A Story of Scorpions

by Gabriel Everett

Reverend Alson Pierce's life is destroyed by the brutal murders of his wife and son. Everything he's loved most dearly is taken from him, and he is left alone with nothing but his damaged faith in God. Upholding the Gospel's commandment to "love your enemies," Reverend Pierce requests entry into a maximum security prison to serve his nemesis, Alex Leonard, in a true Christian sense. When the prison authorities question his intentions and deny him access, the media gets involved and the minister's wish is granted:  He and the murderer are brought together within the prison walls. A documentary filmmaker is granted permission to record this miracle of forgiveness. Reverend Pierce is lauded as a saint. What the public doesn't know is Pierce's intention to shoot the murderer dead.  What the reader doesn't know is whether Pierce will fulfill his desire or not.

In convicted murderer Alex Leonard, Gabriel Everett has created one of the most menacing and enigmatic villains in recent memory. He is violent, racist, remorseless. The bondage and psychological abuse Pierce and his family suffered in their home continues in the prison, even though Leonard's hands and feet are bound in his jail cell. Meanwhile, Pierce battles his own demons and questions the righteousness of God. A Story of Scorpions addresses issues of vengeance and forgiveness, redemption and damnation. It is a profoundly affecting story which touches those fears most thrillers leave untouched.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 1997

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many, many years ago and it had a deeply profound effect on me… I will be reading it again soon… It appears to be out of print but you can get used copies on Amazon and I highly recommend it!

[Cristina Bahre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a man in suffering, the realistic way a man is brought to pain and heartache. Touching, and yet hard to read.

[Paul DiBara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story involves his scheme to gain access to the murderer by feigning a desire to serve his enemy, according to the bible. I was hoping for a story that demonstrated the struggle between firm belief on the one hand and raw emotion on the other. Though it tried to be something like that it didn't live up to its full potential.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being the first novel in a trilogy, I just don't see where the rest will follow. Possibly when I'm bored, I'll look into the other 2 books.

The ending was quite unexpected. Overall, it was just an okay book. Easily readable.