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God Goes to Murderer's Row
The Hound of Heaven stalks the death house in pursuit of the soul of a modern Dismas in this true story of a doomed criminal who found God in the solitude of a prison.
Tom Penney, a man with a bad criminal record, was involved in a robbery and murder at Lexington, Kentucky, was apprehended, tried and convicted along with two accomplices, and executed. But soon after his conviction Tom Penney came under the influence of Roman Catholic priests and sisters and was converted to the Catholic faith. This book is the record of his spiritual struggles and of the achievement by him of a triumphant faith during the fourteen months in murderer's row. It is also a record of the unremitting and self sacrificing effort of his Catholic advisers to save the soul of this self-confessed murderer. The unsuccessful effort of Penney to convert his accomplice in crime adds drama to the story. The power of religion radically to transform personality is here given vivid documentation.
Tom Penney, a man with a bad criminal record, was involved in a robbery and murder at Lexington, Kentucky, was apprehended, tried and convicted along with two accomplices, and executed. But soon after his conviction Tom Penney came under the influence of Roman Catholic priests and sisters and was converted to the Catholic faith. This book is the record of his spiritual struggles and of the achievement by him of a triumphant faith during the fourteen months in murderer's row. It is also a record of the unremitting and self sacrificing effort of his Catholic advisers to save the soul of this self-confessed murderer. The unsuccessful effort of Penney to convert his accomplice in crime adds drama to the story. The power of religion radically to transform personality is here given vivid documentation.
- GenresNonfiction
211 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
About the author
M. Raymond
61 books26 followersFr. Mary Raymond Flanagan, O.C.S.O.
Born Joseph David Flanagan in 1903, he grew up in Massachusetts. He joined the Jesuits in 1920, teaching at Holy Cross College from 1927 to 1930 and later serving as retreat master. In 1936, he joined the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the cloister of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky where he received the name he is most know by today, Fr. Mary Raymond. He wrote twenty-two books as a Trappist, many dealing with the subject of how the laity could achieve sanctity.
Born Joseph David Flanagan in 1903, he grew up in Massachusetts. He joined the Jesuits in 1920, teaching at Holy Cross College from 1927 to 1930 and later serving as retreat master. In 1936, he joined the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the cloister of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky where he received the name he is most know by today, Fr. Mary Raymond. He wrote twenty-two books as a Trappist, many dealing with the subject of how the laity could achieve sanctity.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 30, 2022
It is incredible the difference that God makes in lives. Tom Penney was a criminal from his youth. He participated in a double murder and was sentenced to the electric chair. While on death row, he founs God and...my goodness. The change is insane. He became a realer Christian than I think most of us will ever be.
May 14, 2020
This was a very different book. It is a posthumous account of the conversion of a criminal. It is written in present tense but also through a lot of letters. This gets a little difficult to stay interested in the story line between times of reading. It is not very suspenseful or action packed! The story itself is quite amazing of what is possible with the grace of God. Very inspiring in that sense. I often amazed at his eloquence for someone who was not an intellectual-I just couldn’t imagine the same being repeated these days. But I think the general population had a better education back then anyway which would explain a little bit. But I found it also challenged my sympathy or lack there of as a Catholic to inmates and the zeal we should have to save their souls as well. Overall very good book similar to Raymond’s other books but not my favorite- whether because I couldn’t connect much with the story or it moved too slow for me.
November 10, 2020
Chapter 7 is the worst part of this supposed story to promote Roman Catholicism.
According to this author, "The Catholic church gave us the Bible" because the apostles weren't Protestant! Well, they weren't RC either: they were first century Christians spreading the good news among both Jews and Gentiles.
"Only the Catholic church can save you." Not Christ, but the Catholic church: the focus is on 'religion' rather than faith or a personal relationship.
He also doesn't seem to realise that the Apostles' Creed doesn't belong exclusively to the Catholic church.
According to this author, "The Catholic church gave us the Bible" because the apostles weren't Protestant! Well, they weren't RC either: they were first century Christians spreading the good news among both Jews and Gentiles.
"Only the Catholic church can save you." Not Christ, but the Catholic church: the focus is on 'religion' rather than faith or a personal relationship.
He also doesn't seem to realise that the Apostles' Creed doesn't belong exclusively to the Catholic church.
August 20, 2023
This book kind of dragged in parts, but it really does show how miraculous conversions happen and yes, even to people in prison.
Tom Penney was one of three men tied and convicted of a murder that happened during a robbery. Tom did not shoot anyone, but being an accomplice during the commission of a felony, he too was given the death penalty.
How it all came about and played out was interesting. The book was a wonderful witness to those whose vocations were as servants of God.
Tom Penney was one of three men tied and convicted of a murder that happened during a robbery. Tom did not shoot anyone, but being an accomplice during the commission of a felony, he too was given the death penalty.
How it all came about and played out was interesting. The book was a wonderful witness to those whose vocations were as servants of God.
January 6, 2018
The story interested me but why write a fiction detective story from a true event? The first chapter already must be all fiction from the author’s imagination of a conversation between a police chief and another man.
May 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this books and found it very inspirational.
December 9, 2019
85/100 (= 5.0/6) ≈ 5 Stars
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Wow! Compelling (true) story of a modern Dismas, converted after having been sentenced to death in the electric chair. Based on his over 200 letters from jail, it shows how he rose to the heights of sanctity in such a short time. Really great!
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Wow! Compelling (true) story of a modern Dismas, converted after having been sentenced to death in the electric chair. Based on his over 200 letters from jail, it shows how he rose to the heights of sanctity in such a short time. Really great!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews