title: A Prayer for the Devil
author:  Dale Allan 
description: a fast-paced, brilliant thriller that literally begins with a bang and never lets upHonoring the intelligence of his audience, the author takes a minimalist approach that sucks readers in, keeps them thinking, and makes all 314 pages fly by with breathtaking speed. The ending packs a real punch to the gut, leaving an impression that lasts far beyond the final pageAllans debut novel is as well written, suspenseful, and engaging as one might expect from the likes of Clancy, Grisham, or Le Carrlikely the first of many noteworthy novels by an extraordinary writer.<br /><strong> ForeWord Reviews</strong><br /><br />An engaging mystery, and a sizzling debut Allans novel is a blistering tale with all the right ingredients for a mysteryBut the authors multifaceted characters are what give the book distinction... The books stellar ending addresses a lingering uncertainty and leaves much for readers to ponder.<br /> <strong>Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Awarded the Kirkus Star for Books of Exceptional Merit<br /></strong><br />Allans taut thriller is well plotted, and the explication of the mystery and the many odd characters with whom Father Luke becomes involved will keep readers engaged and turning the pagesfans of the genre will enjoy this highly readable thriller with a final shocking revelation that seems to signal a sequel.<br /><strong> Publishers Weekly</strong><br /><br />Dale Allan is a novelist to watch. He scores a fine debut with this explosive thriller --- action packed, character rich and sure to keep you up late at night!"<br /><strong> Jordan Rich WBZ Boston, CBS Radio</strong><br /><br />This years crop of crime thrillers star everyone from a mild-mannered clock maker to a Ranchero-powered repo man, but Long Island author Dale Allan wins top honors with Luke Miller, a Catholic priest who sets out to find the killers of his politically connected twin brotherA Prayer for the Devil moves at breakneck speed across New England, then on to the Middle East and back, as Luke struggles to uncover whodunit and why, while squirming in the tight spot at which religion crashes headlong into justice. The surprise ending screams sequel.<br /> <strong>Long Island Business News</strong><br /><br />Have you ever noticed that there are books where you really have to struggle to get into it while some others you just breeze through it and hope the story will never end? Dale Allan's bold and clever debut novel falls into the latter categoryhe fully understands the value of careful plot construction as his story unfolds with an intriguing cast of characters. And listening to the exchanges between these characters, we actually feel that we are eavesdropping on real conversations-all of which leads to a splendid novel on all counts.<br /> <strong>Norman GoldmanPublisher and Editor of Bookpleasures.com</strong><br /><br />I promise you a compelling read. I couldnt put it down once I started reading it. If youre a James Patterson or David Baldacci fan, youll love this local authors style and ability to tell a story and keep your interest, even with several subplots in playThis exciting thriller could easily be made into an action-packed motion picture.<br /><strong>  Ed Wilkinson  Editor: The Tablet<br /></strong><br />A Prayer for the Devil is a gripping tale of mystery, politics and religion. Fast-paced and entertaining, it is also an important cultural marker. It deserves a wide audience.<br /> <strong>Bill Donohue  President - Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights</strong><br /><br />Author Dale Allan succeeds where many authors fail in keeping the reader not just interested in the well-developed characters, but curious about what the next page will bring through the twists and turns which permeate this bookAllan is a skilled writerWill there be a next chapter - a sequel to this book? One can only hope - and encourage the author to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and imagination into action!<br /> <strong>June Maffin  Author of Soulistry</strong>
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  THE DEVIL’S PRaYER
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE
  
  
  DEVIL’S PRaYER
  
  
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  LUKE GRACIAS
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Devil’s Prayer by Luke Gracias
  
  
  Published by Australian eBook Publisher
  
  
  © Luke Gracias
  
  
  1st Edition 2016, pbk.
  
  
  This edition published 2018 with editorial corrections.
  
  
  ISBN: 978-1-925427-34-9
  
  
  Cover design, editing and typesetting: Sharnai James-McGovern, Australian
  eBook Publisher
  
  
  Front cover photograph: “Semana Santa Zamora 2014”, Manuel Ballesteros.
  
  
  Back cover photograph: “The empty streets of Zamora”, Luke Gracias
  
  
  Illustrations: Jeff Phillips
  
  
  The moral right of the author has been asserted. All rights reserved. Without
  limiting the rights under copyright restricted above, no part of this
  publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval
  system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
  photocopying, recording or otherwise), with