killing the man who killed him. This was probably the best Dekker's ever done with a first-person point of view, and a female one at that! I felt like I was the one who'd gone on this crazy roller-coaster of emotions! It was incredible.
The book only gets better when these two strangers meet each other and come face-to-face with truth, love, and true justice. It's a wonderful read and you won't be sorry you picked it up! This is honestly the best Ted Dekker book I've read!

This was the most fantastic story Ted Dekker has written yet. All his other fine fiction pales by comparison. It's imaginative, the plot's got jillions of twists, and he manages to build and maintain interest throughout the entire tale. It is writing that doesn't underestimate the reader, but rather leads the reader into a new and refreshing perspective.

The beginning of this book is as captivating as any of Ted Dekker's other works. He sets the stage, baits the hook, and reels you in.
Fair Warning: this book also seemed a lot darker than his last few. If you were made queezy by Boneman's Daughter or The Bride Collector, you will want to save time to eat after you read. Violent deaths, rape, murder, and sex slaves are part of what you'll see.

This book was advertised as being about a vigilante priest. So, I expected death and mayhem. Danny is complex and believable. While I liked Renee as the story openned, but I had a hard time finding her activities with Danny as the story progressed. I'll avoid a plot spoiler.....but her size, weight, and physical skills were clearly petite, diminutive, and limited. Yet, all the sudden she was Nikita.

I've read all of Dekker's previous books. Yes, there are similarities to some other stories. I had read Ted's blog post about why/how Boneman's Daughter came to be. I understood his question of "What would you do to save your daughter?...to show her you love her?" With The Bride Collector, he continued to chase an answer to the question of "What is Love?" This time, the book was portrayed as being about Love, the Greater Good, and Redemption, but I just don't see it.

This is not Christian Fiction and should not be categorized as such. It is not about religion as an organized method of worshipping God, either. It is a tale of how Man can twist logic, reasoning, and morality to suit his own ends; that the ends justify the means. I am a Dekker fan, but not of this story. I am hoping that his future works do not continue to distance themselves from the successful formula that he started with.

I bought this book (the store Kindle edition) because of the high ratings by the reviewers. While the book starts out with promise it quickly starts to drag on. Two thirds of my way through this book I am still trying to slog through it and find any interest in knowing the end. I find the storyline very tedious and slow moving and the narrative of the characters quite silly at times. I love a good mystery or thriller but this one is definitely not a page turner for me. While I rarely leave a book unfinished I may have to put this one aside or skip to the end.

I wasn't expecting artistry, but an entertaining, noir-ish crime novel. What I got was a romantic potboiler in which no cliché is too overused, no shopworn phrase too hackneyed to recycle. Children are inevitably "innocent children," bad guys "evil enemies," and, oh, how it goes on. The plot is filled with repetitive episodes, improbabilities, and inane dialog. The philosophical conundrum at the center of the plot plays out with junior high school level sophistication. The love story would be right at home in a Barbara Cartland novel if you threw in a "throbbing" or two. The reviews here prove there is an audience for this kind of work, but for those who like crime a bit more hard boiled (and cogent), allow The Priest's Graveyard to stay buried.

Ted Dekker's latest book, The Priest's Graveyard, delivers a complete and utter novel meaning for the thriller genre. This book will not only cause your heart and lungs to struggle to keep up, but will make multiple pages drenched and soggy with sweat and tears. This book revolves around both a priest named Danny Hansen, who's on a quest of justice and protection of the helpless, and a woman named Renee, who is trying to escape her brutal past and on a mission for revenge. Ted has created a masterpiece that has loaded a gun with a bullet tipped with a mixture of adrenaline, suspense, and action. This bullet will penetrate even a heart of stone. This book will lead you on a journey of compassion, understanding, and empathy. Be one of the first to read this true work of incredible literature.

Ted Dekker has written another fine page-turner in "the Priest's Graveyard"

15-year-old Danny Hansen witnessed the brutal deaths of his mother and sisters in war-torn Bosnia. Now, he has come to the United States to pass judgment on those who prey upon the less fortunate and weak, even if it means killing them. Under the disguise as a priest, Danny hands down his judgments in the harshest of ways.

Meanwhile, Renee Gilmore, a street prostitute who fears for her life because her pimp loves to torture and beat her, has a chance encounter with Lamont Meyers, a well-to-do attorney. Renee is taken in by Lamont, treated well by him, and she begins to fall in love with him. Lamont is obsessed with cleanliness, and he has given Renee pills to help her overcome her heroin addiction. But there is much more to Lamont than meets the eye, and soon, Renee will learn just what that secret is, for as the story unfolds, Danny's and Renee's paths eventually intertwine and they are soon on an inexorable path which may lead ultimately to their deaths.

I'm a big fan of Ted Dekker's and while this book may not be his best (I preferred "Boneman's Daughters" and "The Bride Collector"), there is still plenty to like. Dekker's character development is first-rate as always, and the reader can identify easily with Renee's plight. She thought she'd found her knight in shining armor when she met Lamont, but Dekker does a good job of disguising his true identity until later in the book. Danny Hansen's character is well-defined, too, and it's easy to see why Danny feels he must rid the world of evil-doers after what he went through in Bosnia. The story flows along at a strong pace until the climactic ending.

I give this fine book my highest recommendation. Ted Dekker has a knack for writing fast-paced stories of good vs. evil, and he didn't disappoint here. Don't miss this great book.

I don't understand how anyone could give this book a 5-star rating. It's one of the worst written books that I've ever read (and i read a lot). I bought the book because I like thrillers and the book had a lot of 5-star reviews. Can't imagine that i was reading the same book as those folks.

The writing is plodding and repetitive. Renee's height, weight seemed to be mentioned on every other page; Dialog is stilted; plot is extremely unbelievable; all together just BAD

Ted DeKker does it again. This book keeps you flipping the pages from start to finish. The only fault I could find is that the book ends. This is a story I could keep reading, if fact as soon as I was done I started reading it again. I have given copies to friends and they are hooked also. This is a great story and I am refraining from giving any details aways because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. But definatly get this book it is an exciting read.

I can't believe this book has gotten good reviews. It is unbelievably bad. I kept slogging on until 2/3 of the way through and quit in disgust. The heroine is both unlikeable and an idiot, the heroic men are jerks, the Bosnian priest is completely unrealistic, the villains are cartoons, the plot events are ridiculous. The writing is awful. I have not read or tried to read) such a bad book in many years, and I read at least twenty mysteries a month. This book is a joke. I wish I had not bought it on Kindle because at least I could try to sell the paperback at a half-priced book store. Might be worth a quarter or two. I would give it negative points if I could figure out how to.