Catholic Church's Sexual Abuse Scandal Featured in Thrilling Novel

Simi Valley, CA (PRWEB) August 20, 2007 -- Is any crime ever so vile that it justifies cold-blooded murder? Aaron Baker Cole's thrilling book "Necessary Evil" (ISBN 9780595358991) explores this question through the story of an empathetic young man, who takes it upon himself to pointedly focus the Catholic Church's attention on the clandestine pedophilic acts committed by a frightening number of Catholic priests.

The conflicted hero of "Necessary Evil" is Billy Hawkins, a boy who recognizes early on in life that he lacks a certain degree of conscience, feeling no regret when it comes to terminating the lives of those who he thinks have committed major injustices. Billy decides to allow his unique disposition to serve the greater good, and enters seminary, intending to focus the Catholic hierarchy's attention on the need for quality improvement among its trusted clerics, through his stealthy elimination of the sexually abusive priests.

While this quick synopsis of Billy and his life mission may strike some readers as callous, the most compelling aspect of "Necessary Evil" isn't Billy's criminal activity, but rather, the narrative Cole weaves about Billy's growth from adolescence to adulthood, and the internal conflicts he faces along the way. Cole introduces Billy as a 13-year-old living in the bayous of Louisiana with his mother and abusive stepfather. A defining moment in Billy's life occurs when he successfully plans and completes his stepfather's execution, an act that sets the tone for the rest of his life.

Billy's intense personality is tempered by a diverse supporting cast of characters. His childhood friend and soul mate, Jenna Whitman adds passion to the story, while Monsignor Nicholas Montalvo and Brother Miguel Rodriguez function as friends and allies. A seasoned veteran of the Seattle police force also plays an integral role, when a joint FBI and police task force is formed to put an end to Billy's anarchic methods.

"Necessary Evil" paints Billy sympathetically, as an individual born with a deadly combination of human attributes: an overdeveloped sense of empathy and an underdeveloped conscience. His attempts to control his actions and reconcile his lethal decisions are wrought with internal conflict, yet Billy continues on with his crusade. Billy is a multidimensional hero that most readers will not easily embrace, until the book's final pages, when they decide for themselves whether or not his choices were justifiable.

About the Author

Aaron Baker Cole resides in Simi Valley, California. He has spent much of his professional life in the technical sector, supporting private and government programs in the fields of space technology and national security. He is also the author of "Forms of Madness," a novel about international conspiracies during the Cold War.

"Necessary Evil" (ISBN 9780595358991) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.amazon.com. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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