Abandoned prayers

de Gregg Olsen

It is the world of the Amish, their secrets and way of life. The villian left the the religious community with his son after the suspicious death of his wife. He set out on what can only be called an orgy of casual, gay sex and murder. The authorities are still not sure how many he killed or if he killed his own son (because he knew too much). He was convicted of abandonment then brought up on another murder and convicted. He was suspected in the death of his wife (fire) and son (suffocation or intentional exposure to sub-zero weather) and in 1990 was the chief suspect in the murder of yet two more gay men. He seemed to be destroying anyone who could link him to what he perceived as the unpardonable sin. Throughout it all he proclaimed his innocence, got amnesia, found God, quoted Scripture while negotiating for movie rights and, incredibly, retained a cadre of folks who felt sorry for him. Gay groups raised funds, religious folk visited, women were supportive...it defies any kind of rational thought. Great book.