Dark Debts (original 1996; edition 1996)

Michael is a Jesuit priest, intelligent, committed to his church in spite of his doubts about Catholic policies and politics. He's also in love with a woman, having doubts about his vocation and confronted with a mystery involving his family that he feels compelled to solve. Randa is a newspaper reporter, disillusioned and cynical. She has lost the man she loved first to desertion and then to a puzzling suicide. Jack is a bitter, frightened loner, living with the legacy of a tragic family history. In a confrontation with the face of evil, these people come together and find that their connection is more than chance.

Hall's book is compelling and very witty. Each of her main characters is bright, well-informed and full of wisecracks, which makes the book entertaining to read. The story itself is compelling. There is e a vein of underlying faith and belief in Christian principles and dogma that runs through the boook that will be heartening to some readers and off-putting to others. ( )

This is not a book I would normally choose to read as it is about the supernatural and demons. However, I saw it on the recommended shelf at the Book Thing in Baltimore. I have read many a good book found of these shelves.
This book is a great weekend read and moves very quickly. I actually did not want to put it down and stayed up very late reading it last night. I would recommend this to anyone looking to read something for fun and escape. I did not find it scary. If you are a Roman Catholic you might be offended. I believe Rosemary's Baby was offensive to Roman Catholics when it was a bestseller and then a movie. A movie could easily be made from this and I might go to see this some summer night. ( )