Mighty and Strong

Righteous #2

by Michael Wallace

For years Jacob Christianson struggled to reconcile his faith with his skepticism about the polygamous practices of his religious community. That doubt, combined with a sharp analytical mind, enabled him to solve the ritualistic murder of his cousin at the hands of bloodthirsty fundamentalists within their own church. Now, those experiences have captured the attention of the FBI, who come to Jacob with an unusual request: infiltrate a millennialist cult and extract the undercover agent who has fallen off the radar. Jacob reluctantly agrees, but it doesn’t take long to realize that his mission will be easier said than done. Impatient and unwilling to heed Jacob’s warnings, the FBI closes in, forcing a power play with the dangerous cultists—with Jacob and his family caught squarely in the middle. Tense and engaging, Mighty and Strong offers “an in-depth ride into a world few have entered,” a page-turning foray into the realm of religious extremists and the lengths to which they will go to defend their beliefs.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Religion

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

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Michael also welcomes email from readers at m.wallace23(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Reviews

[Nenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a person who shuns conversations on religion and politics. So I'm not going to write my views here about what I think of the religious denomination that figures in the book. All I'm going to say is that I enjoy reading this book/series.

Although the individual books can stand on their own, I think it's better if one read it as a series; not so certain though as I've read only 2 so far. Nothing preachy at all. The stories espouse both the good and the bad. I guess the attraction, for a Catholic like myself, is the opportunity to learn about backgrounds that are foreign to me. Coupled with all the right storytelling elements, this series might be a keeper.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but good recreational reading. Second in a series focusing on polygamous Mormon sects. Main characters are well developed and sympathetic. Raises thought provoking questions about loyalty to family, desire for community and religious practice.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise. Jacob Christianson was raised in a strict, polygamous Mormon sect, yet he the validity of the Mormon faith. Because of his knowledge of extremist belief, the FBI has asked him for help with the infiltration of a splinter sect near Salt Lake City.

[Richard Longmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Religion and Politics. Avoid both in good company, right? Yet, sometimes these make for easy targets to draw passionate opinions - and good books make readers passionate. So, with that in mind, despite being more of a horror literature guy than a mystery/drama reader, I decided to give the first book in this series, Righteous, a shot. And I enjoyed it. It gave an interesting look into the lives of polygamist Mormons and a story about seizing power within the group - i.e. politics. Tie together some murders, threats and other complications and you've got a good little read for when you want a quick fix of something fun.

Book 2, Mighty and Strong, to it's credit is a different story. I mention this as some "series" just seem to split a longer book into more "bite sized" portions and this is a pet peeve of mine which Michael Wallace has acquitted himself of nicely. That said, readers will feel a lot of deja vu with the political scheming, occasional murders, and the "middle of the road" type of discussion of the very polarizing polygamist Mormon topic. When it's brought up and something terrible is mentioned (i.e. child brides), you can bet that an additional positive is brought up almost immediately (i.e. the wife of the main character keeps talking about how she wants sister wives and sees them as a community).

So, it doesn't really pick a side, which is okay but feels like it may not fully commit to taking the reader into an uncomfortable place - and it's my opinion that thriller/mystery/drama style books need to take the reader into a place they wouldn't normally go. The topic of polygamy certainly is a start, but playing both sides, while it may seem noble from a sociological perspective, comes across as a little safe. And safe is not what I personally prefer from my thrillers.

So, with a story that hits the same beats as it's predecessor and doesn't seem to really challenge the reader, despite having a very challenging topic to present, it seems like I wouldn't recommend it, right? Well, not so fast. If you liked the first - and you'd like more of the same this is a well written book that tackles a unique topic in a very respectful way. And there are far worse things out there than that. Not a unique, challenging read - but for those who aren't in the mood for that anyway, it's cautiously recommended.

[Jonathan E. Brickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A window into a world very few outsiders know, the extremely insular, polygamous, and convoluted Mormon religions -- of which there are many, interconnected by various forms of faithfulness to their originators in the 1800's -- in central and southern Utah. This series is fiction, but drawn from hard and scary knowledge, much of which can be corroborated if you look carefully into other sources. The author knows how to relate human tragedy and does it extremely well. Very frightening story, extraordinary verisimilitude, worthwhile read. Am reading these very very slowly because there is a lot to process! Missing one star just because of just how scary these are, I may add the fifth if I grow better. Profoundly worthwhile input into the human challenge of loving our neighbors. If you dare...!

[Richard Marman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know being a Mormon was so complicated. 'Mighty and Strong' is a pretty good yard about infighting between Mormon factions resulting in skulduggery and murder. Jacob Christianson doesn't really know whether he's a Mormon or not. His missus wants him to take another wife, but Jacob reckon's one's enough. Things get even more complicated when FBI agents coerce Jacob to infiltrate a fundamentalist Mormon Waco-style complex because one of their agents is missing inside. We have high-level politicians, whack-job blood-thirsty zealots all contributing to intrigue and dirty-deeds aplenty.
Although there is much ponderous soul-searching by Jacob, Michael Wallace's writing style cracks along. I found 'Mighty and Strong' easy to read and a great story to boot.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, cultish, suspenseful thriller!

This book is so well written, I like the way Michael Wallace develops his story and sets his scenes so you want to know what will happen next. There are twists and surprises ahead. His characters are well written and described. I am a great fan of Michael Wallace and look forward to the next in the series of these books.

[Donna Wisecup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continued struggle of faith within a Mormon polygamy cult.

This is a second book in the series of a polygamous family's son and his lack of faith that he may be chosen to be their next prophet.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I am enjoying the suspense of these books. Great writing, keeping me hooked. Ready to done the next book in this series.

[Keshet Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still on the fence about this series in certain ways, but the characters and backstory keep me engaged. If you're fascinated by polygamous cults, this is definitely for you.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the continuation (Book 2) of the Righteous series and essentially continues with the storyline begun in the first book. The story in the first book was ‘wrapped up’ as far as the murder mystery went, but the main characters continue with this book, which is also a suspense/mystery involving the Christianson family, the Mormon Churches in and around Salt Lake, as well as the fundamentalists versus the current Mormon believers. Think of it as Polygamists versus non-Polygamists, church teachings and beliefs (both fundy and current), murder, an FBI investigation, and a little politics mixed into a Mormon story-stew.

While this book was not as entertaining as the first book in the series, I believe part of that is due to the fact that it was no longer fresh—my curiosity was fulfilled with my peek into both flavors of Mormonism in the first book. It was, however, an interesting story and followed the family through this latest adventure with the same smooth writing style as the first book. It was impossible for me to not admire the characters, their dedicated belief, their humor, and their ‘same as everyone else’ humanism, that comes through in the form of crushes (on an older man in this case), wishes and wants, and beliefs and doubts. Feelings that most of us deal with routinely.

I recommend this series to anyone who is interested in learning (indirectly, and via a work of fiction) a bit more about Mormonism, anyone who enjoys a suspense novel, and anyone who likes this general type of book who is looking for a quick, easy, and entertaining read. I am looking forward to the third book in the series and to learning still more about the Mormon faith, as well as following the adventures of the family members—they are definitely likeable and the author has a nice writing style: informative, interesting, and entertaining!

Excerpt (opening paragraphs of the book):
Haley Kite became a Mormon fundamentalist the moment the car dropped her off on the corner. She was twenty, she needed a husband. In fact, she’d meet him in about five minutes.
And to think, less than a month since she worked as a high-priced call girl, with provocative ads on Craigslist and Eros. Hard to say who would be more shocked at the transformation, her former client in Malibu or her future husband.
Or Mom. Yeah, definitely. Question was, which would horrify Mom more, last month’s split-crotch panties, or the prairie dress she had made by hand, just to teach herself how? Hooker or fundy cult member?
Haley imagined Mom’s voice. Always worried and equally concerned about everything from Haley’s nail-biting habit to Grandpa’s unexpected stroke last Christmas. That voice had only one setting and it would be comically understated for a time like this. Hmm, a polygamist cult? Are you sure this is what you want to do, dear? What about grad school? You know Daddy and I will help out with tuition.
She was in school of a sort. After Malibu, Haley had traveled to Salt Lake City to study Mormonism 101, followed by courses in Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Plural Marriage, and Mormon Temple Rituals. Now she was taking the final exam, here in Utah’s rural heart. No grades, just pass or fail.

[Linda Yarber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very strange series for me. I don't by any means love these books, but I continued to read them. I have a compulsive need to finish a series once I start it, just to find out how the story ends and also to give the series a chance to get better as the books are written. But to me, this series just keeps getting more ridiculous, to the point that the actual main storyline of the book fades into the background and all I can think about is how absurd the things that are happening are.

For example, in this book a seemingly perfectly sane, very intelligent and well trained FBI agent decides mid-investigation to leave her old life behind and become a submissive, man-worshipping multiple wife. I can't even remember what number wife she was. And the reason that this is deemed plausible is because she "goes so deep undercover" and becomes who she is pretending to be. This is the same agent who has in the past had unprotected sex with drug dealers as an undercover hooker, and had adjusted a little too well into that life. Okay, now I know that our government does some shady stuff, but I highly doubt they would send an agent with a history like that into an organization believed to be a cult. Cult leaders are notoriously charming and even the strongest people can supposedly be led into cults, so why send someone who has been known to go too deep undercover and actually become the character she is trying to portray? This would be a dangerous move. When she decides to join the cult, she could be a true danger to any undercover operation or raid against because she knows all of the FBI's tricks.

Anyway, yes for whatever reason I continued the series through book #4, but I really don't know if I can make it through Destroying Angel.

[Katherine Coble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in the first book (The Righteous) and so I went directly into this one.

Here is yet another circumstance where I miss "half-stars" on Goodreads, as the first book would to my mind rate 3.5 stars, with this one at 2.5 stars. Yet they both weigh in at 3 on the full-star scale.

Whereas the first book had an underlying sort of kindness and openness about it, this second entry in a projected series of three self-published (*) works is far more cynical and snarky. The first one was a good field trip into a world unfamiliar to most people except in its most cartoonish form. This one reads like a fictionalised version of every anti-mormon, anti-right wing blog out there. Straw man characters are created to allow the author to rail against Republican politicians and Mormon financial practises.

The character of Jacob--refreshingly open-minded and earnest in _The Righteous_--is here portrayed as judgmental, tiresome and yet more of a Mary Sue than you'd expect. Where he ends up by the end of this book is not only a giant leap, it's nearly a blasphemous one for LDS readers. (I am not LDS.)

Since I felt like the book's primary purpose was not to entertain but to sell an agenda I barely enjoyed it at all.

---
*the books say they are published by "BalSalom publishing" on the Kindle, but after some digging it turns out that Balsalom is just a coy name Michael Wallace has given to his own Self-publishing venture. And these books are decidedly self-published and in grave need of an editor. Some examples: "ATM Machine; PIN Number; Kool-aide."

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob Christianson is a walk-away from a Millenialist polygamist cult (based on the LDS faith) in Utah. He's a young physician facing his student loan debt and has a young family to look after. When a girl from a rival polygamist sect takes it into her head that she will be Jacob's second wife, several unexpected chains of events are set into motion.

Recruited by the FBI to get their agent out of the sect -- which she has joined as the Prophet's wife -- Jacob soon finds himself embroiled in politics, a faith that he has happily deserted ... and murder.

This is a complex book that touches on politics, religion and sex (of the non-explicit variety) -- the three cocktail party no-nos -- in a way that keeps readers excited and interested. I finished most of the book in a single evening and completed it the next; I truly did not want to put it down.

Highly recommended.

(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Great exciting involving series!

Another well written, well edited, exciting, involving story in the Righteous series.

Each book in the series is a separate story, wrapped up at its end. But a thread between the characters and the church cults runs through them all, tying them together and making you want very much to follow the story through.

Jacob is a man raised in the FLDS and has serious doubts about all of it yet want to believe in the basic faith. He has great respect from the leaders and people of his church yet does not want to live there, does not want plural marriage for himself.

An FBI agent is kidnapped. A young girl is murdered. His wife and kids disappear. How does it play out?
Believe me, it does.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so clearly I keep reading these books, but I've gotta say, if I didn't want light fodder for my commute I wouldn't recommend it...

This one gets points for its shout out to South Park's "All About Mormons" episode, but the pop culture references made me feel increasingly confused about what broader themes the author is trying to convey. For example, the renegade references to bullying, and the school system's inaction (especially coming from such a twisted character) seemed like they should either be tied into the story in a more significant way, or just cut entirely.

The Mitt Romney reference was interesting, sort of

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book - continuation of series by Michael Wallace with Jacob and Eliza(his sister). There is another in the series which I will read. (have on my Kindle). Good, quick read - different mind set with the polygamist communities in Utah/Montana. First in series is better than this book.

Jacob helps the FBI try to get back one of their agents who has gone underground into one of the "communities". He fights the groups desire to have him marry again.

[Julianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this trilogy on Amazon, it looked like it could be good. Accidentally started with #2. It's references to the LDS church are not favorable. Granted, neither are the references to all the splinter churches but his generalizations bothered me. He also talks about things that makes it obvious he was LDS at some point and should know better. It also has a little smut so between the 2 problems, I didn't finish it nor would I recommend it to anyone I know.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was much slower than the first one, but I got more into it. Jacob Christianson is hired by the FBI to infiltrate a polygamous sect in order to find one of their lost agents. The book rails on the Mormon and LDS religion as well as Republicans and so forth. Taking this with a grain of salt, and realizing the author clearly has a problem with them, the book is pretty interesting to read more about the practices of the people. Blasphemous for sure.

[Teri Heyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up late last night to finish reading "Mighty and Strong" (Righteous Series #2). This was a non-stop page turner, one of those rare books you don't want to put down until you reach the very last page. I already have Book #3 on my Kindle and can't wait to begin. This is a great series by Michael Wallace.

[R. E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading the trilogy. The Righteous, Mighty and Strong and The Wicked. I caught the books on sale and figured, 'What the heck?' I wound up really enjoying the peek inside a culture that was pretty much alien to me. The religious fanatics made for very scary and recognizable antagonists. I'd certainly recommend this series.

[Paul Go · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a series, this book is taught with action and suspense. It's an interesting view into the cults that have sprung up around the Church of Latter Day Saints over the years. Jacob Christianson is an excellent character: an intelligent skeptic that respects his faith even in his doubts about it. I'm eager to see where the third book goes.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think you have to have read to first one (The Righteous) for the foundation about the polygamists. However, this one was better and easier to read because the author didn't go into as much detail about church stuff. Since I'm on a roll, I plan to read the next in the Righteous Series - The Wicked. I know there are at least 2 more after that, but as my daddy always says, "we shall see...."

[Heavyheel]

A good story

Enjoyed this 2nd book in the Righteous series. Jacob Christensen is a strong character trying to discover exactly where he belongs in the Church. He helps the FBI infiltrate a sect led by the One Called Mighty and Strong in an effort to find out what happened to an undercover agent. Good action and an ending which leaves Jacob facing his biggest decision.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. Hard to put down, the characters are interesting, the back drop of Mormonism is fascinating. I have recommended this to many of my friends who had enjoyed the HBO series Big Love.

[Becky J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'The Righteous,' and I think the writing in this one is even better. Really enjoyed the read. The characters are very realistic and I feel like I'm getting an accurate picture of FLDS life (not that I would really know... but it doesn't seem sensationalized).

[Rose]

I enjoyed the first book "Righteous " and I couldn't wait to read the second book " Mighty and Strong". The stories kept me interested and I had the sense that the characters were seeable. I'm ready for book number three.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, this series is hard to put down. The plot has plenty of holes, and is terribly implausible, but Jacob and Eliza are compelling characters. The book moves very quickly and is an easy read. I expect I will get the next one.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series. It is not necessary to read the first one in order to enjoy this book. The more Jacob wants to distance himself from this cult, the deeper he and his family get involved. Good story.