The Blackbird

Blending the grit of a western with the dread of an apocalyptic parable, The Blackbird is a sweeping tale of devotion and betrayal, of belief and the false light that can burn brighter than truth.

In a world where Christianity failed to conquer the religions that preceded it, Sister Mary Caroline, a follower of the Old Faith, has seen enough blood and rage to doubt heaven’s mercy. When a miracle man claiming to be the Second Coming of the Murdered God appears in a small prairie settlement, his fiery sermons ignite a frenzy. His followers see wonders; skeptics see a fraud too dangerous to ignore. Rivalries form, pitting neighbor against neighbor, leaving an opening for those who would use belief as a weapon.

Mary Caroline is sent to investigate and determine if this possible second coming poses a threat to her people. Carol fears that the preacher’s gospel hides something darker than blasphemy. As zeal turns to violence and sermons to gunfire, Carol must reckon with a choice that could damn a town and damn her people.

The dead rise and the blind see, but not all miracles are merciful.