What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Gates to Hell: Hell's detours can lead to heavenly destinations.
A Cop’s Journey Through a Changing World
After serving in Vietnam, Bobby Richards thought he’d left the jungles and adversaries behind. But becoming an Oakland cop proved to be a life-altering career choice. The world had transformed during his time spent in Southeast Asia. The poodle skirt was replaced by the mini, work jeans became flowered bell-bottoms, and the beatnik morphed into a hippie. The foliage was replaced with concrete and the bamboo with high-rises. As a cop, Bobby encounters the best and worst of humanity. Later in life, as he reflects on his career as both a cop and a prison chaplain, he knows that his greatest challenge is yet to come—facing Death Row inmates inside San Quentin State Prison.
After serving in Vietnam, Bobby Richards thought he’d left the jungles and adversaries behind. But becoming an Oakland cop proved to be a life-altering career choice. The world had transformed during his time spent in Southeast Asia. The poodle skirt was replaced by the mini, work jeans became flowered bell-bottoms, and the beatnik morphed into a hippie. The foliage was replaced with concrete and the bamboo with high-rises. As a cop, Bobby encounters the best and worst of humanity. Later in life, as he reflects on his career as both a cop and a prison chaplain, he knows that his greatest challenge is yet to come—facing Death Row inmates inside San Quentin State Prison.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
75 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 19, 2025
Three Gates to Hell is a well‑crafted, high‑tension narrative with a backbone of authenticity drawn from Randall’s own life as soldier, police officer, and chaplain. If you appreciate thrillers grounded in real service, with questions of faith and redemption baked in, this is a book you’ll likely enjoy.
While the action is strong, the religious/faith elements are front‑and‑center (which is of course the author’s intention). That means readers looking for pure procedural thrillers with minimal faith themes may find it more evangelically oriented than expected.
While the action is strong, the religious/faith elements are front‑and‑center (which is of course the author’s intention). That means readers looking for pure procedural thrillers with minimal faith themes may find it more evangelically oriented than expected.
February 2, 2026
Justice with God's Grace
A really tough book to read but truly rewarding if you read it's entirety. B. F. Randall captures the inner emotions of strongly developed characters. There is no doubt that you will become a caring observer growing deeper and deeper into a suspenseful plot.
I hope you enjoy readings such an indepth journey as you witness God's grace and peace for such a time as this.
A really tough book to read but truly rewarding if you read it's entirety. B. F. Randall captures the inner emotions of strongly developed characters. There is no doubt that you will become a caring observer growing deeper and deeper into a suspenseful plot.
I hope you enjoy readings such an indepth journey as you witness God's grace and peace for such a time as this.
April 25, 2024
Wonderful inspirational book
I didn't know what to expect when I started this novel. It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and caused me to reexamine some of my own beliefs. The in sites of real law enforcement were of particular interest to me.
I would recommend this work to anyone who likes tales of love, excitement and adventure.
I didn't know what to expect when I started this novel. It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and caused me to reexamine some of my own beliefs. The in sites of real law enforcement were of particular interest to me.
I would recommend this work to anyone who likes tales of love, excitement and adventure.
January 15, 2026
Peace
Reading this brought many memories to mind. It spoke of a time when the police meant safety. The men (and they were all men) were kind, caring and decent. We could trust them to help us in any situation. It also reminds us who is really in charge, no matter what circumstances we may be experiencing.
Reading this brought many memories to mind. It spoke of a time when the police meant safety. The men (and they were all men) were kind, caring and decent. We could trust them to help us in any situation. It also reminds us who is really in charge, no matter what circumstances we may be experiencing.
January 21, 2026
An excellent book!
Wow! is about all I can say. What a great reminder of what Jesus did for us - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16 & 17
Wow! is about all I can say. What a great reminder of what Jesus did for us - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16 & 17
January 9, 2026
Three Gates to Hell -
This was a great, well written book. It is from a Christian perspective but not a cram it down your throat vantage point. I highly recommend it. Kudos to the author for a job well done.
This was a great, well written book. It is from a Christian perspective but not a cram it down your throat vantage point. I highly recommend it. Kudos to the author for a job well done.
October 3, 2025
Excellent story
A true picture of God's love competing with our sinful lives .
I very recommend that you read this book.
A true picture of God's love competing with our sinful lives .
I very recommend that you read this book.
October 11, 2025
It started out slow, but I really liked seeing Bobby's Journey. It shows how in the darkest moment, God is there and working!
January 8, 2026
This was a VERY PROFOUND storyline, following the main character over a period of a couple of decades. Many Christian messages throughout.
January 14, 2026
unexpected ending
The last 20% was his prison ministry. That was the most interesting part of the book. A good story and the ending is
especially good and thought provoking
The last 20% was his prison ministry. That was the most interesting part of the book. A good story and the ending is
especially good and thought provoking
January 14, 2026
Great Read
It’s been awhile since I’ve been so drawn into a novel any novel. But this one drew me in. Funny, incredibly sad, and inspirational all at the same time.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been so drawn into a novel any novel. But this one drew me in. Funny, incredibly sad, and inspirational all at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews