A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession And The Murder That Destroyed A Church (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I don't normally get that disturbed by true crime books, particularly when, like in this case, I have seen the true crime television program(s) telling the story. However, this book really disturbed me. The television retellings of these events limited the discussion of Nick Hacheney's sexual proclivities to his affair with Sandy Glass. This book makes it clear that there were others who fell under his creepy but charismatic spell.I was appreciative of the sensitivity with which Olsen portrayed the various levels of spiritual belief in this book, because he didn't really make the book an indictment of religion or faith or even some of the less mainstream Christian beliefs discussed among the church members. I was less appreciative of the continued and in-depth focus on the predatory pursuit of the women and sexual gratification by Hacheney -- it was revolting. There were times when I wondered how these women could not have seen through him. In the end, though, I accept that this story was less about the murder of Dawn Hacheney than it was about Twisted Faith as the title says and the mind/soul rape committed by Hacheney. He is one sick dude and I am glad he is locked up -- and he is clearly a psychopath, given how many people have decided that the evidence against him doesn't add up, including Dawn's mother (who slept with him!), and his current wife. This is the riveting tale of a tight-knit church community that unraveled over the course of a few years. Against the backdrop of a fight over leadership of Christ Community Church on Bainbridge Island, Washington, one man, youth pastor Nick Hacheney, would commit deception, adultery, and eventually murder. By telling fantastic tales of prophecies and apocalyptic spiritual battles, Hacheney conned the women whose marriages he was supposed to be saving through counseling into sleeping with him; at Hacheney's insistence, the women neglected their husbands and children and even drugged their babies in order to spend more time with him.Hacheney eventually settled on one vulnerable congregant he wanted to settle down with; there was only one complication--his wife Dawn. After Nick described a "prophecy" about her death, Dawn perished in a mysterious fire the day after Christmas, 1997 while Nick was out hunting. It looks as though Nick might get away with murdering Dawn, until one woman's emotional pain over her relationship with Nick lead her to seek help.Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good true-crime story. This one is truly stranger than fiction.
What do You think about A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession And The Murder That Destroyed A Church (2010)?
Another great book by Gregg Olsen. He is just as good with non-fiction as he is with fiction.
—roger
There is a story here; but the author fails to captivate with his rendition of it.
—timmyhart1
This is an incredible story. It's frightening to know that this even happened.
—kizzi
Kept my interest from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
—muncast
A compelling story of faith and a twisted man of God
—mar
