Can Mark, an Anglican Priest who is at heart a good man who believes deeply in his faith and in forgiveness, find a way to deal with the hatred he holds for the man who killed his younger brother?That man, Luke, is released from prison early, after only 3 years. But he is not the hardened criminal who knows how to work the system that Mark thinks he is. He was 19 and drunk and stupid when he kills a man in a bar fight and he barely remembers, but he knows the result of his actions took a life and that is a debt that can never be repaid. He may be released from prison, but he's on tight restrictions of parole. Luke knows he can't fall back into the lifestyle of his friends if he wants to reform and stay out of prison. So he throws himself into surviving and keeping out of trouble; a hard and limited life, but nothing more than he believes he deserves.Mark, however, can't stand the idea of his brother's killer being free and wants him back in prison where he belongs. He finds himself doing things he would never countenance in his right mind. At the same time, he finds that his love of his Church is being tarnished by its too-careful acceptance of him being gay. Can love really be strong enough to heal in this extreme situation? It seems so very unlikely. But watching how things slowly and carefully unravel and are revealed... perhaps it is possible to believe! @20%, I thought I would hate it. Was sure I would have to add it to the DNF pile.By 30% I was hooked, and it was hard to peel myself away.The problem was, I began the book disliking Mark. He was one of the MCs, but I found his inability to forgive detestable, especially since he was in the God business. Then there was the whole God/Faith thing. I realize that a majority of the country, and a vast majority of the world identifies as believing in a higher power, but I don't. That makes it difficult for me to empathize with characters who have a great deal of seemingly unshakable faith.When circumstances in the story became more complex for both MCs, I really began to enjoy the read. The story developed a feeling of trepidation, without so much of the heavy angst that turns off readers. I even think that the experiences Mark was made to suffer created a more fleshed-out and ultimately likable character.
What do You think about Mark Of Cain (2014)?
A bit slow going but definitely worth the read.
—hazel
