Galilee

by D.L. Tracey

Galilee is an American psychological thriller horror novel written by D.L. Tracey. It was first published by iUniverse publishers in December 2009, and then was re-published in 2021 by AuthorHouse publishers. The novel's narrative is based on the relationship of its four main characters - the newly ordained young priest, Father Hickey, fresh out of seven very long years of seminary school. Young, overachieving, and ambitious priest is sent to a backwater parish--and to make matters even worse, the priest he will replace dies just before he gets there, throwing him into a strange situation with no guidance. The small parish The Church of Saint Peter at the edge of a fishing village was not what he hoped for as his first assignment. The young priest meets Michael McDonough, owner of The Crow's Nest bar, while administering last rites to a fisherman on the docks of Galilee on his first day at the parish, and a friendship mentorship begins without the priest's knowledge. A young waitress at the Crow's Nest by the name of Janie befriends the young priest and allows him into her troubled past. The fourth person is Father Gilday, the priest who died a few days before the young priest's arrival. Galilee is a story about the horror that can befall a fishing village when no one is piecing together the signs!

154 pages, Hardcover

First published December 11, 2009

Reviews

[Shey Saints · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary

Galilee is a psychological horror thriller by D.L. Tracey. The story begins with Father Tommy Hickey being assigned to Saint Peter’s Parish in Galilee, Rhode Island, a fishing village with church that could only accommodate 50 people. He’s supposed to be an assistant to Father Gilday, but then upon his arrival, he learns that Father Gilday had died a few days ago, so he ends up replacing him. His hope for a huge parish to speak to a service of thousands of Catholics seems impossible with him stuck in Galilee and he’s disappointed. However, a series of bizarre cases makes him realize how much he is needed in Galilee as he ends up fighting demons through his strong faith.

Review

Awesome story! At first, I didn’t like Father Tommy Hickey because the moment he arrived at his first parish, he had nothing but complains. But then I realized that even though he’s a priest, he’s just like any of us who has hopes and dreams. Also, it didn’t take him long to regret his lack of compassion and even shared that to all the people present during his first Holy Mass, redeeming himself as a respectable young priest.

There’s so much going on in this story: too many cats are dying, ghosts of people and a dog are haunting their own family, a killer fisherman is back from the dead, and there’s a demon too! Who wouldn’t keep on reading to find out how Tommy could save the people of Galilee from these very strange occurrences?

I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I love the inconceivable and mysterious flow of the story. It was unpredictable, gripping, and entertaining! I highly recommend this to readers who love horror thrillers.

[Laura Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galilee tells a chilling tale of what happens to a fishing village when the signs go ignored! The ending caught me off guard, and I found myself wanting to reread it, as knowing the characters better gave me a fresh perspective on their actions. Wow.

[Frank Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written so I could feel the weather as it came to life on the pages. The demons in this book, Malachi and Abaddon are fitting of a Steven King Novel.

The start of the ending (second to last chapter) is the sadness thing I ever read while it brought a soft smile to my face. A True book for the faithful, our lord is watching and listening to our prayers. Good does triumph over evil.

Steven King move over it would seem there is another New England writer who can weave fear and suspense into words.